BHGS DBM COMPETITION RULES

Rules, Lists and Clarifications to be used

The rules to be used are DBM version 3.0 dated July 2000 as amended by the DBM Official V 3.1 amendments and clarifications 27/2/05 (Erratum corrected 2/6/05).

The lists to be used are the 2nd Edition Army DBM Lists and the Errata to the lists issued by the authors 20/05/00 in addition any DBMM list books which have been published at least four weeks prior to the competition start may also be used.

The current BHGS DBM 3.1 Clarifications and Guidelines for Fair Play, together with the BHGS Scoring System and the current  BHGS Army List Interpretations .

List Checkers and Umpires

The List Checker and Umpire(s) for each competition can be found Here.

Please note that the list checkers can only respond to queries in connection with Army Lists. The Umpire(s) can only respond to queries raised in actual play at an event and not to theoretical questions. All other queries must be addressed to the organisers.

Submitting Army Lists

List checking is carried out to minimise errors, however, it is still the player’s responsibility to use a legal list.

The cost of an Allied general may be reduced by 10 points if regular and 5 points if irregular, if this has not already been altered in the army lists.

Once an army list has been submitted it may not be changed or altered other than to correct any errors unless exceptional circumstances apply – i.e. players must stick with their initial army choice. The list checkers decision on this is final.

When submitting lists electronically the following common file formats must be used - Word, Excel, Plain Text (including email format). Other formats or files for list utilities such as Neil Hammond’s DBMw should only be used with agreement of the individual list checker (see List Checkers for additional formats that individual list checkers are willing to receive).

Top placing army lists may be published on the BHGS web site.

Army List Format

In general we do not prescribe the format for submission of army lists. However, in addition to listing the number and type of troops chosen we require the following information.

For the army:

• Army name
• Army date
• Climate
• Aggression factor
• Geographical region, specific general, etc. where appropriate
• Total AP
• Total number of elements
• Total element equivalents
• Army break point

For each command:

• Total number of elements
• Total of element equivalents
• Command break point
• Command 25% losses point

The following are general points that should be adhered to when submitting lists to the list checkers. They are intended to make the list checkers and umpires job easier and so help avoid misunderstandings.

• Double based elements must be identified
• Where the notes to a list state that a proportion of elements of a particular troop type can, at the players discretion, count as Bedouin these elements should be noted in any army list submitted for checking
• Where elements have been downgraded to Hd, this should be noted
• Where an army includes “mounts for any infantry” the submitted list must specify which troops are so mounted and on what
• Where troops can dismount as different troop types depending on weaponary, the weapon type must be specified (e.g. Han Chinese Cv)
• All lists submitted for checking should give the full name of the troop type as described in the army list (e.g. “Equites Alares”) as well as its classification (e.g. Reg Cv (O))

Late Submission of Army Lists

Army lists must be submitted for checking in advance and must be received by the List Checker not later than two weeks before the event. A penalty of 2 victory points per round, for each round of the competition other than the final round may be imposed for late submission of lists.

Incorrect Army Lists

If an incorrect list is discovered after a game has commenced (i.e. after set up dice have been rolled) the game will be played with the army fielded as passed by the list checker. One exception to this is if the army is found to be over the AP limit when the umpire will remove enough elements to bring the army to or below the competition AP limit. In this case the army will still be amended as detailed below.

After this game has been completed the list concerned must be amended to make it legal.

If the error is identified before the game has started then the list will be amended prior to the start of the game. This may unfortunately result in a shorter playing time being available.

The list changes will be decided by the competition umpire in consultation with the player concerned, with an underlying principle that only the minimum changes necessary will be made and as many of the original elements in the army will be used. Note that this may result in an army below the maximum allowed AP as this is a legal army.

Figures and Terrain

 All figures and baggage used must be representative, painted and appropriately based. Repeated use of unrepresentative figures may incur a penalty at the umpires discretion.

Players must fully define their troops as they are placed on table.

Table size is 6' x 4' and each player must supply their own terrain pieces. These must be to an acceptable standard, and umpires will have the discretion to remove unsightly items. Note that any terrain deemed to be unsportsmanlike will be removed from play at the discretion of the umpire. When pieces are removed by the umpire they may not be replaced.

25mm period(s) will use 15mm sized terrain pieces and scale for placement .

Game Start Time and Duration

Players must be present and ready to start the match at the appointed time. Where a player has a reasonable excuse for arriving late the match start will be delayed by up to 30 minutes, after which time the effected player will be awarded a bye and 32 points. No player will be awarded more than one bye for any reason.

It is expected that games should achieve at the very least a MINIMUM of 12 pairs of bounds. This is not regarded as a satisfactory norm or target to be achieved and players must make every endeavour to play in a timely fashion after the MINIMUM number of bounds has been played.

Deployment (including all pre-game preparations) should not exceed 30mins.

If 12 pairs of bounds have not been completed when time is called then Blitz Rules will apply. At the umpire’s discretion Early Blitz may be applied if a game is proceeding slowly.

Matches will continue until the end of the defenders turn in the current pair of bounds when time is called.  Time will be called after 3¼ hours plus  a 1 – 15 minute random factor. The random factor will be determined by the umpire, and will not be revealed until the announcement is made. However, if the umpire is playing in the competition they will reveal the random end time to their opponents who must not pass the information on to any other player.

Players may always commence games earlier than the stated time by mutual consent, however, the normal end time for the round applies as do Blitz rules.

Please note your delegate information pack for the intended itinerary of the event, and note the convention notice boards for any time table alterations.

1 st Round Competition, Friday Evening

The start and finish times for the first round games are flexible, however, they will not start before 6pm nor later than 9pm. No game may finish later than Midnight. After a minimum period of 3 hours has been played the game will end when one player has defeated the other, or by mutual consent.  In any event no bounds or game turns may be commenced after 11.45pm plus  a 1 – 15 minute random factor. Blitz Rules will not apply at the end of the first round, however, at the umpires discretion Early Blitz may be applied to games moving slowly in order that an acceptable number of bounds are completed.  

The Draw

A modified Swiss Chess system will operate throughout the competition. Players may not play against fellow club players in the first 4 rounds, nor players whom they have played in earlier rounds, nor against any relatives in the first degree of consanguinity. Thus a player cannot be matched against his/her spouse, parent, brother, sister, and/or child.

A seeding system will be operated for the first round draw. A seeded player will not play another seeded player in this round. Seedings will be determined from the current BHGS Rankings and at the discretion of the organisers for overseas players.

The first round draw will be conducted on a “rolling” basis as players register for play. After registration players will be matched against the first available opponent they are eligible to play.

Scoring a Game

Score sheets shall be completed, including delegate/player number and handed in within 10 minutes of the finish time.

If a player resigns from a game at any stage after the first set up dice have been rolled their opponents will be awarded 32 points unless the players otherwise agree.

Sundry

Admission to any BHGS tournament is at the sole discretion of the organisers and their decision on all matters is final. An application to enter denotes acceptance of the rules.

Entry fees and any queries to be addressed to the BHGS, The White Cottage, 8 Westhill Ave, Epsom, KT19 8LE. Tel. 01372  812132.  Fax. 01372 817038. E-mail BHGS@slitherine.co.uk   All mail correspondence must enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Players who indicate an e-mail address will receive details via e-mail.