| IPA RULES |
The message from the IPA Admin Team is that online pool can be enjoyed in a sporting manner - win, lose or draw. We wish to keep this interleague to high standards of sportsmanship, so that we can all keep enjoying this past-time as best we can. We have no time for bad sports and trouble-makers – they are not welcome here. The IPA has the following Rules to maintain the high standards we are advocating. Whether you are a Captain, Co-Captain, player or spectator, please respect the IPA edict – that sportsmanship is paramount at all times.
| 1/ Camtasia & Other Recording Programs |
a). All IPA Games MUST be Recorded using Camtasia or other Recording Programs that meet IPA Cam Standards and Guide Lines.
b). In any match recorded, whether in the Regular season or Play-offs, the cam recordings must show the full monitor screen and time-stamp (which must not be blocking any part of the task bar), and must not be paused under any circumstances. A cam file must be saved as an .avi file and submitted as directed.
c). Irrespective of any minor technical anomalies, a winning player's tape which is deemed to have shown that he or she played fairly and squarely, with no signs of cheating whatsoever, will ALWAYS be cleared, subject to the following exceptions which will result in disqualification
i. Pausing a tape
ii. Timestamp not running continuously
iii. Not showing full screen
iv. Cursor not visible at all times.
d). In the Regular season, a winning tape must be submitted upon request by e-mail or file transfer via Yahoo Messenger or MSN to the appropriate OPPONENT, or supervising IPA Admin if requested, within THIRTY MINUTES of the completion of the match in question. In the Play-offs, a winning tape must be submitted to IPA Admin within THIRTY MINUTES of the completion of the match in question. In all matches, a tape sent via file transfer must commence within 10 minutes following the match, although due to the file size final submission may exceed that.
e). If, for any reason, there is a dispute by the losing opponent regarding the eligibility of a winning tape, or if requested by IPA Admin, BOTH WINNING and LOSING tapes must be submitted to IPA Admin for arbitration and any decision thereafter will be final. IPA Admin may request the tape to be resubmitted by the winning player rather than receive it from the losing opponent.
f). If the losing tape is not submitted when requested, IPA Admin may order the original result of the game in question to stand.
g). Any player failing due adhere to any part of rule 1 may be liable to disqualification in the appropriate match.
| 2/ Accounts & Screen Names |
a). A player is permitted ONE account in IPA. If more then one account is detected it may result in ALL accounts being deleted and that includes all match histories.
b). In the event of a player's account(s) being deleted, his or her team may possibly forfeit all points gained to the opposition up to and including the time of the offence.
c). A player's screen name (or ID) must match his or her current league name exactly, except where 1d) or 1e) applies. Failure to have an eligible screen name will make the player liable to be disqualified.
d). Where Cases does not accept the 'dot' in any screen name, a player must sign in with an underscore and then change it to the dot via the User Editor link on the home page of the IPA website. Failure to do so will result in playing under an incorrect screen name and thereby make the player liable to be disqualified. If a player is unable to make the amendment, he or she must ask an IPA Admin to undertake it, but ultimately it is the player's responsibility to check that it has been done.
e). Where Cases does not accept lengthy names, a player may use a shortened version of it to sign up and then request an IPA Admin to change it accordingly. Any @sbc.global.net names are permitted to use the first part of the name if they are too long. For example, 'drew.poolgod@sbc.global.net' would be permitted to use 'drew.poolgod'.
| 3/ Eligibility |
a). A player must have at least 30 games played on his or her screen name in his or her home league to be eligible to compete for his or her team, 15 of which must be tournament games. Fewer than 30 games would make the player ineligible and liable to be disqualified.
b). Any player found to be manipulating his or her home league statistics to falsify eligibility will be disqualified and dealt with under the Disciplinary Code.
c). It is a Team Captain's responsibility to check if players are qualified to play, both on his or her team and also on the opposition's side regarding eligibility. Anomalies relating to opposition screen names or ineligibility must be reported to IPA Admin as soon as possible to be investigated.
| 4/ Match Format |
a). A match consists of 6 games played one after the other on an official IPA table, involving 6 different players on each team. All tables are to be 'rated' and 'protected' unless otherwise stated beforehand. In the event of a tie the match will be recorded as a 3-3 draw. A deciding seventh game is not permitted under any circumstances.
b). In the Regular season, under normal circumstances, the home team's Captain will host the table, select the left or right side for his or her team, and be responsible for inviting players and conducting the score throughout the match. The away team's Captain will nominate his or her player first in each game. In the Play-offs, IPA Admin will host all matches.
c). The home team are advised to have the Co-Captain or another player invited second to the table incase the host loses hosting rights for any reason. The replacement will take on the same duties as defined in 2b). Should an opponent be left to host, the match must continue accordingly but under such circumstances the home team are advised to request an IPA Admin to supervise fairness.
d). IPA Admin may, at their discretion, appoint a neutral referee to host at any match if deemed necessary. Such an appointed referee may be a member of a different team or an IPA Admin, and will take on the duties as defined in 2b).
