League Rules

Last updated: August 26, 2024

I. Overview

The Pinball Chicago League is a coed adult team league that is played in bars throughout the city. Each team chooses a bar to call “home,” and once a week every team competes against one other team, either at “home” or at their opponent’s bar. Each team scores match points based on the results of the individual pinball games — 2 points for Doubles games and 1 point for Singles games. At the end of each match the team with the most match points records a match win, while the other team records a loss. League standings are based on a simple win/loss record with cumulative match points serving as a tie breaker. At the end of the season there are playoffs to determine the overall league champion(s).

II. TEAM ROSTERS

Teams consist of at least 6 players, and no more than 10. Of these, 1 or 2 players will act as the team “Captain.” Captains are responsible for organizing their team and corresponding with the league about match results. Captains also serve as team representatives in each of the matches. Prior to the start of each season Captains must register their teams and submit their rosters to the league. If a team would like to make a roster change, at any point during the season, then that team’s CAPTAIN must submit a request no later than 4 p.m. of the day the change is to take effect (see C. Roster Changes below).

Roster Breakdown
1. Teams consist of at least 6 players, and no more than 10.
2. Each team must have one or two CAPTAINS, who are also considered STARTERS.
3. Every team must have a minimum of 6 STARTERS on their roster.
4. Any team with at least 6 players may have up to 4 additional RESERVE players.
5. STARTERS and RESERVE players have different minimum play requirements (see III. F. Minimum Play Requirements).
6. Teams may switch the status of a player from Starter to Reserve at any point in the season (see C. Roster Changes below).
Roster Limitations
1. In the spirit of good competition, the following limitations are in place when forming new teams or recruiting new players to existing teams.
  1. No more than 2 players on a team may be ranked in the top 500 of IFPA’s World Pinball Player Rankings.
  2. No more than 1 player on a team may be ranked in the top 150.
  3. These rules do not apply to teams whose players advance beyond these thresholds while on the team’s active roster.
2. Any player ranked in the top 150 at the start of the season(date determined by the commissioner) will be limited to the rounds they play that season.
  1. This is enforced regardless of what rank the player was when they joined the team.
  2. The top 150 player list will not change during a season and will be reevaluated at the beginning of each season or when a new player joins a team in an active season.
  3. Players in the top 150 may only play in games where their team selects the machines and must play 4th in doubles rounds.
    1. Top 150 players may also play in games that include an opposing player in the top 150.
    2. Top 150 players may play in Tie-breakers
Roster Changes
1. Teams may add or remove players to their roster at any point during the season.
  1. Any player that is dropped from a roster may NOT return to that same team at any point during the same season.
  2. Dropped players MAY be “picked up” by other teams.
  3. Changes to rosters must be confined to the guidelines set in item A. Roster Breakdown, above
2. Teams may change the status of a player from STARTER to RESERVE, or vice-versa.
3. All roster changes MUST be submitted to the league, by a team Captain, by 4 p.m. of the day the changes are intended to take effect.

III. Match Play and Scoring

Each match consists of 2 Doubles rounds and 2 Singles rounds. Scoring is based on a simple game to game win/loss basis. Game winning teams earn match points and at the end of the match the team with the highest number of match points earns a match win.

Matches are designed to feature a minimum of 4 players from each team. A team may compete with only 3 players in attendance, but they do so at a penalty (see VI. Attendance).

