1.      Qualifications

Tournament players must be current BPA member associate level or higher at the moment the tournament starts.  All entrants must be members of the BPA the year the tournament starts, Associate level or higher. To join go to http://www.boardgamers.org/.  Players do not have to renew in subsequent years to remain active in your tournament.

 

All players must be signed up and BPA members one week prior to the start of the tournament.

 

To sign-up for the tournament, email drueding@mindspring.com.

 

2.      Tournament Format

2.1.     Format

There will be two phases to the tournament. There will be four swiss rounds. The top four qualifiers at the conclusion of the Swiss rounds phase will advance to the Playoff rounds. Playoff rounds (final four) will be two rounds, single elimination semi-finals and finals.

2.2.     Round Duration:

Each round will be 13 weeks. This pace requires rate of approximately one card play per day (12 Turns x 6 Card plays = 72 days). Players who cannot commit to this pace of play should not ask to participate in the tournament. If a game does not end by the deadline date it will be adjudicated by the GM and the Assistant GM. If either player in question can be identified as the more guilty party (the slower player), then his opponent will be declared the winner, regardless of the positions on the game's board. Such decisions are final.

2.3.     No Byes

There will be no byes. If there are an odd number of players total for any round, then the lowest rated player or random unseeded player with the lowest score will play an "eliminator" assigned by the GM.

2.4.     Scenario

All rounds will use the full campaign games. Detailed rules will be covered in the scenario section.

2.5.     Seeding

The first round seeding will be random.  Subsequent Swiss round will randomly match up similar record players when possible.  Playoff round seeding will be random.

2.6.  On-line/Email Play

The game will be played via ACTS (http://acts.warhorsesim.com/index.asp). All card play, messages, and die rolling will go through here - no exceptions. Players may exchange game files via Cyberboard or other aid, but this is not required. In sending messages, players must be as EXPLICIT as possible when describing a move. Players may decide on the protocol they will use in their messages, with the default being the complete spelling out of everything (spaces, units). All games will be set-up by the GM prior to starting the round.

READ ACTS USAGE PROCEDURES ON ACTS TAB!

2.7.  Advancement to Playoff Rounds. 

The players with the four best records will advance to the play-off rounds.  Ties will be determined by 1) most German victories 2) record within tied group with most German victories and if necessary 3) random.

2.8.  Reporting

After each game is complete, the winner must report back to the GM with results, please copy the losing player and include the final turn, VP count and bid.

 

3.      Scenario (The campaign game will be used for all rounds)

3.1.     Rules

The most current rules and card texts available at the start of each round will be used, with required tournament rules below.  Current rules can be found on Consim World http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?14@482.V0HOdH2ifuF.0@.ee6fed6. Initial rounds will be conducted using the rules version 1.0 date [8-10-7]. Rules changes between rounds will not affect games in progress, obviously clarifications and rulings do apply.

3.2. Note on discards: The Axis player discards cards first during the end of the turn.    

3.3.     Required Rules for Tournament

*    No optional rules apply unless listed here (or mutually agreed upon by both players, prior to determination of sides).

*   19.3 Alternate Malta: Play of either Herkules or Malta Victorious does not produce Victory Points for either side. The other benefits and penalties of each Event remain the same.

*   19.42 Optional Allied Card Draw: During the winter 1941 Draw Strategy Card Phase of the campaign game the Allied player may elect to add the Barbarossa card to his hand before shuffling and drawing the remainder of his cards. If playing the Operation Sonnenblume scenario the Allied player may elect to draw the Barbarossa card as part of his opening hand. He may not play the Barbarossa Event until the summer 1941 turn. The maximum number of cards remains eight for 1941.

*    Matildas & Marshes: The Matildas combat card does not cancel the effect of salt marsh terrain (i.e. El Agheila)

*    Rommel Event: The card event doubles as operations points, i.e. is a boxed operations event

3.4.     Determination of Sides

Players roll randomly roll to see who gets the first bid.  The first player will select a side and an initial bid of VPs.  The second player can either accept the bid or bid higher. If the second player bids higher then the option is passed back to the initial bidder who can then accept the bid or bid higher again. This will continue until one player accepts the bid of another.  VPs are applied during the victory determination phase of winter 1942 (i.e. after the action phase).Side Set-up: When the final bid is determined, please email the GM with the final bid and side selection. The GM will then modify the ACTS game if necessary to switch the German and Allied players around – as soon as the sides in ACTS are correct, the game may begin. Note: You can bid zero for a side. Then the second player must either accept or bid 1.

3.5.     Rules Disputes

Any rules disputes will be adjudicated by the GM.  In the case of games involving the GM, assistant GMs will make the final decision.