2017
GM TEAM:
Gareth Williams
Francis Czawlytko
Henry Russell
Phil Rodrigues
Changes for 2017:
Firstly, we will no longer split players by their preference to finish within the time window or go the distance. This is difficult to arrange and has led to a lot of 4 player games. Instead all games will be expected to finish within the 6 hour window.
Secondly, before any declarations of cards being spent on the peace die roll the VP totals should be checked and signed by a member of the GM team. We are expanding the GM team to allow this to happen.
As before side assignment in the 2nd and 3rd heats will be based on performance in the previous heats and what sides each player has already been played. As such players need no longer fear having to play Austria twice in a row.
Heat I Monday – Duchess of Richmond’s Ball – CAT A:
Normal CAT A rules apply.
Random Seat and Table assignment
Heat II: Wednesday – Austerlitz – CAT A:
Normal CAT A rules apply.
Random Table assignment, power pick based on bid points
Heat III: Thursday – Collingwoord – CAT C.
For most players this will be a normal heat, however there will be one or perhaps two coached games for new players. If you wish to participate in a coached game please attend the demonstration also.
Random Table assignment, power pick based on bid points
Rules:
2nd Edition Rules with the current FAQ will be the default.
House Rules and Pacing:
GMs will review the pace of the games throughout the tournament. Games are intended to finish within the time indicated; going beyond this will only be acceptable if all parties are in agreement.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
Any game not finished by midnight will finish at the end of the current turn
Thursday:
Any game not finished by 1800 will finish at the end of the current turn
From precedent this suggests that games with a time limit will go to three turns.
Side determination and drawing:
Table allocation will be random. However players will stay with their own set. Cat-C players will also play separately.
For the first heat side assignment will be random, however players will accumulate bid points that will be used to assign seat pick in the 2nd and 3rd heats
Pick order is highest to lowest. New players start at 0. Resolve ties by dice off or mutual agreement.
Won Previous Heat -1
Played as France -2
Played as Britain -1
Played as Prussia 0
Played as Russia 1
Played as Austria 2
Semi Finals:
Number and format of semi-finals will be dependent on the total number of players and the winners from the heats. No more than half the field may advance to the semis.
Possible formats for the semis and finals include:
Semis: 4 x 4 player Final: 4 player
Semis: 5 x 4 player Final: 5 player
Semis: 5 x 5 player Final: 5player
Tie-breakers and place assignment will be as follows:
3 wins + overall VP count + bid points
2 wins + overall VP count + bid points
1 win + overall VP count + bid points
3 second place + overall VP count + bid points
2 second place + overall VP count + bid points
1 second place + overall VP count + bid points
Second place in a 3 player game, if any take place, will not count towards advancement
Win or 2nd place in a game you are coaching still counts, but at 0 VP.
Only positive VP will count, not negative.
The format decision for semis and finals will be taken on the Thursday night, it is likely there will be some wild card assignments.
We will try to avoid 4 player games in the semis- and finals where possible
Final:
Winners of semis proceed; side pick in the final will be based on performance in the semis based on VP total
2nd place semi-finalists:
Ranking amongst these players will be decided as follows:
VP count in semi
In both cases in the event of tie, previous performance will be used to break the tie as above –best total of Wins, 2nd Places, VPs and bid points
Extra Prizes:
Whatever I can get between now and then
Previous highlights have included:
Soil from Waterloo
Olive oil from the Duke of Wellington’s estates in Spain