Purpose
Effective management of Club organized tournaments makes life easier for the organizers, minimizes disputes and maximizes everyone’s enjoyment. The following policies provide a framework within which the Club will organize and operate its tournaments in order to provide this effective management.
General
The policies in effect at the beginning of the tournament will remain in effect for the duration of the tournament. Discussion about policies during tournaments and possible improvements are encouraged but conclusions or recommendations from these discussions can only be applied to future tournaments at the discretion of the tournament organizers.
The procedures to be used during the tournament that cover the game rules, allocated sections, how winners will be determined and how prizes will be awarded will be posted or announced before play begins.
Play officially begins when announced by the Tournament Director. No changes to policies and procedures will be valid for the associated tournament after on-site registration begins.
The following announcements will be made before play begins:
- Which rules are in effect.
- The composition and allocation of Sections and Divisions.
- Late appearance time (in minutes).
- The methods for determining winners and the treatment of byes.
- Prizes being awarded.
- Who the appointed adjudicator is.
Other announcements may be made as necessary. This policy will be posted in the Tournament Room.
Entry Fees and Volunteers
The tournament organizers will set entry fees for all tournaments at their discretion.
Club Members and Youths may be offered lower entry fees to encourage beginners and the building of a strong membership base.
In recognition of their work, volunteers seconded by the tournament organizers may enter the tournament without paying a fee but are then ineligible to receive any cash prize, gift or gift certificate prize. Because other tournaments are often difficult to attend, these volunteers will still be eligible to receive an award’s trophy or meet other AGA eligibility requirements as applicable. However, volunteers who pay the appropriate entry fee are eligible for all prizes.
Rules in Effect
The rules to be used for each game in the tournament will be announced before play begins and will be either:
- AGA rules,
- AGA Ing rules or
- some other set of documented rules adopted by the tournament organizers
The same rules will be used by all sections unless otherwise announced before play begins.
Allocating Sections
Unless specifically designed otherwise by the tournament organizers, the tournament will be divided into at least two sections, an Open Section and a Handicap Section. Players can chose between the Open and Handicap Sections at registration. If there are less than six players registering for the Open Section they will be assigned to the Handicap Section.
These Sections will be further subdivided depending on participation. Entering ranks will be used to determine in which division players will compete.
The Open Section will be further subdivided into Low Dan or High Dan Divisions if it contains more than twenty registered players. The Divisions will be determined by dividing the list either precisely in two for an even number of players or such that the low division has one more than the high division for an odd number of players. The list of players will be first ordered by entering rank and then by lot (coin toss).
The Handicap Section will be further subdivided into Division I, II or III corresponding to strong, medium or beginner ranked players. If there are six (6) or more players entering at 20k or weaker and twenty or more total entries, there will be a Division III for beginners. If there are more than 16 remaining players the Section will be further subdivided between Division I and II. This will be determined by dividing the list either precisely in two for an even number of players or such that the Division II has one more than the Division I for an odd number of players. The list of players will be first ordered by entering rank and then by lot (coin toss).
Pairings, Byes, Forfeits and Winners
If byes are needed a player can request a bye before the pairings for that round are announced, otherwise they will be determined by the Tournament Director. Byes may be ignored or counted towards a score for the purposes of pairings and final standings at the discretion of the Tournament Director. Such treatment will be announced before play begins. Requests for byes after pairings are announced will not be considered.
If a player refuses a game or is a no show, that player forfeits the round and it is counted as a win for the other player. When a player is or players are late for a round, the Tournament Director will start that game’s clocks. If one player is present, the clock is started for the absent player. If both players are late, half the late time will be deducted from both basic times. If both players fail to show before the basic time runs out both players will forfeit and no points will be awarded for final standings. The forfeited pairing will be blocked from subsequent rounds. Late time will be determined for each Tournament and announced before play begins.
Pairings in the Open Section will be determined by using a pairings program of choice of the tournament organizers. Winners are typically determined first by their number of wins, then by a series of tie-breakers, e.g. the Sum of their Opponent Scores (SOS), then by Sum of their Defeated Opponents Scores (SDOS) and finally by the Sum of Round Scores (SRS).
Pairings in the Handicap Section will be determined by using a pairings program of choice of the tournament organizers. Winners will typically be determined by one of the following methods. The chosen method will be announced before play begins.
The first method will choose winners first by their number of wins, then by their final rank and then by the change factor as determined by the pairings program. This method encourages stronger players to participate.
The second method will choose winners first by their number of wins and then by a seres of tie-breakers, e.g. the Sum of their Opponent Scores (SOS), then by Sum of their Defeated Opponents Scores (SDOS) and finally by the Sum of Round Scores (SRS). This method rewards rapidly improving players.
The Pairings Process is the responsibility of the Tournament Director or any volunteer(s) so designated by the Tournament Director.
Awarding Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to winners in each Section and Division (depending on participation) at the discretion of the tournament organizers. Prizes will be announced before play begins. Prizes may consist of cash, go books, paraphernalia, or gift certificates at the discretion of the tournament organizers. Winning volunteers may not receive cash, go books, paraphernalia, or gift certificates if entering for no fee. (See Entry Fees And Volunteers above.)
Gift Certificates may be exchanged for a percentage (usually 50%) of their face value in cash.
Participation
The tournament organizers wish to further the sport and enhance the popularity of the game in the community. Participants in these tournaments agree to abide by the terms of these Policies and the decisions made by the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director, in consultation with the tournament organizers if necessary, reserves the right to terminate participation in the tournament of any persons who:
- violate these policies,
- undermine the safety and security of participants or property
- or in the judgment of the Tournament Director, display excessive inappropriate behavior not conducive to promoting the game.
In all cases, tournament fees may be refunded at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
Missing Provisions and Disputes
Adjudicators, appointed before play begins, may be called upon by the Tournament Director to judge the outcome of any adjourned games and so indicate to the Tournament Director.
Any situation not covered by these policies will be determined as needed by the Tournament Director on a case by case basis. The Tournament Director will make every effort to consult with the tournament organizers and will make binding decisions for the duration of the tournament.
Sept 10, 2010 First posted
Aug 2, 2011 Modified to clarify the treatment of byes and forfeits and to relax tie-breaker requirements in order to include more options.