Our vision is to create a friendly, sociable team spades ladder, where sportsmanship is the top priority. A place where obnoxious, hurtful, vulgar comments in the lobby will be dealt with, and proven cheaters permanently banned. A ladder that recognizes the friendly yet competitive nature of a spades ladder, and encourages that friendly competitiveness, yet gives the members a level of participation in the actual running of the ladder. Furthermore, a league where unfounded accusations no longer exist, and everyone can unite with their friends to play spades. A league where we can simply sit and play the game we love without bidding and challenging, or rank mongering. A league where repeated troublemakers or actions not conducive to our friendly atmosphere will be dealt with effectively.

The SSL League has been established as an "18+" spades league, please note even though this is an 18+ lobby we should be 'adult' enough to watch our language just for the consideration of others. EACH AND EVERY SSL member is expected to conduct themselves in a responsible, polite and respectable manner.

We also encourage our members to use the filter tool provided by the PEAK - "Filter Chat Profanity" - if you find this every day type of language offensive. However, we will intervene if ANY member or team of the league is bashed or attacked in the lobby. In addition we will monitor the context of language that is used in the Lobby and the use of the "F" word along with the "C" word (and all its derivatives), is forbidden in the lobby at all times, and will result in an immediate boot from the room (if an Admin is present), along with the penalty of a 1-day box.

Members that join us in Spades Shack have chosen FREELY to uphold the ideals that make this Ladder unique, keep it clean, keep it fun, keep it fair, and keep it friendly. This is what the Spades Shack League is all about.

Spades Shack is a Team Spades Ladder League based in GamingPeak. SSL games are played in League and Ladder Lobbies under Spades Shack (18+ Teams) Room.

Sincerely,

The Administration Team of SSL

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CURRENT LADDER SETTINGS

60 Team maximum
♠40 Players + a PAL per team (maximum)
♠ 21 Days before a team is purged for inactivity
♠ 7 Days before streaks are reset due to inactivity
♠ 2 Players + a PAL before a team may begin playing but must increase to a minimum of 4 (four) active players within reasonable amount of time (within 14 days)
♠ New teams kicked after 14 days if less than 4 players and a PAL on their roster or no games played
♠ 1-4 Tournaments per day
♠ Regularly Scheduled Captains' and Co-Captain Meeting's
♠ 30 days to join a team before account is purged

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TEAM CREATION

Anyone wishing to START his or her own team MUST have a minimum of 2 people plus a PAL to create a team, after a period of 14 days you must have 4 or more on your roster, if not you will be notified by email from admin that you have an additional 24 hours to get 4 or more, if not your team will be purged. Once you have created a team an email will be sent titled "Welcome Team Captain" e-mail.

Team names must not contain or suggest profanity or vulgarity and must not resemble any team names already present within SSL.

Any person creating a team in SSL will be allowed to withdraw & re-sign up once only.

Should this be required again, then permission must first be obtained via email from the Admin team at myleague_ssl@yahoo.com.

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CAPTAINS & CO-CAPTAINS

Team Captains are responsible for the players on their team.

It is the responsibility of the team Captain to train your team members and ensure they are familiar with the rules of the league, know how to advertise for a game and know how to report a league loss. Please spend a few minutes going over this information with them.

As Captain of your team you may have up to 3 Co-Captains to assist you.

However, we suggest that you choose players that you have come to know and trust.

If you want the Co-Captain to have access to your roster (be allowed to add or remove players) then you will have to give them your password for access, hence be sure it is someone you trust.

If you grant your Co-Captains access to the roster, then you MUST have your Co-Captain append the Co-Captain designation of (cc) to the end of their nickname, as to avoid the MULTIPLE ACCOUNT infraction.

While the entire SSL nickname must match the PEAK nickname exactly, you MUST add the (cc) to end of your name IF you are the Co-Captain of your team, for example:

PEAK nickname: Spade_Player and SSL

LEAGUE nickname: Spade_Player (cc)

Again, no player is required to report a loss to another team if those players’ SSL nicknames do not match the PEAK nicknames exactly.

Captains also have a responsibility to recruit new players for their team.

Also, we encourage Captains to post in the MESSAGE FORUM if your team is currently accepting new players and what team requirements you might have. Also include a method for new players to contact you regarding getting added to your roster.

In addition, you will find an AVAILABLE PLAYERS link on the far left side of the main page of the website, under the heading of RULES & PLAYERS. The players listed on this page are not currently on any team. You are free to contact, and ask, anyone listed on this page to join YOUR team.

The solicitation or recruiting of players that are part of another team’s roster in ANY form is strictly forbidden. Only players that are NOT members of another team in SSL, or another league within the MyLeague structure, will be eligible for an approach to join your team. Any person found contravening this rule will have their league status reviewed by the Admin team.

