Tournament and Game Rules

Hello from the Audio Dart Association board:

We are getting very excited to welcome you to the 2023 ADA tournament! We are looking forward to seeing both old and new faces. The connections we make at these tournaments are priceless. Along with events must come regulations and we respectfully ask you to abide by them. By completing the tournament sign up form, you indicate you have read and will comply with the rules. 

Tournament rules:

1. Health and safety requirements:
The Minnesota Audio Dart Association cares about all participant’s health and well-being. In order to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, the Audio Dart Association Inc. board reserves the right to require any tournament attendee who is presenting symptoms (repeated coughing/sniffling/sneezing), or who has lead the Board to believe they may have been in contact with somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19,  to step outside and take a rapid COVID-19 test. 

Test will be provided by the Board. if the individual fails the COVID-19 test, they will not be permitted to return to the tournament. If the individual refuses the test, this too will result in excusing the attendee from the event. Depending on the status of mask mandates in the City of Bloomington at the time of the tournament, the policy stipulated by the hotel will apply within the tournament area. Masks will be available for those who wish to wear them. The mask wearing is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged. 

2. Badges: 
You will receive a name badge once you register. We respectfully ask that you wear the badge in the dart room. This helps spotters, serving staff, and other players know who you are. We ask that guests wear badges in the room as well.

3. Guests: 
Please let us know if you are bringing a guest. There will be more participants at this tournament, and seating will be limited. Guests are welcome to play, but if they have not paid before September 1, they will be subject to the higher tournament fee.

4. Food and drink restrictions: 
Food and drink may be brought into the banquet room (dart room) ONLY from the restaurant, in-house bar, coffee shop, and in- house vending machines.

5. Bringing illegal alcohol, substances or weapons into the dart room:
Anyone in the dart room caught with alcohol that was not purchased from the hotel bar or hotel restaurant will be automatically eliminated from the tournament.” There are no exceptions to this rule. There are also no cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping, or marijuana or weapons  allowed.

6. Blindfolds & Darts:  
Darts must be no heavier than 18 grams and must have nylon tips. Someone at the registration table will be checking blindfolds to make sure they’re legal and adjustable and that the dart tips aren’t broken which could damage the dart boards.  We will have new blindfolds that can be purchased if your blindfold was determined to be inadequate. This is also where you will pick up your name badge. Please do not bypass the registration table.

7. Code of conduct:
The Audio Dart Association Inc. (ADA) is dedicated to providing a respectful and inclusive tournament experience for everyone.  Abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic, intimidating, harassing, or threatening behavior, will not be tolerated.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR INCLUDES:
• Verbal attacks, bullying, or offensive comments
• Aggressive or intimidating behavior
• Sustained disruption during tournament play, and other events
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Deliberate intimidation or stalking.
• Ignoring, encouraging, or advocating any of the above behaviors
All individuals that attend ADA events are subject to the standards of conduct set forth above.  ADA event participants asked to stop their unacceptable behavior are expected to comply immediately.  ADA board members are empowered to take necessary action to prevent and/or stop any conduct that violates this CODE.
Report any conduct complaints to an ADA board member.  This code of conduct is not meant to discourage friendly banter, only to discourage behavior that harasses, harms, or injures others.

Game rules:

1.   Throwing a round without a blindfold:  
It is the player’s responsibility to have their blindfold in place while throwing. Spotters may give you a reminder to make sure you are turning around to pull your blindfold down and that the blindfold is actually fully covering your eyes..  Once the Blindfold is in place, it should not be touched while throwing.. 

If someone got through a whole game without a secured blindfold, the Spotter would be reminded and the player without the secured blindfold will lose that game.  If it is a team game where the player has a partner, they would both forfeit the one game. If they get through the first round or two without a properly secured blindfold, they get a warning and if caught again, it would be disqualification from that entire event.  Only those who leave their blindfolds down during the whole game are allowed to just walk up to the board to shoot their round; everyone else must have their back to the board, pull their blindfold down and turn around before shooting the round. 

If a spotter sees that your blindfold is not securely down, they may and are expected to ask you to turn around and replace it on your face. Please be respectful to the spotter as that is one of their jobs.

2. Toe Board:  
Toes must be behind the toe board and toes must not be on or over the toe board when throwing dart.

3. Dropping Darts:  
When standing at the throw line, if a dart is dropped, it will be counted as a thrown dart for that round. The only exception will be if a player is bumped by a passing person or someone standing too close to the player. 

4. Clock position:
Because a spotter can call clock position or numbers, whichever the player prefers, we will allow the clock to be activated or turned on if a player chooses to do this. This can be controlled individually. Round count, which is a new feature will be allowed if one wants. This too can be activated individually.  The ping will not be allowed in this tournament. Nor will the s key be allowed to be hit if the player is already lined up at the end of the toeboard. 

5. Coming in late:
A player has only 10 minutes past the start time of an event to show up unless they have contacted a committee member beforehand with a valid/medical reason. 

6. Bathroom breaks:
Anyone needing to use the bathroom during the game or just prior has 5 minutes to get there and back as the bathrooms are very close outside of the dart room. Many spotters have offered to take guide dogs out to be relieved if needed during a game.

7. Bag searches:
All large bags/backpacks will be subject to a bag check. 

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there. 

Guide for Spotters