UIC SWISS RULES – SEASON 35

PLEASE NOTE: THESE RULES HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR SEASON 36 WHICH TAKES ON A DIFFERENT FORMAT BY BEING PLAYED AS INTERMITTENT TOURNAMENTS OVER AN UNSPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME (IE. ON A MORE INFORMAL AND RELAXED BASIS). THE OBJECTIVE IS TO GET UIC SWISS TOURNEYS BEING PLAYED AFTER A LONG BREAK. THE RULES BELOW WILL BE OBSERVED WHERE APPLICABLE AND WHERE NECESSARY. ANY OBVIOUS DEVIATION, SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF TOURNEYS PLAYED, THE DATES AND START TIMES, WILL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE ADMIN TEAM. THEREFORE, THE PRIMARY AND OVER-RIDING RULE IS RULE 9.3 WHICH WILL BE APPLICABLE TO SEASON 36.

1. ACCOUNTS AND ELIGIBILITY 

1.1. A player is only allowed one account in UIC Swiss. If more than one account is detected, all accounts may be deleted which includes match histories. A member must have a valid e-mail address. If one is found to be invalid it may result in his or her ID being removed from the competition and any Individual points may be deleted. Updating an e-mail address can be done under ‘My Account/Edit E-mail Address’.

1.2. A player will be allocated to a team depending on his or her location of residence, as shown by his or her IP. If a player moves residence at any time during the season, it is his or her responsibility to inform UIC Swiss Admin. Failure to disclose any relevant information may make a player liable to be disqualified from the competition.

1.3. A player must create his or her own screen name, with no prefix in front, and the one used in UIC Swiss must match the one used in Gamedesire. Where a screen name has special symbols or characters to represent letters, the screen name in UIC Swiss may consist of ordinary letters as long as they spell out the same name.

1.4. A screen name used in Gamedesire must have at least 250 games on it or have VIP status in order to type in the UIC Swiss lobby or at a table, unless extraordinary circumstances warrant a new one being used (for example, an existing screen name being blocked in Gamedesire). Otherwise no new screen names unable to type will be permitted.

1.5. All screen names which are deemed unsuitable or inappropriate must be changed. This includes any screen name with cuss or rude words or any defamatory reference to another league or player. When requested, a player who does not change a screen name deemed unacceptable for any reason will be removed from the competition.

1.6. Where two or more players share the same device, residence or IP, they may compete but each must play on their own IDs unconditionally at all times. Any breach of this rule would make a player liable to be penalised.

1.7. A player may not change his or her screen name more than twice each season. Should a player use an unauthorised screen name, he or she will forfeit any points gained whilst using that screen name. UIC Swiss Admin may change any unauthorised screen name back to the previous one if deemed necessary.

1.8. A player changing his or her screen name must ensure that it matches the screen name. It is a player’s responsibility to inform UIC Swiss Admin that individual points accrued must be added in cases where there are two screen names used during the season.

1.9. UIC Swiss Admin reserves the right to remove any signed-up player who does not adhere to the eligibility qualifications at any stage during the season, or deemed to be an undesirable for any reason, or to adjust or withdraw any points accrued in both the team and individual standings.

2. COMPETITION FORMAT

2.1. The competition consists of two True Swiss tournaments played on Fridays during the season at 4.00pm EST named the 4PM, and at 6.00pm named the 6PM. Each tournament consists of five rounds played one after the other in League Room 07. Any player may participate in UIC Swiss, whether playing in Gamedesire or any other gaming site, as long as he or she is correctly signed up to Gamesdesire in accordance to Rule 1.3. 

2.2. The season will be played over 12 weeks and there will be separate standings for the Team and Individual competitions as stipulated on the UIC Swiss website.  

2.3. A player may play in both tournaments each week. The scores of all participants will count in the Individual standings. A player winning a tournament with an overall score of 5-0 may not participate in a second tournament on the same day. If a player previously winning a tournament with 5-0 participates a second time on the same day, neither scores will count as a penalty for ineligibility in the second tournament. A ‘no show’ player will not be considered to have participated in a tournament.