Start time
1. All matches are scheduled to start at 8:00 PM.
2. Match start may be delayed up to 30 minutes, if necessary (see VI. C. Tardiness and Early Departure).
Lineup Declaration
1. Prior to each round, each team will declare a lineup of players to compete for that round.
2. The team that declares their lineup first also chooses the machines to play on for that round.
3. Which team declares their lineup first begins with the AWAY team, and alternates between HOME and AWAY each round.
4. Once the first team declares their lineup, the other team determines their lineup based on the first team’s choices.
5. Once declared, lineups cannot change.
6. No single player may compete more than once in any round.
Game Play Sequencing
1. The team that declares their lineup first will play second in every game of that round.
2. In Doubles matches (4-player games) individual game play alternates between the two teams (ie, P1 HOME, P1 AWAY, P2 HOME, P2 AWAY).
3. The order in which names are written on the scoresheet has no bearing on the order in which players should play.
4. Once game-play order is set, it cannot be changed.
5. Playing Out Of Turn
  1. Should one player launch and play another player’s ball, intentionally or otherwise, then he or she is “playing out of turn.”
    1. This includes the incorrect team starting a match as Player 1 – Ball 1
  2. Playing out of turn will result in the automatic disqualification of the offending team’s ENTIRE score in the game being played.
6. Stern Insider Connected or Similar Platforms
  1. Players are NOT allowed to ‘log in’ to a machine for league matches due to the possibility of previously earned advantages being used for league play.
    1. First Occurrence is a Warning and the following should take place
      1. If this occurs BEFORE any ball is played the machine should be reset and a new game should be started.
      2. If this occurs AFTER balls have been completed the opposing team has the option to make the logged in player continue the game or have the logged in player play a new separate game. This decision needs to be made BEFORE the logged in player starts their ball 2.
      3. If this is discovered after a logged in player has started ball 2 the game counts.
    2. Second Occurrence by a member of the same team
      1. The logged in players score is disqualified from the game.
Doubles
1. There are 2 rounds of Doubles play.
2. Doubles rounds feature two games of 2-on-2 play (ie, two 4-player games).
3. The team with the highest combined score in each game records a win.
4. Each Doubles win is worth 2 match points.
5. No two players may be paired together more than once during a match.
6. Two-Player Machines (machines that only offer 1 or 2-player games)
  1. 2 Games of 1-on-1 should be played.
  2. Each game will feature one player from the Home team, and one from the Away team.
  3. The results from each game will be tallied to determine the team winner for that Doubles game.
7. Single Player or Score Stealing Machines (machines that only allow 1-player games or games that steal, swap, or match an opponents scores)
  1. Should be played one player at a time, alternating home and away.
  2. Scores should be tallied together after all four players have played to determine the winner.
  3. If it is discovered after the start of a game that the machine steals, swaps, matches scores, the game in its entirety must be replayed in a single player format.
Singles
1. There are 2 rounds of Singles.
2. Each round features 4 games of 1-on-1 play (ie, four 2-player games).
3. The player with the highest score wins and his/her team will receive 1 match point.
4. Single Player or Score Stealing Machines (machines that only allow 1-player games or games that steal, swap, or match an opponents scores)
  1. Should be played one player at a time, alternating home and away.
  2. After both players have played, the highest score will earn the match point.
  3. If it is discovered after the start of a game that the machine steals, swaps, matches scores, the game in its entirety must be replayed in a single player format.
Minimum Play Requirements
1. In the spirit of inclusion, minimum play requirements were set in place to prevent teams from benching players — if you attend a match, you should play.
2. STARTERS are required to play at least once in every match they attend.
3. RESERVE players do NOT have to compete while attending a match.
4. Minimum play requirements only apply during the time that a player is physically present (see VI. C. Tardiness & Early Departure).
Tie-Breaker
1. If after 4 rounds of play the teams are tied (ie. 8 to 8), there will be a single tie-breaking game to determine the evening’s winner.
2. A tie-breaking game will not count toward overall match points.
3. The HOME team will choose from one of two tie-breaking options:
  1. Shared Game
    1. Standard 2-player game
    2. Each ball must be played by a different player.
      1. 3 people from the AWAY team will be “Player 1,” and 3 people from the HOME team will be “Player 2.”
    3. Only 3 balls will be played:
      1. Extra balls will be sunk (see VII. E. Extra Balls).
      2. Balls 4 and 5 of a 5-ball machine will be ignored.
    4. HOME team will choose which machine will be played.
    5. The AWAY team will start the game.
    6. The highest score wins the match.
  2. Split Flipper
    1. 2 players from one team against 2 players from the other, in a single 2-player game.
    2. 2 players from each team will play simultaneously — 1 on each flipper.
      1. Players must not touch their teammate’s flipper during their turn.
      2. Players MAY alternate flippers from turn to turn.
    3. Only 3 balls will be played.
      1. Extra balls will be sunk (see VII. E. Extra Balls).
      2. Balls 4 and 5 of a 5-ball machine will be ignored.
    4. HOME team will choose which machine will be played.
    5. The AWAY team will start the game.
    6. The highest score wins the match.

IV. Standings

League standings are based primarily on a simple win/loss record. Season long cumulative match points are used to break ties at the end of the season, so it is important to play every game during match play — do not end a match early simply because one team has earned the minimum 9 points necessary to record a match win.