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NEW MEMBERS

All new players/teams to SSL are subject to a 30 day probationary period. During this time players will be evaluated for their compatibility with the SSL vision, and may be removed for 1 major infraction or 2 minor ones.

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CHEATING & CHEAT CLAIMS

We are a fun, friendly, and social league that does not tolerate cheating. We will take every action available to us to maintain our social status and enforce, to the fullest extent, our policy on cheating.

The rules have been designed to minimize the possibility of someone cheating in the league. Known cheaters are permanently banned from the league.

If a current player(s) is proven to have cheated, then that player will be permanently banned from the league.

There will be NO second chances. Your ban will be permanent, but you may request a review of your banned status by writing to the Admin team after 6 months from the date the ban went into effect.

However, there is no guarantee that the ban will be lifted; it is entirely at the DISCRETION of the Admin team.

Additionally, NO player may ACCUSE OR INSINUATE another player of cheating without substantial evidence. Lagging during a match and / or the completion of a risky nil is not evidence of cheating and should not be considered as such.

If a player accuses or insinuates another player or team of cheating without substantial evidence, then the league member(s) will be boxed for a mandatory 7 days. Acceptable and substantial evidence includes the following:

♠ Cards or instructions typed into the table chat or elsewhere that can be saved and clearly indicate what each player was saying

what each player was saying

♠ Captured video of a match clearly indicating that a player has used a renege program during play

♠ Any other type of evidence that is captured and clearly indicates the infraction that was made

If you have substantial evidence of someone cheating in action, do NOT leave the table. Stop the game in progress and request an Admin to your table immediately.

If no Admin are available, record whatever evidence you have, including the table chat and SCREENSHOT of the match so we clearly know who the participants were and e-mail all of your evidence and information DIRECTLY to the Admin team.

It will be properly investigated and dealt with accordingly. However, do NOT confront the person in the lobby! Doing so can result in a penalty being assessed against you for inciting.

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PENALTY GUIDE

The following Penalty Guide has been established as a measure to ensure fair and consistent treatment of infractions committed by league members. While we strive to avoid assessing time in the penalty box, we acknowledge that from time to time, this type of punishment will be required. However, we do ask that all members of the league try to reach a resolution between themselves and/or their Captains before involving the Admin team.

Infractions committed by league members will be addressed as outline in the table below.

Infractions stay on a members record for 30 days, should there be a 30 day period of no infractions then all others are wiped clean.

*Note: Because a CHEAT CLAIM (accusation OR insinuation) carries a mandatory 7 day box regardless of which occurrence it is, it is POSSIBLE to spend more days in the penalty box than indicated above.

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SPORTSMANSHIP

Definition of Sportsmanship: Fair Play, Respect for Opponents and Gracious Behavior in Winning and Losing.

SSL is based on Friendship and Sportsmanship. Our goal is to ensure that this league remains a great place for all to play. We WILL be forced to penalize players if they disrupt the league or break with our ideals for the good of the ladder.

Please note that the following are examples of unsportsman like conduct and can result in penalties being issued. Should you encounter unsportsman like conduct at the table, or in the lobby, you are encouraged to copy the chat and email it along with an explanation to your team captain.

NOTE: Retaliation can result in you being penalized as well as the instigator so do not encourage or retaliate against unsportsman like behavior. Always remember that two wrongs do not make one right.

The following is a list of examples of unsportsmanship like conduct and are HIGHLY discouraged in this league:

Accusation of cheating: To boldly accuse another player or team of cheating without substantial proof.

Accusation of lying: To boldly accuse another player or team of lying or being deceitful without substantial proof.

Bashing: To attack a person or team's character or morals. To say that someone is a crybaby/whiner, or untrustworthy is just an idea of what is considered bashing. NO bashing is tolerated in the lobby - period! If a player requests you to refrain from such language / talk during a match, then that request is to be respected and granted.

Being a poor loser: Putting down your partner/PAL, posting negative comments in match reports, message forum posts, taking comments of game out to the lobby and talking negative about team members / SSL members.

Encouraging unsportsmanship like conduct: Fighting back, fueling a fight or making comments in a game, lobby or message forum that encourage unsportsman like behavior.

Failing to report the loss of a match: Intentionally failing to report the loss of a match to the league site.

Fighting or arguing: Players engaged in angry or instigating chat in order to cause a disturbance at a table or in the lobby.

Insinuation of cheating: To suggest or imply in a coy manner that another player or team is cheating. Please do not assume someone is cheating, simply because a lag occurs.

Leaving the table before the end of the match: Intentionally forfeiting a match for no valid reason.

Mentioning other leagues: Intentionally referring to another ladder league at a table, in our lobby, or in our message forum.

Negative comments in message forum: Players that post negative or disrespectful comments directed at a specific person or team.

Offensive language or behavior: To use or promote language that is offensive in nature and is against the PEAK Code of Conduct (COC), such as racial slurs, profanity, or abusive remarks.

