Team Tourney Rules

                         MENTAL DOMINO TOURNAMENT - April 19, 2025.

Players are expected to respect others and the premises. We aim to promote peace,  positivity, and a fun atmosphere during the tournament. We are asking patrons to abide by the following house rules:

1. No Smoking in the building. 

2. No Obscene Language.

3.  No Disrespecting officials, Players, Volunteers and Staff.

4.  No destruction of Property (dominoes, tables, chairs, etc.).

5.  No Violence.

6.  No Cheating.

Organizers reserve the right to impose disciplinary actions against violators as necessary. 

   Itinerary 

Sign in and Register &     Captains’ meeting             4:45 P.M.

Random Draw for groups and match-ups               5:00 P.M.

Round one start time                                                   5:  10 P.M.

Soup served during prelims. Teams will be given tickets for their roster members.

Award Ceremony       

    Section I                                   Format – 3 Table Format

1.1   3 tables play simultaneously per match. Each table will be first to 11. Total points on all tables.

1.2   Group Stage  - 2 or 3 preliminary rounds.

• Teams may be divided into groups/pools (up to 4 teams each groups)

• Unmatched teams will get a bye each round (eg. If there is an odd number of teams).

• If there are more than 8 teams, only 8 will advance. 

• If there are 4 teams, they play in the semi-finals.

• For 5-8 teams, there will be 3 rounds of playoffs (See schedule).

• If there are fewer than 8 teams, we will have a round to determine the semi-finalists (the top seeds will get a bye). 

1.3     Elimination Rounds 

• Teams will be ranked based on criteria to make the playoffs (Sec. II - 2.2).

• At this stage winners only, until a champion is crowned.

• Please see the schedule for brackets. (see section 1 for more details). 

• The higher seed will choose the seating order.

• Bracket winners meet in the finals.

Section II Tournament Rules

The Organizers will rely on the following rules to decide on any disputes.  

2.1   Scoring, Winner of match, etc: 

1. The team with the highest overall points on all 3 table scores wins the match.

2. Teams will play first to 11 points on each table. (max 33 pts)

3. Games are played for one point (derby excepted (see ii and iii)).

   1. The person with the lowest card wins the block ( individual count)

   2. If there is a tie on a block, double 6 will pose and the winner gets 2 PTS.

   3. The maximum score for any game is 2 (Derby). If there are more ties, double 6 will pose until a winner is decided.

   4. No 1-1 play 2, no key for 2

   5. The referee may ask for a game to be replayed, worth 1 point.

4. If a team has 10 points the game is only for 1 (derby rule does not apply at this stage)

5. Each team is responsible for verifying the scores at the end of each round.

2.2  Standings - Method for Ranking 

1. Sets Wons

   1. Teams with the best records versus opponents in the preliminary rounds eg. 4-0, 3-1, etc

   2. If there is a 2-way tie, the team that won in the prelim (head to head) advances.

   3. Any other multiple-team scenarios will be decided in the following order

      1. Plus/Minus.

      2. Games won (If the plus-minus is the same eg. 30-25 would beat 25-20).

2. Any further tie-breakers will be decided by one of the following methods:

   1. If a 3-way tie, teams will play one game against each other.

• If any team finishes 2-0 that team will advance.

• If any other team is needed the team with the better record advances.

• If the tie still exists the matchup will be extended to the best of 3. The scores from the first round will be added onto.

2. If a 4-way tie, teams will be paired. There will be a knockout round, 1 game per match.

3.  If needed the organizers may choose to have each team draw a domino to advance.  This will only be done if it will help the schedule of events.

2.3 Roster

1. Teams should submit a Roster with player names before the tournament (approximately 10). There is no limit to the number of players on a roster.

2. Organizers will update the roster deadline for final submission.

3. It is recommended that players wear uniforms with roster names, if possible.

4. Use only roster names on score sheets to avoid confusion. 

5. Players cannot switch teams during the event.

2.4  Subs

1. Subs are made by team captains only, by notifying the opposing captain and ref.

2. Subs can only be made from game 4 (3-1, 2-2 etc) to the end of that match.

3. Subs can be made only after a game is finished. If hands are drawn, the game must be played.

4. Players from the sideline can replace players in the ring. 

5. Players being subbed in have 2 minutes to sit.

6. If substitution cannot be made within the 2 minutes allotted, the existing players must continue on their existing tables.

7. Table draw cross – partners in the ring can switch tables, 2 minutes are allotted for the switch. If a switch does not happen in the allotted time, existing players must continue until the game ends.

8. Seat Switching: Partners can exchange positions (on the same table) after the game ends. If hands are drawn, hands must be played with no switching, until after the game has ended.

9. Captains are allowed to switch any of the players in the ring.

10. The opposing team cannot switch at the same time and must wait for 1 game to switch.

Section III    During Play 

1. Match start: In each preliminary round, captains will draw dominoes to determine who sits first, 

the lowest domino decides. The playoff seating will be decided by rank.

2. Each team has 5 minutes to seat all of their players. If not seated on time,  1 point awarded to the opponents for each table not seated. 