Breakdown
1. Win loss record is the first determination in standings.
2. The first tie-breaker is cumulative match points.
3. The second tie-breaker is head-to-head results between the two teams in question.
4. The third tie-breaker is overall match points in head-to-head matches between the two teams in question.
5. The fourth tie-breaker will come in the form of a single tie-breaker match that will be played immediately following the regular season.
  1. If there is a bye week before playoffs, then tie-breaker match will be held on regular match night on the week following the end of the regular season.
  2. If there is not a bye week, then match will be held two nights after the teams’ last regular season match.
  3. Match will be held at a “neutral” venue (see “Neutral Venues” below).
  4. Match will only be played if it has playoff implications.

V. Post Season

Breakdown
1. At a minimum, the top 6 teams in each Conference will compete in the playoffs.
2. Match play is identical. One extra ball is played.
3. The exact breakdown of the league playoffs may vary from season to season, but the following guidelines will always apply:
  1. Single elimination bracket style tournament.
  2. Seeding throughout the playoffs will be determined by the final regular season results and based on formula broken down in IV. Standings, items 1-4, above.
  3. First Rounds
    1. Held on regularly scheduled day of week.
    2. Higher seeded team will be the home team, and the competition will take place at their “home” venue.
  4. Final Round
    1. Played at “Neutral” venue (see D. “Neutral” Venues below).
    2. Higher seeded team in each match will act as “Home” team.
Playoff Rosters
1. Playoff rosters will be set as the same rosters in place for the final week of the regular season.
  1. Changes to rosters may NOT be made after the end of the regular season.
  2. In order for a player to be active on a playoff roster, that player must have competed in at least one match during the regular season.
“Neutral” Venues
1. “Neutral” venues for the final round will be chosen based on the following criteria, in order of priority.
  1. A venue that neither team calls home
  2. A venue neither team has played at, thus far, in the current playoffs
2. Final decision on which venue will be chosen, regardless of which criteria are able to be met, will be made by the Commissioner OR should the Commissioner be in the finals, a third party with acceptable knowledge of the venues available.
3. “Neutral” venues will be chosen within four days after the match.

VI. Attendance

League play is structured with the assumption that at least 4 players from each team will be in attendance at every match. In addition, bars have agreed to host matches under this same assumption. In order to maintain the integrity of the competition, and to keep the bars happy, we ask that each team strongly adhere to this rule. Teams are highly encouraged to keep extra players on their roster to accommodate those unforeseen occasions when one or more players is unavailable to compete. Teams may compete, at a penalty, if only 3 players show up, but any less will result in a forfeit. Should a team repeatedly attend with fewer than 4 players, then they may be asked to step out of the league.

One Team Playing with 3 Players
1. Teams with only 3 players play at a penalty
2. Doubles Rounds
  1. One game in each round will feature only one player from the short team against two players from their opponent, in a 3-player game
  2. Scoring remains the same — team with highest score wins the game and two match points
  3. The same player may NOT play alone in both Double’s rounds
  4. If there is only 1 machine available, then the short team may write in a missing player’s name in the second game of the first round in hopes that he/she will show up in time for the start of the game.
    1. Round 1 ONLY
    2. Player’s name may not change.
    3. Player must arrive BEFORE the start of the game in order to be included.
3. Singles Rounds
  1. One game will be forfeited by the short team in each round.
4. Match points will be tallied as usual.
Two teams playing with 3 players
1. Doubles matches are handled as A. One Team Playing With 3 Players, above.
2. BOTH teams will forfeit one Singles game in each Singles Round.
3. 14 total match points
Tardiness And Early Departure
1. Matches should start on time if at least 4 players from each team are present.
  1. Match should not be delayed simply because a “better” player is on their way.
  2. If 4 players are present from a single team, then late players may not be written in until they are physically present.
2. If one, or both teams, is short players at the scheduled start time, then the start should be delayed.
  1. Both teams are required to wait at least 15 minutes for the arrival of the 4 players needed for each team to start.
  2. Teams have the option to delay the start an additional 15 minutes (30 minutes total).
    1. Both teams MUST agree to delay the additional 15 minutes.
  3. Once the courtesy and/or optional window has closed, then the match MUST start
    1. If a team has fewer than 3 players, then it is a forfeit.
    2. If one or both teams has 3 players, then they play at a penalty (see items A and B above).
3. Starting players who show up late or leave early are only obliged to play while they are present.
  1. Starters have not yet played, and who must leave a match early, may do so without penalty provided they have not yet been written into a lineup.
  2. If a Starter shows up late, and there is an opportunity to write this player into a lineup, then that player MUST play.
  3. As per item III. B. Lineup Declaration, once a lineup has been declared, it may not be changed.

