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

Definition of Insinuation: To introduce in a clever way. Too imply. An insinuation "IS A CLEVER WAY" to accuse someone of cheating without actually saying the word "cheat"

Winning and losing GRACIOUSLY is what this ladder is all about. Bad Attitudes have no place here. If you can't say something nice - don't say anything.

If  UNsportsmanlike conduct (the reverse of the above definition) is displayed with proof at a table, in a game comment, in the lobby, in the forum or via any messaging system penalties may be imposed. This is subject to and may include insinuations of cheating and its definition as set forth.

(See the Penalty Guidelines for how these penalties will be imposed)

LOBBY CONDUCT

CampFire’s lobby is a place for friendly, fun and respectful banter. 

The lobby is not a place for the discussion of sex, for sexual innuendos, or for expressing your political or religious beliefs.  Nor is it a place for copying and pasting inappropriate language, URL's (other than CampFire related) or comments sent to you through GP messenger.  If you are sent a message, and it is inappropriate to you, turn in the complete chat (involving the discussion) as a complaint.  Copying and pasting GP messages in the lobby is not allowed, nor is typing a fake message in lobby.

Cussing:  It is impossible to encompass the entire spectrum of words used in “cussing”. Many of our members have children and grandchildren who may be watching and reading.  Our members should be comfortable in the knowledge that they themselves, their children and grandchildren can read the lobby and not find offensive language being used. 

Suffice it to say if you were told at one time in your life (be it your Mom, Dad, Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, Teacher or some other adult,) not to use that “word,” then out of respect for your fellow campers, please refrain from using it in the lobby.   

Violating the standards as set forth above, MAY result in penalties if filed on by a member of CampFire and WILL result in penalties if the violations continue after being asked by admin to stop.  

Any member can file a lobby conduct complaint.  Complaints should be sent to:  campfirespaders@comcast.net  with “lobby conduct” in the subject line.  48 hours is given to those file against to respond to the complaint.

Posting in the Message Forum is a privilege reserved for members of a team on CampFire Spaders. It is intended as a place for announcements, congratulatory statements, questions and constructive criticism.

Posts by individuals not on a team, with the exception of those new members LOOKING for a team in the post, will be pulled.

Posts by individuals not on our Ladder will also be pulled.

Posts that bash individuals or teams by name will be pulled including those that do not specifically name names but do offer so much information that the individual or team in question is readily identifiable. If this happens, it is possible to lose your privilege of posting in the forum.

If you are publicly fighting in this ladder, you may be permanently banned.

Remember, it takes two (or more) to fight. A fight is considered public if it is held in the Lobby or the Message Forum. Unacceptable Lobby and Forum conduct includes cussing and sexual innuendoes. Complaints on questionable lobby chat may be filed by any member of the ladder and should be copied and mailed to Campfirespaders@comcast.net

I am a Captain.

I am responsible for the actions of those placed on my roster.

It is my duty to assure that no team is intentionally avoided. It is my duty to assure that my team does not manipulate the ladder. It is my duty to assure that my team does not break the rules as currently posted. It is my duty to be civil and mature in the handling of all disputes involving my team.

It is NOT my duty to search out loopholes in the rules that can give my team an unfair advantage. It is NOT my duty to cause as much conflict with as many teams as I possibly can. It is NOT my duty to circumvent the items that this ladder is based on...

Fun, Friendliness, and Fairness.

Only a Team Captain may add or delete players from their roster. Players cannot be added to a roster without their permission. It is a Captain's OBLIGATION to be certain every player has read AND understands the rules of this ladder. The actions of ONE player can affect an entire team. A one-word accusation in a table chat is enough to get that team a warning by the Administration. Repeated violations can result in a team or individual being rung (dropping a team a number of rungs in rank), boxed (an individual or team being unable to play or report losses or wins for several days,) or banned from this ladder.

Team Captains are encouraged to hold regular team meetings to discuss strategy or just to get together. They should also direct their players to the Main Page and point out the information that is available there. Also, direct them to the Message Forum to catch them up on everything that is going on ladder-wide. Encourage their participation in helping us keep this a fun and friendly ladder.

Teams may have up to forty members (40) and 1 Camper Player or forty one (41) without the Camper Player. You have to start a team with 2 "active" members, and both have to remain active. You can't start a team with one person and a camper.

A rotating roster (continuously substituting the same players) is not allowed

A team is purged after 21 days of zero games played. As long as one game is played within that time period, the counter is reset to zero. No team members of a team may be purged unless their entire team goes 21 days without playing.

We now have four (5) different games that can be advertised at the same time:

1. Reg NDN – Would be advertised as - CF @ 4 NDN

2. Reg with DN – Would be advertised as - CF @ 4 DN

3.  Reg opp’s choice – Would be advertised as - CF @ 4 DN/NDN opps choice - should not be advertised if a NDN or DN is being advertised.

4.  ALT game (whatever game is) CF @ 4 ALT – CF @ 4 Crawl

The default for ALT games is 8 hands. 

