(some of these rules are good but some arnt very good . but its a good idea of what happens for those who dont know .

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.This is the short version of the rules for ladders.



Rankings
Each person will be ranked in a ladder-- number 1 is the best player. Only one person will be ranked at a particular number-- there are no ties. Each ladder type and game type will have its own, independent ranking. Rankings are updated every 15 minutes, so you'll have to wait a few minutes after winning your game to see the results displayed on the rankings page.


Moving up the ladder
The object of the ladder is to move up the ladder, perhaps ultimately to the number 1 position. To move up the ladder, you must win games. If you beat someone higher-ranked than you, then you take their spot, and everyone else moves down a spot. If you beat someone lower-ranked than you, then you move up one spot. When you lose a game, nothing happens-- you do not move in either direction. However, if you do not win games, you will eventually be pushed further and further down the ladder as others move over you.
Example: If you're ranked number 100, and you beat number 90, then you become the new number 90, and everyone else moves down one spot. If you're ranked number 100, and you beat number 110, then you would move to the number 99 position.


Number of games
For each ladder, you may be playing up to 4 games at once. You are allowed to challenge two different players, and in addition two other players are allowed to challenge YOU. If someone challenges you, and you are not on vacation, then the game will AUTOMATICALLY be created for you. You have no choice but to accept challenges from other players. In general, you must accept up to 2 challenges from other players. Similarly, when you challenge someone else, that game is created instantly if they have not already accepted two challenges.


Who you can challenge
Generally, you can challenge anyone ranked with 20 places of your current position, as long as they aren't on vacation, and they still have challenge-accept games left to play. If you're in the top 20 or bottom 20, then you will be able to challenge the top 40 or bottom 40 players respectively.

After you finish a game with a specific player, you are not allowed to challenge them again for 2 weeks. This prevents players from continuously playing the same people.


Joining existing ladders
To join an existing ladder, click the 'join a ladder' link on the main ladder page. New ladder players are added every 15 minutes, so check back in a few minutes, and you will have been added to the bottom of the ladder. Then click on someone's name to challenge them, and you'll be on your way to number 1!


Waiting lists
For ladders not yet in progress, you can join a 'waiting list'. Once enough players have signed up, the new ladder is started automatically. However, your signup is only good for 7 days, after which you will receive a message that your waiting list application has been deleted. You can immediately re-join that waiting list if you wish. We do this so that any ladders that start will have a fresh list of players on it. You can only sign up for a maximum of 5 waiting lists at any one time. After a new ladder starts, you are welcome to put your name on another waiting list. You can also remove your name from a waiting list at any time.


Starting new ladders
When a new ladder starts, the players will be ranked in the order that they joined the waiting lists. If you are ranked near the bottom, please do not complain or despair. Simply challenge someone above you, and start your climb to the top. Note that if a poor players is ranked at the top, they will soon get beaten by the stronger players below them and fall down the ladder.


Timed out games cannot be restored
If you time out in a ladder game, IT CANNOT BE RESTORED, even with your opponent's permission, even if it's due to system problems on our end. The reason is because the rankings are dependent on the ORDER in which games finish, and once the rankings have changed, they cannot be changed back. Keep in mind that you are not penalized for losing a ladder game (you basically remain at the same ranking), so if you do time out, simply challenge someone else and try again.