VII. Other Notes

Closed Venues
1. In the unfortunate event a scheduled venue is suddenly unavailable to league play, the two affected teams should move to another available venue to play their match.
  1. Match should be moved to a nearby location.
  2. You MUST move to a regular league venue, unless it is simply not possible.
  3. The HOME team decides where to move.
  4. Rescheduling is an option, but only if both teams can agree to when and where the match should be played.
  5. If a team does not agree to move, or simply does not stick around to resolve the issue, they will receive a forfeit and no points, and the other team a win plus 12 points.
2. League officials should be alerted to the situation.
Coaching and Opponent Behavior
1. Players ARE allowed to coach their teammates during game play.
2. Teammates ARE allowed to touch the playfield glass while the ball is in play.
3. Teammates are NOT allowed to touch the flippers at any time.
4. Teammates are NOT allowed to nudge the machine or plunge the ball for a teammate except in the cases of Stuck Balls. (See Stuck Balls section below.)
5. Opponents are NOT allowed to intentionally verbally or physically distract the other team while playing with out of the ordinary behavior.
  1. A loud conversation behind the player or practicing the machine next to the league game is discouraged when possible but not out of the ordinary.
6. Any player who causes a tilt warning or ends a ball of an opponent, accidentally or intentionally, will lose that game(not match)
Conduct
1. Pinball Chicago code of conduct has been removed from the League Rules and is now its own document. It can be found at http://www.pinballchicago.org/league/code-of-conduct
Conflict Resolution
1. The league is self-officiating.
  1. It is the responsibility of BOTH teams to understand the rules and abide by them.
  2. If there is a question about the rules, then the rule sheet should be consulted to resolve the issue.
  3. The most up to date rules will always be online.
2. If an incident occurs which the rules do not address, or if the rules are unclear about how to handle such an incident:
  1. The opposing team must be made aware of the issue BEFORE the next round starts. Any challenge to a game that occurs after the next round starts will not be granted.
  2. Both teams should come to agreement as to how to resolve the issue.
    1. This agreement will stand as the official resolution for THAT MATCH, regardless of how the rules are adjusted thereafter.
  3. If the two teams cannot come to an agreement, and assuming there are two distinct paths to take on how to resolve the issue, then the teams should agree to play out the match in each team’s interpretation of the rules (ie. play the game in conflict twice).
  4. Regardless, the incident should be reported to league officials and a final judgement will be rendered.
3. If a team refuses to abide by the above guidelines, or by the written rules on a single issue, then the following steps must be taken by the other team in order for the league to render proper judgement:
  1. The opposing team must be made aware that the match will be challenged.
  2. The word “Challenged” should be written on the scoresheet, and the game in question should be circled.
  3. The team questioning the outcome must NOT sign the scoresheet.
  4. A full report of the incident, along with a photo of the scoresheet, if possible, MUST be sent to the league within 24 hours.
  5. A team that has blatantly ignored written rules will be issued a warning, and future occurrences by the same team will be grounds for discipline.
4. Any game and/or match that is in conflict should be played out to the end.
  1. Any team that leaves a disputed match early will automatically forfeit ALL of the unplayed match points to the opposing team.
  2. If both teams refuse to play out the match, then both teams forfeit the unclaimed match points.
5. All conflicts should be reported to the league so that a judgement can be made and/or the rules can be adjusted and/or clarified.
Death Saves & Bang-backs
1. Death Saves and Bang-Backs are defined as the act of rescuing the ball after it has drained(below the flippers either by the outlanes or by going down the center lane) by bumping/yanking the machine so that the ball bounces up between the flippers and back into play.
2. Not permitted during match play
  1. A player caught ATTEMPTING one of these techniques during match play will forfeit their score for that game.
3. Should a drained ball bounce back into play WITHOUT deliberate or significant player action, the ball may be played.
Extra Balls and Not 3-Ball games
1. At venues with more than 3 machines, ONE extra ball will be played. At venues with 1-3 machines, the Home team can determine prior to the first game being played that no extra balls are permitted. If no announcement is made, the default is ONE extra ball is played.
  1. When plunging extra balls in excess of the ONE (or zero) a player can strategically plunge to whatever strength they prefer but CANNOT nudge the machine. The player may use buttons to select a skill shot if necessary, but they must complete this before plunging the ball.
2. Games should be played with the machines current number of ball setup regardless of ‘usual’ settings. At venues with 1-3 machines, the Home team can determine prior to the first game being played that no more than 3 balls be played.
Challenge Modes
1. Some machines include unique challenge modes that may be chosen before a game is started instead of normal game play. Example: ‘Escape Nublar’ on Jurassic Park. These modes may be chosen to be played if both teams agree they are an option before the first round machines are selected.