2.4. The following points system will apply to the Team standings: One point will be awarded for each game won. The four leading scores from each team will apply  towards the Team standings each week. These four scores can come from one or any of the tournaments. If four or more players represent a team, a player’s score will count once in the Team standings. If three or less players represent a team, a player’s score may count twice in the Team standings.  

2.5. The following points system will apply to the Individual standings: One point will be awarded for each game won, up to a maximum of five points per player. Five points will be awarded for playing all five rounds. Four points will be awarded for an overall tournament win and two points awarded for a shared tournament win. Where a player participates in two tournaments, his or her higher points total will apply to the Individual standings. The points system will therefore be as follows: 5–0 outright win = 14 points, 4–1 outright win = 3 points, 4-1 shared win = 11 points, 4-1 regular score = 9 points, 3–2 score = 8 points, 2–3 = 7 points, 1–4 = 6 points, 0–5 = 5 points.

2.6. An Unavailability Compensation (UC) scheme will apply for players who miss up to TWO weeks during the season due to unavailability (such as vacation, illness or bereavement). This will apply between Week 4 and Week 10 inclusive, and a player must claim UC to a member of the Admin team within one week of the unavailability. In each case UC is awarded, three points will be added to the player’s total in the Individual standings (equivalent to a score of 3-2), on no more than three occasions, and will NOT apply to the Team standings at any time. Back-dated UC claimed more than two weeks after the unavailability will not be applied. Once a maximum of two cases of UC have been applied, no further claims will be considered. It must be stressed that UC will ONLY be considered when claimed and will NOT be automatically applied. No UC will be considered or applied after Week 10.

2.7. The team finishing the season with the highest number of points in the Team standings will be named the UIC Swiss Judge Roy Championship Winners. Where two or more teams are equal on points in the Team standings at the end of the season, the higher number of combined overall and shared tournament wins will determine final positions. If these are tied, the Team competition will be shared.

2.8. The player finishing the season with the highest number of points in the Individual standings will be named the UIC Swiss Individual Champion. Where two or more leading players are equal on points in the Individual standings at the end of the season, the higher number of combined overall and shared tournament wins will determine final positions. If these are tied, the Individual competition will be shared.

2.9. At the end of the season, Gold, Silver and Bronze Play-offs will be held in accordance to additional rules to be posted on the official website once the regular season has finished. 

2.10. A player MUST report losing a game immediately using the tournament website (by clicking on the ‘Report’ button on the tournament home page). Any player failing to report for a third time will have five points deducted from his or her Individual competition total, unless applying to Round 5 in which case the penalty will be an immediate deduction of five points. For further cases of non-reporting, another five points will be deducted per offence. Any reporting difficulties must be reported to the TD or UIC Swiss Admin. 

2.11. A player wishing to withdraw from a tournament must clearly request to be withdrawn via private message directly to the hosting TD in the room. Any requests in the lobby will be ignored and the player may be left in for the remainder of the tournament. A player withdrawing or being removed from the competition for any reason will lose all points accrued up to that point and may not participate in any play-offs for that particular season if rejoining.

2.12. Should any circumstance arise whereby a tournament cannot be completed due to outside influences, such as servers crashing, then standings will be calculated from the last known point where they went down, as long as at least three rounds have been completed. All points accrued to that stage will be given as normal, ie. if there is a clear leader, that player will be allocated the bonus points and if there are current ties then the same will apply to them. Should there be less than three rounds completed, the tournament will be void and replayed at another time during the season.

2.13. A TD may NOT, under any circumstances, alter any pairings in a tournament. This is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN irrespective of the number of repeated pairings in any round. A TD who alters any pairing will be removed and face sanctions under UIC Swiss rules.

2.14. A TD must remove a ‘no show’ player prior to Round 3, unless instructed by the player him or herself, or a member of the same team, to keep the player in. However, if a player has not arrived by Round 4, he or she will be removed unconditionally. A player who is removed from a tournament as a ‘no show’ without playing may play in later tournaments on the same day in accordance with Rule 2.3. Any wins gained by default by a ‘no show’ player will not count.