While we do consider this to be an "adult" league, we do expect a level of decorum. Just because we allow "frank" talk in the lobby, does not give ANY player the right to abuse that privilege and become disrespectful in the use of such language. While table issues are handled between the team Captains for resolution, ANY of the above behaviors can result in an immediate penalty if conducted in the lobby, with the exception of frank talk / language. However, from time to time, we might ask the topic or language be "toned down" if we feel it is getting out of control; while this will be a rare occurrence, we do expect your compliance in the lobby at all times.

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LOBBY CHAT (INCLUDING WHISPERS) & TABLE CONDUCT

GENERAL

While the SSL league upholds the PEAK COC guidelines, meaning that sexual, political, religious, or profane chat is not permitted in any PEAK lobby, our lobby is under the DIRECT control of the Admin team, EXCLUSIVELY! Therefore, no TOKEN from the PEAK may interfere with anything within our lobby UNLESS an Admin has requested the assistance from a PEAK Token.

If no Admin are present in the room and you are being harassed by another player, you may go into the SOCIAL SPADES room and request the assistance from a PEAK Token.

WHISPERS

Members that feel they have been harassed and/or bashed by another member they are to take a SCREENSHOT of the whisper(s) and send to Admin Team to review.

If you are whispered to, and it is inappropriate to you, turn in the complete chat (involving the discussion) as a complaint. It is strictly forbidden & against Peak COC to copy & paste whispers in the lobby. Players found doing this will be warned & then subject to the penalty guide.

Admin's will monitor the lobby and impose penalties for BASHING or NAME CALLING of any kind, that is directed at any player or team (directly or indirectly), regardless if the language is offensive or profane, you are not allowed to attack another player, team, or Admin in the lobby by resorting to name-calling, making derogatory remarks, or anything similar to those types of actions. This applies too all registered and non registered league members.

If you do NOT have anything nice to say, then keep your mouth shut and avoid unnecessary comments towards others in the league lobby.

In order to avoid a PEAK TOKEN invoking penalties, please ensure you are compliant with the PEAK COC. If you are unsure of what is included in the COC you may review it by clicking on the CODE OF CONDUCT link, located to the far left of the PEAK main page, where the lobbies are listed.

If all four players agree to the talk at the table then it is acceptable. If any one player disagrees with the language at the table they are to ask this person to stop. If the person does not stop, call an admin to the table. If the person continues penalties will be imposed.

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SAME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS (SHM)

Members of the same household are not allowed to partner with each other, but they may play against each other as long as each member is on a different team.

The SSL League does not require the placement of (SH) at the end of your nickname. However, we do require that members from the same household e-mail all nicknames, with their respective team name, that reside in the same household (same workplace) to the Admin Team so that we can register your same household nicknames on our SSL Same Household Members (SHM) page.

Members of the same household may ONLY KIBITZ the household player's match by sitting on the same household player's seat / lap. To clarify, you CANNOT kibitz your same household member's partner.

Any players found to be from the same household and playing as partners will have their memberships deleted. Multiple infractions of the rules pertaining to multiple accounts / same household members will result in all accounts being banned.

** Please note that any ‘box’ penalty imposed on a player may also be imposed any other accounts that are associated with the player’s Same Household members. **

See same household listings here

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MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS

Only one account is ALLOWED per player in the league. It is against the rules for any player to have multiple accounts (nicknames) or be on multiple teams (anyone found to be on multiple rosters will be removed from the league). We have an automated security system to keep track of this information, and all new account information is logged. You may ONLY play under one nickname in this league, but you are free to change that nickname as often as you like.

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ACCOUNT (NICKNAME) POLICIES

Since your Ladder account is where all your records are kept we have some special policies regarding it. These are very important and you should pay close attention to them.

Your E-mail address must be kept current on the site, as it is the only way we have of contacting you. If your E-mail address is found to be invalid your account WILL be removed.

You are free to choose any nickname that you wish for your account, however, there are some guidelines regarding your nickname choices, which are aligned with the PEAK COC:

♠ Your league nickname MUST match your PEAK nickname exactly, including underscores, spaces,capitalization, or any other keyboard characters. If your league nickname does NOT match your PEAK nickname, then the opponents of are NOT required to report the loss to the league site.

♠ Your league nickname cannot be offensive to other users.

♠ Your league nickname cannot contain or incorporate any “swear” words.

♠ Your league nickname cannot be abusive towards other players.

♠ Your league nickname cannot be too similar to any existing member of the league.

♠ You are only allowed to change your nickname once each week.

It is highly suggested that if you want to change your nickname, change your PEAK nickname first to ensure that it is available, then change your SSL league nickname.

You should NEVER report a loss for another team if their nicknames do not match. The only exception allowed is the Co-Captain (cc) designation, enclosed within parentheses, at the end of the league nickname.

