Tournament Play
New to tournaments? Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it easy for you!
How do I enter a tournament?
When you first enter the tournament room, a box should greet you. The box is called a “greeting” and it should tell you what tournament is next and where the host is taking entries for the tournament. If there is no greeting box when you enter the room, look for information in the lobby where the host will be advertising the upcoming tournament. Most hosts will take “ins” at a table. Some hosts may host from the lobby. If your host is hosting from the lobby, you will ask into the tournament in the lobby. If your host is hosting from the table, you will need to go to that table to ask into the tournament.
- If you do not have a partner, just type “in please” at the table.
- If you do have a partner, type: "/me (space)/partners nickname in please"
It will look like this in your type: /me /partner_nic in please
Soon after you request in, the host should acknowledge your entry into the tournament. Post your in request ONLY ONCE. Those who ask in more than once cause the host to duplicate assignments and will delay the start of Round 1 for one or more teams. If players are acknowledged that requested in after you, or the host asks if (s)he has missed anyone, then ask the host if (s)he missed your in. "/me /PardsName in please...did you miss us host?" Letting the host know if you are single, or repeating the team in, will allow the Host a better opportunity to get you in - especially when there is a rush of ins.
I’m in the tournament, what do I do next?
Once you are in the tournament, you will need to remain at the host’s table (if it is a table host) until assignments run. The assignment will tell you who your opponents are and, if you singled in, who your partner is. You can chat in the lobby or take care of tasks at home so you won’t be interrupted during game play. If you leave the computer, be sure to take note of start time for the tournament. If you are late, you may miss your assignment. If you are not back five minutes after the rules are run and the tournament starts, you will lose your opportunity to play in the tournament. Your partner will have already found a substitute for you. When the assignments run be sure to copy yours. Make sure you understand the format before you begin playing, not all formats are regular spades and even regular spades tournaments vary.
I have my assignment copied, what do I do now?
The first team listed on the assignment gets to pick the table where the game will be played. If you are the first team, you or your partner need to select a table and let your opponents know where the game will take place. One way to do this is for the host of the table (indicated by the hammer) to use the LOBBY AD feature, by typing: /ad (space) paste the assignment, then hit enter. You may also paste the assignment into the chat line in the lobby and type the table number at the end of the assignment and hit enter.
I have finished my first game and I lost, what do I do now?
If you lose the first round of the tournament, unless it is special tournament that has double-elimination, your time in that tournament is over. You should thank your partner and the host and move on to the next tournament.
I have finished my first game and I won, what do I do now?
Congratulations! Now it is time for your team to report your win. You need to make an agreement with your partner about which of you will report your win. If you both report the same game, it could cause problems for the host. When you report paste the assignment you copied into the chat window, change “vs” to “over” (by highlighting and typing over) if you were the first team listed on the assignment. If you were the second team listed on the assignment change “vs” to “lost to”.
1) Player_1/Player_2 **OVER** 2) Player_3/Player_4
or
1)
Player_1/Player_2 **LOST TO** 2) Player_3/Player_4
When reporting, remember the teams who report after you. Post your report ONLY ONCE. If you see other teams acknowledged that reported after you then you can alert the host to the fact that you were missed.
The host just asked for my email address, should I give it?
That is completely up to you. The host will ask for your email address so that you will be emailed an invitation to play in a Tournament of Champions (TOC). There are a few types of TOC’s. Most tournament clubs host a TOC each month for the winners and runners-up of their tournaments. If you would like to get an invitation to that tournament, you should provide your email address. If you do not give your email address, you will not be sent an invitation, but your nickname will be on the list and you may still play in that TOC. Hosts also send the nicknames and email addresses of their tournament winners to GamingPeak for the GP TOC. If you would like an invitation to this TOC, you should give the host your email address. Once again, if you do not give your email address, it just prevents you from getting an invitation, not playing in the GP TOC.
There are a few different ways you may give the host your email address. If you are not concerned about confidentiality, you may post it right onto the host table. If you would like to make sure everyone at the table does not have the opportunity to get your email address you may right click on the host’s nickname in the lobby and select to whisper to that host. /whisper (host’s nickname) will appear in the chat bar, you may type your email address next to this then hit enter and only the host will see your email. You may type /whisper (space) and the host’s nickname, then space and your email address into the chat bar at the table. Once you hit enter only the host will see your email address displayed at the host table.