2.15. A tournament must be closed and started by a TD on time as per the schedule under normal circumstances. If a registered player is attempting to jump a tournament but is facing log-in difficulties, a tournament may be delayed by no more than three minutes. Once the three minutes have expired, a tournament must be closed, irrespective of a player still attempting to jump. No tournament must be delayed to allow a new player to sign up.

3. GAME PLAY

3.1. The table set-up must have the following ON and applying: ‘Regular Game’, ‘Allow Watchers’, ‘Allow Guests’, ‘Allow guests/watchers to access chat’, ‘SafeGame’ and ‘Rated Game’. Under ‘Security’ and ‘Maximum Allowable Disconnection Time’ must be set at maximum. Under ‘Game/Move Time’, the ‘Game Time’ must be set at 10 minutes and the ‘Move Time’ must be left unchecked.

3.2. If a table has been set-up incorrectly, and the mistake has been detected before FOUR balls of the same denomination (either solids or stripes) are potted, then the game must be re-racked. Once four solids or stripes have been potted, the game must be continued to completion. If a re-rack is requested in time, the player causing the incorrect table set-up, must abandon the game and remake the table correctly. Screenshots can be taken if necessary as evidence. Under no circumstances must a game be re-racked for incorrect set-up once FOUR solids or stripes have been potted. If a screenshot shows that a re-rack should have applied but the player setting up the table incorrectly refused to re-rack and goes on to win the game, the result will be reversed after the tournament.

3.3. If the ‘Move Time’ has been set up at 30 seconds or on any timer, the game must be re-racked regardless. No game played will count as completed unless the game is played to completion without a timed table.

3.4. It is customary – although not compulsory – for the player listed first in any pairing to ‘Create Table’ and to invite his or her opponent to a table. If both players in a pairing create a table, the second named player must accept the invite of the first named player in all cases. A second named player risks losing the game by default should he or she refuse an invite.

3.5. Re-racks (RR) are NOT permitted, unless the 8-ball has been sunk directly on the break, or before solids and stripes have been determined, or if a case of incorrect set-up has been detected in time as per Rule 3.2. A player may select the ‘continue’ option given by Gamedesire if so desired. If an unauthorised re-rack is detected by UIC Swiss Admin, the result of the initial game leading to the re-rack will count for the purposes of the tournament. UIC Swiss Admin can order a re-rack under extraordinary circumstances where there is no other reasonable outcome.

3.6. Since UIC Swiss is always Regular 8 and ‘Anything Goes’ (AG), safety shots (‘snookers’), ‘tapping’, Ball In Hand, deliberately fouling an opponent’s ball and coaching are permitted at all times, unless any excessive AG play amounts to deliberate slow play (Rule 3.9).

3.7. If Gamedesire boots a player from a table while he or she is actually playing in a game and the opponent is automatically given a win as a forfeit, the game must be re-racked. However, if a player who looks like he or she is going to be defeated and suddenly forfeits, it will count as an intentional force forfeit and a penalty will be applied.

3.8. Should a game be delayed due to any technical glitch where one or both players cannot open a table or start the game, and other options have been tried (including rebooting the players’ computers, and re-signing-in to Gamedesire), then the hosting TD or UIC Swiss Admin may award the game to the player with the higher Cases rating, specifically to enable the tournament to advance. 

3.9. If a player loses his or her internet connection and is subsequently timed out in the game without returning, he or she will lose the game.

3.10. Deliberate slow play or wasting time will not be tolerated. If a player is deemed to be doing so then he or she will be warned by the hosting TD or UIC Swiss Admin and if this warning is ignored then he or she will be disqualified in that game.

3.11. The use of Team Viewer, Skype or WhatsApp Video or any other screen-sharing device or application during a tournament is strictly prohibited. Any breach of this rule would make a player liable to be penalised for cheating.

4. RECORDING GAMES / SCREENSHOTS

4.1. Unless otherwise directed, no games in UIC Swiss need to be recorded by Camtasia or a similar recording program. However, UIC Swiss Admin reserve the right to selectively request a player to cam all games and submit tapes as directed. Failure to comply will result in removal from the competition.