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BOOTING

Individual Boots

1 vs 1 Games

In 1 vs 1 games a player has 7 minutes to return to the table after being booted. If after 7 minutes they have not returned to the table the remaining player can ask for SSL Admin to come to their table and they will then be awarded a win for that game. If no SSL Admin are in the room at the time that the 1 vs 1 game is being played they can email the full table chat along with a SCREENSHOT to SSL Administration with the boot and the 7 minute wait documented in the table chat and SSL Admin will review the table chat and decide if a win is warranted.

Team Games

If any player gets booted from the table BEFORE the bidding has concluded, then the match must be reseated. All 4 players must stand and reseat to start the match again.

If a player is booted from the table anytime after the completion of the first hand, that player has 7 minutes to return to the table. If you do not return in 7 minutes and your partner does not have a sub, your team forfeits the game.

If the original player happens to return after 10 minutes, the SUB must relinquish the seat to the original player at the conclusion of that hand.

A player is allowed two individual boots per match. If booted 3 times, the original player may NOT return to their seat and the remaining partner has 5 minutes to find a sub, or game is a forfeit.
The original player is still awarded the win or loss, but is not allowed to participate for the remainder of that match.

In order to keep track of the elapsed time, it is recommended that one of the players at the table type the current time into the table chat. It does not matter if this time is exactly correct, only that it acknowledges how much time has elapsed.

If Both players are Booted from a table that are playing together, meaning a player is booted and so is their partner, they have 10 minutes from the last player booted, to return to the table and finish the game together. If after 7 minutes only 1 player has returned, he/she has an additional 3 minutes to find a sub to finish the game with. If no sub is available the match is FORFEITED. Should neither player return then the remaining players are to copy the game chat including the boot timestamp's & submit to Admin for the win to be reported.

Note: At any time, if ALL four players agree that a particular match should be considered a NO GAME, which means a loss will NOT be reported to the league site, or agree on ANY table matter, then that is acceptable, and encouraged! However, ALL four players MUST agree.

Mass Boot or Room Crash

If the entire room is booted from the PEAK, then any match that was in progress is considered a NO GAME, and no report is made to the SSL league site.

Booting Players from Tables

At no time can an individual playing a game take it upon themselves to boot someone or a kibber from the table. If the host of the table (the one with the silver hammer) boots anyone playing or watching a game at least 3 of the players have to agree. If the host boots someone on their own they are breaking the rules of SSL and will be subject to the penalty guidelines for Unsportsmanship Conduct.

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BEGINNING A MATCH

-Finding a Partner
-Playing with or as a PAL
-Advertising for a Match
-At the Table

Finding a Partner

There are two options when wanting a partner for a match:

First, SSL is a team league; therefore, your first priority should be to your fellow teammates. We encourage you to play with your teammates as often as possible.

Second, you may request a PAL in the lobby. A PAL does not have to must be a member of SSL, but if they are and they must be unboxed. This player sits in as your partner for that game.

Playing with or as a PAL

If you ask for a PAL to be your partner in a match, then it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your PAL is a member of SSL and is an unboxed player member of the SSL league. If you win the match and your PAL is IN THE BOX then the opponents DO NOT have to report the loss. However, if you lose the match, then you still MUST report the loss.

Note: You do NOT have to be a member of this league to PAL, except where tournaments are concerned, however if you are not on a team within 30 days, the system will automatically purge your account out the league.

Advertising for a Match

All Games Must Be Advertised! Before you advertise a game be sure your teamie / PAL is sitting at the table with you. The game should then be advertised in the lobby. If a game starts without a lobby advertisement, then both teams will be rung to the bottom of the ladder. No Exceptions!

Example: "SSL @@@ 3"

If you advertise for a PAL, then your team is the team credited with the win or loss for the league once the match has concluded. You cannot switch PAL status once the match has begun.

Only one match of each variation may be advertised at a time. The first team to advertise for a specific variation MUST begin play before another team may advertise for the same variation. For instance, one team might advertise SSL @@@ 4 and another team could be advertising SSL @@@ 2 – DN at the same time.

If you accidentally advertise for a match in the lobby and another team that advertised earlier has not yet begun, simply go to their table to begin the game or stand until their game is filled.

Should you start and continue with your game before the leading addy has filled, then your team will be rung to the bottom of the ladder with a possible room boot to the person who advertised the game.

Should any member feel that they have been deliberately avoided for whatever reason and the issue was not resolved at the time of occurrence, they are to send all the relevant details, which MUST include lobby chats AND SCREENSHOT's to their Captain. The Captain should then try and work it out with the opposing Captain and failing an agreement, file it with the Complaints Committee at myleague_ssl@yahoo.com enclosing all evidence as required for a ruling.

You may also advertise a 1 vs. 1 match, where both players use a BOT as their respective partners. The losing player must still report the loss to the league site, since the game was advertised.

