MISBIDS:
Misbid is warning on 1st Offense, -50 on 2nd offense, -100 on 3rd Offense, and 4th Offense is DQ.   1V1 misbid applies to the SINGLE player.   2V2 misbid applies to TEAM.   DNIL is a misbid unless it is allowed in the particular game.

IN REG RATED SPADES ANY MISCLICK OTHER THAN DNIL IS NOT A MISBID AND MUST BE PLAYED OUT!

SLOW PLAY:
Any Team (2v2) or player (1v1) with good ping and slow play will be warned two times by the TD.   A third occurrence will result in the team or player DQ.   The reason stated by the TD will be "Slow Play".

TABLE TALK:
NO TABLE TALK!!   Team/Player will be warned and all will skip hand.   2nd Warning is DQ.  

??WHAT IS TABLE TALK??   Table talk is any discussion of the hand in play or suggestions to your partner on how to play the rest of the game. i.e. "Bag 'em P"   "Bid high"   "Bid low" "Don't go nil" etc.

NO INSTANT MESSAGES ALLOWED!!!!

KIBITZ:
Kibitz is always off when playing in tourney.   Kibitz will be turned on at request of the TD in order to judge misbids.   Kibitz is always off during game play.

BRB:
Only 2 brb allowed per game per person.   All brb must be UNDER 3 MINUTES.   When player leaves for a brb timer should be started by TD or table host.   After 3 minutes player will be booted and a sub brought in.

SEATING:
When pairings are announced in lobby, first team/player listed in Match makes table and has first choice of seating.   If after a resonable amount of time if first team/player listed has not made table TD will instruct second team/player listed to make table.   First team/player has forfeited their right to first seat choice by not making table in a timely manner.

SUB POLICY:
First player seated has first choice of sub.   Subs will not be chosen in lobby or private IM.   Person asked to sub may accept or refuse.

In RATED games if a Sub begins the game,  when the original team member returns the SUB is given the choice to play out the game or stand since they would lose Yahoo rating points.   If Sub begins playing in the middle of a game,  when original player returns Sub will stand at the end of the hand in play.

In UNRATED games Sub will play until original player returns.   Sub will stand at the end of the hand in play.

All Subs are awarded League Rating Points for subbing.

HAND COUNT:
The number of hands played will be determined by Tournament Director in 1v1 games.   In 2v2 Regular Rated Spades, 6 teams or less is 45 min/500 points; 7 or more teams is and 10 hands/45 minutes/500 points.

PLAYING IN MULTIPLE GAMES:
YOU MAY NOT play in a tournament game and any other game at the same time.

CONCEDING:
Player or team MAY concede in an UNRATED game.   If playing in a team your partner must agree to concede as well.

Player or Team MAY NOT concede in a RATED game.   Rated games must be finished so winning team can get thier Yahoo rating points.   If you do not wish to finish game subs will be brought in.   If you concede, decision is final even if subs win the Yahoo game.

TOURNEY START TIMES:
Starting times for tourneys are on the Tournament Calendar and on the Tournament Pages.   When you register for tournament please be in lobby ready to play when tournament starts.   All Staff will try their best to start tourneys on time.   Circumstances do prevent this at times and your patience is appreciated.

If you arrive in the Newbie Nook after tourney starting time, the TD is not obligated to keep tourney open for you or to help you find a partner.

REGULAR LEAGUE GAMES:
Regular League Games are all games played by four (4) members who have agreed to play.   League games are NOT required but are played by choice and should be fun and relaxing.

TABLE:
The table can be either rated or unrated and can be made by any of the four players.

RULES:
The host of the table is in charge and MUST clearly state the rules for the game.   Rules must be agreed upon by all four and must be made clear BEFORE starting the game.   Do not start the game until you understand the rules.   Exp:  "Regular spades to 500 points..no double nils allowed, etc."   If you are playing it is assumed you agreed to the rules of the game as set by the host of the table.

Whether the game is RATED or UNRATED all league rules will apply unless stated differently.

REPORTING:
The loss must be reported by both the losing team members and must be reported as soon as possible.   It is suggested they report immediately after the game.   Under NO circumstances should a player begin another game until previous game has been reported.

PROCEDURE FOR UNREPORTED LOSS:
Please remind the player using instant messenger (IM) or email.   If there is no response within 24 hours please file an unreported match found on the main page in the left column.   This will be go directly to the Admin in charge of unreported matches.

** Unreported matches will be tracked and a penalty will be given when the number on any one player reaches five (5).

FORMAL CHALLENGES:
Animals League will not recognize any "challenge" other than that of a formal challenge which must be done through the link on the left side of the main league page using the "formal challenge" link under the heading " The Ladder".   Simply type in your ID name, league password and the ID of the player you wish to challenge.

ELIGIBLE:
Only players that are ranked in the Top 20 may use this formal challenge.   You must wait SEVEN (7) days before you are allowed to issue another challenge to the same player.   You may issue one formal challenge at a time and only one formal challenge may be issued against you at any time.

NOTIFICATION:
The challenged player will be sent an e-mail letting them know about the challenge issued against them.   Bounced e-mail will be considered a forfeit.

GAME:
When making a formal challenge to another player you both have SEVEN (7) days to arrange a time for the game to be played.   Challenge games will be played regular spades with unrated tables.   A challenge game must be played with four (4) players.   NEVER play a challenge game with bots.

CHALLENGE PRIORITY:
Formal challenges take priority over all other matches.   If someone has a formal challenge against you and they are available to play, you MUST play them next.   Only exception would be if either player is in a tournament.

TABLE:
The person who issued the challenge will make the UNRATED table and will invite all players.   The person who has been challenged will sit first.

REPORTING:
The Formal Challenge game will be reported in the same manner as a regular league game.   The loss must be reported by each of the losing team members and must be reported as soon as possible.   It is suggested they report immediately after the game.   Under NO circumstances should a player begin another game until previous game has been reported.

Failure to complete a formal challenge will result in a mark against BOTH players record card.   Cases will automatically place a player in the box for three (3) days on the second failure.   On the fourth (4th) failure the player will be boxed by cases for the three (3) days PLUS the player will be moved down five (5) ladder rungs.

DISPUTES:
Please contact an Admin while all are still sitting at the table.   It may be a good idea to invite an Admin or HTD sit in on the game from the beginning.