4.2. Screenshots or recorded tapes may be made by players and submitted as evidence if deemed necessary. A screenshot or tape must be labeled correctly as follows: Opponent’s name, round and date, with screenshot number if more than one is submitted. Example: ‘ace.pooler_round1_01jan21_1’.

4.3. All screenshots or tapes must be emailed to an on-duty UIC Swiss Admin as soon as possible. No game must be held up to view any screenshot or tape unless directed by UIC Swiss Admin. 

4.4. Screenshots or recorded tapes must be received by UIC Swiss Admin within 30 minutes of the completion of the tournament. If file sizes require more time, the player sending must inform Admin immediately. Failure to comply may result in a game or games being reversed if deemed necessary or disqualification from the tournament.

4.5. To avoid delaying the progress of a tournament, in most cases screenshots and tapes will be reviewed after the tournament. Where a game is reversed either during or after a tournament, the Team standing and/or Individual standing points will be amended accordingly.

5. TIMERS

5.1. All timers are SEVEN minutes. Any timer imposed is cumulative, and does not restart at the full amount. A player requesting a timer is requested to contact the hosting TD via ‘private message’ to ask for one. Any requests in the lobby may be ignored.

5.2. A player who returns after being placed on a timer MUST contact the hosting TD to ask for the timer to be taken off. If he or she fails to do this then the timer may continue until they comply. If a player has been put on a timer and fails to return he or she will lose that particular game.

5.3. If a player has not returned by the time that the next round is about to be posted then he or she will be kept in for a maximum of two further rounds, after which he or she will be removed from the tournament, unless a request from the player’s team is received to keep the player in. Such a request must be made to the hosting TD.

6. BEHAVIOUR AND SPORTSMANSHIP

6.1. A player is expected to behave sportingly and with courtesy at all times. A player is also expected to respect all other players and staff. Any form of abusive, foul or offensive language, gamesmanship, goading, harassment, homophobic remarks, intimidation, jinxing, provocation, racism, taunting or any form of disruptive, unacceptable or unsporting behaviour, including making aimer accusations whether in the lobby or any other lobby or at a table is not permitted. Any breach of this Rule will make a player liable to be sanctioned in accordance with the Penalties outlined below, or have points deducted from the Individual standings.

6.2. Any form of cheating or suspected cheating is strictly not permitted. This includes the suspected use of any aiming program. UIC Swiss Admin are empowered to place in the penalty box, or remove from the competition any player who is heavily suspected, proven or not. Where a game is reversed either during or after a tournament, the Individual standings points will be amended accordingly.

6.3. A player must not, at any time, bring the name or reputation of UIC Swiss into disrepute by defamation, or by making adverse comments about the competition or UIC Swiss staff in the lobby or at tables, or in any messenger service, or in another league’s lobby or room, or by spamming material or details of another league in any lobby, or engage in gross unsporting behaviour. A team may be held responsible for the conduct of any member or non-competing individual considered to be representing that particular team. In such cases, a deduction of up to 20 points from the team or individual total may be imposed as a penalty at the discretion of UIC Swiss Admin.

6.4. A player must not boot an individual or an opponent immediately after a game, from a table without just cause. A player must NEVER boot the hosting TD or UIC Swiss Admin from a table under ANY circumstances. Only disruptive, discourteous or unsporting behaviour will be considered a reason to boot after a warning in accordance with Rule 6.5. 

6.5. A player feeling there is just cause to boot an individual from the table (for disruptive behaviour for example) must (a) ask that person to stop typing (screen shot taken). If the individual carries on typing, (b) he or she must be asked to leave the table (screen shot taken). If the individual has ignored both (a) and (b), he or she may be booted. Screen shots must be taken by the player booting to substantiate his or her action. Coaching (which is permitted) is not a reason to boot any individual. Any screen shot taken must be sent to UIC Swiss Admin after the tournament in question. If proven to be an unwarranted booting, this will be viewed as unsporting behaviour and a penalty applied.

7. PENALTIES

Penalties for any breach of UIC Swiss rules have been sorted into five categories with Category A being the most serious through to Category E being more of a misdemeanour. This has been done so that a player will know in advance what the likely penalty will be for any given action and therefore govern him or herself accordingly.