If you wish to just play a friendly match in the room, you may do so without advertising the match in the lobby. However, ONLY the loss of an advertised match may be reported to the league site.

Since this is a sit and play league, you cannot challenge nor deny to play a team that sits at your table for a match that was advertised in the lobby. All teams and players have equal access to play any team in the SSL league. You may NOT "whisper" a team in order to get a match.

There is no limit to how many times each day that you play against the same team. However, immediate re-matches against the same team and same players are at the DISCRETION of the winning team. It is the only time that a team pair has the OPTION of denying a particular match. However, if that same pair chooses to advertise for a third match, then the original opponents cannot be denied a match against them.

This rule allows the winning team to avoid camping by other teams and gives all teams a chance at play. All rematches must STILL be advertised in the lobby.

Any team found camping (waiting for a higher ranked team to advertise) or found avoiding lower ranked teams will be RUNG to the bottom of the ladder.

At the Table

At least one member of each team, at the table, must state their full team name EXACTLY as spelled PRIOR to the first bid; if a team is not willing to do this, then the match is considered a NO GAME and the opponents of that team may exit the table with no penalty.

If you are playing with a PAL as your partner, then you are also RESPONSIBLE for stating that your partner is a PAL. The PAL may also state their PAL status for this match, to help clarify.

Once you and your partner sit at the table of an ADVERTISED match, you cannot refuse to begin play once the table launches, including 1 vs. 1 matches. If you refuse to play a penalty can and will be assessed against you and your partner.

If your opponents forget to state their team name, please ask them what team they are representing. Do NOT bid until you know which team your opponents are representing. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that at least ONE of your opponents are part of the SSL league. An Admin cannot enforce rules or penalties against opponents that are not registered with the league.

Also, be considerate. Sometimes a team may be excited or distracted and forget to announce their team name. Just ask them. Our intent is to keep this league a fun and friendly place in which to enjoy spades, not to continually rule against teams that accidentally forget to acknowledge their team name. In the name of sportsmanship, help out your opponents so you can both experience a positive and competitive game of spades.

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DURING A MATCH

-Double Nil
-Hold Last Card (HLC) and Be Right Back (BRB)
-Individual Boots (see BOOTING)
-Table Talk
-Forfeiting Match without Posting Loss (see QUITTING A MATCH)
-Kibitzing/Standing

Double Nil

SSL is a regular, NO DOUBLE NIL (NDN) spades league. Therefore, any player that bids a DOUBLE NIL during a regular NDN match, will automatically have to FORFEIT the match by immediately reporting the loss.

Hold Last Card (HLC) and Be Right Back (BRB)

Try to time your BRB before the end of a hand and request the last card be held (HLC). Understandably, that is NOT always possible, but if it is, please be considerate of others. If you are unable to wait until the last card of a hand, you should announce your intention to go BRB in table chat, and return as quickly as possible.

Table Talk

Any talk about the hand in play whether it affects the outcome of that hand or not is strictly forbidden & is considered Table Talk.

Wishing your partner or the opps good luck on their nil, e.g. gln/glnp is acceptable, however congratulating someone on a nil MUST be done when the hand is over.

Unacceptable forms of Table Talk include (but are not limited to):

Bag Them Partner (BTP)
Don’t Nil Partner (DNP)
Go Nil Partner (GNP)
Watch The Bags (WTB)
Cover Me Partner (CMP)
Duck Partner (DP) or “quack”
The Rest Are Mine (TRAM)

Should you encounter what you perceive to be Table Talk, you are to immediately stop the game & make it known.

The opponents should be asked to forfeit the game, bringing the incident to a close, or they can choose to dispute it & play on.

Should they dispute it, the game is to be played to a finish, reported appropriately and the game chat along with a SCREENSHOT of the incident when it was called sent to the Captains to work out or file to Admin.

Should the incident be filed & upheld by the Complaints Committee, then penalties could be imposed on the Players AND the Team in question and the game result reversed.

If Table Talk is called during a game, the opps offer a forfeit and the players calling Table Talk refuse it then the incident may NOT be filed.

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KIBITZING /STANDING

Players may kibitz games at any time (including tournament games). Players and Teams should be aware of the following when visiting tables:

♠ Please kibitz only your team
♠ If you accidentally kibitz an opponent – please click STAND immediately, which will allow you to

"watch" the game, without being on that person's lap and seeing their cards

♠ Do not jump from player to player – this is rude and usually starts a disagreement between players

♠ Please keep table chat to a minimum – it can be difficult to concentrate with excessive table chat

♠ If you leave the table and return later, you MUST return to the same seat to kibitz again

♠ If you want to change seats to another of your teammates, you have to ask the opponents; if they

Agree, then it is to be done on the LAST card of that hand and BEFORE the bidding of the next hand

NOTE: Only the person you are kibitzing may ask you to stand, and if they do, the request must be honored by either standing or by kibitzing someone else who does not mind.

