Hi everyone,

This is our td guidelines and other useful info you might not know.  It’s a good idea to have this information handy in case there isn’t anybody around to ask when you don’t know something.

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GAME RULES:

REGS TO 500 – NO HAND COUNT, 45 MIN GAME TIMER & 500 PTS.  FULL GAMES ARE MOSTLY PLAYED AT 12PM, 4.30PM, 6PM, 8PM & 10PM.

REGS 8/30/500 – 8 HANDS, 30 MIN GAME TIMER & 500 PTS.  THESE ARE PLAYED AT VARIOUS TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND MIDNIGHT.

ALTS WHICH INCLUDE GAMES LIKE THRIZZ, WHIZ, TRUTH OR DARE ETC ARE PLAYED AT 7PM, 9PM, 11PM, 1AM AND AT TIMES THAT TDS CHOOSE EXCEPT FOR THE REGULAR GAME TIMESLOTS ABOVE.  ALL ALTS ARE ONLY 6 OR 8 HANDS DEPENDING ON TIME & NUMBER OF PLAYERS IN TOUR.  6/20/500 OR 8/30/500.

DQ TIMERS ARE 5 MIN’S FOR ALL GAMES.  THE TIME FOR FLIPPING TABLE HOSTS WHEN CALLING ROUNDS IS 2 MIN’S.  SUBS FOR MISSING PLAYERS NEED TO BE SEATED WITHIN 3 MIN’S TO KEEP THE GAMES MOVING.  IT IS ALWAYS PLAYERS CHOICE ON WHO THEY GET FOR SUB SO PLEASE ASK WHO THEY WOULD LIKE FIRST.

OUR TOURNAMENTS BY TD CALENDAR CAN BE FOUND HERE>>> http://www.myleague.com/spade_friends/tournaments

This will show you what times certain games are, the type of game and what TD has asked to host in the timeslot and what days of the week.

OUR CASES TOURAMENT CALENDAR CAN BE FOUND HERE>>>

http://www4.igl.net/cgi-bin/tourney/gencalendar.cgi?path=spade_friends&by_time=0

 

SOME GENERAL AND LEAGUE RULES:

1.** We really need to be aware of who enters or exits while in the lobby to make
sure players feel welcome along with the new players joining us. The main page
shows who does join daily, or the "dailies" show this also. "GREETING" players
is one way to acknowledge we did notice and possibly making someone's day brighter.

2.**Premium Staff from time to time should glance through standings and gift BUX
to those in need. Several have been dropped or too embarrassed to mention they
are short on bux. It is much easier to donate before this happens,
500/1000/2000..good choices depending on how active they are. Wayne has been
doing this as a "player" , his way of sharing what he has earned as a Diamond.
As long as a "cases new car"(LOL) purchase is not in your future, please share.

3.**CAPS are how we TD of course, TOOLS are how we can keep order, but not
overusing either one is also a good thing. All HTD's can offer to help
another if they need BRB'S or have other things come up during their tourney.
Supporting each other is a must for teamwork. This is a free job, animosity hurts
everyone, hopefully we all have the same goal: that is to make sure the players
are playing and enjoying the time they are playing WIN or LOOSE. We as individuals all have a unique personality.
Prompt, good natured & courteous Td's
are always an asset. In the case of a large 2 vs 2...pre-call the next round to
keep the tour moving so those waiting don’t get restless. If precalling, timer isn't used if players don't come to table straight away.  They may be on brb and not know part of the rd has been called.  If all of that round has been advanced and called, then you may apply the timer.
Being aware of the winners/advancing and of course "TYFP" is much appreciated by the players.

4.**The calendar is available each day on the main page... monthly calendar is
also available to see who has what made and what is a "free" time that needs to
be filled. We do have approximately 5-8 specials during the month that are
"ear"marked, 99% will be an 8 PM tourney. Feel free to suggest other specials
you would like to see. Admins can Admin points if needed for these, and I can install the NO1 Badge that SHG allows the winners to have. Mel is doing our main page, BTW...TYTY GJJJJ...let her know if there is a special you care to add, news we need to be aware of or a change I need to make. Info on our 8pm specials can be found on the leagues main page on the bottom righthand side.  Approximate
dates and days certain "Specials" will be played at 8 pm.

