Game Time Q&A Page

General Rule Questions

Question from Melissa

Are they able to put a small identifying mark on their containers (like with a sharpie)  to tell which mission they go and also to help us keep straight which team it belongs to since there are so many pieces?

Doug's Response

A review of the General Rules:  Robot Construction, Rules 2-1 through 2-8.

There is NO rule that states you CANNOT mark the LEGOs of your containers.

So, YES you can mark the containers with a Sharpie.

Honestly, I would prefer that they not mark the containers and use their mind/memory to know the difference between the containers.

1/21/26                        _______________________

Questions from Amanda

I registered several teams for the competition.  My students found out today that there is a band event on that day.  We are trying to see if they can do both events.  If the scheduling doesn't work and they can't do both events is there anyway to switch a few of my teams to virtual?  Is it possible to have some teams compete in person and some compete virtually?  We are trying to explore all options so that they can participate in both events. 

Doug's Response

General Rules:  Eligibility, Rules 1-1 through 1-11

Your concern is quit common.  Review the General Rules referenced above.

In short, YES, you can have teams compete at multiple regions &/or virtually.  

You will have to make a decision by January 31.  After this date, you are not guaranteed that we will be able to switch the location.

1/21/26                             ____________________________

Question from Melissa

Is there a new drive train document for scoring on the quad or is it the same one from last year?

Response from Doug

It is the same as last year.  Locate Scoring the Quad Platform, Drive Source document found on the General Rules and other documents page.

1/21/26

Coaches Meeting Video:  Container scoring

Question from Lee

Can you clarify how the Mission Objects will score if they are placed within a container?  Does the container score the mission objects, or do the individual mission objects score?

Doug' Response

Thanks Lee for the question.  This may get a little wordy, so make sure to review the Coaches Meeting video and General Rules.

Overall, the Mission Object is the scoring item, not the container.  You do not receive a score based on the container position.

The referee will score the Mission Object by looking from above, looking downward, to see if the Mission Object crosses the line of the destination area.  For most, not all of the missions, once the Mission Object crosses the line, either "Partially" or "Completely" you will receive a score.

Review the characteristics of each Mission.  Some Missions require the Mission Object to be "Completely" in to score.

As an unwritten rule, make sure the referee can see how and where the Mission Objects are placed in your container.

Touch Penalty/ Yahtzee Dice, Yahtzee Cup

Question from David

The Yahtzee Cup was not supplied.  I need a description in the Missions & Rules document of what will be an acceptable Yahtzee Cup.

Response from Doug

The Yahtzee Cup is a container.  The Team should follow the Game Time Container document to construct a container or Yahtzee Cup.

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Question from Melissa

For the Yahtzee (Cup) container they have to shake overhead, but a lid is not required? 

Response from Doug

The Team Member should cover the opening of the Yahtzee Cup with their hand while shaking the cup.

1/21/26                            __________________________

Question from Melissa

Should the dice be completely out of view once on the mat? What if they are not?

Doug's Response

Yes

If the Dice is not covered by the Yahtzee Cup, then the Referee can see it.  If the Referee can see the Dice, then the Referee could potentially take it as a Touch Penalty, thus the team looses the potential to score the Dice.

1/21/26

Mission 1: Scrabble

Question from Amanda

Do the scrabble tiles have to be actual tiles from the game or can they be made of legos?

Response from Doug

Yes.

You can bring your own Scrabble Tiel to the tournament.  Notify the Referee when you approach the Competition Board.

Your Tiles can come from a Scrabble Board Game from school or a Team Members home.

Your Scrabble Tiles can be made of LEGOs.  Make sure each tile is separate.  Make sure each tile has a letter that is legible.

There are many ways to solve this.  Be creative and think out of the box.

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Question from Melissa

If they are not trying for the bonus can the scrabble tiles be stacked on top of each other as long as in a tray?