If you don’t want an ALT game but don’t care if it’s NDN or DN, make sure you advertise as stated in number 3, so players will not think opp’s choice also means ALT game.

 Do NOT sit at another table while someone is advertising for a game, and say "Table A then Z."  When the same type of game is being advertised, BE COURTEOUS and wait for that game to fill before sitting.

Do not sit and advertise for a game until you and your partner are seated and ready to play.

Do not sit  for an advertised  game unless your partner/camper  is in the room and ready to play.

II.  JOIN SOMEONE ALREADY ADVERTISING FOR A GAME.

ALTERNATE GAMES RULES

Default is 8 hands

Click here for Game List

Only one (1) alternate game can be advertised at a time.  Please wait for one alternate game to be filled before advertising for another one.  Note:  "Opps Choice" in both Alternate and Regular Games gets first game.  See Rules on "How to Get a Game" for further details.

MIS-BID POLICY

If there is a mis-bid/misplay, the game is to be reported.  It is the responsibility of ALL players to understand the format before the start of play.

1. Request a team by name or rank in any manner.

2. Include your rank in your advertisement.

3. Bid, challenge or blind challenge in any manner.

4. Request a game as a kibber at a table.

5. Start a game with a sub.

6. Request a game through GP messenger

The mention of rank in the lobby is restricted to congratulations for a new #1 team.

Back-to-back games are allowed with the same or different players.

There is no limit on how many times a day you may play a particular team.

Second games are always optional and should be stated, politely, at the table or in the lobby as the reason for refusing a game. (Note: Refusing a second game should be a rare occurrence.)

We have three (3) types of games that can be advertised, Reg with DN, Reg NDN and ALT variations.  Only one (1) game format can advertise at one time.  Please restate type of game at beginning of game so everybody understands the format, failure to do so and the game reverts back to reg with DN.

When two (2) partners sit across from each other they are ready to play even if no advertisement has been done in lobby. If team mates are just sitting to chat , they should sit next to each other instead of across, and use tables 59 - 69.

When the game is over, BOTH losing partners involved in the game, are to communicate who is reporting the match.

If any person playing in the game is not found on the team roster, it is a no game. You cannot at the end of the game ask for it to be posted to the Camper nick.

Unless the site is down you MUST report before you start your next game.

If the reporting page is out of service, all games will continue to be played on an open table, as usual. Please keep a written list of games played, so later on, when the reporting page resumes working properly, you may report losses in the order of play.

After Cases comes back up, please give opponents 24 hours to get the game posted. If not posted in 24 hours, send game chat to your Captain to handle.

Your Ladder name must match your Gaming Peak name, this includes spaces, underscores and other keyboard characters. If it doesn't, the match is invalid "NO GAME".

The ONLY exception is CAPS or non- caps. You should email the Admins to have CAPS and non-caps adjusted to your ladder name.

The nickname you choose cannot be objectionable to the Administration. Names similar to those already existing on the CampFire Spaders Ladder are not allowed and you WILL be asked to change it. Several teams have "identifiers" that they require within the nickname. Please check with your captain.

Try to time your BRB before the end of a hand and request the last card be held (HLC). Then you can go change a diaper, go to the bathroom, get a sandwich, or get a drink. Understandably, that is NOT always possible, but if it is - please be considerate of others.

When a player is booted from the table, those players remaining, must wait a minimum of 5 minutes. If the booted player has NOT returned, the partner (of the booted player) may choose to get a sub or to continue with a bot. If a sub from their team is not available, anyone registered and on a team in Campfire Spaders may be called upon.  This would include Campers who are registered in Campfire, but not yet on a team.

Gaming Peak may sometimes work in mysterious ways. If your partner or opponent is lagging, we ask that you type the word "test" to determine if you are the one causing the lag.

No game may be started with a substitute. When a boot occurs and a substitute is used, the original 4 players are always credited with the win or loss.

When a game is started with a Camper, and the Camper's partner boots and does not return within the 5-minute boot time, the Camper should continue the game with a bot or a sub until a winner is determined. If the losing team is the team with the Camper (and since campers cannot report a loss,) the opponents MUST copy ALL game chat (from beginning of game until end,) and submit it to the booted player's captain for reporting. The loss goes to the original player who booted, and the camper (make sure camper’s name is notated in game comment section).

Note: The "Unreported Match Rule" applies in this case. See the "Unreported Match Rule" for further details

When a mass boot or a room crash occurs (all players booted from room) the game is ruled a No Game (No Team is obligated to report a loss).

Table talk about the cards in the current hand, whether or not it affects the outcome of the hand, is not permitted. Discussing the cards after the last card of a hand is fine, but NEVER during the play of the current hand.

Example: You cannot tell your partner to "bag the other team, set them, give them one more, double nil, or nil." " Cover me partner" (cmp), "TRAM" and "I am nil" are also table talk.

All of those examples and more are considered table talk. NONE is acceptable.

