Battle.Net Name Changes: If you have changed your StarCraft 2 name, your character code (identifier) will have changed too! Be sure to check your account details as people have been disqualified from previous TL Open events due to incorrect information.

Note: In game observers:
No observers outside of designated TL casters. Their IDs will be listed in the rules here. If your opponent tries to have observers, you must stop the game and contact a referee. This means you can leave if he invites his friends or just starts the game. It is your responsibility not to allow it.

Format

• 512 Man Single Elimination
  
• Tournament will be held on the Battle.net NA Server on December 18, 2010 1200 EST[local].
  
• Bracket will be displayed on TeamLiquid. Participants must log in to view opponent NA IDs and Codes to contact their opponents for matches.
  
• Players must contact each other through Bnet chat and arrange a host (unless Ro16 or later).
  
• From Ro16 on, TL referees will host the game.
  
• Winners will report results and upload replays after each round.
  
• If a game's results are disputed (both players report win), Tournament Referees will check replays and determine who advances.
  
• Best-of-1 until Round of 16 (Round 1-5 is Bo1).
  
• Best-of-3 Round of 16, Round of 8, and Round of 4 (Round 6-8 is Bo3).
  
• Best-of-5 Finals (Round 9).

TL Open Rules

• Any violation of TL Open Tournament Rules may result in game forfeit and future suspension from TL Opens and other TL events.
  
• No cheating in any way. This includes any sort of hack or illegal program and receiving messages from friends watching the stream. This also includes account sharing or playing under an ID that you did not register under.
  
• Players must set status to busy during tournament matches.
  
• Players may not have stream open in the background when playing.
  
• Players must arrive within 10 minutes of the end of the previous round. After 10 minutes, every 10 minutes is a game loss for the player who is not present. Ex: with one player present for 20 minutes, 1-0, 30 minutes, 2-0.
  
• Players may change race between games.
  
• Players may not play in another tournament that conflicts with TL Open play time. Referees may disqualify players that delay the TL Open due to scheduling conflicts.
  
• Referees may warn and disqualify players for chat violations, including excessive or abusive insults toward players, observers, or referees.

Maps and Host Rules

• Games will be hosted on one of the approved maps.
  
• In a Bo1, host must create on designated map for that round.
  
• In a Bo3, first game will be played on designated map, loser picks the next map from the pool.
  
• Maps cannot be played twice in a series.
  
• It is the player's responsibility to check the map pool. If a player protests an incorrect map after playing a game on it, the game will not be replayed.
  
• Map Pool: Xel'Naga, Meta, Shakuras, LT, Jungle, DQ, Blistering, Scrap, Steppes
  
• Round 1 (512) Bo1 - Shakuras Plateau
  
• Round 2 (256) Bo1 - Metalopolis
  
• Round 3 (128) Bo1 - Xel'Naga Caverns
  
• Round 4 (64) Bo1- Scrap Station
  
• Round 5 (32) Bo1 - Delta Quadrant
  
• Round 6 (16) Bo3 - Lost Temple
  
• Round 7 (8) Bo3 - Shakuras Plateau
  
• Round 8 (4) Bo3 - Metalopolis
  
• Round 9 (2) Bo5 - Xel'Naga Caverns

Disconnects and Lag

• If your opponent is disconnecting, players should take a screenshot of the lag screen and contact the tournament referee.
  
• If a disconnect happens in the first five minutes and there has been no player-opponent contact, game will be replayed.
  
• In a Bo1, if a disconnect happens after player-opponent contact, disconnecting player may receive a loss. The Referee will make the final decision after reviewing the screenshot and replay.
  
• In a Bo3, if a disconnect happens after player-contact, player must contact Referee immediately and Referee will decide how to proceed after reviewing the evidence.
  
• Referees and Tournament Administrators reserve the right to overturn results or award wins based on evidence they see.
  
• In a disconnecting situation, both players can agree to a regame.
  
• If there is persistent unplayable lag (lag screen comes up more than once in a short time), players must contact a Referee who will decide how to proceed.

Coverage and Observer Rules

• TL will officially cast both semifinals and the finals.
  
• No observers are allowed in games other than those designated by TL.
  
• TL will designate "approved" observers who will be allowed to observe and broadcast games.
  
• TL referees are also allowed to be in game.
  
• There will only be a maximum of one observer in each match.
  
• If the host invites a non-approved observer to the game and starts, game does not count.
  
• If game lags with an approved observer in game, that observer must leave at the request of a player. If a TL referee is in game, he will make this decision.
  
• Observers and broadcasters are subject to the same rules for cheating and abuse as players. TL may suspend observers from future TL events if violations occur.
  
• If you would like to be an official observer / broadcaster for the TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open, please apply by PMing Hot_Bid. The more information you can provide about your stream, average viewers, and casting experience, the better.