Lap Hopping by kibitzers is NOT allowed! Players that lap hop after being asked to stop will be boxed for a minimum of 1-day.

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END OF A MATCH

-Reporting A Loss
-Match Confirmation
-Incorrectly Reported Matches
-Unreported Match
-Stat Manipulation

Reporting A Loss

ONLY one partner reports the match for all four players. All 4 players must stay at the table until the report is finished (The PAL is not required to remain at the table. They may leave as soon as the match is concluded). This allows the reporting person to know who ALL the players were so that there are no misreports made. Please double check the player’s names before submitting report.

NOTE: If a player must leave the table for an emergency after the game then they must request permission from their opponents.

Occasionally there are errors in which the message pops up giving the 2-minute warning for no reason. If you get the two-minute wait message, YOU must click on your team link on front of ladder to make sure that the game did not go through BEFORE you click the SUBMIT button again.

NOTE: Those found reporting the Team PAL when in fact their partner was a teamie, will be subject to penalties.

If you are unable to report due to SSL site being down, the losing team should announce which teamie will be responsible for reporting. That teamie is to write down both team names and all four players and report as soon as possible. It would be advisable for both teams to get a screen shot of the table also, in case there is a dispute.

Note: The PAL is not required to remain at the table. They may leave as soon as the match is concluded.

Match Confirmation

Confirm the Match Results are Reported

It is suggested that the winning team confirm that the match was reported before leaving the table, even if the losing team indicates they have reported the loss. If you find that the game has not been reported, please politely ask the opposing team to return to the table to discuss and resolve the issue.

If the winning team notices that the report has not shown up AFTER everyone has left the table, then check your team’s record log later to see if it is listed. If it does not show up, send an e-mail to your team Captain with the names of each team, the names of all players, who won the match, and whether either team had a PAL.

Your team Captain can contact the other team’s Captain and work out getting the loss properly reported. If the Captains cannot get resolution to the match, then they can send in the information, along with the Captains' chat, to the Admin team. Again, do NOT chase after the losing team; you should have confirmed the loss was reported before leaving the table, as suggested above.

If you have questions or concerns regarding a double post, please request an Admin to your table to verify the posting.

Incorrectly Reported Matches

If a player reports the match results incorrectly, please e-mail the Admin team the team names, the player names, the winner of the match, and if a PAL was used; the Admin Team will make the necessary adjustments to the loss report. As a courtesy, please copy the Captain of each team as well.

Note: Do not report a match for someone else. The system will interpret this as a multiple account and both accounts could be kicked off the league.

Unreported Match

If a game is misreported send the details to your captain/co captain, include all 4 players names, both team names and time and date this happened. Captain should then email admin and the other team captain and let us know so that the corrections can be made.

If the winning team Captain has discussed the unreported match issue with the other team’s Captain and the match is still not reported after 24 hours, then an Unreported Match Complaint needs to be e-mailed to the Admin team, along with the Captains' chat. Include the team names, the player names, the winner of the match, and whether a PAL was used.

An Admin will contact the team Captain that failed to report the loss and get resolution. If the report is still not reported after another 24 hours, the Admin will report the loss and the losing team player(s) and their Captain will get 48 hours in the penalty box AND the team will be RUNG to the bottom of the ladder.

Stat Manipulation

Reporting an individual loss to the PAL player and/or report a loss to another team mate that was not playing the game. Withdrawing from the league to avoid a loss is also considered stat manipulation. Either of these will result in penalties, see penalty guidelines for details.

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QUITTING A MATCH

There are times a person has an emergency, or prior engagement and has to leave a match. In instances such as this the player MUST find a replacement (team member or PAL) to take their place. If the team where the player leaves loses the loss will be reported to the original player.

However, if an opponent team leaves the table without completing the match, then the forfeiting team will receive the league loss. Please record the table chat along with a SCREENSHOT and e-mail it to your team Captain. Your team Captain will get with your opponents' team Captain and get the loss properly reported, within 24 hours.

If the match is still not reported within 24 hours, then your team Captain may e-mail the Admin team an "Un-Reported" match complaint.

The Admin team will review the situation and post the loss accordingly.

Be sure to INCLUDE the Captain's chat with the complaint.

If you are playing with a PAL that is registered with the league and is on a current team and your PAL intentionally leaves the game forcing a forfeit, then the PAL and their team will receive the league loss.

Please record the table chat along with a SCREENSHOT and e-mail it to your team Captain. Your team Captain will get with the PAL's team Captain and get the loss properly reported, within 24 hours. If the match is still not reported within 24 hours, then your team Captain may e-mail the Admin team an "Un-Reported" match complaint. The Admin team will review the situation and post the loss accordingly. Be sure to INCLUDE the Captain's chat with the complaint.

