LEAGUE STRUCTURE

001. The American Trivia Federation is divided into five separate divisions. The first, called the Norris Division, is named in honor of James Norris, the founder of the Detroit Red Wings. The second, called the Smythe Division, is appropriately named for Conn Smythe, the owner, coach and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the early 1900s. The next, called the Mervyn Division, is named for Robert Mervyn DeMarse, the first champion of the ATF. The next, called the Ritahd Division, is named for Helmut Ritahd, a mediocre 18th Century Danish explorer. The last, called the Lepur Division, is named for crooked Serbian politician Vojislav Lepur.

002. The Norris Division is the superior division, wherein players compete for the league championship and the Belial Trophy. The Smythe Division is the secondary division, wherein players compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy and the chance to move up to the Norris Division. The Mervyn Division is the league's middle rung, wherein players compete for the Dianetics Trophy and the chance to move up to the other two division. The Ritahd Division is a somewhat-inferior division, wherein the players compete for the Golden Bus Award and the chance to move up. The Lepur Division is the very-much-inferior division, where players simply struggle to escape. The default number of players in each division is six (6). As additional players are added, they will populate each division, one at a time, beginning with the bottom. When a total of 35 players have joined the ATF, a sixth division will be added.

003. After each game, the divisions will be re-populated, based upon points scored in the previous game. In the event of a tie, the following factors will be used to settle it, beginning with the first and continuing only as far as necessary: current game answer average, current game answer average including tournament rounds, sudden-death three-question tie-break rounds [see rule 305a.]. Finally, a player's divisional ranking will determine the minimum promotion or demotion for the following game, according to the following:

Norris - The top three players will remain in Norris. Fourth- and fifth-place finishers will play no lower than Smythe. Sixth-place will play no lower than Mervyn.

Smythe - The top two players will move to Norris. The third-place finisher will play no lower than Smythe. Fourth- and fifth-place will play no lower than Mervyn. Sixth will play no lower than Ritahd.

Mervyn - The top player will move to Norris. The second- and third-place finishers will play no lower than Smythe. Fourth and fifth will play no lower than Ritahd.

Ritahd - The top player will move to Smythe. The second- and third-place finishers will play no lower than Mervyn. Fourth will play no lower than Ritahd.

Lepur - The top player will play no lower than Mervyn. The second- and third-place finishers will play no lower than Ritahd.

GAME PROGRESSION

101. Each game will consist of 50 rounds, with the possible addition of Bonus and Tie-Break rounds.

102. Each round, every player will receive one Phase One question, selected at random from the various trivia editions currently available to the game.

103. For each Phase One question answered correctly, that player will receive a Phase Two question in the following round, selected at random. This does not replace or supercede any other questions they might receive.

104. For each Phase Two question answered correctly, that player will receive a Phase Three question in the following round, selected at random. This does not replace or supercede any other questions they might receive.

105. For each Phase Three question answered correctly, that player will receive one point, and one Phase Three question in the following round, selected at random. This does not replace or supercede any other questions they might receive.

106. Following Round 50, a series of Bonus rounds will occur, numbered 50-1, 50-2 and so forth. These rounds will not include the Phase One questions issued during prior rounds, but will be, in all other ways, identical to the first 50 rounds. These Bonus rounds will continue until no questions are due to any of the players.

107. Following Round 50, and prior to any Bonus rounds, if there is a tie atop the Norris, Smythe or Ritahd Divisions, sudden-death Tie-Break rounds will begin, and continue until one player takes a clear lead at the closing of a round, at which time, Bonus rounds will begin. Tie-Break rounds will not be used in one division just because another division is doing so.

108. Tie-Break rounds will be played out exactly like normal rounds, with each player in the division in question receiving a Phase One question, in addition to any Phase Two or Three questions that are previously earned. These rounds will continue until one player secures a singular lead in the division. Following this lead, any necessary Bonus rounds will be played out. If these Bonus rounds again result in a tie atop the standings, Tie-Break rounds will resume.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

201. Every question, regardless of player, division or phase, will be selected from the various trivia editions available at the time. The edition will be selected at random, based upon the number of questions available. The specific question will be fully random.

202. Players are expected to answer their questions in a timely manner, without resorting to research or assistance.

203. Correct answers for each question will be drawn from the cards themselves, regardless of accuracy. Due to the age of some editions, as well as simple error, some of the questions may be accompanied by incorrect answers. Despite this, the listed answer will be used for determining success within the game.

204. In the event of a similar, but inexact match between the official answer and the player's response, the spirit of the answer will be interpreted and used. Specific details will be necessary if their inclusion in the official answer seems to mark their importance. In rare cases, a more specific answer or clarification may be requested of the player.

207. The official Czar of the ATF has final say over all controversial questions and issues.

TOURNAMENT

301. Following the final round of play, including any necessary Bonus and Tie-Break rounds, a post-game tournament will commence.

302. All players will take part in the tournament, which will be structured in a traditional head-to-head cross-seed style, with division standing determining seeding and game answer average breaking any ties. If necessary, career average can also be used to break ties.

303. Byes, if necessary, will be issued to top seeds.

304. For every head-to-head matchup, each player will receive six (6) unique questions.

305. Winning a tournament matchup will require one player to correctly answer more questions than their opponent.

305a. In the event of a tie, additional questions will be given to the players, three at a time, until the tie is broken. As with the original six questions each round, these tie-break questions will be unique for each player.