e). Both Team Captains (or supervising team member if not the Captain) must report the result of each match in the Message Forum as soon as possible after the finish, giving the week number, opposition, score, and pairings for the games played, stating the winner of each. If a match is won by a forfeiture or by default, credits must be submitted by the winning team. Failure to report results in the Forum will lose a team its credits for eligibility for the Play-offs.
f). Losing players must now report their losses to the IPA page, a "report loss" link will be added to the main page. After the players loss within the IPA match, the player has 48 hours to report their match. After 24 hours the captain the captain MAY be reminded, but as its your responsibility to report and not ours, it wont always happen. If no report has been made after 48 hours, the player will be boxed for 7 days missing their next match.
| 5/ Game Specific Rules |
a). The cue ball must be moved prior to the break and if a player sinks the 8-ball on a break, there must be a re-rack.
b). If Yahoo gives a 'Ball In Hand' (BIH) after sinking 2 balls of different types off the break then the next shot is to be taken where it lays. If a player fails to play the ball where it lays he or she are required to re-rack (one game). This is an obvious Yahoo glitch as neither player has committed a foul shot and therefore BIH should NOT be taken.
c). If sinking 2 or more balls on the break and scratching as well, it is more than likely Yahoo will freeze the game and there must be a re-rack.
d). Game etiquette (typing 'GL' and 'GG') is a requirement in IPA. 'GG' - Good Game - must NOT be typed before the 8-ball has dropped under any circumstances. A player breaching this rule is guilty of unsporting behaviour and is liable to be dealt with under the Disciplinary Code.
e). Forced Forfeits ('FF') are not permitted under any circumstance. This includes a player quitting and forfeiting on his or herself before a game has ended. A player breaching this rule will be guilty of unsporting behaviour and will be dealt with under the Disciplinary Code.
f). Leaving a game before the 8-ball falls is not permitted under any circumstance. A player breaching this rule will be guilty of gross bad sportsmanship (which carries a minimum 30-day boxing). If the same player commits this offence twice, the team will forfeit the match on the second occasion, whatever the score at the time.
g). Glitches by Yahoo are a fact of life in Yahoo Pool and players must learn to live with them. A player complaining excessively about glitches will be guilty of unsporting behaviour.
h). All losses are to be reported by the players within 48 hours of the match, Failure to do so will result in a one match boxing, continue offenders will be boxed longer if not banned.
| 6/ Coaching, Re-Racks & Safeties |
a). Coaching IS NOT permitted in IPA.
b). No re-racks may be offered for an 8-ball default, as long as 3 or more balls have been sunk in the game. A losing player or his team complaining about a win by this method will be guilty of unsporting behaviour.
c). In the event of a Yahoo glitch or meltdown, IPA Admin may order a re-rack.
d). A re-rack will be a single game. Only the winner has the right to offer a re-rack (but not for a valid 8-ball default). Under no circumstances must the loser or his team request a re-rack.
e). Safety play, or snookering, is permitted at all times in IPA. A player complaining excessively about the use of safeties will be guilty of unsporting behaviour.
| 7/ Timers & No Shows |
a). In the regular season, the first timer is 7 minutes. The second timer on any other game is 5 minutes. Once the combined total of 12 minutes has expired, the defaulting team loses the match.
b). In the play-offs, the first timer is 10 minutes. The second timer on any other game is 5 minutes. Once the combined total of 15 minutes has expired, the defaulting team loses the match.
c). A Team Captain is requested to notify an IPA Admin of any difficulties in advance, or intentions not to fulfill a scheduled match where possible.
d). A team failing to show and being timed out will forfeit the match by a score of 6-0.
e). In the event of a team being a NO SHOW twice in any season, without a valid and reasonable excuse, that team will be liable to expulsion from IPA.
f). If a team withdraws at any stage, its will be replaced by a bye until a replacement is found. Any match not played due to a withdrawal will be awarded as a 6-0 win to the opposition as per the schedule.
g). Should a new team replace another team, it will take the previous team's record up to and including the withdrawing team's last match.
h) No new team will be admitted after the completion of two thirds of the Regular season. In a 10 week season, this will be 7 matches. In a 14 week season, this will be 9 matches. In a 16 week season, 11 matches. In a 18 week season, 12 matches.
| 8/ Schedule, Standings & Admin Decisions |
a). The playing schedule is to be strictly followed. There will be no changes or rescheduling made at any time, unless IPA Admin deem it necessary to make alterations for the benefit of the competition.
b). Any alterations to the schedule or standings made by IPA Admin will be final and binding on all concerned.
c) In the Regular season, four points will be awarded for winning a match and two points for a tie. In the event that points are equal, the number of matches won will determine the higher position in the standings. Should the number of matches won be equal, the number of games won will determine the higher position in the standings. Should the number of games won be equal, the head-to-head record between the teams level will be taken into consideration to decide the higher position.
d). IPA Admin, may at their discretion, overturn a game, reverse a result or award a rematch if deemed necessary. A match decided by forfeit will be awarded to the winning team by a score of 6-0. Should a match remain unplayed for any reason through no fault of either team, it may be deemed to be a draw with a score of 3-3 applying.
