The Ranking System!

MyLeague has one of the simplest ranking systems ever used for competitive play. The concept was adopted from the ranking system used on the official Case's Ladders. We call it a "Ladder" because each member holds a unique rank or "rung" that represents their standing among other members. The highest-ranked member holds the #1 Ladder position; for example, someone ranked #2 is ranked below the #1 member. The goal is to "climb" the Ladder all the way to the top!

• When you first join, you are placed in an "Unranked" category on the League.
• You become "Ranked" after winning your first League match. (Unranked members may play each other, and the winner becomes ranked at the bottom of the League.)
• When you defeat a higher-ranked member, you move up in rank 50% the distance between their rank and your own.
  • Example: If you are ranked #50 and you beat the #1 ranked member, then your new rank would be 25.
• Your rank on the League does not go down if you lose a match unless your opponent is ranked DIRECTLY below you.
  • Example: If you are ranked #5 and the #6 ranked member defeats you, then your new rank would be #6.
• When members ranked below you are victorious against members ranked above you, it's possible the member will jump over you in rank and you will move down one rung. This depends on the ranks involved.
  • Example(per 50% rank gain): You are currently ranked #7. If the #10 ranked member defeats the #1 ranked member, then #10 will advance to the #5 rung and you will fall to the #8 rung.

Account Rules

• League Names
  • If your League name is deemed offensive or contains profanity, your account may be removed.
  • If your League name is deemed abusive towards another member, your account may be removed.
  • You can edit your League name by using the 'My Account' tab and choosing the 'Edit Username' option. If you have problems changing your League name, please use the 'Contact Admin' link, located on the 'Support' tab.
• E-mail Address
  • Your E-mail address must be kept current at all times, in case you need to be contacted. You can use the 'Edit E-mail Address' link on the 'My Account' tab to edit your E-mail address.
• Password Security
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password.
  • You are not permitted to share your password with anyone for any reason.
• Inactivity
  • In order to keep the League as dynamic as possible, your account will be automatically deleted if you are inactive for 365 days. However, one of the features of our Premium Membership Program is never being deleted for inactivity. Information regarding our Premium Membership Program can be found here.
• Multiple Accounts
  • Only one account is allowed per person. There are no exceptions to this rule.
  • It is forbidden for more than one person to use or share the same account.
  • Multiple accounts from the same location will be investigated and possibly removed.

Challenges

Note: Please consult the Admin staff regarding whether or not League challenges are permitted for this League.

A challenge is defined as a request for a match with a higher-ranked member. Whether you are the challenger or the one being challenged, there are some rules that must be followed. Violating these rules may result in penalties. If you notice anyone violating these rules, please contact the Admin staff.

• Chat
  • The best way to find League matches is to announce in chat that you are looking for a League match so that other members will know you are interested in League-play. You can also directly challenge a specific member in chat.
• Formal Challenges
  • Most Leagues permit the use of Formal Challenges. A complete overview of the Formal Challenge system can be found here.
• 30 time(s) Per Day
  • You may play the same member 30 time(s) per day. However, you may play as many different members as you would like on any given day. A "MyLeague" day begins at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
• Verify Information
  • We recommend you ensure a potential opponent is also a member of the League before starting your match. You can do this very easily by searching for your opponent using the 'Search for Players' tool.

Playing a Match

Once you are ready to start playing a League match, there are some guidelines governing game play that you should keep in mind.

• Opponents
  • You are not allowed to report losses to another member that also plays from the same computer as you. Our security software will detect this activity if it is attempted, and participating accounts may be penalized or removed.
• Sportsmanship
  • The same rules that apply to behavior in chat (covered in a later section) also apply during matches.

Reporting the Match

Once your match is completed, the loser of the match is responsible for reporting the loss immediately. You can report your matches using the 'Report Loss' button located on the 'Standings' tab. Please note the 'Report Loss' link should only be used for League matches and not for tournament matches; you should consult the TD with any questions regarding reporting tournament matches. If you have any problems reporting a loss, you should contact the Admin staff and request assistance.