If you get upset during the play and intentionally leave the match without posting the loss, then your team and partner (team Captain if your partner was a PAL) will get the league loss.

Any registered player in the league will be assessed a penalty for intentionally forfeiting a match and NOT reporting the loss. (See PENALTY GUIDE).

When a player quits a game and has a PAL as a pard and withdraws from the league so they do not have to report the game, call an admin to the table. The Admin will report the loss to the captain of that players team to a PAL. If the individual rejoins the league a penalty may be imposed at that time for withdrawing to avoid a loss. (See PENALTY GUIDE).

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RULES FOR NUMBER 1 TEAM

Every #1 team will be rung to the bottom of the ladder once they have held the position for 72 consecutive hours.

The #1 team must play the #2 team within 24 hours of obtaining that Rank or they will be rung to the bottom of the Ladder.

The #1 team or the #2 team are allowed to begin challenging one another upon achieving that Rank.

The #1 team must play the #2 team “BEST” out of 3 series, when defending their #1 rank. (games are to be played with the 4 original players / if the four players are not able to complete the match someone for the team can sub)

This game MUST be advertised in the lobby as "team name #1 challenges team name #2 @ table number (best out of 3)"

The fun of the ladder is getting to the top not staying there. The journey brings its rewards. If you are a number 1 team and get rung, there is no need to worry, as a good team will always get back there. This is a way of making everything fair and challenging for all. Let's keep the top ranks active and fair. If you are a top ranked team, play all teams not just the ones ranked immediately below or above you.

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RANK HOUNDING

While the SSL league is a no challenge, sit and play league, we acknowledge that we are also on a ladder system. Therefore, we do have some rules pertaining to the ladder ranks and rank hounding.

In order to maintain your team’s 1st or 2nd ranked position on the ladder, each 1st and 2nd ranked team MUST comply with the following two rules:

♠ Each 1st, 2nd ranked team MUST play at least 10 matches per day
♠ Each 1st placed team MUST play the 2nd placed team at least once every 24 hours

Any team AVOIDING a formal challenge or NOT present enough to ensure a top ranked team above them can get the required matches within the time limits established, WILL be RUNG to the bottom of the ladder.

FOR INSTANCE, if the 1st ranked team has been challenging, in the lobby, for a match against a 2nd ranked team (as determined by View Ranks - All Active Teams) AND the 1st ranked team has met their required matches per day, but has not been successful at obtaining the challenge due to the 2nd ranked team not present in the lobby for the last six hours, then the 2nd ranked team can be RUNG to the bottom of the ladder.

The 1st ranked team, in this example, would be granted a 6 hour extension to play a match against a 2nd ranked team.

The CRITERIA that will be used to determine if YOUR team has met the requirements for a TOP RANKED team will be the matches recorded on YOUR team roster (Last 50 Games).This is solely an Administrative call and extensions may be granted due to specialty tournaments, room or site crashes, or legal challenges issued in the lobby. Please email SSL Admin if you believe your Team was rung without proper cause.

Each match played is recorded on your team roster with a time / date stamp from the system. The time requirements (24 or 48) will be determined by the LAST time your team reached a rank that has specific league requirements for the maintenance of that rank.

FOR INSTANCE, if your team reached 1st rank at 20:10 (military time), then your team has until that time the next day (rounded up to the nearest 30 minute interval) to meet the requirements of a 1st ranked team. This applies to ANY ranked team that has specific league requirements for the maintenance of that rank.

We encourage each team to actively monitor their position on the ladder to ensure it is not RUNG to the bottom of the ladder for failure to meet the league requirements as outlined above.

If YOUR team does not meet the requirements, then your team will be RUNG to the bottom of the ladder, period! Be SURE to check your team logs often to determine if YOUR team has met the requirements of that rank.

While an e-mail is NOT sent to the team Captain, each and every RUNG is recorded in the league Daily News.

If your RANK has changed unexpectedly, please check the news to determine why. If you are unsure as to why your team was RUNG, please contact one of the Admin for assistance - DO NOT go off in the lobby over ladder positions, or your team Captain / entire team may be assessed a penalty.

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BOXED PLAYERS & TEAMS

A boxed player/team shall not play ANY games (non-tournament, tournament or SUB/PAL) for the time they have been boxed.

A written notification of the box will be sent from administration to the boxed player/team, along with a copy to the Team Captain.

The letter will state the amount of days of the box and the time said player(s) could resume play. In addition, the player/team will have added to their ladder name the word BOXED. This will be added by the admin team, and removed at the end of the time allotted of the box.

Players/teams that continue to play while boxed even as a PAL will either be issued increased time in the box or a BAN from SSL.

In addition, any boxed player or team may NOT post messages in the MESSAGE FORUM until the penalty has expired.

Exceptions to this rule are RARE and will be addressed on an individual basis.

