Former Boxed Ladder Guidelines  (mru 3/1/04)

1. During the course of the period, play everyone else in your box.
2. Matches are best 3-of-5 (9-point games).  That is, a match is won by whoever wins three games first.  Each game is to 9 points, with a 1- or 2-point tie-breaker.
3. "Box points" are awarded based on the score of a match, as follows:
    

   Game Score	Winner Gets	Loser Gets
   3-0	6	1
   3-1	5	2
   3-2	4	3
   default	4	0
   Unfinished, e.g. 2-1	"2..."	"1..."

   The last case represents an unfinished match.  Use the actual game scores, with three dots indicating it is unfinished.

   Example: Peter Nicol beats Jonathan Power 3-2. Peter gets 4 pts, Jon gets 3. Write "4" in Peter's row under  "Jon". Write "3" in Jon's row under "Peter". Sum columns (left-to-right) into "Total Score".

   	Sarah	Jon	Peter	Total
   Sarah Fitz-Gerald	---	6	5	11
   Jon Power	1	---	3	4
   Peter Nicol	2	4	---	6

   In this example, Sarah wins her box and advances, Peter stays stationery (relatively), and Jon drops down.

4. Record your scores on the hardcopy at the club.
5. If time runs out before a match is completed, resume the match at the beginning of the first unfinished game.  If the match cannot be completed, it's not the end of the world.
6. Unplayed matches receive no points unless the other player doesn't show up at an agreed-upon time.  In the event of such a default, write me and your opponent an e-mail.
7. When you sign up for the ladder you agree to do your utmost to play all your matches during the period.  Failure to do so is unfair to your box mates.  Here is practical advice:
   1. Touch base with all your box mates at the beginning of the period.
   2. If at all possible, play your matches early in the month, since other people's availability is uncertain.
   3. If a fellow box player is unresponsive by e-mail, call them.  Don't wait till the last week to do this!  If you're frustrated, drop me a line.
   4. When you approach a box mate about scheduling, the following tactics are helpful:
      1. Start by indicating your general times of availability.  Offer several specific times during the coming week or two when you are free. 
      2. In the same message, ask them to provide alternative times if none of yours are good for them.  This puts the ball in their court.
      3. Make it clear who is responsible for booking court time.
   5. If you know you will not complete your box, let me know ASAP.
8. Generally the strongest player(s) in a box advance to a higher level for the next period, while the weakest player(s) drop downwards.  See more details.

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