PROPER PROCEDURE FOR CALLING TABLE TALK:

1. All instances of perceived table talk MUST be mentioned and a forfeit requested in the table chat at the time of occurrence.

2. The accused team may forfeit at that time with no further penalty.

3. If the accused team refuses to forfeit, the incident may be filed through your Team Captain to the Admin along with a copy of the completed game's table chat as proof. 4. If the accusing team refuses to accept a forfeit the incident may not be filed. If filed correctly and the Admin determine that table talk took place, a forfeit will be awarded (if necessary) as well as a team and possible individual penalty.

We only allow a set number of accounts from one location. If this number is exceeded, your accounts will be investigated and possibly removed. We have an automated security system to keep track of this information, and all new account information is logged. It is illegal for one person to have multiple accounts or be on multiple teams. Only one nick name allowed per account. (Only you are allowed to play under your ladder nick name, not anyone else)

Members of the same household are not allowed to play with OR against each other.   The exception is once a month when we hold the BOS tourney all day, same household players are allowed to play against each other only at this time.

If you are a member of a same household (same workplace) situation, you MUST notify us before playing at Campfirespaders@comcast.net. This also includes if spouse is at work, out of town, etc. You must submit ladder nick names and team names of all involved.

Failure to do so will result in penalties being issued. The program does not allow reports to or from people in the same household.

Every #1 team will be rung to the bottom of the ladder once they have held the position for 24 consecutive hours.

Let's keep the top ranks active and fair. If you are a top ranked team, give all teams a shot, not only those ranked immediately below or above you.

PROVEN CHEATERS WILL BE PERMANENTLY BANNED from the ladder. There will be NO second chances. An accusation without proof is NOT acceptable. "Proof" means: a cheating Private Message that has been captured in a screen shot; cards or instructions typed into the table chat or elsewhere; or similar proof.

If an Administrator tells you to continue a game, you must continue the game or report it as a loss. The only time you are not required to finish a game, is if an Administrator cancels the game, or if an Administrator is not available AND it is PROVEN cheating. The rule of thumb is to get an Administrator and let us make that decision.

Automated card-counting programs are also illegal in the Campfire Spaders Ladder.

If a card counter is captured in a screen shot as open, it will result in a permanent ban.

Players who are PROVEN CHEATERS from other leagues will not be allowed to join Campfire. Current Campfire members who are caught cheating in another league, and subsequently banned from that league as a PROVEN CHEATER may also be banned from Campfire for cheating provided that other leagues provide complete documentation of the proof used to prove the cheating, and that Campfire Administration finds that the proof meets our standards of proof.

Campfire will also provide other leagues with the proof we used to ban a member for cheating. Other leagues will act on our proof as they see fit, which may or may not include banning that player from their league.

If the winning team notices the match does not show, write down the names of the team and players. Continue with your games. If said game is still not posted when you are done playing for the day, send an e-mail with ALL information to your captain. Your captain can then contact the other team's captain and they can work it out from there.

If the team captain has tried to settle an unreported match complaint, and the match is still not reported after 24 hours, an unreported match complaint should be sent to Campfirespaders@comcast.net with "unreported match" as the subject.

Upon receipt of an unreported match complaint, Administration will ask for action from the reporting team's captain. Said captain has 24 hours from date and time of Administration's notice to verify and post the match. If the match is still unreported after the allotted time, Administration will post the match and a TEAM WARNING will be issued. (See Penalty Guidelines for imposed penalties on unreported matches)

The default setting is Regular with DN. If you request a NDN in lobby, you MUST again state NDN at the table before game begins. Otherwise, if your opps DN, the game will revert back to Regular with DN . Any ALT game advertised should be restated at table before games begins.  Tables are never allowed to be locked and timers are NOT to be used in at any time.  Using a timer will also result in a "no game."

Aside from proven instances of cheating, questionable lobby chats, and misreported matches, all official complaints must be submitted by your Team Captain.

All evidence  should be sent to your Team Captain to resolve the matter. Team Captains are encouraged to resolve the situation between themselves BEFORE an official complaint is filed. A complaint only becomes official once it is mailed by a Team Captain to this address: Campfirespaders@comcast.net 

The procedure for filing a complaint can be found in the Captain Guidelines on the main page at www.Campfirespaders.com 

You have two weeks (14 days) from when the game or incident occurred to file a complaint. See Procedure for filing a complaint.

If the Team Captain is unavailable, and your problem needs immediate attention, you may seek out an Administrator for guidance.

All complaints are given 48 hours.

Teams wishing to use a Camper may increase their roster size to 41 to accommodate that camper player. A Camper does not have to be on a Campfire Team, but must be a registered member of Campfire. You can register at www.Campfirespaders.com and click on free sign up.

If playing with a camper, please say so in game chat  when you state your team name.  Failure to do so will result in a "no game."

Note: ANY player involved in the game may file a misreport. Penalties will be imposed on repeated offenders. (The type of penalty has not yet been determined by Adm., but will be at a later date.)

Misreports will only be fixed via e-mail and only if the above requirements are met.

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.