| 9/ Play-Offs |
a). The format for the Play-offs will remain 6-v-6. In the event of a tie at 3-3, each Team Captain will nominate one winning player to contest the seventh and deciding game.
b). Eligibility of players for the Play-offs will be 3 games each player will need to have played 2 games the 3rd game may be a credit and teams will be notified of an eligibility on player stats page during the Regular season. revised 5 /23/11
| 10/ Behaviour & Sportsmanship |
a). A player must conduct his or herself in a sporting manner at all times, including game etiquette ('GL' and 'GG'), and must refrain from any form of bad sportsmanship or unacceptable behaviour.
b). Any form of abuse, gamesmanship, goading, harrassment, intimidation, provocation, or any form of unacceptable or unsporting behaviour is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. A player guilty of any of these offences, or of other offences listed under the Disciplinary Code, or who brings the name or reputation of IPA into disrepute, is liable to be dealt with in accordance with the Disciplinary Code.
c). The hosting Captain must be completely fair and sporting to all players equally at all times during the match, and must conduct him or herself with tolerance and courtesy throughout, or may lose the right to host another match.
d). The hosting Captain must in the first instance (i) warn any player or spectator (from either team) whose behaviour is disruptive, followed by (ii) asking him or her to leave the table, before (iii) 'booting' the person from the table as a last resort. Either Captain is entitled to request the presence of an IPA Admin should the need arise.
| 11/ League Changes |
a). You may change leagues with a verified release up to the halfway point in any season.
b). Players are limited to a maximum of 1 league change in any season.
c). Any league changes may only be approved by an Admin of IPA.
d). Admins may approve changes under exceptional circumstances if all parties agree to the change after the halfway point but not, week 7 or 3 weeks left to play in any season - whichever is the latest, even if you have a verified release. This includes players who have become free agents due to their league withdrawing.
e). Should you change leagues without a clearance then you will be subject to a penalty of 3 IPA matches i.e. 3 weeks.
f). If you withdraw from IPA at anytime during a season your player stats will be wiped clean. If you rejoin then you will have to recommence your season count.
g). If you withdraw from IPA and rejoin for another league you will be banned.
h). If your team withdraws from or is removed IPA then you are a 'free agent' and may join any other league and retain your win/loss stats - this is NOT COUNTED as a league change as per b) above.
i). Any player wishing to change leagues must do so prior to 2pm EST on Saturdays to be eligible for that weeks match. League changes will NOT be permitted during matches.
| 12/ Alteration & Interpretation Of The Rules |
a). These Rules, including the Disciplinary Code, may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of IPA Admin as deemed necessary.
b). By joining the IPA, each member team will be deemed to have given its assent to these Rules, including the Disciplinary Code, and agree to abide by the decisions of IPA Admins.
c). All questions regarding interpretations of these Rules, including the Disciplinary Code, or of any point not provided for by these Rules, will be referred to the IPA Head Admin whose decision shall be final and binding on all concerned.
| IPA Disciplinary Code |
IPA's Disciplinary Code is present to help govern the smooth-running of the competition and clarify the penalties for any breach of the Rules. They have been classified into 4 categories with Category A being the most serious through to Category D being more of a misdemeanor. This has been done so that you will know in advance what the likely penalty will be for any given action and therefore it is hoped you will govern yourself accordingly. It is the Team Captain's responsibility to ensure that the Rules are complied with. Repeated violations by members of any team will result in the Team Captain being removed for lack of control. Don't ever say you haven't been warned... your fate is in your own hands!
| Category A Offences |
i. Proven cheating of any kind.
ii. Joining and playing in IPA teams with a deflated or ghosted screen name.
iii. Insulting language and/or racist comments to another member.
iv. Defaming the IPA whilst a current member or a current boxed member of IPA.
v. Repeated breaking of lesser offence rules under Categories B, C or D.
vi. Any other form of gross misconduct deemed worthy of expulsion.
• PENALTY: Expulsion from IPA.
| Category B Offences |
i. Continued abuse of other members.
ii. Behavior that shows the IPA in a bad light to members and non-members.
iii. Abusive language or other disrespect towards IPA staff, or towards opposing teams, or towards an individual player or spectator.
iv. Repeated breaking of lesser offence rules under Categories C or D.
• PENALTY: Not less than 90 days in the penalty box.
| Category C Offences |
i. Ignoring an IPA Admin's rulings or call for cessation.
ii. Manipulation of home league statistics.
iii. Arguing, gamesmanship, goading, harrassment, intimidation or provocation of another member or team in the forum, lobby, or game table or in Instant messages.
iv. Any form of conduct deemed to be gross bad sportsmanship.
v. Repeated breaking of lesser offence rules under Category D.
• PENALTY: NOT less than 30 days in the penalty box.
| Category D Offences |
i. 'Force forfeiting' another member.
ii. As host, incorrectly or unfairly or unjustifiably 'booting' a person from the table without adhering to Rule 9
iii. Spamming another Interleague or League during an IPA tournament.
iv. Any form of conduct deemed to be unsporting behaviour.
• PENALTY: NOT less than 8
days in the penalty box.