• Reporting the Loss
  • In one-on-one matches, the loser of the match reports the loss to the winner.
  • In partner matches, each member of the losing team reports a loss to both partners of the winning team. At the end of the match, you would either gain two wins or report two losses.
  • In "free for all" matches (matches in which multiple opponents are competing against each other without partners), each loser of the match must report a loss to one overall winner.
  • When playing matches with more than one opponent, it is important for losses to be reported in the proper order if rank will be affected by the order of report. You must report to the better-ranked opponent first in those cases. It is your responsibility to make sure you report in the correct order when necessary. Not doing so may result in penalty.
• Unreported Matches
  • If your opponent does not report their loss within one hour after completing the match or prior to starting another match, you should click on the "Contact Admin" link and then use the "Unreported Match" form.

Tournaments

The rules for a Tournament are determined by the Tournament Director hosting the event. You will find a summary of each individual Tournament, including a Rules page, if you follow the link for that specific Tournament.

League-Specific Rules


+++++++++++++++++++++++ Upsticks League Specific Rules +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TO MAINTAIN FAIRNESS, COMPETITIVENESS AND SMOOTH-RUNNING, SOME SPECIAL RULES APPLY TO GAMES AND LOBBY AND MEMBERSHIP, AS LISTED BELOW.

TO ENSURE CONFORMITY AND THE SPEEDY AND SMOOTH RUNNING OF A TOURNEY, THE PLAYER CALLED TO HOST THE GAME IS EXPECTED TO PROMPTLY CREATE THE TABLE, SIT IN HIS/HER CHOSEN COLOUR AND INVITE HIS/HER OPPONENT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURE WILL RESULT IN THE OFFENDER FORFEITING THE GAME.

PENALTIES FOR BREACHES OF RULES IN SOME CASES ARE SET OUT BELOW - HOWEVER ANY BREACH OF RULES CAN CARRY ADDITIONAL PENALTIES RANGING FROM WARNINGS, OF UP TO 10 DAYS IN "THE BOX" (I.E. BANNED FROM PLAYING ANY TOURNAMENTS), OR IN SERIOUS OR REPEATED OFFENCES, TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR RULE CHANGES THAT WOULD IMPROVE OUR GAMES, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE ADMIN TEAM

UPSTICKS GAME-SPECIFIC RULES

PARTNERS IN 2 v 2 TEAMS � (EXCLUDING TAG TRNY�S) - (Apr 3rd 2007 - last revised Jan 12th 2009)

Members should not be in any form of direct communication with each other while playing as partners in the same team in 2 x 2 matches. - For this reason, members playing from the same location or household at the time of 2 x 2 tournaments, MUST NOT pre-form themselves as partners to play as a team, nor are they allowed to be in the same team as a result of "auto-team" pairing.

ANY DIRECT COMMUNICATION (E.G. PHONE, IM, etc..) MUST BE DISCONTINUED.

Team members found to be in breach of this rule are liable to be dropped before trny start, or disqualified once the trny has started.

USE OF SUBSTITUTES (SUBS) - (Dec 10th 2006 - - last revised Jan 12th 2009)

Use of subs is NOT ALLOWED in any SINGLE's (1 v 1 ) tournament.

Subs ARE ALLOWED in TEAM tournaments, if your partner is missing, and has been on timer for 5 minutes. - - Any sub utilised will finish the game they commenced, whether or not the original partner returns during that game. - - Where feasible, the same sub will be utilised for subsequent games in the same team, should the original partner remain missing. - without requiring a further 5-minute timer.

Any subs used will be credited with any ladder stats gained in the games for which they acted as a substitute.

In the event no sub is available, a robot may be used, in which case the original partner shall replace the robot immediatly upon their return.

BEHAVIOUR RULES

USE OF CAPITALS, FASTKEYS OR SHORTKEYS -(June 19th 2006 - last revised Jan 12th 2009)

To maintain clear communication, the TD in charge is the only person allowed to use capital text, Shortkeys, or Fast keys in lobby / tables. The TD may however authorise othere to use these keys as appropriate.

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT - (Oct 29th 2004 - last revised Jan 12th 2009)

Unruly, abusive, overtly sexual or threatening behaviour in lobby, tables or IM / e- mail communication with other members will NOT be accepted - neither will offensive name-calling, harrassment, or the use of profane language - (If you do not know the persons name, then address them by their lobby ID).

