WSBG FAQ
ring Tournament Structure
You can play in one Ring Event per day. Choose carefully and play until you lose.
A maximum of four: Each competitor may only play in one Ring Event per day.
No game was selected as one of our 16 Ring Events on an individual basis. Our final 16 were chosen to form a cohesive representation of old and new, simple and complex, this mechanic and that mechanic. Many very deserving games were left out of our field of chosen qualifiers. But don’t give up hope – the field of games will change from year-to-year.
Ring Events are official qualifying events for the World Series of Board Gaming’s Sunday Playoffs. The 16 Ring Event Winners will compete against one another for the Grand Prize and recognition as the best board gamer on the planet. Outer Ring Events are single game tournaments that will take place at the WSBG, and will be open to Ring Event Competitors and Outer Ring Players. Outer Ring Events will be smaller and very informal, but the winners will still get some great stuff! Join the WSBG Guild to receive our newsletter.
You can definitely win more than one! It’s both possible and beneficial to win multiple rings. If you win more than one ring, the Playoffs will begin with fewer than 16 Semifinalists.
Anyone who wins more than one Ring Event will be assigned seats. They then may decide which of those seats they wish to fill. The seat they choose not to fill will remain empty.
Game Rules
Experienced, objective floor judges will monitor the games, rotating after a set amount of time. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
No. No competitor will play with their own copy of the game. Selected copies will be used at an adjacent table, by a different group of players.
Table talk is allowed until it becomes harassing or offensive. If an opponent politely asks that you cease your behavior, you will be expected to do so. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Using phones and electronic devices during the WSBG is at best a distraction and at worst a means to cheat. They will simply not be allowed in sight. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Rulings will be made and reconciled by WSBG staff. If necessary, those rulings may be appealed, until a final consensus is reached by at least two of WSBG’s Game Masters.
We realize that there is a lot to play for, and that there will be some big decisions to make. Taking an extra minute or two at a crucial point in a game is certainly to be expected. The WSBG has allowed reasonable allotments of time to complete each round of qualifying. Any slow play which jeopardizes a game finishing on time will be dealt with by putting players on a clock, but this will not occur until after they have received a warning. We do want to stress here, however, that no competitor will advance by “running out the clock.” In the unlikely event that a game must end due to time constraints, disqualifications may be issued to any players who had been warned for stalling. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
The answer to this question is very complex, and as much as we hope this situation doesn’t arise, we know that it will. Mistakes inevitably happen. We expect you to play correctly and we expect your opponents to make sure you play correctly. We expect you to play fairly, and we expect your opponents to make sure you play fairly. WSBG officials will issue warnings and correct mistakes as best they can, but the possibility does exist that repeated procedural mistakes may indeed result in disqualification. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Because some of these games are very new, the WSBG will continue to playtest Ring Event games in tournament environments throughout the next few months. Final rules and variants will be announced by August 1, so competitors will know exactly what to expect and have a few weeks to prepare. Remember, most games will be played using just the base game.
- 7 Wonders will use the 2nd Edition and the 2nd Edition Leaders expansion.
- Terraforming Mars will use the Prelude expansion.
- Acquire will not use the latest edition rules or the square board.
- Be prepared to play either side of the Azul board.
- Great Western Trail will use the 2nd Edition.
- Terraforming Mars will draft both Preludes and Projects.
The official language of the World Series of Board Gaming will be English. Each competitor will be responsible for providing their own translator if needed. Read more about gameplay, ticketing and other WSBG policies in our Code of Conduct.
Tickets and Registration
1) As a Ring Event Competitor. Purchasing a Ring Event Pass is the only way to
compete for the $25,000 Grand Prize.
Ring Event Competitors may play in a matching number of Ring Event tournaments,
depending on which Ring Event Pass they bought. Example: Buying a 2 Ring Pass
allows them to play in two Ring Event tournaments.
All Ring Event Competitors have access to any/all other activities and events at the
WSBG, space and time allowing. This includes Outer Ring Tournaments, Open Gaming,
Vendor Booths, etc.
If you want to experience the full excitement of the WSBG, consider the 4 Ring Pass to
be your “all access” ticket to tremendous value and fun; a five day, dream board game
vacation at a great hotel in the center of the Las Vegas strip.
2) As an Outer Ring Competitor. Purchasing an Outer Ring Pass provides a different
way to experience tournament gaming. Outer Ring competitors will not be playing in the
$25,000 “main event”, but can still win some great prizes by playing in our Outer Ring
Tournaments.
There will be many great games in the WSBG Outer Rings, and we are very proud that
one of our Outer Ring competitors will be crowned as the 2023 Dice Throne World
Champion.
Outer Ring passholders will also have access to Open Gaming, Vendor Booths, and
many of the other WSBG attractions and activities.
Those purchasing an Outer Ring Pass who later decide that they want to play for the
Grand Prize can choose to upgrade their pass at any time before September 1, 2023.
Be careful not to wait too long, though, or all the spots in your favorite Ring Event might
fill up.
3) As a guest of a Ring Event Competitor. These casual players may enjoy Open
Gaming, Vendor Booths, and other activities at the WSBG, but MAY NOT compete in
any Ring Event or Outer Ring tournaments.
Guest Passes may only be purchased by Ring Event competitors. They are not
available for purchase by those holding Outer Ring Passes or the general public.
The WSBG is currently allowing players to change their Ring Events as long as the Ring Event they want to switch to is not at full capacity. This policy will end no later than September 1st. Requests for changes can be made in the Player Portal.
Your can play in as many Outer Ring Games that you both have time for and there are available seats. Outer Ring Ticket Holders can pre register for 5 Outer Ring Games, saving them a seat at each table. BUT both Outer Ring and Ring Players can register to play in any open Outer Ring Game while they are at the event.
Cancellation Policy – All tickets cancelled prior to April 1, can choose either a full refund minus 3% bank processing fee, or have their ticket funds transferred to the following year’s WSBG Vegas event. Tickets cancelled after March 31 and before Aug. 1, will have full ticket credit transferred to the following year’s WSBG Vegas event. Any ticket cancelled after July 31 and before Sept. 1, will be accessed a $50 cancellation fee and the balance of funds will be transferred to the following year’s WSBG Vegas event. There will be no cancellations accepted after September 1st for the current year’s event.
Open gaming tickets are not available for purchase at any time. There will certainly be open gaming at the WSBG, but the hall is only open to Competitors and their Guests. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Anyone wishing to compete in the World Series of Board Gaming must purchase a ticket before September 1st.
Guests
WSBG is created around three Events. 1. Main Ring Event (16 Ring Games and Finals). 2. ORG (Outer Ring Games) where Players compete to be the best in a single game. 3. Side Events, open to all attendees to relax and have fun. Guests may participate in all Side Event activities at the World Series of Board Gaming. A large game library, open gaming tables, an Exhibitor Hall, game demos, Ceremonies and, of course, the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip.
When a WSBG Player checks in at registration, they will be given any applicable Guest Passes. These Guest Passes allow access to all WSBG Side Event activities (game library, open gaming tables, Exhibitor Hall, game demos, Ceremonies and, of course, the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip). Guests are otherwise free to come and go as they please.
No. Only registered competitors may compete in Ring Events—not their guests. Ring Event badges MAY NOT be shared. If one of your guests decides they would like to play in the World Series of Board Gaming, they would need to purchase a ticket before September 1.
Have a question about WSBG Vegas that isn’t answered here? Read our Code of Conduct or contact us.
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