How on earth am I going to keep track of what is going on, and who I’m supposed to be playing against (or with)???

This will all be organized for you. As long as you can read your email, and turn up for your scheduled games, that is all you need to do.

I don’t want to play against Player ‘X’. They smell.

Then don’t play in this tournament. This is meant to be all about getting to know the people you work with.

What happens if I miss a game because of a last minute appointment that I have to attend?

As long as you try to let your fellow players (and me, the tournament organizer) know, then the occasional missed game will be tolerated.

What happens if I miss lots of games for no good reason at all, and I’m too lazy to tell anyone?

Then you will be expelled from the tournament (and very possibly from the Genome Center).

What happens if two players dispute a point?

Try to resolve all differences amicably. It’s just a game, please be courteous. If I’m there to watch the game, then my decision will be final.

Why can’t I score a goal directly from the kick-off with my midfield players?

As you will know - if you have read the rules - this is not allowed. Some of the rules that we follow in Genome Center Foosball are all about making the game a more beautiful thing to watch. We would like to encourage an attractive, passing style, not just ‘hit the ball as hard as I can as soon as I can’. It is debatable as to whether this has succeeded as certain players (I’m mentioning no names Artem) have made the ‘power game’ a large part of their strategy. Goals scored directly from the midfield are very annoying, especially when you are on the receiving end. However, you can can ‘shoot’ with your midfield bar, and if it takes a deflection off of your offensive players, then this is a valid goal. It’s very tacky and against the spirit of the game though. Try to score goals where you are intentionally aiming the ball somewhere.

How much time will I have to spend playing?

Some games can be finished in a couple of minutes ...other games might take 5 minutes or longer. You might be expected to play twice a week...this really depends on i) how many players enter the tournament and ii) how many games get cancelled or postponed

Can I play a game at lunchtime?

No. For the sake of other people who have to work nearby, games can only be played after 5:00 pm

What about at 4:00?

No. If you are found playing before 5:00, you will be thrown out of the tournament

When will the tournament begin?

Hopefully on Friday 6th November.

When will the tournament end?

When all the games are finished. Previous tournaments have taught me that things always fall behind schedule. I hope that all games will be finished in March, but that really depends on how many players there are.

I didn’t get a Nintendo Wii for my birthday, and now I’m sad.

Then what better excuse to play a game which is fun and which lets you get to know your Genome Center colleagues.