Forfeits
1. If a team does not have at least 3 players at a match, then that team forfeits the match.
  1. The team that forfeits receives a loss and zero match points.
  2. The fully attending team will receive a win and 9 match points for the evening.
  3. If the fully attending team remains at the bar and plays for the evening with a minimum of 4 players, then that team will receive an additional 3 match points, for a total of 12 points.
Game Payment
1. It is the shared responsibility of both teams to pay for the individual pinball games.
2. “Match” and “Replay” credits should be passed along to a teammate in the next game.
Idle Machines & Practicing During Matches
1. During a match, players ARE allowed to practice on those machines which are not in use.
2. Practice games may not, in any way, interfere with match play.
  1. A player may NOT practice on a machine that has been chosen for an upcoming round once it has been declared.
    1. First team occurrence- If a player assigned to a machine practices on their designated machine after their name has been assigned, the opposing team’s player(s) have the option of practicing one game.
    2. Second team occurrence – Forfeiture of game.
  2. If a machine being practiced on is needed to progress the match, then league players should surrender the machine immediately for match play.
  3. If a practicing player’s physical presence is deemed a distraction to a player involved in a match game, then the practicing player should not practice on that machine.
    1. If you feel like a practicing player may distract you, then please POLITELY ask the practicing player to step back BEFORE you start your match game.
  4. When a practicing player is needed for a match game, then that player must immediately step away from practicing to participate in match play, so as to not hold up the match.
3. Those practicing MUST allow other players, from either team, to join them in the practice game.
Machine Adjustments
1. No non-essential repairs or adjustments can be administered to a league machine after 6PM of the night of a scheduled match without the consent of BOTH teams.
  1. Includes, but is not limited to, machine balance, tilt settings, playfield cleaning or waxing, or any and all operator settings.
  2. If an owner or operator insists on making changes beyond the cutoff time, then so be it. Owners and operators who also compete in the league should, however, abide by these rules.
Machine Failure
1. Minor machine misbehavior is forgivable and does NOT warrant the removal of the machine from match play.
  1. Failures that do not favor one player over another, are deemed forgivable. Examples include, but are not limited, to the following:
    1. Weak flipper
    2. Broken bumper(s)
    3. Failing light(s)
    4. Weak plunger
    5. A switch(shot) not registering at all or consistently
    6. Inability to start modes or multiballs discovered BEFORE the start of play
    7. Dirty playfield
    8. Scoreboard glitches (provided you can still read the relevant scores when the game concludes)
  2. If a minor malfunction occurs repeatedly, to the extent that it is markedly affecting play of the machine(such as a shot not registering) , a machine may be removed from match play provided the following is true:
    1. BOTH teams must be in agreement
    2. There MUST be at least two other machines available to play in the match
    3. Once eliminated from match play, it may not be re-introduced.
  3. If a minor malfunction is discovered after a game has started it is considered part of normal play.
  4. Stuck Balls
    1. During the course of single or multiball play, it is possible for a ball to become stuck.
      1. Single Ball
        
        It is suggested that the player wait for two automatic ball searches to occur.
        
        If the stuck ball has not been freed after the searches, or if the machine is not performing searches, the player MUST NOTIFY THEIR OPPONENT of the issue and then make a reasonable attempt to shake the ball free without tilting.
        
        The player must remain alert as he or she is responsible for the ball if it becomes freed. If the player chooses they may ask a teammate to nudge the machine on their behalf.
        
        If the ball is freed without tilting but tilt warnings are acquired that is considered acceptable and the ball must be played to completion.
        
        If a tilt occurs, or the machine automatically ends the ball, the player is awarded either an additional extra ball or the choice of playing the first ball of an additional game and adding it on to their current score. If the opponent is unaware of the issue and a tilt occurs the additional ball is NOT granted.
        
