The Contest Center - Puzzle Rules

Detailed rules for the Tournament of Riches puzzle contest

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TOURNAMENT of RICHES
WIN $1,000 to $25,000
The Contest Center
59 DeGarmo Hills Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

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GENERAL RULES
       Please read these rules carefully before you enter. All players must agree to these rules as a condition of entry.

       The Tournament of Riches contest is open to any legally adult person, except employees of the Contest Center, its suppliers, or their families. The contest has a series of monthly puzzles called Round 1 puzzles. Only one Round 1 entry is allowed per household each month. Each puzzle consists of a grid, a list of words, and rules for placing the words in the grid and for scoring the solution. Each entry must be postmarked by the given deadline, and received within 7 days thereafter. Each monthly puzzle has an $11 entry fee. No puzzle will be accepted without the entry fee. The entry fee pays for the chance to win a $35 Round 1 prize, with the option of continuing to higher rounds to try for larger prizes.

       All competing entries in each monthly puzzle are judged in groups of 6 players. The Contest Center assigns the players in each group; players cannot choose their own groups. In each group of 6 the highest-scoring correct entry will win $35. The prize for a group of 6 players is $175 in Round 2, $1,000 in Round 3, and $5,000 in Round 4. Each winner has the option of taking the prize, or risking it to play for a larger prize in the next round. Puzzles for the higher rounds will be mailed automatically when 6 eligible players are available. There is no fee for Rounds 2, 3 and 4. A player can reach a higher round only by winning in a group of 6 players and risking the prize won. The player gets one entry to the next higher round for each risked prize.

       There is no limit to the total number or total value of prizes that will be awarded in any round. The more competing entries that are received, the more prizes will be paid. The number of prizes in each round depends on how many winners in each round choose to go ahead to the next round. It is possible that fewer than 6 players will choose to risk their prizes, and therefore no prizes will be awarded in the next higher round.

       If the number of entries in Round 1 is not a multiple of 6, smaller groups will be formed, as needed. The prize will be $30 for 5 players, $25 for 4 players, $20 for 3 players, and $15 for 2 players. In a group of 1 the entry fee will be refunded.

       In the event of ties, the Contest Center will divide the prize money among all tied players. The winner of a divided prize cannot advance to the next round.

       A player may continue to enter monthly until a total of $1,000 or more has been won and paid. At that point, the player may no longer enter any Round 1 puzzles, but may continue to play in higher rounds. When a player reaches a total of $25,000 no further prize money will be paid, and all of the player's currently active entries will be cancelled. The use of computers and collaboration among contestants is forbidden, and any person suspected of such cheating may be disqualified summarily, without recourse or refund.

       The results of each puzzle, that is, the names of winners, amounts won, and the top-scoring solution, will be mailed to all participants within 60 days after the puzzle deadline. If the player decides not to continue to the next round (or fails to notify us within 15 days) the prize will be paid with the next monthly mailing.

       At the conclusion of the contest, as many full groups of 6 players will be formed for the higher rounds. The remaining players awaiting puzzles in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 will be paid any prizes won in lower rounds (that is, the amounts they elected to risk). Then all players who started the contest by Jan. 31, 2000 will be paid the deficiency, if any, between the total amount of money won and $1,000, so that every such player who has completed the entire series of monthly Round 1 puzzles will receive at least $1,000. This payment is an incentive for the player to remain in the contest until the end. The finish of the contest will be staggered so that all remaining players will play the same number of months, and therefore will pay the same total amount in entry fees.

       Any player who fails to return each monthly puzzle with the entry fee, misses a monthly deadline, or has payment refused on a check will be deemed incomplete, and will not be eligible for this payment at the end of the contest. The Contest Center may, at its sole discretion, reinstate a player who has missed one or more monthly puzzles. The player will not receive credit for any months missed.

       It is not possible to predict beforehand how long the contest will last. With a high rate of dropouts it might last just a few months, but it is possible that the contest could last for several years. Prizes will be paid continually throughout the contest.

       The odds of winning depend entirely on the player's skill. No luck or chance is involved. This is not a drawing or a sweepstakes. Among players of equal skill, the odds of winning a prize in any group of 6 players is 1 in 6, and proportionally higher for smaller groups. Thus a player starting in Round 1 and electing to continue through all 4 rounds would have 1 chance in 36 of winning a Round 2 prize, 1 in 216 of winning Round 3, and 1 in 1296 of winning Round 4.

       Entries must be submitted by regular first class mail only. Registered, certified and express mail, or delivery by other than the U.S. Postal Service will not be accepted. Improved or corrected entries may be submitted at any time up to the puzzle deadline for a $2 processing fee. The Contest Center is not responsible for lost, damaged or delayed mail. Any request for a refund for the current month's puzzle must be mailed by the puzzle deadline and received before the judging has begun. No refunds for any prior month's puzzle will be given. The decision of the judges is final in all matters.

       All payments must be in U.S. dollars. Foreign contestants must pay by check or money order in U.S. dollar amounts payable against U.S. banks.

       All taxes are the responsibility of the player. U.S. winners of $600 or more in any calendar year must furnish their taxpayer identification numbers. This contest is void in Italy, Quebec, and wherever prohibited, taxed, or otherwise regulated.

       Each player allows the use of his or her name and likeness to be used in promotional materials without further compensation, and must furnish a suitable current photograph if requested.

       We welcome comments, suggestions and questions about our puzzles. Any question must be accompanied by a long SASE to receive an answer. Send all questions to The Contest Center, 59 DeGarmo Hills Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

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