As promised, here is the new top 20 of ways to lose stylepoints. The numbers between brackets are the positions on the last list, which must have been around round 58, looking at the positions. Reasons that move up are thus the ones that scored high during the last 30 or so rounds. 1. ( 1) The rule is not restrictive enough, or the restrictions are too easy to cirucumvent. 2. ( 2) The rule is too long 3. ( 3) The rule does not stick to theme, or spoils it. 4. ( 5) The rule, or its restriction, is sloppily phrased (often causing #1). 5. ( 4) Reposting, resubmitting or copying a rule 6. (--) The rule does not contain any restriction at all 7. ( 9) Spelling errors. 8. ( 6) Strange restrictions. 9. (--) Some or all of the restrictions apply to specific rules only. 10. (--) Typos 11. (10) The rule is invalidated because of a restriction in another rule by the same player. 12. ( 7) The rule imposes a restriction that is already in force. 13. ( 8) The rule, or its restriction, is too complicated. 14. (--) The restriction is too harsh. 15. (16) The rule, or its restriction, is unclear. 16. (14) The restriction is similar to an earlier restriction in the same round. 17. (18) The rule makes the round look too much like an older round. 18. (--) The rule or its restriction is 'not interesting'. 19. (11) The rule forces future rules to be long. 20. (12) Knowledge of languages other than English is necessary Disappeared from the list: (11) The rule does not follow its own restriction. (13) The rule gets too close to invalidation. (15) The rule causes too much work for the players and the judge. (19) The rule is Invalid. (20) The rule requires some knowledge (other than lingual) that is not present with the judge. Chart murmurs (fast movers that did not reach the chart: The rule keeps to a Restriction in a trivial way only. Ordinary, routine Rule. The rule restricts only one player or group of players. Uninteresting or unoriginal restriction. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For positive stylepoints, these are the top-20 reasons. The old list only contained ten here, but now I can get to 20. 1. 1. The rule is short 2. 2. Sticking to the theme. 3. 3. Finding a loophole in, or a way around, another rule (and using it). 4. 4. A first rule that sticks to or enforces the theme. 5. 9. Giving a twist to the theme or title of the round. 6. 8. Allusions and references (outside the FRC). 7. 5. Giving a nice new twist to the round. 8. (--) Humor, irony. 9. (--) Setting a pitfall or trap. 10. (--) Restriction that will make the round interesting. 11. (--) 'Interesting'. 12. 6. Good response to another rule. 13. (--) Nice idea. 14. (--) Using a nice or original word like 'aespixelation' 15. 10. The restrictions in the rule are adhered to by past rules too. 16. 7. It's the first rule (overall) of that player. 17. (--) Well phrased. 18. (--) Reference to or pun on the theme of the round. 19. (--) Sensible restriction. 20. (--) Creative. Chart murmurs: Amusement value. The judge is in a good mood. Sticking to INVALID Rules too. Subtle restriction. Making things easier. Battling a player on his own ground or with his own rule. Opening possibilities. Being VALID. Being the first rule in times not to do something unstylish. -- Andre Engels, engels@win.tue.nl http://www.win.tue.nl/~engels/index_en.html "Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently" - Rosa Luxemburg