These times indicate the latest that each game must start by.

Games can start as early as 5:15 pm if all players in the scheduled group agree to an earlier start. Any group wishing to do so must notify League Staff no later than Tuesday 12:00 pm.

As tables are reserved for the entire 3.5 hours, everyone is encouraged to stay after their games for free play at no extra cost. After this time, the table will be charged at a discounted rate (approximately $16/hour).

Entry Fee and Weekly Fee

There is an initial entry fee of $30, which will cover the prize pool and entry for the first 2 weeks played for the season.

Following the first 2 weeks, there will be a weekly fee for each player of approximately $14 per night.

All fees must be paid directly to the association bank account maintained by League Staff.

Included in the fees is one complimentary drink per player per week.

Do note that the final fee amount will be determined by the number of registered players, but should not be more than $15 per player per week.

Entry Requirements

Players must be a part of the Discord server to participate in the league.

Players will be required to have an online rank of at least Expert 3 on Mahjong Soul or 1 Dan on Tenhou. The account must be submitted in the entry form.

Players who do not meet this requirement are still encouraged to apply, however they must be endorsed by 2 players who are at least Master 3 on Mahjong Soul or 4 Dan on Tenhou. The endorsement must demonstrate your knowledge of the rules of the game, that you are competent at scoring hands (at least 30, 40, and 50 fu hands), and that you will be able to maintain a high level of etiquette (including pace of play, mannerisms, and general competitive integrity).

Signups will close on July 7th. To signup, please do so via this form (opens a new tab): Google Forms Link.

There will be an initial registration limit of 10 players, however players are encouraged to sign up if interested; the cap will be raised if there is enough interest in the league.

Prizes

First place will win free entry to the next Victorian Riichi Mahjong Open as well as any 4 weeks of meetups for free (valid for the year, for all meetups).

Second place will also win any 4 weeks of meetups for free, valid for the same period.

Other prizes may be awarded at the end of the season, and will be announced at a later date.

Ruleset and Etiquette

The main summary of the rules are:

• 60 minute hanchan timer. When the timer ends, finish the hand, and then play one more hand, and then end the game.

• 30,000 points start, 30,000 points return. No extension to West. 300 point honba.

• 30/10 uma, no oka

• Red fives ON

• Kiriage mangan: 40 han 30 and 3 han 60 are rounded to mangan

• Agariyame OFF: Game continues in all last if dealer is in first place and wins the round/is tenpai at the end of the round

• Bankruptcy/Tobi OFF: Game continues if a player goes below 0 points

• Headbump ON: In the case of two players announcing ron, the next player ONLY in order from the discarded tile will win the hand

• Abortive Draws OFF

• Kan dora flips immediately

• Riichi: Allowed even in furiten or if there are less than four tiles remaining in the live wall.

• Any riichi bets remaining on the table at the end of the hanchan stay on the table

• Nagashi Mangan ON: Player must not have called any tiles.

• Kazoe Yakuman ON

• Double Yakuman OFF (however multiple yakuman can stack)

• Pao (Yakuman liability payments) ON

• Penalties: WRC 2022 Lower Penalties, including a -20P penalty for chombo added to the final score of the hanchan. The full list of penalties can be found here.

Players are expected to abide by the full set of rules and etiquette, which can be found here (opens a new tab).

It is the responsibility of all players at the table to score hands correctly and maintain an accurate count of the scores.

It is also the responsibility of all players at the table to adjudicate the rules. Ruling disputes will be handled on a case-by-case basis, however League Staff will have the final say on any ruling.

Competitive Integrity

Players are expected to follow the highest standards of competitive integrity. This includes but is not limited to a strict ban on collusion in any form, leaving a hanchan midway without a valid reason, and intentionally feeding other players in a way that does not improve your personal placement.

Late, No Show, and Rescheduling Policies

Rescheduling Games

In all cases, a player who is late or does not show up to their scheduled games may be required to reschedule all their missed games, either with the same players or with other players.

Rescheduled games must be played at Melta on the same AMOS JP-EX Color auto table, but can be done so on a different day. The player must also cover any additional table costs.

Late Penalty

The late penalty is -1P per minute late, up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the player will be considered a no show, and be penalised -35P per game missed.

