WSBG FAQ
Tournament Structure
You can play in one Ring Event per day. Choose carefully and play until you lose.
A maximum of four: Each competitor may only play in one Ring Event per day, Wednesday through Saturday.
No game was selected as one of our 16 Ring Events on an individual basis. Our final 16 were chosen to form a cohesive representation of old and new, simple and complex, this mechanic and that mechanic. Many very deserving games were left out of our field of chosen qualifiers. But don’t give up hope—perhaps it will appear in 2023!
Ring Events are official qualifying events for the World Series of Board Gaming’s Sunday Playoffs. The 16 Ring Event Winners will compete against one another for the Grand Prize and recognition as the best board gamer on the planet. Outer Ring Events are smaller tournaments that will take place at the WSBG, and will be open to Ring Event Competitors and Guest Gamers. Outer Ring Events will be smaller and very informal, but the winners will still get some great stuff! Much more information about the Outer Ring Events will be available in the coming weeks. Join the WSBG Guild to receive our newsletter.
You can definitely win more than one! It’s both possible and beneficial to win multiple rings. If you win more than one ring, the Playoffs will begin with fewer than 16 Semifinalists.
Anyone who wins more than one Ring Event will be assigned seats in multiple Semifinal games. They then may decide which of those games they wish to join. The seat they choose not to fill will remain empty.
Game Rules
Experienced, objective floor judges will monitor the games, rotating after a set amount of time. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
No. No competitor will play with their own copy of the game. Selected copies will be used at an adjacent table, by a different group of players.
Table talk is allowed until it becomes harassing or offensive. If an opponent politely asks that you cease your behavior, you will be expected to do so. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Using phones and electronic devices during the WSBG is at best a distraction and at worst a means to cheat. They will simply not be allowed in sight. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Rulings will be made and reconciled by WSBG staff. If necessary, those rulings may be appealed, until a final consensus is reached by at least two of WSBG’s Game Masters.
We realize that there is a lot to play for, and that there will be some big decisions to make. Taking an extra minute or two at a crucial point in a game is certainly to be expected. The WSBG has allowed reasonable allotments of time to complete each round of qualifying. Any slow play which jeopardizes a game finishing on time will be dealt with by putting players on a clock, but this will not occur until after they have received a warning. We do want to stress here, however, that no competitor will advance by “running out the clock.” In the unlikely event that a game must end due to time constraints, disqualifications may be issued to any players who had been warned for stalling. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
The answer to this question is very complex, and as much as we hope this situation doesn’t arise, we know that it will. Mistakes inevitably happen. We expect you to play correctly and we expect your opponents to make sure you play correctly. We expect you to play fairly, and we expect your opponents to make sure you play fairly. WSBG officials will issue warnings and correct mistakes as best they can, but the possibility does exist that repeated procedural mistakes may indeed result in disqualification. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Because some of these games are very new, the WSBG will continue to playtest Ring Event games in tournament environments throughout the next few months. Final rules and variants will be announced by August 1, 2022, so competitors will know exactly what to expect and have a few weeks to prepare. Remember, most games will be played using just the base game.
- 7 Wonders will use the 2nd Edition and the 2nd Edition Leaders expansion.
- Terraforming Mars will use the Prelude expansion.
- Acquire will not use the latest edition rules or the square board.
- Be prepared to play either side of the Azul board.
- Great Western Trail will use the 2nd Edition.
- Terraforming Mars will draft both Preludes and Projects.
- All other Ring Events will use the base game only.
The official language of the World Series of Board Gaming will be English. Each competitor will be responsible for providing their own translator if needed. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Tickets and Registration
All tickets cancelled prior to April 1, 2022, can choose either a full refund or have their ticket funds transferred to the 2023 WSBG Vegas event. Tickets cancelled after March 31, 2022, will have full ticket credit transferred to the WSBG Vegas 2023 event. Any ticket cancelled after July 31, 2022, will be assessed a $50 cancellation fee and the balance of funds will be transferred to the WSBG Vegas 2023 event. There will be no cancellations accepted after September 1, 2022. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Open gaming tickets are not available for purchase at any time. There will certainly be open gaming at the WSBG, but the hall is only open to Ring Event Competitors and Guest Gamers. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Anyone wishing to compete in the World Series of Board Gaming must purchase a ticket before August 1, 2022.
The WSBG is currently allowing players to change their Ring Events as long as the Ring Event they want to switch to is not at full capacity. This policy will end no later than August 1, 2022.
Guests
Guests may participate in all activities at the World Series of Board Gaming except the main tournament itself. There will be small walk-up tournaments, a large game library, open gaming tables, an Exhibitor Hall, game demos and, of course, the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
When a WSBG Ring Event Competitor checks in at registration, they will be given any applicable Guest Passes. These Guest Passes allow access to all WSBG activities EXCEPT the Tournament Hall/Ring Events. Guests are otherwise free to come and go as they please. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
No. Only registered competitors may compete in Ring Events—not their guests. Ring Event badges MAY NOT be shared. If one of your guests decides they would like to play in the World Series of Board Gaming, they would need to purchase a ticket before August 1, 2022.
What to Bring
It was important to the World Series of Board Gaming to choose games based on merit and not availability. Excluding a game that fit our parameters simply because we could not obtain enough copies is not something that we were willing to do. We felt that the tournament would be lessened if we took that approach. Requiring that all entrants, excluding those outside the USA and additional members from the same household choosing the same game(s), bring a copy of their chosen game(s) enables the World Series of Board Gaming to run professionally, smoothly and in the time allowed. From time to time we do understand that there may be individuals that have a hardship and because of that hardship find it impossible to bring a copy of a game. If you feel bringing a copy of a game would qualify as a hardship situation please contact us. Our Tournament Game Officials will review your request and let you know their decision for exempting you from bringing the game(s) in question.
You are only required to bring a copy of each Ring Event game you sign up for. WSBG will provide copies on Sunday. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
First it is important to understand that the actual game is needed. Not the game box and marketing material. Our Tournament Director has put together this handy video to give you ideas about packing your game.
Those questions will be answered by people much smarter than WSBG officials. While it is our sincere hope that nothing like that will prove necessary by September 2022, the WSBG will follow all mandates set forth by Bally’s, Clark County, the State of Nevada and the U.S. Government.
Have a question about WSBG Vegas that isn’t answered here? Read our Code of Conduct or contact us.
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