Code of Conduct

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● Pinball machines are complex assemblies that can exhibit many unintended behaviors during play. To keep tournament/league play on track and prevent excessive focus on minor glitches, only a major machine malfunction can affect tournament/league play. A major malfunction is one that results in a loss of ball in play that is not a normal part of the game (i.e. premature loss of turn). In disputed situations, the 2CP Admin shall decide whether or not a malfunction is considered major. If a machine malfunction occurs, that player gets to play that one game again to obtain a valid score. 

● If during play an assigned pinball machine malfunctions, the 2CP staff is allowed up to 20 minutes to attempt repair and place the machine back in service. If the machine is not able to be repaired within 20 minutes, such pinball machine will either be removed from play and a replacement pinball machine will be assigned or the scores for that machine will not be utilized.

       The following are examples of major malfunctions:

1.  A player is forced to tilt in an attempt to dislodge a stuck ball. 
2.  A turn ends prematurely (i.e. with 1 or more balls in play).
3.  A ball is auto-plunged or otherwise shot into play prematurely.

       The following examples would NOT be considered major malfunctions:

1. A player tilts away a stuck ball when it was clearly not necessary.
2.  A multiball round ends prematurely but does not result in loss of turn.
3.  A ball goes airborne and drains.
4.  A kickback fails to kick the ball back into play.
5.  A ball saver fails to work.
6.  A player tilts another player’s ball. (This is Interference- see player interference section below)

● If the ball is returned to a launcher lane that requires a manual plunge (e.g. by a ball saver), the player may re-plunge the ball. 

● If during play, a pinball comes to rest, the player can:

• (OPTION #1)- try to nudge the ball free themselves for continued play, and risk getting a tilt and losing all bonus points, OR, 
•  (OPTION #2)- have a 2CP staff member pull the glass, and forfeit such ball from play, where the player loses that pinball for that play, but WILL receive all and any bonus points.

● If during play, a pinball exits the playfield and is absolutely stuck, a 2CP staff member will pull the glass and place the ball back into the plunger lane, for the player to continue on.

● Interference in another player’s game is NOT TOLERATED. Interference includes intentional slam tilts, tilting an opponent’s ball, or nudging the machine during another player’s ball, even if the action does not cause the victim to lose the ball. It also includes intentional distraction of a player during his play. 

● If a player interferes with another player, causing a drain, an unwanted action (action button) and/or loss of turn, the victim of the interference may request to replay the entire game. If the next player starts play with no decision announced, the victim is presumed to wish to continue his game.

● Interference is considered a serious violation of tournament/league play rules, and a penalty is attached. For Leagues are cumulative over an entire season, not just one match. For these violations, the following penalties are assessed:

• First and second offense: Forfeit the current game with a machine score of zero (0).
• Third offense: Forfeit of all games in the current match with machine scores of zero (0).
• Fourth offense- Leagues:  Forfeit the season. The player’s scores are wiped, and the player will be suspended from the league. 
• Fourth offense- Tournaments:  Forfeit the tournament.  The player’s scores are wiped, and the player will be suspended from the tournament. 

● Violence of any kind against fellow players, vandalism of pinball machines or other property will be penalized as an automatic fourth offense.

● Violation of any rules with the clear intent of preventing another player from fairly playing the machine or of unfairly increasing one’s own score can only be described as cheating, and is not tolerated. Cheating will result in the player’s immediate suspension from the tournament/league.

These rules are a guide. At times situations will arise that aren’t specifically covered by these rules. In these cases, the 2CP Admin should make a decision in the spirit of the rules. This decision shall be documented for later reference, and be applied consistently should the situation arise again.