3. Tables will lose another point every 2 minutes if not seated (Both players seated and ready to start the match). That is 1 point will be lost at the following timeline (7 min, 9 min, 11 min, 13 min) 

4. Whenever a team is fully seated, the losing of point ends.

5. At the  15 minute mark, if a team is not fully seated, the opponent will be awarded 11 pts.

6. At the start of each game the dominoes are shuffled face down. 

7. The non-shuffling team can request to reshuffle once before the hands are drawn. No further request is allowed. 

8. The referee organizer must be called to shuffle if players cannot agree are two shuffles.

9. The organizers recommend that the player that shuffles draws last. 

10. Players are not allowed to look at their hand and reshuffle. 

11.  If a player violates the above rule  (10), the opponent gains 1 pt . (see penalties.)

12. Players who draw more than 7 dominoes are not allowed to look at the dominoes. The player(s) that need dominoes should pick as needed.

13. Double 6 poses the first game, the winning pair poses thereafter.

    1. Partners can decide who poses by saying “me, or you”, 

    2. The response must be to “me  or you”.  No other back and forth will be allowed.

    3. If a player rejects the pose, his partner must pose.

    4. Players are not allowed to switch the direction of the pose.

14. Exposed dominoes scenarios:

    1. There should be a clean shuffle. If a domino is accidentally exposed before the pose, reshuffle the dominoes.

    2. If a domino is exposed while hands are being drawn, notify the official before reshuffling.

    3. If a card is exposed during the game, the player must play it on the next turn or forfeit that game. 

       1. The official must be called.

       2. The official will make a ruling as to whether or not the exposed card affected the game’s outcome.

    4. If the player is not able to play the card on the next turn, that player will lose the game. 

    5. Any player that plays at the wrong end, out of turn, or plays a non playable domino, will lose the game.

    6. If dominoes fall outside the field of play (table),  the referee must be called to retrieve the dominoes. The game can be resumed, if dominoes were not exposed. 

    7. If domino(es) are exposed outside the field of play,  the referee will decide the outcome of that game.

    8. A player in the lead is allowed to expose the cards as proof of winning the game. The player must wait for the opponents to concede before disrupting the dominoes in the game.

       1. The opponent can file a claim if a player exposes the cards while not in the lead.

       2. If the claim is valid the opponents will get the point.

15. Players must leave the game intact until the winning is verified.

16. Either team can keep score. It is recommended that players or captains verify each score.

17. Pass Scenarios:

    1. A player should say “pass”.  

    2. Organizers recommend that players verify a pass with opponents before exposing any domino. Players responding to a knock may risk exposing dominoes.

    3. If a player passes with a playable domino (bad pass) the player will lose that game.

    4. If a player says pass the quickly play a playable domino before the opponent plays the official must be called. (warning)

18. There is no need for conversation during the game, except to say “me or you”, “pass”, or verify a pass. Teams can take a minute to discuss after the game. The officials will enforce this rule. 

19.  This is a Mental Domino tournament: 

    1. No Coding of any kind (high-low, silent or open code).

    2. Players are not allowed to make gestures of any kind. 

    3. No Talking during the game, only when applicable.

    4. Players are not allowed to ask for dominoes. 

    5. A Player is not allowed to lift a domino to play out of turn. 

    6. Players are not allowed to hover hands over dominoes. 

20. Time to play. This will only be enforced when deemed necessary.

    1. Players have 15 seconds per play

    2. A table should inform the officials if any player is regularly taking a long time

Section IV  - Breaks

1. Players are allowed a 5 minute bathroom break each set.  

2. It is best to take the break at the end of the games

3. If a player must leave in the middle of a game (eg. emergency situation), the player has 5 minutes to return or lose that game.  

4. Officials must be notified

5. If the player does not return after 5 minutes, the team must make a substitution or concede a game to the opponents. 

6. The team will lose a point for every 2 minutes after the 5 minute penalty

Section V - Table with holders

1. All hands are to be kept below the tables

2. Each player will chose a domino to play on their turn

3. A player must not touch any other dominoes except for the one selected to play

4. Players who touch the dominoes unnecessarily will be warned and then penalized with a one-away

5. Players are not allowed to hover over the dominoes. This will lead to a warning and subsequent loss of games(s)

Section V                                           Penalties, Warnings etc.

Warnings 

Warnings will be issued, if any team or player is involved in the following scenarios:

(more serious consequences may apply for repeat offenders)

1. Exposing domino causing reshuffle (before the pose). If when inspected a player that causes the reshuffle has a “bad hand”, the player will be warned. If the same player repeats the action during the tournament, this could result in the loss of the game in progress. 

2. Touching dominoes unnecessarily, making gestures or signaling of any kind is prohibited. 

3. Players throwing dominoes is prohibited. 

4. If a player says pass then plays quickly.

Penalties, loss of game (One-A-Way)

The opponents will be awarded a point in the following scenarios:

1. 1 pt if not seated in 5 mins. (5 min mark = 1 pt, 7 min = 2 pts, 9 min = 3 pts, 11 min = 4 pts, 13 min =5 pts, 15 min = forfeit (opponent awarded all 11 points)).

2. If a card is exposed during the game, the opponents may be awarded the game. 

3. If a player looks at the hands and then reshuffle, the opponents will be awarded the game.

4. If a player plays at the wrong end, or out of turn, 

5. Disrupting the game without the other players conceding. 

6. If a player says “pass” while having a playable domino (bad pass). 

7. If a player says pass then plays a card before the opponents will lose the game

8. If a player does not return from break after 5 minutes, 1 point for every 2 minutes until the player returns.