Rule #1: The goal of this tournament is to have fun! If there is any dispute, problem, question or argument, please refer to Rule #1.

Tournament format: (The format will be very similar to previous years.)

Heats: There will be three heats.

* Players will be randomly assigned to 4-player games. If the number of players in a heat is not diivisible by 4, a number of 3-player games will be used.

* As much as possible, GM will not assign players who you can play regularly (same family/city) in the same game. Players who select MoV as their Team Tournament game will not play in a game with another member of their own team.

* Winning one game in any heat will very likely qualify you to play in the semifinals.

* You may enter any number of heats you like - even if you already have qualified for the semifinals. Please inform the GM if you played in an earlier heat so he can use the same scorecard.

* GM will post a list of qualifiers after each heat on the Merchant of Venus kiosk. If you decide not to play in the semifinals, please inform the GM.

* All heat games will be played to $2000 within a three-hour time limit. If the game is not completed in the time limit, GM may adjudicate a result.

* Prizes: GM is offering the following prizes for winning a heat game: a set of six plastic rocket ship pawns, a set of large IOU chits, a set of larger port & factory deeds, two different sets of alternate ships (From the General and Roberto Ullfig) or a copy of the Green Taters variant. Winner receives choice of one item.

* Fantasy Flight edition: The Classic version of the FFG edition will be used as an option. (The FFG Standard edition takes too long.) If a player would like to play the FFG edition during a heat, please ask before table assignment to be assigned to a FFG table.

* Default game is played under standard AH Merchant of Venus rules.

Semifinals: The semifinals will begin on Saturday at 9 am Sharp.

* The number of qualifiers from the heats will determine the number of semifinal games:
· 9 or fewer: three 3-player games
· 10 - 12: four 3-player games.
· 13 -16: four 4-player games.
· 17 - 20: five 4-player games.
· 21 - 25: five 5-player games.
· 26 - 30: six 5-player games.
· 31- 36: six 6-player games.

* More than 36 qualifiers: If there are more than 36 game winners, we will cut to 36 semifinalists according to the following criteria (in the following order if still tied after each criteria is applied):

1. Best result in another heat game (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Not Played), go to third best heat if still tied.

2. Best Score in another heat game (as used for determining alternates), go to third best score if still tied.

3. Lowest score of runner-up in the game you won (Likely will only occur if you play (& win) one heat.)

4. Dice roll

* Alternates: The highest scores (see next page) among the non-winners in the heats will be alternates to fill out the field in the semifinals in cases where the field is not completely filled or if qualifiers fail to appear. The highest scoring alternates present at the starting time will be given the spots in the semifinals.

* Assignment to semifinal games will be done in the same manner as in the heats.

* All semifinal & Final games will be standard AH Merchant of Venus rules. FFG edition will not be used.

* Semifinal games will be played to $3000, unless 6-player games are used -- in which case play to $2000.

* Only winners in the semifinals will advance to the Final.

Final:

* The Final will immediately follow the semifinals.

* The Final Game will be played to $3000, unless a 6-player game is used--in which case play to $2000.

Record Keeping: A sheet will be given to each table to record the official results of each game. Record the Turn order, which ship(s) and equipment a player uses and relics acquired by each player. (This information will not be used in the tournament, just for informational purposes only.) Please circle the name of the winner. Include any interesting events or comments in the space provided on the back. This will help in writing my tournament report. Thanks!

Victory: Victory will be determined normally - the first player to declare on their turn when they have $2000 or $3000 in cash and deeds will win the game. It is possible that another player may have more money & deeds than the winner. There is no benefit to acquiring more than you need to win. $100 over the line is no better than $1.

Scoring: (IMPORTANT NOTE) A player's score at the end of the game will consist of total value of cash, deeds and purchase price of any goods being carried on the player's ship. (IOU's, equipment, fares, relics and ship have no value.) This score will only be used to rank alternates, if any are needed, at the semifinals. (GM Note: The reason for this change is to prevent artificial play at the end of the game where a player who cannot win might choose not to purchase goods that would otherwise lower his score. Always try to play for the win.)

Errata, Rules Clarifications, etc.:

* Please double check all IOU's as they are discovered and make sure player receives the correct deed and the correct factory good is placed when a factory is built. There have been cases of players making these mistakes and correcting these errors are difficult.

