Non-Attendance:

In the event you are unable to attend, we would appreciate it if you could notify us at info@rubyspuzzlecorner.com so we know not to expect your attendance. If time permits, we will try to fill the vacancy. If you are unable to attend the event, you forfeit your registration fee and competition puzzle.

Spectators:

There is no space for spectators at the venue during the competition.

Arrival and Table Seating:

• Participants should be at the venue, signed in and seated at their assigned table by the start of each scheduled competition.  

• Table numbers are assigned by us based on registration and groupings (beginner and experienced puzzlers). Master participation lists will be available at the event indicating each participant's table number for their events.

o   Beginner puzzlers: those who self identify as being able to complete a 500 piece puzzle in 90 minutes or more.

o   Experienced puzzlers: those who self identify as being able to complete a 500 piece puzzle in under 90 minutes.

• Once the doors open, participants may enter the competition area and get settled at their table.

• Participants arriving after the competition starts may still participate if they do not disturb other participants. No new timer will be started for late participants. Pairs or Teams arriving more than 30 minutes after the start time forfeit their puzzle. If you registered solo to be assigned to a pair or a team please be conscientious of the impact of a late arrival on the other parties.

• Should a participant require medical accommodations related to their seating assignment, please indicate this at the time of registration. Should something change after registering, please email us as soon as possible at info@rubyspuzzlecorner.com and we will do our best to work with your needs.

The Competition:

• The competition puzzles are the property of the participants once the competition is finished. Due to the special order of our competition puzzles, in the event of any manufacturing defects to the puzzle, the puzzle can not be replaced. If a participant does not attend or arrives later than 30 minutes after the start time, you forfeit your competition puzzle.

• Participants are permitted to use:

o   Box top holders or supports to keep the box top upright and easily viewed while puzzling.

o   Headphones. Playing music openly is not allowed.

o   Recording devices, mounted with table clamps, or small table-top tripods, as long as they do not interfere with any other participants, or record other participants.

• Participants are not permitted to use:

o   Floor mount tripods or similar items which block the aisles/floor space.

o   Any type of puzzle board, or any materials which angles the puzzling surface.

Sorting Trays 

• For events with 500 piece puzzles, participants are permitted to use up to 2 sorting trays.

• For events with 1000 piece puzzles, participants are permitted to use up to 4 sorting trays.
  
  There is no individual tray size maximum but we ask participants to adhere to the following guidelines to maintain the spirit of the event:

• sorting trays should not be used to intentionally extend the size of the puzzling surface by extending over the edge of the table.  If your trays hang over the edge of the table, our volunteers will ask you to adjust your trays.

• all trays combined should not be larger than the puzzling area.

o   3’ x 2.5’ for 500 piece puzzles.

o   6’ x 2.5’ for 1000 piece puzzles.

• sorting trays should not interfere with the puzzling space of other participants when using shared table.

• all trays with pieces on them must remain on the table surface or in your hand.

• trays with pieces should not be placed on the floor, chairs, or a participant's lap.

Starting:

• Competitors must place all belongings under the table surface. No items should be in the walkways.

• Turn off all potential distractions, phones should be set to silent and any music should be played through headphones at a volume that will not disrupt your neighbours.

• Until the host has reviewed the rules, indicates the start of the competition and starts the timer, the participants cannot peak in or open the puzzle bags that are on the table.

• Puzzles will be obscured in a bag before the competition begins. Once the timer begins, the bag containing the puzzle may be opened. The bag may not be altered or opened before this point or the competitor will be disqualified.

• Puzzle seals will be pre-cut before the competition begins so competitors will not have to use any cutting tools. If your puzzle is sealed when it should not be, do not attempt to open it but instead quickly notify a judge and they will assist you to open the box and mark down the delay of your starting time to ensure your finish time is not affected.

• Once puzzle boxes and piece bags have been opened, piece bags should be kept by the competitors in case a piece(s) was accidentally left inside.

Finishing:

• When you are close to completing your puzzle, a spotter may be near, if not, raise your hand to notify a spotter.  
• When you have completed the puzzle, the spotter will record your time on your time card and turn it in to have your time officially recorded. Cheering is welcome and encouraged.

• In the case of a missing piece(s)

o   The spotter will record the finish time

o   You are encouraged to look for the piece

o   If you find the piece, the spotter will record your new time to a maximum of a ten second penalty per piece.

o   If the piece is not found, it will be deemed a manufacturing defect and no time penalty will be imposed.

o   If a participant refuses to search for the missing piece, an automatic ten second penalty per piece will be imposed.

• Once finished, participants are asked to avoid distracting neighboring puzzlers that are still competing. Participants may leave their table but are asked not to wander in the competition area or talk loudly in adjacent areas. 

• If you do not finish the puzzle in the allotted time, you will stop puzzling and volunteers will count the remaining individual or 3-cluster pieces and use this to determine your finishing position.

Pairs Information

• The pairs event allows 1.5 hours to complete a 500 piece puzzle.

• Each pair will share a 6’ x 2.5’ table.  This means each pair will be working with 3’ x 2.5’ space to complete their puzzle and partners will be working on opposite sides of the table.

• Since using shared tables, participants are not to invade the area of the adjacent participant or hinder their construction. Disqualification could result if a participant seriously hinders another participant’s progress, or continues to be a disturbance after reminders.

• Changes to a pair: Manual changes can be made up to the day of the event. They will be made manually on the time cards. If a participant is running late, they may join the team when they arrive. No changes in team members will be allowed after the competition has begun.

Teams Information

• Teams must be composed of 4 people.

• The teams event allows 2.5 hours to complete a 1000 piece puzzle.

• Each team will have their own 6’ x 2.5’ table.

• Changes to team members: Changes can be made up to the day of the event. They will be made manually on the time cards. If a teammate is running late, they may join the team when they arrive. No changes in team members will be allowed once the competition has started.