Play the innovative and challenging game of Ra! by Rio Grande Games that spans three epochs of Egyptian history. This game is very easy to learn and fun to play with no additional house rules of any kind. Beginners are most welcome, and rules will be taught at the scheduled teaching demo in Paradise Terrace and can often be learned in any of the numerous Rio Grande playing demos in Cafe Jay or open gaming. The game will NOT be taught during or just prior to the actual event. The object of the game is to accumulate the most points by the end of the third and final epoch.

Two-hour, 5-player games: Play in any or all of the four heats.

The top 25 players will advance to Single Elimination play in Round 2 using the following HMWG tie-breakers:

ADVANCEMENT TIE-BREAKERS: In Multiple Entry, Single Elimination events for multi-player games, players possibly qualify for Single Elimination play in the second round by winning any of up to four preliminary Heats. Occasionally, players may advance wihout winning a heat. Players can enter one or more Heats without limit. All events for most multi-player games consist of three rounds; an opening Round consisting of two to four Preliminary Heats, a semifinal and a Final. The semifinal round will advance a predesignated optimum number of players to fill the second round; i.e., 25 players for a 5-player game, 16 players for a 4-player game, etc. but in all cases will advance no more than half of all players which participated in the Preliminaries. If insufficient players advance to warrant a semifinal round, the scheduled semifinal will instead become the Final.

Heats: Most Wins (HMW)—Standard tiebreakers used to trim the field or identify alternates to complete the field, as listed below in the following order:
1. Most Wins (e.g., total in all heats entered);
2. Win in first Heat entered;
3. Win in second Heat entered;
4. Win in third Heat entered;
5. Win in fourth Heat entered;
6. GM specific tie-breaker: Most 2nds;
7. Greatest margin of victory over runner-up score; and
8. High dice roll.

Since a win won in the first heat played beats a win won in the second heat played, and so on—there is no penalty whatsoever for continuing to play in additional heats—you can only improve your chances—not lessen them—by continuing to play—but it is is still possible to qualify to advance by playing in only one heat].

If 25 winners don’t appear for the semifinals, a fequent occurence, the field will be filled with non-winners according to the same format as the winners. Most 2nd’s, a 2nd in the first heat, a 2nd in the second heat, etc. The argument against non-winners advancing was that a non-winner could win the tournament. That’s not true. To win, you will still have to win at least two games even if they come in the last two rounds.

Egyptian themed prizes donated by Jake Jacoby and the GM.