Congratulations! You are now in the final round of the tournament. Regardless of whether you win or lose this round, the host will make a banner after the game and your nickname will appear on it. It is always a proud moment when you see your nickname on a banner!
A Few Tips
Remember that you are here to have fun. Don't give in to the temptation to argue or make accusations. It's only a game and there's always another one starting shortly. It's not worth getting upset, even if you have a good reason.
Click on the host’s nickname and WATCH at the Host Table. NEVER Join!
NEVER contact a Host when macros are running! Tourney time is also not the time to try to chat with your Host friend. The busiest time for your host is the last 10 minutes before the tourney and during Round 1 reporting. Don't chat at the host table during these times. It is also not a good time to try to get answers to questions that don't relate to reporting or problems at tables.
To save time, hosts will run an abbreviated set of rules. However you’re responsible to be familiar with the complete set of rules posted here.
General Tournament Rules
(Rules run by a host will always supersede the rules posted on this page.)
- Allow 2 minutes for lag and 5 minutes for boots.
- If there is continuous lag in play, call the host to the table. Players who boot three times during a round will be replaced with a sub. Remember that some players need to think about their bid or play. Some players have physical limitations that can cause them to play more slowly. Players with server problems caused either by GamingPeak or their isp may also lag at times. Be considerate.
- Multi-tasking IS NOT allowed and will result in DQ!
- This means you cannot be in another room or watching another table. Only watching at the host table is permitted during the play of a game.
- No Table Talk!!! CMP,TRAM etc… is TT and could lead to DQ.
- Any talk pertaining to the hand in play is Table Talk with the exception of LHA, GLN, GLA and posting the format for multiple hand/multiple formats alt. Keep your talk friendly and do not talk about the hands played.
- Any talk pertaining to the hand in play is Table Talk with the exception of LHA, GLN, GLA and posting the format for multiple hand/multiple formats alt. Keep your talk friendly and do not talk about the hands played.
- Vulgar language/Racial and/or Ethnic Slurs = INSTANT DQ
- This also includes racial slurs, derogatory comments to opponents, and arguing with your opponents, pards or hosts. The host will make the decision and that decision is final. Do not argue with the decision or you may be disqualified from the tournament.
- This also includes racial slurs, derogatory comments to opponents, and arguing with your opponents, pards or hosts. The host will make the decision and that decision is final. Do not argue with the decision or you may be disqualified from the tournament.
- There is NO re-seating without Host's permission.
- Generally a host will allow a reseat if a player has booted when first seated in a round and BEFORE that player makes the first bid. The host must be contacted as soon as the player boots. The player’s partner is responsible for holding the hand so that the first hand is not completed. In an Alt format a host may or may not allow a reseat, depending on the format.
- Generally a host will allow a reseat if a player has booted when first seated in a round and BEFORE that player makes the first bid. The host must be contacted as soon as the player boots. The player’s partner is responsible for holding the hand so that the first hand is not completed. In an Alt format a host may or may not allow a reseat, depending on the format.
- If you feel the need to cheat please don't play in this tourney! Do not accuse anyone of cheating without proof and NOT at host table. Contact host via whisper.
- Accusation, insinuations, and comments concerning cheating without proof may lead to a dq by the Host.
- In case of tie (same score), lowest bag team gets the win. If same bag number, a three-hand playoff will determine the winner.
- Bags do count toward the score and the score is not tied if one team's score is higher due to bags. The higher score wins according GamingPeak rules. A Host's Misbid Policy varies, and is normally MISBIDS OR MISPLAYS = DQ. Some formats allow for a misbid/misplay in Hand 1 Round 1 Only.
- There is no misbid/misplay policy needed in a Regular format that allows all bids. When there is NO DN allowed, if you DN your team will be DQ'd. ALT formats always have a misbid policy. It is very important to pay attention to the Host's rules and format any time you play, especially in an ALT format.
Watchers are allowed at the table. Do not block or boot them.
If there is a problem with someone who is watching at the table, contact the host. The host may require the watcher to leave the table. You should never boot a watcher from the table or block watchers without the permission of the host.
The Host's decisions are FINAL! If you disagree with a Host's decision(s) you may send an email to hostcomplaints@gamingpeak.com.
If you email hostcomplaints@gamingpeak.com, be sure to include any screenshots and table chat. Complaints without proof are rarely, if ever, taken seriously.