        Any ball that comes to rest below the bottom flippers or in an outlane, where any portion of the ball is below the outlane post, is not deemed a stuck ball. Any tilt that occurs in this case is considered unfortunate and bad luck.
        
        If a stuck ball is unable to be freed and causes the remaining game to be unplayable then the game must be restarted on a different machine.
      2. Mutliball –
        
        If at least 2 balls are free, continue playing the multiball as normal. If the table reaches the point where one ball is stuck or failed to auto-plunge and only one ball is still in play the player must try to cradle the ball in play when appropriate and free the stuck ball. If an auto-plunge is broken a player may have their teammate manually plunge the balls for them during the multiball.
        
        If an opponent or teammate notices the situation before the player they NEED to politely notify the player during the next cradle of the ball. The game may continue as normal if the stuck ball is freed.
        
        Intentionally taking advantage of a Stuck Ball will result in a game disqualification.
        
        The spirit of this rule is to limit egregious and repetitive advantage from a stuck ball during a multiball using controlled shots. Please enforce with that in mind.
2. Major machine failure
  1. Major failures include, but is not limited to, the following:
    1. Stuck flipper(s). Permanently or intermittently.
    2. Multiple balls being randomly kicked into play
    3. Random end of turns
    4. Inability to start modes or multiballs discovered AFTER the start of play
    5. Scoreboard failures that hide relevant players’ scores
      1. This includes accidently starting a game with an incorrect number of players
    6. Major beneficial malfunctions
      1. A jackpot switch that registers when a different target is hit
      2. A ball search crediting a jackpot or extra ball
      3. A switch that scores repeatedly without the ball contacting it
  2. Tilt and Slam Tilt sensitivity are NOT major failures.
  3. If there is at least one working machine available, then the failing machine should simply be eliminated.
    1. BOTH teams need to be in agreement to keep it in.
    2. Once eliminated from match play, it may not be re-introduced.
  4. If a major malfunction is discovered after a game has started and only affects ONE player, and not the other(s), then the game will continue as follows:
    1. If the failure occurs DURING ball 1, then the entire game, for EVERY player, should be restarted.
    2. If the failure occurs AFTER ball 1, then the affected player has the OPTION of nullifying his/her score and starting over or receiving a compensation ball which can be found with a second extra ball or playing a ball from a new game and adding it to the player’s existing score.
      1. The game must proceed through the end for the unaffected players.
      2. If the affected player has chosen to replay his/her game, then that player will step away entirely from the active game and play a solo game immediately afterwards to factor into the scoring.
  5. If a failure occurs after all ball 1s have been played that results in the machine needing to be reset the scores of each player should be recorded before the reset occurs.
    1. If after the reset, the machine is deemed to still be playable by both captains the players will then play any remaining balls on a new game.
    2. Once the players have played 3 total balls(+1 extra ball if earned) between the two games the scores of both games will be added to each other to determine the winner.
      1. The ball that was being played during the failure should be included in those that get played in the second game
  6. If the same major malfunction occurs more than once(all players combined) a new machine must be chosen if there are at least 2 other working machines at the venue.
    1. If there are less then 2 other working machines at the venue the game will the game may be finished with compensation balls if both captains agree. If there is no agreement the game should be moved to the single working machine.
  7. If a machine fails outright in the middle of game play and the teams are forced to choose a new machine to play on, then the team that originally chose that machine is entitled to choose the replacement machine to play on.
    1. Both teams are entitled to change their lineup to reflect the newly chosen machine.
      1. Teams are ONLY allowed to make changes to the game(s) in that round that include the broken machine.
      2. ALL other game lineups for that round must remain unchanged.
      3. Lineup changes are ONLY allowed if they do not violate any other rules.
        
        Teams may not switch their lineup in such a way so as to violate a player’s minimum playing requirements (see III. F. Minimum Play Requirements).
        