 

5.** Rules are on the bottom right of the tournaments page....
 Mel will be adding rules/games/calendar....points of interest in our TD Center,
become familar please...she is spending her quality time on organization and supplying us with a lovely TD Center, (link on main page right).

6. **Lagging has been a problem for some and of course most would like to keep a
game flowing, esp when this becomes a problem for the next TD. We can usually
work around the finalists, allowing them to jump in the next if the score is at
300, giving them a few mins to finish finals. The timer of a game does not need
to exceed 45 mins.....UNLESSSSSS the game score is at the 400 pt. mark. I will
NOT call a game when the ending is 1, 2 or 3 hands and done. Be aware,
BRBing,and game chatting the entire time will count in this 45 mins., slowing a
game down for all concerned.....".PACE" can be used," TD notifying the time is
close can be used"....a "PLZ Play" also.

7.**We do have few rules in REGS, we are allowed BRB'S, not to be excessive, we
are allowed to CHAT on tables...I am not fond of "NN" when the hand is not
finished, or pre-calling GG, mid-game. This is really a downer for some, breaks
the spirit of the game also....BASHING of course is an XTREME>>>>DON'T DO it
plzzzzzzz. Everyone plays differently, great/good/mediocre etc. LAST thing
anyone needs on a game table is a spades lesson. That can be done in SHG IM's.
 

8.**We do give sub credits here....in 1 vs 1s the top seed in finals chooses SUB
and SEAT. It is polite, a courtesy to ask someone in the room, not a rule, we
all have fav pards...but we all may have hurt feelings at times also. Be mindful
please.

9.**In regs we do need to move the game along...please look for a sub after 3
mins. All dq timers are 5 min’s. Time for flipping table make when calling rounds is 2 min’s.

10.** For the staffers not hosting much....can you please find a spot and run a
few each month...YES I do love to TD and be there , BUT I am also busy and
cannot be in the room nightly as I have been. The token is there for a reason,
help is always needed and we do have many HTDs on roll. The ADMINs run
approximately 85% or more of these tourneys....there really is no pressure but
as an HTD, we would APPRECIATE any time you are free to run a few monthly.  We are basically a 24 hr league now with lots of timeslots to be filled....if anyone is a nightowl, feel free, my time will be more limited now, getting ready for shows. Many hands make light work!

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11.**It is important that if someone has a tour set in the place of a special or if you want a specific day/time for some reason, please make sure you discuss this with the TD who has the tour set before moving any tours! We aren't mind readers, communication is key to save unnecessary confusion.  None of us get paid to do this, we are here because we enjoy hosting tours and interacting with members.  We have an excellent staff team who are experienced and easy to get along with, if we all treat each other with respect & common courtesy there shouldn't be any issues.

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12.**Setting tours ahead of time....as we have more working td's on staff currently, please be mindful of sharing the nightly 2v2 slots.  If setting tours ahead of time please don't be too greedy with the prime slots.  Set yourself a few tours for the following week and check at the beginning of each week to see what tour slots haven't been filled, then feel free to fill in empty spots as you like.  Every single one of you are valued and we appreciate the effort/time you take to help keep this league running!

* Hope this answers a few questions or brings to light what we as "Staffers" are
here to achieve. SFS has a long history and "terrific" skills in playing,
without U.....there is no US. HUGZ all.....................enjoy the games, help
keep this as drama free as we can, as well as playing as much as we can. !!!!
TYTY for all, all of you bring to this league and for many years of service in
most cases.......................Sincerely, Joyce

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NOTE FROM MEL (lil_ice_devil20), Your token doesn’t come for free, please show our HA some appreciation for her grace and patience and host at least 5 or more tours a month.  (More would be better!) A very small price to pay for the tools and extras that come with your token.
For those of you that are continuously hosting, I thank you very much, you are greatly appreciated.  Hugs, Mel