Doug's Response

Yes

1/21/26

Mission 3:  Playing Pool

Question from Steve

We wanted to make sure that this was a legitimate score. Would this be acceptable for the pool ball mission? 100 points, right?

(Picture provided to Doug.  Picture NOT shared to retain the strategy for the team.)

Doug's Response

Yes that works. This strategy would potentionally yeild a 100 point score for Playing Pool.

1/21/26

Mission 4: Jenga Blocks

Question from David

What happens if a Jenga Piece for the other tables lands on our table in a position where it can interfere with one of our mission runs.  Can we ask the referee to move the Jenga piece out of the way?

Response from Doug

No, the Referee will NOT remove the Jenga Blocks from your opponents table.

The Jenga Blocks become an obstacle your team will have to consider.  The Team will need to have a strategy which includes "Time Management" & "Robot Construction" which will consider these objects being in the way.

The Referee will consider the position of your Team's scoring Mission Objects.  If the opponents Jenga Blocks move a "Scoring Mission Object" to a "Non-Scoring Position", the Referee should still award your Team a positive score.  Make sure your Teammember is prepared to question the Referee if this occurs.

 Mission 5:  Crazy 8s

Question from Melissa

Verifying if the stack of cards in crazy 8s may be stacked on top of each other, as long as one card is touching the mat, or do they have to be fanned out so all touching?

Doug's Response

Both ways score:  "Fanned Out" & "Stacked".  Just make sure each card is above the Crazy 8s outline AND 1 card is "Touching" the mat.

1/21/26                 ___________________________

Question from Elizabeth

Are rubber bands that come with the lego sets allowed to be used to keep cards together for the crazy 8's mission?

Doug's Response

General Rule 2-4 states LEGO Brand pieces are allowed.

Yes, you can use LEGO Brand rubber bands.  They usually have a distinct color so we can identify them.

Make sure that at least 1 card is Touching the mat.  If the rubber band ellivates the cards such that NO card is Touching the mat, then you will recieve NO score.

1/21/26

Mission 6A: On the Green

Question from Stephen

Does the golf ball have to be completely in the white, in order to score the 40 points, or can it be partially in?

Response from Doug

1st, The entire "Green" area under the Quad Platform is considered the "On the Green" area.

2nd, As long as any part of the golf ball is "Completely" or "Partially" in the Green area or the White cup area, you will receive a score of 40 Points.

 Mission 7:  String Time

Question from Amanda

Do the dominos have to be lying flat or can they be standing up or on their side?

Doug's Response

I am struggling with how to answer this question.  I watched the video several times.  I read the Mission wording.  To play the game you need to be able to see the dimples.  I did NOT state that the dominos need to be flat.  In the video I stated teams did NOT need to place the domino dimples up.  I also stated the dimple count did not have to match from domino to domino.  So I am not following the game rules.  

I did state that the dominos should be in a "Row".  But then I also stated that they did not have to touch each other.  I also stated that the dominos would score if they were caotically placed between the Black Line and the Wall.  

So

Yes, the Dominos will score whether they are flat or standing, as long as a minimum of 5 dominos are in a scoring position.

1/21/26

 Mission 9:  Volley

Question from Rachael

What should we do if the shuttlecock brakes?

Doug's Response

As stated in the Coaches Meeting video, I am trying different materials for the Mission Objects.  The shuttlecock is an example of material I will not use in the future.

What should the school do?

So, if you need to replace your team's shuttlecock, go to Target, Walmart, Dicks or other retailer and buy a pack of shuttlecocks.  Make sure they are the same size. Use these to practice with.  Bring 1 or2 to the tournament with your team.  You will be allowed to use your shuttlecock in place of the RCX one at any tournament.

Sorry for this confusion.

Mission 11: Let's Play Chess

Question from Janet

Are the chess pieces counted as Partial or Complete?

Response from Doug

Each Chess piece scores separately.

The Chess piece MUST be vertical.

The Chess pieces can score both "Partially In" &/or "Completely In".