* IOU's may only be viewed at orbit boxes (exception: Spy Eye). On a space station or city on a planet, if you pick up the IOU, you must stop & discover the culture living there. (This mainly applies in the Cloud and Interstellar Biosphere. Rules 7.2 & 7.3))

* Combat rules are not in play in any game. However, the Relic Laser is in play. It may not be used for combat, but it may be bartered at any system for $50 credit.

* If a player fails to indicate initial direction of movement or rolls the wrong number of dice or if a die is cocked or rolled off of the table, they must re-roll all dice.

* Unless all players at a table agree, all players must use the same set of dice.

* Exposed "taters": If a "?" marker is accidentally exposed, mix it with the other leftovers and redraw.

* At start of game, the Culture ID chit and goods for each race should be laid out beside the board so that players can determine which races have not yet been discovered.

* Barter: Bartered items (IOU's or equipment including relics & ships) may not be traded for cash, only goods, deeds, ship and/or equipment. Any value remaining on the bartered item that cannot be traded for goods, deeds or equipment is lost. Bartered equipment and ships (not IOU's) count as a sale subject to the "buy 1/sell 1 item on arrival" rule. You must always own one ship. (Rules 9.32, 9.41, 3.4, General 26-1)

* Fares do NOT count as a purchase or sale. They are not subject to the "buy 1/sell 1 item on arrival" rule. They do not generate a 10% commission when delivered to a port. (Rule: 12.22)

* Rule 11.4, trading with another player while stopped at the same location, will not be allowed in this tournament.

* The counter mix does NOT limit the number of factories/spaceports that a player may own. Use an unused token of another color if a player runs out.

* A commission of 10% of the face value of an IOU is paid to the owner of the spaceport where an IOU is used. (General 26-1)

* Guard Plants (Factory Good for the Nillis, 1a, AH ed.) sell for $140 as shown on the Player Aid cards & Deed, not the $160 shown on the counter.

* The Cup: Chits should be returned to the cup and drawn one at a time. If an item is sold with a demand marker: The good is returned first and a chit is drawn from the cup. Then, the demand marker is returned and a chit is drawn from the cup. Finally, the next item may be sold.

* To speed play, another player may draw the chits from the cup while someone else conducts buying and selling. All chits are to be announced as they are drawn, including fares/demands for undiscovered races.

* Factory goods (if available) may be purchased at any port, city or space station in the system.

* Players need not announce their pilot number until they first enter a Navigation Circle or Telegate on their turn.

* GM reserves right to adjudicate rules questions. Any rulings made will apply in all further rounds of the event. Please call the GM or an assistant GM to resolve a rule question.

Differences in play between AH Merchant of Venus and FFG "Classic" Merchant of Venus:

	AH Version	FFG "Classic" Version
IOU's	No special buying privileges with an IOU.	Goods, equipment & ships fully purchased with an IOU do NOT count as a "buy" for "1 Buy/1 Sell" rule. Anything bought all or in part with credits, counts as a "buy"
Relics:	* Gate Lock must be used at start of movement. * Laser is in play. Since combat is not in play in this tournament, Laser can only be bartered for $50.	* Gate Lock may be used/not used at any point on movement. * Laser is not in play.
Board:	* Western end of Colony World system is 2 blue dots. * Neutron Port orbit is in Multi-Generation Ship system.	* Western end of Colony World system has a Blue 30 penalty and navigation circle.* * Misprint: Orbit is located in another navigation circle.
Numbering:	1-10, some use same number designated by a letter. Good may be sold to next 3 numbers (ignoring any letters.)	1-14, Good may be sold to next 4 or 5 numbers, see bottom of each goods counter.
Selling Price:	Guard Plants (1a Nillis Factory Good) is misprinted. Selling Price is $140 (as on Deed & Aid Cards)	All regular goods have 3 selling prices used in the Standard Game. Only the White middle price is used in the Classic Game.
Factory Goods:	Factory Goods are named differently from regular Goods. No Demands exist for Factory Goods.	Factory Goods have the same name as the regular good from their Culture. Demands pay out on Factory Goods.
Commissions:	All commissions are paid immediately after buy or sell and can be used to fund buying later in the turn.	Port commissions are paid only after all buying/selling is completed for the turn. Factory Commissions are paid immediately.

* Michael Christopher's (aka: Dathkadan) PnP artwork features this change and will be in play if a set is in use - Otherwise all AH rules will be in effect on this board..

GM may remove a player for deliberate cheating or abusive behavior. Always remember Rule #1.

The GM will provide a selection of science fiction DVDs as additional prizes.