The real grand prize is that you finally get to stop playing in this tournament.

The very first post to this thread dictates that the final round is solos only for your main score. I'm in for the finals and am fine with having irrevocable draw votes.

Thanks y2k for the info. 2wl has a point. Broke my retirement from the site to play in this and it's been several months already.

Still waiting on confirmation from the doctor, rdrivera, split diplomat.

We could also start earlier than the weekend and make the games wait for orders. Anyway the long weekend is coming up in the United States as well and I'm sure some of us will be up to no good.

@Lando What's all this about the implementation of new rules in the middle of the tournament again? What is the motiv and the reason for such new rule?
If I may ask? If we are changing it may we know why is that?

I'm not 100% sure but I think it has to do with the fact that somebody can vote draw as a diplomatic tool to push everyone towards the stalemate line against a growing power and then undo the draw to make sure that they solo or that they eliminate some others first and increase their tiebreaker rating. Basically so that it cannot be used as a diplomatic tool without the risk of a premature draw.

I know what it means but I've asked about the reason why it should be implemented now.

I think due to the format of the finals with the centre count being important that it will force people to not vote draw until the game is actually over, and, like ava said will take the option of using it as a diplomatic tool out of people's hands.

Imo, it makes for a better competition and will result in it being even harder to solo.

I think we are all mature and we all know how to play games within the site rules and it's about time this tournament stop to act as a kindergarden.

Zultar - your expert opinion on this latest issue please.

Guys, I'm not playing in this one, but changing the rules changes the dynamics.

Counting SCs is the stupidest idea, as in a WTA game, a player with only 1 SC left, for example Portugal, is just as much valueable as his ally with 16, when it comes to holding the line.

If you make the number of SCs count then you basicaly encourage weaker countries to throw the game, so they end up at the same position as the 6 other, having zero points which is a tide 2nd place, while drawing with the fewest SCs gives you the 3-4th place only.

About Draw votes, the same applies, there are certain moments in the game when you truly and honestly would be satisfied with a drawm and it has no other meaning, than you would like to survive. As dynamics change you might want to actually revoke it. If you force players to not to revoke Draw votes, all you achieve is you force them to declare they don't want to have a solo, therefore they will be forced to go for the draw from that point, and none of them will try for the solo.

This results, a not voting player can be sure he won't be stabbed by a 'draw voting' player, because the latter is forbidden to solo. That pretty much changes the dynamics right?

I don't mind the "irrevocable draw" rule, but I am of the mind that once you enter into a tournament, rules are not amended unless it is absolutely critical to do so. I would support that irrevocable draw rule in a different tournament, but it should be agreed upon before hand, not during the tournament itself and certainly not right before the finals.

So, I'm going to say no to the rule change at this moment. We play on with the rules that were set in place. Whatever rules and scoring guides were set in the beginning are the rules and scoring guides we use for the finals.

So far we have Lando, ava, Gen Lee, y2kjbk, and I think Split ready to play in the finals.
We are waiting for rdrivera2005 and CSteinhardt to confirm. I will set up the games this weekend, 36-hour phase, and with a 7 day join-in period.

So what about the use of Pause/Cancel then? ;-)

SCs is only the tie-breaker, but hey it was decided 6 months ago so like the amendment to irrevocable draws we are stuck with it. I could see # of draws made as a better tie-breaker potentially. But I believe the point is, like the masters, solos only - so throwing the solo in order to get some centers would be pretty dumb (although I'm sure it will happen)

"About Draw votes, the same applies, there are certain moments in the game when you truly and honestly would be satisfied with a drawm " This has not been true throughout this tournament, it was very frequent that 6 medium size (4-5 SC) powers had draw up against a non-solo threat 8 SC power, a 7 way really.

"This has not been true throughout this tournament, it was very frequent that 6 medium size (4-5 SC) powers had draw up against a non-solo threat 8 SC power, a 7 way really."
Where? Did you report it?

Yeah,I thought so. General's missis rather then General himself...

That is not a reportable offense SD.

I'm sure you know all about what is reportable,no doubt about it.

Yes I do. Unfortunately your favorite bait and switch tactic isn't one of them - it's just poor form.

When is the media day and press conference before the big event? The bad blood is starting to reveal itself!

Yes,I've heard a snitch license is hard to get. That's why I need to play balt and switch tactic,can't play such kamikaze attack tactic...

I will gladly give an interview to anybody who wants to play journalist. I quite enjoy the attention.

So ava, what are your thoughts on making it to the finals after screwing up the first round so bad with NMRs and questionable play that you had to make it through to round two on a technicality? The world wants to know!

Four words: I'm back. Be afraid.

I'm shivering.

Shiver, shiver away Mr. y2k

Great tourney guys, and best of luck to you all. I am on tap to kick off a high stakes tourney soon, so hope to see you there. Drama on, my friends....

I am ready to play. Agree with any rule as long it was decided before the games start.
And I could need a pause between 25/07 and 01/08 (vacations, I hope to have decent internet, but not 100% sure).