Nor'easter Tournament Rules
The Nor'easter Main Tournament is a 5-round, swiss-style tournament, with a fixed scenario list. The purpose of the fixed list is to encourage a higher level of play and preparation, so that players can study the scenarios in advance, and play faster. Please also refer to the detailed tournament rules. We expect that the final will be played in round 5, but this is dependent on the total number of participants and could vary. Depending on the number of entrants, it's possible that a single undefeated winner will not be chosen in 5 rounds. In that case tie-breakers (see tournament rule 7) will be applied, unless both players agree to play off-site to determine the winner.
Prior to the tournament each participant should select 3 scenarios from each round and rank the three in order of preference of play. See side selection for tips on how two players will jointly determine the scenario to be played in each round. Also, if you're playing in the Saturday mini tournament, you will no longer be considered in the running for the Main tournament. Friday Mini-Tourney games apply to the Main Tournament.
The main tournament starts when the doors open at 10:00 AM on Friday. If you're serious about winning the big trophy, be here on time Friday at 10, have your scenarios picked out, your gear set up, and be ready to play. If you're coming just for a good time and don't really care about the tournament, that's great! Come in whenever and play who you like. You can either stick to the scenario list or not as you please.
Second and third place will be decided by the tournament director based on the tie-breakers. It is in your best interest to play opponents with the same record as yourself. The tournament director reserves the right to select opponents.
Adjudication for late running games is always possible. For night rounds, players who are both undefeated, or a "spoiler game" where one player is undefeated and the other has only one loss, will have their games adjudicated if running late, unless both players agree to play on. If they opt to play on, it is with the understanding the scenario will need to be done by the start of the next round. If both players do not have undefeated records, the players can agree to play on or not at their discretion. If a decision is made not to play on, then the scenario will be adjudicated. NOTE IN ALL CASES THE ABOVE PROVISIONS OF 2) ONLY APPLY TO GAMES RUNNING OVER THE TIME LIMIT.
Side Selection
Each player secretly chooses a side to play, and both simultaneously reveal their choices. If they both choose the same side, A26.4 is in effect.
If BOTH players agree, they may use one of the following methods:
| Method 1: | Players roll 1 die; high die selects side. |
| Method 2: | As above but low die receives balance provision. |
| Australian: | If Australian Balance System (ABS) is in effect for a scenario, the players bid for the side they want, with lowest bid winning. For most ABS scenarios, there are 3 balance options and a no balance option for each side. Players secretly select a balance option; the one with the lowest option number gets to play his side of preference; loser gets balance option selected by opponent. |
In each round there is a list of five scenarios to pick from. For each round, pick your first, second, and third choices. You are encouraged to make selections before the tournament begins. Compare your choices with your opponent's. If there is only one match, you play that scenario. Otherwise you decide which of the matches you collectively ranked highest, in order of priority:
| 1:1 |
| 1:2 |
| 2:2 |
| 1:3 |
| 2:3 |
| 3:3 |
Detailed Tournament Rules
- This will be a 5 round Swiss tournament. The start time is 10 am Friday. It's important that players in the main tournament start on time and finish rounds on time. Players participating in the Saturday mini-tournaments are not considered to be playing in the main tournament. Friday mini-tournament rounds count toward the Main Tournament.
- Revison 2 of the ASL rule book (ASLRB2) is the official set of rules for the tournament. All official Q&A as published by MMP are also considered rules for the tournament. All results of games played at the Nor'easter will be automatically sent to ROAR for you, and will be posted on the YASL web site. Please don't send your own results to ROAR. Player information sheets (PIS) will be provided for record-keeping.
- If there are two undefeated players remaining, their game shall be the final, and the winner of that match will be First Place in the main tournament, and the loser of that match will be Second Place. Third place will be determined by the TD based on their tournament record--see #7 below. If there are three undefeated players remaining, and two of them should lose in that round, the last undefeated player will be First Place in the main tournament. Second and third place winners will be determined by the TD based on their tournament record--see #7 below.
- Players are responsible for selecting their own opponents in each round. The tournament staff will help coordinate this as much as possible. When selecting opponents, make sure you play someone with a similar (preferably exact) record. I.e., if you are 1 win, 0 losses, play another 1-0. If you're 2-1, play another 2-1, and so forth. It's in your best interest to do this, as it improves your chances of winning a trophy. There will be a tracking board to help you find opponents with similar records. In the final 3 rounds we ask that you check in with the TD prior to starting play. The TD may decide match-ups.
- The tournament status board has 4 areas relevant to the main tournament: Ready, Playing, Off-List, and Out. Place your match card in the Ready box when you're looking for a match. Place your match card in the Off-List box if you are looking for a match and wish to play a scenario that is not on the published scenario list. Make sure it's updated with your win/loss record. Place it in the Playing box when you're playing--put it next to your opponent. Place it in the Out box when you're going to bed, food, bar, etc.
- In each round there will be a list of five scenarios to pick from. See the Tips for play for procedures and tips to help you select a scenario to play. Before starting to play, players should make sure they've checked for errata on the scenario and agreed on optional rules such as the use of the IIFT. If, during play, a rules dispute ensues, please try to resolve it yourselves. If unable to resolve a rules dispute quickly, consult the tourney director (TD) The TD may judge a winner in a match if the match is running too long. In general, all matches should be finished within 6 hours. Players who "get behind", i.e., are starting their games a round or more behind others, may be disqualified by the TD in order to ensure the tourney ends on time (5 pm on Sunday).
- At the end of the tournament, final ranking will be determined by applying these tiebreakers in order:
- Head-to-head play. If you and Fred both end up 4-2, and you beat Fred, you will be ranked higher than Fred.
- Total number of wins of the people you beat. People who defeated better players will be ranked higher.
- Play against the same opponent. If you and Gary both are 4-2, and you didn't play each other, but you beat Jack and Jack beat Gary, you will be ranked higher than Gary.
- Total number of wins of the people you lost to. People who were defeated by better players will be ranked higher.
- Coin toss.