last updated: December 12, 2010

1. Structure of the Tournament

The Bridge Too Far ASL Tournament 2011 is played over six Rounds. We expect an attendance of 30-36 players in the Main Tournament and some additional players in the Mini-Tournaments.

The Tournament has Two Phases: the first Phase consists of the first Three Rounds, played on Thursday and Friday. After the first Phase, the Tournament continues on two separate tracks: the Main Tournament and the Mini-Tournaments.

The Main Tournament

Players who have won at least 2 of their first 3 games continue in the Main Tournament. They will select their scenarios from the Main Tournament selection for Rounds 4-6. These players will contest the ranked places based on their overall record in the tournament.

Participants will receive 3 Tournament Points for each Win and 1 Tournament Point for each Loss. After six Rounds, the players will be ranked according to their Tournament Points.

For players with equal Tournament Points, the Tournament Points of their opponents in Rounds 4-6 will be added up as Opponent Points. The player with the highest number of Opponent Points will rank highest, when Tournament Points are equal.

If both Tournament and Opponent Points are equal, the player who recorded his first loss later in the Tournament will be ranked higher.

The Mini-Tournaments

Players who have lost at least 2 of their first 3 games will take part in Mini-Tournaments. In the Mini-Tournaments, all players start afresh in a 3-round knockout competition based on a separate set of Scenarios. Players will indicate their preferences to take part in Mini-Tournaments based on four available themes. Once someone is knocked out of the Mini-Tournament, he is free to continue playing friendly games. The winners of Mini-Tournaments will also receive prizes.

Other Tournament Information

Each Round and each Mini-Tournament has a Theme, which describes a common feature of the Three Scenarios available for play.

Tournament Organisers will match up opponents and ensure that players always face someone with a similar win/loss record. Games between countrymen will be avoided as much as possible.

2. Selection of Scenarios and Sides

For the Selection of Scenarios, both Participants secretly record their preference for the three available scenarios:

Opponents then reveal their preferences simultaneously and use the following sequence:

1. No one will have to play a Scenario he has Deleted. Therefore, when the players Delete different Scenarios, they will automatically play the only non-Deleted Scenario.

2. When both players Delete the same Scenario and have the same First Preference, they will play the scenario of their First Preference.

3. When both players Deleted the same Scenario, but have a different First Preference, they will roll a die to randomly determine which of these two Scenarios to play. The player who has to play his second-choice scenario will automatically be the player to choose Sides in case of a tie (see 2. below) - ie there will be no second die roll.

After the Selection of Scenarios, the Selection of Sides takes place. In 2010, all scenarios in the tournament will have an Australian Balance System bidding. Both Players will secretly write down their ABS bid for this scenario. They reveal simultaneously and decide as follows:

1. If both players have preferred different Sides, they will both play the Side of their preference (without any Balance provision, regardless of their ABS bids).

2. If both players have the same preferred Side, the player with the highest bid (handicap) will play his preferred side, incurring the penalty of his bid.

3. If both players have the same preferred Side and the same bid, roll dice to randomly determine WHO of the two players will take which side.

3. ASL Rules in Use

All games are played using the Second Version Advanced Squad Leader Rules. The Rules of Chapter E are considered Optional and normally not in play.

In principle, all games will use the Infantry Fire Table (IFT). However, if both players prefer it, they may agree to use the Incremental IFT. In that case, they will use the CTC (Conditional Task Check) version.

4. Dice, Disputes and Dithering

For the rolling of Dice, players should use devices such as Dice Towers, Dice Cups or Box Covers.

For Rules Clarifications, all players are requested to refer to nearby players with good rules knowledge. When this referral does not lead to agreement, the Tournament Director will adjudicate and this ruling will be final.

Players should strive to complete their games within the suggested time frame of the tournament. In case games are not completed within an hour of the available time and players can not agree between themselves on the likely winner, the Tournament Director will adjudicate, possibly assisted by some neutral players. Each player will give a short presentation on the status of the game and his remaining Game Plan. The Tournament Director, advised by the neutral players, will then determine the winner.