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COMPLAINTS

Table Complaint

If you have an issue or complaint at a table then you MUST first discuss your complaint with your team Captain.

Once the complaint has been mailed to admin by the team Captain or their Representative, both Captains will have 48 hours to try and come to a reasonable solution. If this happens the Captain who files the complaint must withdraw it. If no reasonable solution can be accomplished between the two Captains, then at the end of the 48 hour time period admin will rule on the complaint and issue penalties if needed. If a Captain is to be out of town we suggest they forward to admin a player nic whom will answer complaints in their absence.

We encourage the team Captains to work out issues and differences together. However, the complaint that is sent in MUST contain a copy of the table chat, or other documentation, between the team Captains, and/or players, so we understand what was discussed between those involved in addition to any other chat or evidence that is relevant to the complaint.

If your team Captain or Co-Captain are not online and you need immediate attention, then you may request or contact an Admin. The Admin team is here to help you enjoy your time spent in this league. If you require assistance with something, like a lost password, login problems, or reporting problems, then please contact an Admin. We will be glad to assist you.

All complaints or communication with the Admin team MUST be done using our primary e-mail address. This link can be found on the left side of the main page under the heading of SSL COMPLAINTS.

You have 10 days from the date of the game or incident to file a Complaint with SSL Admin, any Complaints received outside of this '10 day' time frame will not be considered.

Lobby Complaint

Admin will do there best in controlling situations in the lobby. If, at any time, a member feels the lobby conduct is out of hand he/she may file an individual complaint on lobby conduct.

If you are submitting a complaint, be SURE to indicate in the body of the e-mail who the complaint (nickname) is referencing. Also, please only include enough of the lobby chat to clearly indicate the infraction and what led up to the infraction. There is no need to copy the entire lobby chat if it is NOT crucial to the complaint being submitted.

All table and lobby chats emailed to SSL Admin as a complaint from either an SSL member or Captain must be complete and full chats from the moment you are at a table or enter the lobby. All Complaints emailed to SSL Admin will be fully reviewed. This means that ANY league member is subject to receiving a Penalty(s) if it is warranted upon SSL Admin's review of the table or lobby chat that has been submitted.

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RULES EXCEPTIONS

There are exceptions to EVERY rule. Without exceptions there would be a need for MORE rules. In other words, if it is not written here or in the penalty guidelines, it does NOT mean it is allowed. It does NOT mean you won't be penalized / boxed / rung / banned just because it isn't written.

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CHANGES TO THE CURRENT RULES

From time to time it will be necessary to make or change existing rules. When this occurs the new rules will be presented to the Team Captains for their review before they are introduced to the Ladder as a whole. This presentation to the Captains DOES not guarantee that any changes will be made to the rules, however, the suggestions of the Team Captains will be taken into serious consideration before the new/updated rules become official.

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MESSAGE FORUM

The Message Forum is a place intended for members of the league to post messages, announcements, congratulatory statements, questions, jokes, feedback, rule changes, and even constructive criticism.

Any active member in good standing is given access to the Message Forum. Abuse of the forum or any player that is in the penalty box will not be allowed to post messages to the forum.

No player may use the forum to bash or degrade another player or team. Posts that are intentionally derogatory and directed towards another player or team will be pulled. If this happens, it is possible to lose your privilege of posting in the forum.

Please remember that this league was founded on the principals of fun and mutual respect; therefore, every effort should be taken to resolve issues in a manner that shows respect for all parties concerned.

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THE ADMIN TEAM

SSL Admin's are people who volunteer their free online time to try and help make your gaming experience more enjoyable while playing SSL Team Games. If you ever have any questions or need help please zone one of them. Admin's names can be found on the home page of SSL.

Admin's aren't allowed to handle complaints sent into Support concerning their own team. Admin's who are Captains can only handle their team and team problems as a Captain, like any other Team Captain. Admin's must follow the same rules as all other members, and if they break rules they will be penalized as anyone else.

You are expected to show all volunteer's respect. We will not resort to profanity or name-calling and we ask the same of our members. After all, they are giving up their free online time to help all of you. Disrespecting of an Admin or other SSL Staff will get players boxed or in severe cases removed from the ladder. This includes all other volunteer groups on SSL.

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CONCLUSION

Everyone that is a member of the SSL league is here to have fun, entertain ourselves, relax, and enjoy a friendly match of competitive spades.

By registering as a member of this league you are giving your consent to uphold the same values and principles upon which this league was founded.

From time to time you might have a disagreement or issue with another player or team.

We ask that all members be compassionate and willing to work together to resolve any issue or problem that arises.

If you have suggestions or problems you want addressed, please contact an Admin; we will be glad to consider your views and do our best to make your time in this league as enjoyable as possible.

This is YOUR league. Take pride and ownership in assisting us to make this The Best Damn League On the Peak!

Thank you,

The Admin Team of Spades Shack League

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