1. General Rules

The following rules apply to all PokerTH Ladders in the EU section. For a quick starter guide, where to get the game and how to set up a correct room check out the FAQ. The following rules and guidelines may not be terminal. Especially in case of any special issues which are not explained in this catalogue the admin team reserves the right to define extra ordinary rules. This also includes retroactive punishments.

1.1. Challenging

In a ladder, any participant may challenge another. The challenge may be refused by the challenged if they choose. In ladders with more than 20 participants compulsory challenges are activated. If a participant is within 20 places above the challenging participants the refusal will be punished with one penalty point. If both participants are in the top 10 then the refusal will be punished with 2 penalty points.

A challenging participant from the newcomer pool (unranked) is considered as being at the bottom of the ladder, therefore the 20 participants ranked last in the ladder would be punished for rejecting a challenge.

Participants that have more than 5 outstanding challenges in a ladder, no matter if the matches are confirmed or not, may not take on any further challenges. This is scripted into the ESL system and cannot be changed.

1.2. No show

If your opponent does not show after 20 minutes, you must enter the result as your opponent did not appear in time. Do not enter a default win for yourself.

In Instant Challenger matches, is the no show time 10 minutes.

1.3. Agreements

Certain agreements between participants are allowed to slightly differ from the ESL rules. Agreements that differ greatly from ESL rules are however not allowed. Please note that the ESL rules were made to ensure a fair match for all participants. You are not allowed to file a protest after the match if you think that the agreements made before the match in the end resulted in a disadvantage for your or your team.

Rules that can be changed with agreements are explicitly stated. Rules that do not explicitly state they can be changed by agreement, cannot have agreements made.

All arrangements between participants, made in addition to the ESL rules have to be written down in the match comments. The other participant has to confirm the arrangements also in the comments. To avoid abuse of the edit function, a third comment must be written.

Please also keep screenshots and/or logfiles of your arrangements. If you do not fulfil these requirements, any protests or supports concerning arrangements will be rejected.

The following rules may never be changed by arrangement:

• Entering results for matches that have not been played
• Allowing players to play that are barred because of penalty points, or are barred in the league due to a ban
• Allowing players to play that in leagues with premium requirement that are barred for not having Premium
• Modifying the blind settings

1.4. Gameaccount

In order to participate you must enter your PokerTH ingame nickname as Gameaccount. We recommend to use an ingame nickname which is similar to your ESL Playername. We may reject inappropriate gameaccounts/leaguejoins.

2. Match Media

All match media (screenshots, logfiles) must be kept for at least 14 days. In general please upload the needed match media as soon as possible after the match was finished. Faking or manipulating match media is of course forbidden and will result in severe penalties. Match media should be named clearly based on what is displayed. You have to upload at least the screenshot of every round while the logfile must be saved. Both players are responsible to provide at least one correct screenshot. You can also pack both files into a .zip archive and upload it at once.

• no matchmedia: Match deleted and 1 PP each player
• wrong screenshot (logfile uploaded): warning or match deleted and 1 PP each player

2.1. Screenshots

A screenshot showing the result of a game must be taken and uploaded to the match page within 24 hours. The screenshot must include:

• the PokerTH window with both players and chips
• the windows clock

2.2. Logfile

The log has to be activated in your PokerTH settings. The logfile must be uploaded on request but you can also upload it immediately.

• Logfile directory: your own choice
• Saving logfile for: 14 days
• write log after every action (high frequency disk access)

2.3. Spectators & broadcasting

Spectators are not allowed as well as broadcasting the match (e.g. via Skype, broadcasting software). Of course you are allowed to record the match with an recording tool. Violating this rule will be rated as deception.

3. Trouble shooting

3.1. Wrong Settings

It is forbidden to play with other settings than displayed in the match rules. The settings must be checked before joining the room. This can be done by clicking on the room and checking the game info box. If you miss checking the settings and start playing the game will not be annulled, means no complains will be taken into account afterwards. Exception: Fixed blinds It is not possible to check if the last blind was fixed. Therefore all matches with a manuel blinds order must be repeated in case of wrong settings.

3.2. Player disconnect/crash

All players are responsible for their computer, software and internet connection. A disconnect/crash leads to losing the match in case the player cannot rejoin the table. The remaining player must continue playing till the end (incl. all matchmedia)! If it is proven that the gameserver crashed the match will be repeated according to the most recent status. Means the match begins at the respective blind level and the chip relations must be restored by hand.

3.3. Repeat

Nevertheless both players can agree on repeating the match. This must be documented as well.

4. Penalty points

In general, a player and the team can receive up to 6 penalty points per match, unless a single violation has a higher punishment. A team is only punished once per violation, regardless of how many players. Where a player or team receives penalty points for multiple violations, the penalty points are added together.