Rules

It looks like there are a lot of rules. But actually there aren't too many that are really important. Riko's Ladder is strictly for the purpose of allowing teams to find other teams of similar ability and is not intended to be a competitive event. The ladder will be maintained in an informal manner and the two teams involved in a match can determine the rules of their own match. We strive to maintain the ladder in full compliance to spirit of the ladder's rules and it's goals.

Ladder Challenges -- General

Challenges can be made at any time. To challenge another team to a match:

Review the Ladder's Standings and select a team that is ONE to TEN rungs above your team.
Send e-mail to the captain of the challenged team stating that your team is making a ladder challenge. This is the official challenge. You must directly contact the captain of the other team to issue the challenge.
If you have not heard from the captain in a reasonable amount of time, send a copy of the challenge to other members of the team. It could be that the Captain is on vacation, on a work assignment, or (shudder) had a computer failure and is unable to respond. If there is no response after two weeks the ladder should be notified via email: ladder@vivimos.net that the challenge was not answered. The team failing to respond will be contacted and if verified that they did not respond, will be dropped three ladder positions. (The challenger remains stationary).

If your team has been challenged by another team you should respond immediately. The challenged team has three options :

Accept the challenge and begin negotiating a suitable time to play. This is preferred!! This can be done even if the team may not be available for a period of time, but can schedule a future match. Challenges can be accepted regardless of the number of pending challenges and matches the team has outstanding.
Decline the challenge without penalty if they have a match in the works and one of their previous two matches was the result of a challenge received (not issued) by their team.
Decline the challenge with penalty. If the team can not do one of the above, then it must default. The challenger position will not be moved but the challenged team will be penalized by being lowered one ladder rung.

Although the above rules allow a team to deal with only one challenger at a time, teams are encouraged to issue as many challenges and play as many matches as they feel they can accommodate in a comfortable manner.
The number of rungs that a team may challenge up the ladder is currently set between ONE and TEN. The higher number will be generally based upon the overall size of the ladder. As the number of teams increases, so will the size of the challenge allowed.
The position of any team may change between the time the challenge is made until the match is finally played. For example, if a two teams set up a date for a match in three weeks, but before that date one of the teams wins three other ladder match and moves 15 rungs above the other. The match is still valid and should be played. It the lower ranked team wins, they will be advanced 15 rungs on the ladder. In summary, the ladder will be adjusted based upon the position of the teams at the time the match results are reported. The ONE to TEN rule is irrelevant at the time the match is played.
No team can move up the ladder without winning a match. (Other than movement that may be caused by the removal of a team above.)

If the winning team is ranked above the losing team, no change in ladder position occurs. If the winning team is ranked below the losing team, the winner is moved to the position on the ladder directly above the losing team.

Matches

It is generally accepted that each match will consist of 24 boards. However, the teams may agree before the match starts to play a different number of boards, scored by IMPs. The OKBridge team mode will be used. Any IMP margin is sufficient for a win. If the match ends in a tie, the challenger will be moved to the position on the ladder that is just below that of the team challenged.
The results of each match should be submitted by the captain of the winning team by using the Match Results form. If the match cannot be completed because of network problems, etc. it will be resumed at the earliest convenience of the teams . . . or it can be canceled if both teams agree.
Teams will use "self-alerts" instead of partner alerts. Scores will be compared half-way through the match. Substitutions may be made at any time during the match, EXCEPT that the North player of each team should remain in place while the tables are connected in team mode. This is because the OKBridge software depends on it to avoid problems with the e-mailing of the results. Being "in place" means that the same person is in the North chair at the start of each deal. North need not be the server . . . the server of each table should be chosen according to the quality of the person's Internet service provider. North may be replaced during the match, but the teams must close the team game and then reform to do it. Be aware that this will cause the results of the match at the point of closing to be sent to all players.
It is suggested that a policy of granting undos be discussed and agreement between the two team be made before the play begins. If the teams can not reach mutual agreement then no undos will be allowed in the bidding or the play of the hand.
Although it is purely at the discretion of the two teams involved, one of the team tables should be designated as the closed room. No kibitzers and spectators should be allowed at this table.
The two teams may, by mutual agreement, modify any of the match conditions. (For example, A match could be set at 18 boards instead of 24.) If the teams have not discussed or can not reach mutual agreement then the guidelines presented herein shall prevail.

Inactive Teams

Riko is striving to have a lively ladder. Hopefully, teams will compete at least once every month. If any team should not compete (play/schedule a match, or issue a challenge) for one month, they will be dropped one spot in the ladder, if the ladder maintainer gets around to it. This will not apply to teams in the top fifteen positions in the ladder since they have fewer teams available to challenge.
If a team has not played for a period of three months they will be dropped from the ladder. (No warning.)
If a team captain's OKBridge account is closed, or they fail to respond to e-mail messages the may be dropped from the ladder. (A waning will be sent.)

Appeals

This ladder is for fun and good bridge. It is Riko's belief that the ladder can be conducted in a spirit of friendship and sportsmanship. It is hoped that disagreements will be resolved amicably at the table.
If there are any unresolved problems as to misinformation, improper comments during the play, slow play, etc., they will be adjudicated at the table by the participants.
If there is a problem that can not be solved at the table, the match may be play under protest. It is doubtful that any committee or other arbitration of the conflict will be conducted.

Conventions

All conventions and carding systems are allowed.
Full disclosure of methods is required.

Entering a team

Just click on Entry Form and give us your team name, captain, and players. (This form can also be used to add or delete members from an existing team.) Or you can send email to ladder@vivimos.net describing the changes/additions/deletions you wish to have made.
Any team of at least 4 players may enter; there is no requirement that a player play a minimum number of boards in any match or even play in any match. All players must be OKBridge subscribers. A team may temporarily recruit any player to fill in for a match (even if the player is a member of another team in the ladder).
A team may add players at any time. Team members that become inactive should be removed from the teams roster so that the current roster most accurately reflects the teams members. Even though the entry form only has eight positions, there is no limit to the number of players a team may have on its roster.
Any team, or team member, may be disqualified for reasons of ethics or OKBridge deportment.
Teams may enter at any time, this is an ongoing ladder with no specific starting or stop date.
Initially, teams will be placed on the bottom of the ladder.
Any individual may be a member of more than one team. Individuals, including members of other teams, may be temporarily recruited to play in a match. Their name need not be included on the team roster for casual play on a team.