        Teams may not duplicate a pairing in the Double’s round (see III. D. Doubles, item 5).
    2. The entire game will be replayed once the new machine and lineups are chosen.
  8. If there are no other working machines available, then the match must be rescheduled or moved.
    1. As rescheduling a match can be difficult, moving is the best option.
      1. Match should be moved to a nearby location.
      2. You MUST move to a regular league venue, unless it is simply not possible.
      3. HOME teams decides where to move.
      4. Please alert your bartender of your move, and your reason for moving.
    2. If the two teams can agree to a reschedule date for the match, then this is an option.
    3. Rescheduled match MUST be at regularly scheduled bar.
      1. BOTH teams must agree to this option.
      2. There NEEDS to be some certainty that the issue will be resolved in time for the rescheduled match.
    4. Moving and/or rescheduling should be avoided at all cost.
    5. Any move or rescheduling MUST be reported to the league.
3. If, for any reason, both teams agree to remove a machine from match play, then that machine may NOT be reintroduced at any point during the match.
4. All machine failures, big or small, should be reported to the bartender on duty.
5. Major problems should be reported to the league.
Minors
1. Minors are not allowed to participate in the league.
2. In deference to the bars, league players are not allowed to bring minors to matches that take place in bars.
Moving Matches
1. Matches may only be moved to a new venue if ALL of the machines are inaccessible or not working (as per the guidelines above — L. Machine Failure, item 3.), or if a venue is suddenly unavailable to match play (see item VII. A. Closed Venues)
2. So long as there is at least ONE working machine, and the venue is open and willing to host a match (as they should be), then all matches MUST be played at their designated venue.
  1. If the above conditions have been met and the teams decide to change venues anyway, then the outcome of the match will be as follows:
    1. HOME team receives a forfeit and zero (0) points.
    2. AWAY team receives a win and twelve (12) points.
Multiple Machines
1. If a bar has more than 1 working machine, then all of the machines are available for play.
2. At least 2 MUST be used for each round.
3. No more than 2 games may be played on the same machine in the same round.
4. If there are more than 2 machines available, then the teams have the option of using all the available machines, but it is not mandatory — the same 2 machines may be used throughout the evening.
5. In the interest of time, games should be played simultaneously.
  1. If machines are located next to each other, captains have the option to mutually agree to play games one at a time, but BOTH teams must agree. This can be decided before the match or before any game.
  2. If a team accidentally breaks an agreement by starting a game next to a machine already underway:
    1. Any players involved in the first game that started may ask for play to immediately stop in the second game.
      1. If a ball 1 is completed by ALL players in the second game before ANY players in the first game request that game to be stopped than the games will continue to be played side by side as normal.
      2. The second game will be restarted once the first game finishes.
    2. If the START of the second game resulted in opponents playing next to each other. The player in the first game is granted an additional extra ball or may add an additional ball 1 to their score regardless if a drain was caused or not.
      1. A player in the first game may not claim a compensatory ball if they started their ball while a player in the second game is playing. They should ask the second game to stop first.
    3. If the START of the second game resulted in teammates playing next to each other there is no compensatory ball.
    4. If its unclear which game started first, restart any game that has not completed all ball 1s.
Multiple Teams
1. Individuals may only play on two teams that meet on different evenings.
2. If both of a player’s teams are competing for the same trophy, and both make the playoffs, then that player may NOT compete in the playoffs for either team.
3. If the player plays on two teams in separate Conferences (ie. competing for different trophies), and both of this player’s teams make it to the playoffs, then that player MAY participate in both team’s playoff matches.
  1. If both of these teams end up competing on the same night, then that player may choose only one match to compete in for that evening
Slam Tilts and Machine Damage
1. Slam Tilts, or violent Tilts that cause a pinball machine to force the end of an entire game, automatically result in a game (not match) loss for the offending player’s team.
  1. This rule is enforced regardless of the machine’s sensitivity to such offenses.
2. The violence toward a machine that Slam Tilts are designed to discourage is extremely frowned upon by the league; therefore, those players found to repeatedly Slam Tilt machines may be disciplined.
3. If a machine is damaged or its level is significantly altered due to a players violent movement, regardless of if a tilt occurred, it will result in a loss for the offending player’s team.
  1. This does NOT include the machine being in a different location after a slide save.
Time Etiquette
1. If the captain of one team deems that table selection is taking too long, they can request that all table selections from then on are time limited to five minutes.
  1. After this decision is made only by agreement of both captains can it be reversed.
2. A captain at a location with 1-3 machines in consultation with the league Commissioner can determine if any additional modifications need to be made to play if the machine generally takes too long.
Third Party Decision
1. Any decision that would be made by the league Commissioner regarding a match they are participating in will be determined by a third party with adequate knowledge of the rules.