Rules

Rules refers to the policies and procedures governing gameplay at tournaments. (Sets of rules are sometimes called "formats", a usage that can create confusion with the different concept of tournament format.)

The following rule sets are in common, current nationwide use:

• NAQT rules, sometimes with modifications to the rules about timed play
• ACF rules, sometimes with the modification of adding powers
• PACE rules (by far the least common at local tournaments, but prominently used at the NSC)

The modifications mentioned are common; other modifications also occur.

Many statewide organizations, leagues, etc. have their own rules.

Comparison of common rule sets

Aspect	NAQT rules	ACF rules	PACE rules
Match length	timed with two halves of 9 minutes (middle school, high school) or 10 minutes (college) each	20 tossup-bonus cycles	20 tossup-bonus cycles
Players at a time on each team	4	4	4
Regular tossup value	10 points	10 points	10 points
Powers	15 points	Not available	20 points
Interrupt penalties	–5 points	–5 points	Not issued
Time after recognition to answer a tossup	2 seconds	5 seconds	5 seconds
Tossup "time to live"	3 seconds	5 seconds	5 seconds
Bonuses	3 parts, 10 points each	3 parts, 10 points each	3 parts, 10 points each
Bounceback bonuses	No	No	Yes
Time per bonus part	5 seconds; prompt after 4	5 seconds; prompt after 4	Controlling team: 5 seconds; prompt after 4. Non-controlling team: 3 seconds, no prompt
Timeouts	one (30 seconds) per team	one (30 seconds) per team	one (30 seconds) per team
Substitutions	At timeouts, at halftime, or before overtime	At halftime or before overtime	At halftime or before overtime
Overtime	Three tossups without bonuses, then sudden death if necessary	Sudden death	Sudden death