Rules of ettiquette:

NEVER....
... get angry, it's JUST a game.
... correct your partner on the main, use Zone Messages if you do get angry or want to make a point.
... quit a game just because you made a mistake. Most mistakes can be overcome because  the opponents also make mistakes.
... use profanity, there are lots of children in the Zone.
... play in a room which is not designated for your game or your skill level.
... turn off the Kibitz or turn on the Silent Kibitz without asking everyone at the table.
... flood the main with anything. Allow 10 lines of text between repeat remarks.

ALWAYS...
... be gracious and courteous, even when someone is bothering you. You have the option of using your Ignore Switch and you can hide your cards from anyone who might pop in for a visit.
... be kind to newbies, you were a newbie once.
... play fairly, even when someone else is being a bad sport.
... try to warn your partner if you lose your connection. It's a good idea to remember your partner and your table number in case of a "boot".

Zone Terminology:
Most of the terms are just abbreviations for common phrases:
lol - laughing out loud (when your comment is to be taken humorously or someone said something funny)
rofl - rolling on floor laughing (for when it's hilarious)
reg - regular (we play three forms of Spades: Regular, Mirrors, & Suicide)
@ - at (mostly seen in requests for games "new reg @ 27" a new regular game at table 27)
nnp - nice nil partner
npp - nice playing partner or no problem partner
nsp - nice set partner
nbp - nice bagging partner
    (all these can be used without the final p to compliment your opponents)
wtg - way to go
btdt - been there, done that
btdthtts - been there, done that, have the T shirt

Zone Spades Games:

    Regular - Game is played to 500 or to -200. Ten points per trick bid, one point for each extra trick taken. Extra tricks mount up quickly and cost you 100 points when you have acquired 10 of them.
    Mirrors - Your bid "mirrors" the number of trumps in your hand. If you have 3 spades, you bid three. The total always equals 13. I enjoy the game, but it can be over in a few hands or can take all day. My personal long game record is 36 hands - unfinished.
    Suicide - One member of each team must go nil on each hand. It doesn't matter which partner. The basic rule of thumb is "If you don't have the Ace of Spades or don't have over four spades, go nil." Two things to remember: the King-Queen combo is always a loser, and WAIT until your turn to bid.

Clubs:

No matter which game you choose to play in the Zone, there are clubs which offer memberships to anyone willing to accept their rules. If you prefer to have dependable and courteous partners all the time, consider joining one of the clubs I have listed here.
 

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