306. Tournament rounds will continue until a tournament champion is crowned.

AWARDS

401. The player in the Norris Division with the most points at the completion of the game will be named champion and awarded the Belial Trophy.

402. The Vince Lombardi Trophy will be awarded to the player with the most points in the Smythe Division.

403. The champion of each tournament will be awarded the Blastin' Berry Cherry Cup.

404. The player with the highest game answer average will be named batting champion and awarded the Jai Alai Trophy. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties.

405. The player with the most significant positive difference between current game score and answer average, compared to career scoring and answer average and/or recent previous game scores and answer averages will receive the Comeback Player-of-the-Game Award. Though this award has a large statistical component, final determination will be made by the Czar.

406. At the completion of the tournament, the Yul Brynner Sportsmanship Award will be given to one player, as voted on by all players. Voting for oneself is not permitted.

407. The Private Johnson Award will be given to the player whose game answer average is lowest among all active players. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties.

408. The player with the longest cumulative delay of each game will be awarded the Uncle Chronos Plaque. The clock starts 24 hours after each round begins, and continues to run for each player until they answer. If Tie-Break rounds are necessary, player totals will be pro-rated at 50 rounds. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. If necessary, average tournament response times will also be used to break ties.

409. The John Shellady Trophy will be given after each game to the player who missed the largest number of Youth and Youth Player questions. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. If necessary, overall youth average will also be used to break ties.

410. The player with the least cumulative delay of each game will be awarded the Johnny Lapdog Statuette. The clock starts 24 hours after each round begins, and continues to run for each player until they answer. If Tie-Break rounds are necessary, player totals will be pro-rated at 50 rounds. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. If necessary, average tournament response times will also be used to break ties.

411. The Broken Wishbone Plaque will be awarded each game to the player whose final score is farthest below their projected final score, based upon their answer percentage.

412. The Happy Clam Plate will be awarded to the player with the most points in the Lepur Division.

413. The Unhappy Clam Plate will be given to the player at the bottom of the standings in the Lepur Division.

414. The Chris Sabo Goggles of Honor will be awarded to the rookie player with the most points scored. Answer average and tournament answer average will be used to break ties, if necessary, in that order.

415. All players will vote at the end of the game to select the single answer that they thought was the funniest from the previous game. The player who submitted that answer will receive the Laughing Jackass Trophy. Only answers submitted by players for their own questions are eligible.

416. The Golden Bus Award will be given to the player with the most points in the Ritahd Division.

417. The Glory Sausage will be awarded to the player who scores the most points in excess of their projected final score, based upon their answer percentage.

418. The last player to correctly answer a question from the Lord of the Rings or Lord of the Rings DVD editions, after previously answering at least one other such question correctly during the same game, will receive the Lord of the Nerds Award. This will be based upon the round of submission - not the actual date or time. In addition, a player will only relinquish the title if the potential successor has an equal or greater number of Lord of the Rings correct answers. Tournament rounds can only be used to break ties between players with identical regular season totals. If necessary, actual response dates and times can also be used to break ties.

419. The Wookiee Hairball will be given after each game to the player who correctly answers the largest number of Star Wars, Episode I, Star Wars Bite-Size and Star Wars Saga questions. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. If necessary, ties can also be broken by overall Star Wars average (including tournament rounds), and then by the earliest round to reach the final Star Wars tally. Players must correctly answer at least two relevant questions to be eligible for this award.

420. The last player to correctly answer a question during the game will receive the Gimpy Gelding Award. This will be based upon the round of submission - not the actual date or time. If final players score their first correct answer in the same round, the round of the second correct answer will be used to break the tie.

421. The player who correctly answers the highest percentage of All American and Welcome to America questions will receive the Real American Hero Award. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. After that, ties will be decided by total number of correct answers, and then by earliest round to reach that total. Players must correctly answer at least three relevant questions to be eligible for this award.

422. The Dianetics Trophy will be awarded to the player with the most points in the Mervyn Division.

423. The Mickey Mousetrap Award will be given after each game to the player who correctly answers the highest percentage of Disney, Disney Family, Disney II and Disney Animated questions. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. After that, ties will be decided by total number of correct answers, and then by earliest round to reach that total. Players must correctly answer at least three relevant questions to be eligible for this award.

424. The Mr. T Crystal Bust will be given after each game to the player who correctly answered the highest percentage of 1980s, Totally '80s and 1980s UK questions. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. After that, ties will be decided by total number of correct answers, and then by earliest round to reach that total. Players must correctly answer at least three relevant questions to be eligible for this award.

425. The Maple Awesome Trophy will be given to the player with the most points who was once, or is currently, a resident of Canada.

426. The Haggis & Tatties Award will go to the player with the highest answer average for International editions included in the game. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties. After that, ties will be decided by total number of correct answers, and then by earliest round to reach that total. Players must correctly answer at least three relevant questions to be eligible for this award.

427. The Golden Vonda will be awarded to the former resident of ISU's Birch-Welch-Roberts hall complex with the highest point total after 20 rounds. Ties will be decided by including additional rounds, as in the regular ATF season.

428. The last player to correctly answer a question from the World Cup, World Football or Manchester United editions, during the game's 50 pre-tournament rounds, will receive the Purple Jersey. This will be based upon the round of submission - not the actual date or time. Tournament rounds will only be used to break ties between players with identical rounds of submission. If necessary, actual response dates and times can also be used to break ties. Multiple-choice questions will not be considered.