Members are expected to promptly comply with a TD's request to cease any behaviour deemed innappropriate by the TD.

Where non-members are being disruptive, the TD may request all members to place the person on "ignore" and to discontinue any responses.

GAME TABLE & TOURNAMENT RULES - (last revised Jan 12th 2009)

Before commencing play in table, click "KIBITZ" to "Protect Table" and "Prevent Viewing of Hands" .

Fast play is expected - Unreasonable delay in playing cards in hand will result in you being put on timer.

In any one game, 3 timer sessions will result in loss of that game - as will a total timer time in excess of 7 minutes.

Members should restrict themselves to playing in only one table, unless invited by a TD (e.g, Where 2 or more tournaments overlap) - Where members are playing a non-league game, they should leave that game to play any league trny due, rather than try to play both.

No unreasonable delays in play are acceptable where such delays are due to a player undertaking simultaneous activities unconnected with Upsticks League. Any player who, despite warnings, continues to disrupt tournaments in this way, will be liable to disciplinary action.

Any member is generally welcome to join a league table game in process, on the understanding that it is to support and enjoy the game and company. It is unfair, and not allowed, to distract the players in a trny game by briefly or repeatedly joining and re-joining their tables for frivilous or offensive purposes.

Tournaments are the property of the TD hosting it - and in accepting an invitation to play, members are also accepting any rule changes the TD sees fit to make, either before or during the tournament.

Failure to comply with TD rules will result in disqualification from tourney, and/or other penalties, as described above (top)

CHEATING IN ANY FORM WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.

In the event that you formally challenge another member to a ladder game - you must play only one regular game per challenge.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP RULES

UPSTICKS NAME / ID AND E-MAILS ADDRESS - (last revised Jan 12th 2009)

You may only join this league with one ID - Multiple ID's will be removed from the league membership.

Members should enter the lobby using the ID that you joined the tournament with.

Your e-mail address must be kept current on the site, to enable contact within the league - If you need to change your e-mail address, use the "User Edit" link under "Accounts" tag of Upsticks mainpage.

TD APPLICATIONS - (last revised Jan 12th 2009)

Any member may apply to become a TD in the league - it is however advised that before applying you are reasonably familiar with the procedures and rules applying, and with the mainpage layout.

Normally it is required that you have been an active member in the league for at least one month, before making application for TD - - Previous TD experience in Upsticks may reduce the need for the 30-day wait, as familiarity with league s already exists.

You may not be a TD, HTD, or Admin with Upsticks, while holding a TD, HTD or Admin poition in another cribbage league. You may however, be a TD, HTD or Admin in any non-cribbage leaque, and still be a TD, HTD or Admin in Upsticks.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++ END OF UPSTICKS-SPECIFIC RULES ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Top Ten

The purpose of the League is to climb to the top and the competition for the rungs in the Top Ten is high. As such, we have special rules that apply for members in the Top Ten.

• Inactivity
  • Members in the Top Ten must play a League match at least once every 3 days; otherwise, you will be automatically dropped five rungs and your inactivity counter is reset. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Expected Behavior

As a member of MyLeague, you are representing the League, the Admin staff, and all other members when you are participating on a MyLeague. It's part of your responsibility as a member to act in a respectable manner within your League community.

• Avatars
  • The rules of common decency should be followed when uploading images to use as avatars. Inappropriate avatars may be removed without warning or notification.
• Cheating
  • If you believe your opponent is cheating, then you should contact the Admin staff.
• Abuse
  • It is forbidden to abuse or harass another League member.
  • It is important to remember that two wrongs do not make a right. If you are being harassed by another League member, contact the Admin staff for assistance. Do not take matters into your own hands or return the abuse, or you could be penalized as well.
• Nice Guy Rule
  • Please note that behavior guidelines govern all methods of communication. This includes chat, E-mail, message forums, instant messenger services, etc. Treat other members with respect!

Fill in the Blank

Although we have tried to be as detailed as possible, we can't cover every aspect of gaming in our rules. Please be advised that just because something is not stated in our rules and policies, then that does not mean it is allowed. Use common sense. If it is something that will adversely affect other members and you might think twice about it, then it's probably against the rules. The Admin staff will have the final say in such matters. If you have a specific question please feel free to contact us via E-mail.