7.1. Category A – Penalty: 60 days in the penalty box or possible banishment from UIC Swiss. 

(i). Proven cheating, suspected cheating or serious falsification of any kind. 

(ii). Gross insulting behaviour and/or racist comments to another member. 

(iii). Defaming UIC Swiss whilst a current member or a current boxed member. 

(iv). Playing on two different screen names in a tournament or tournaments on the same day. 

(v). Other gross unacceptable behaviour. 

(vi). Deemed to be an undesirable member. 

(vii). Repeated breaking of lesser offence rules in Category B.

7.2. Category B – Penalty: 30 days in the penalty box. 

(i). Continued ‘loud’ abuse of other members (use of CAPS). 

(ii). Bringing the name and reputation of UIC Swiss into disrepute. 

(iii). Abuse and other disrespect of UIC Swiss staff (including booting from a table) in the UIC Swiss lobby, in any league’s lobby, at any pool table, in any shout box or in any messenger service. 

(iv). Creating an unauthorised screen name on behalf of another member. 

(v). Under investigation for alleged misconduct or unacceptable behaviour. 

(vi). Unacceptable behaviour not covered by these rules. 

(vii). Repeated breaking of lesser offence rules in Category C.

7.3. Category C – Penalty: 10 points deduction from the offending player’s Individual points tally. 

(i). Ignoring an Admin’s rulings or call for cessation of any inappropriate behaviour. 

(ii). Manipulation of home league statistics. 

(iii). Continued arguing, harassing, insulting or intimidating another member or Staff member in the UIC Swiss lobby, in any league’s lobby, at any pool table, in any shout box or in any messenger service.

(iv). Any form of disruptive behaviour, continuing disrespectful behaviour or anti-social behaviour. 

(v). Repeated breaking of lesser offence rules in Category D.

7.4. Category D – Penalty: 6 points deduction from the offending player’s Individual points tally. 

(i). Force forfeiting another member or deliberately leaving the table before the opponent’s 8-ball is sunk. 

(ii). Unwarranted booting. 

(iii). Spamming another league or Interleague during an UIC Swiss tournament. 

(iv). Misuse of UIC Swiss shout box, forum or feedback form, including disrespectful behaviour.

(v). Repeated breaking of rules in Category E (second offence or more). 

7.5. Category E – Penalty: 3 points deduction from the offending player’s Individual points tally. 

(i). Taunting or jinxing during any game, including early ‘GG’ before the opponent’s 8-ball is sunk. 

(ii). Failing to report a loss in Rounds 1 to 4 (after a warning). 

(iii). Failing to report a loss and leaving the lobby in Round 5 (no warning – immediate penalty imposed). 

(iv). General unsporting behaviour, including any form of disrespect, adopting an argumentative attitude and lack of cooperation.

8. APPEALS

8.1. A player may appeal against any penalty incurred in UIC Swiss but must do so in a respectful and business-like fashion. An appeal may be submitted via Trillian to the Head Admin, where a player will be required to give full details explaining the nature of the appeal, and support it with evidence, if possible, including screenshots or recorded tapes. A screenshot or tape must be labeled correctly in accordance with Rule 4.2. The Trillian address for any appeal is ENDK2016. The player must notify the Head Admin via private message in Gamedesire of any appeal sent.

8.2. The appeal and notification must be submitted within three days of the confirmation of the boxing, otherwise it will not be considered.

8.3. Once an appeal is received which complies fully, the Head Admin will consider it, after consultation with UIC Swiss Admin, and e-mail or instant message back a decision which will be final and binding.

9. RULES ADDENDUM

9.1. These Rules may be subject to change at any time as deemed necessary and at the discretion of UIC Swiss Admin.

9.2. By participating in any UIC Swiss tournament, each team or player will be deemed to have given their assent to these Rules and agree to abide by the decisions of UIC Swiss Admin and staff.

9.3. All questions regarding interpretations of these Rules, or of any point not provided for by these Rules, will be referred to the Head Admin whose decision shall be final and binding on all concerned.