Games that start late will be allocated additional time to ensure a complete hanchan.

Points Penalty for Changed RSVP/No Show

With the current RSVP system, there will be a points penalty for the inconvenience:

• Any RSVP changes made before 5:00 pm Monday (24 hour notice) will not be penalised.

• If a player notifies League Staff of their no show after this time but before 5:00 pm Tuesday, they will be penalised as follows:

  • Prior to 3:00 pm Tuesday (2 hour notice): -30P

  • Prior to 5:00 pm Tuesday (event start): -50P

  • Any time after: -70P

• If a player does not notify League Staff, they will be penalised -110P.

• Cases where a player has already used their 2 absent weeks but still does not attend after making an RSVP will be handled individually.

This inconvenience points penalty is separate to the late penalty and, at the discretion of League Staff, may be combined with other penalties.

Penalty Fee for Changed RSVP/No Show

The current arrangement with the venue requires League Staff to reserve tables at cost. With the current RSVP system:

• Any RSVP changes made before 5:00 pm Monday (24 hour notice) will not incur a penalty fee.

• Any RSVP changes made after that time, or if the player does not show up, will incur a penalty fee.

The penalty fee will be as follows:

• If League Staff are able to arrange a substitute, the player must pay the cost of that substitute to play for 3.5 hours ($14).

• If League Staff are unable to arrange a substitute, the player must pay the full cost of the table ($56).

• If the player does not communicate that they will not show up, the player must pay the full cost of the table ($56), regardless of whether a substitute is arranged.

Substitute Players

In the event of a no show, generally players will be substituted. The substitute player’s score will not count towards anything, however the other players on that table will have their scores recorded as normal. The substitute player may not necessarily be a registered league player.

Scores for Missed Games

If a player misses a game and a substitute is found, the player’s score will be recorded as -35P for that game. If no substitute is found, the player will receive a -35P penalty, and must reschedule all missed games.

Examples

Here are some common situations and the penalties that would apply:

1. RSVP but no show and did not notify League Staff.

   • Result: -110P penalty and a $56 fine.

2. RSVP but notify League Staff at Monday 5:30 PM that you will not show up.

   • Result: -60P penalty, and if League Staff can arrange a substitute, a fine of $14, or else $56. You must reschedule all missed games and pay any table costs.

3. Late by 20 minutes for your first game, but still arrive for the day.

   • Result: -35P for the first game. You will then play 2 hanchan with your table group. If everyone agrees, you can also play the 3rd hanchan on the same night, but you must pay any overtime table rate beyond 3.5 hours. If not all players agree to playing the 3rd hanchan on the same night, then you must reschedule all missed games and pay any table costs.

4. Late by 30 minutes, and you notify League Staff that you will not show up at all.

   • Result: -70P, and if League Staff can arrange a substitute, a fine of $14, or else $56. You must reschedule all missed games and pay any table costs.

Changes

The policies outlined here are designed to encourage players to notify League Staff early of any scheduling changes, and to ensure every player gets an even and fair number of games played.

Penalties will follow the general guidelines below, however special cases will be handled on a case-by-case basis by League Staff.

League Staff also reserve the right to rewrite the penalty structure at any time during the season for the purposes of clarity or to cover additional situations as they arise. Any changes will be communicated to players as soon as possible.

Any player who is found to game the penalty system, such as intentionally taking an absence or late penalty, will be considered cheating and face disciplinary action by League Staff.

Discontinuing Participation

By registering for this league, you are intending to commit to the required 8 weeks and 24 hanchan for the duration of the season.

Any player who wishes to discontinue their participation in the league after it begins must notify League Staff as soon as possible. If the reason given is considered inadequate, the player may face further sanctions, such as a ban from all official/competitive VRMA events for some period of time.

There will also be no guarantee that any fees paid will be refunded upon discontinuation.

Exceptional Cases

League Staff reserve all right to handle late/no show/other penalties in ways they determine appropriate, using the above outlined policies as a guideline.

If the venue and/or tables are unavailable for a specific session, the options will be (preferentially) between rescheduling those matches to a different day, or potentially extending the season. The final decision will be at the at the discretion of League Staff.