[ColleenShaver]

I have to disagree with that intepretation of the rule..

For instance, if you stack four bins but flip the top bin such that it counts in the five zone, then your intepretation would involve subtracting an extra point for a bin that is not in the stack.

Example: You have a stack of four bins and four other bins in your scoring area. The top bin in the stack is flipped over such that it extends into the "5" zone.

The score, I believe would be:

5 (for the stack) x 4 (on the floor) = 20 points

Your interpretation yields:

8 (total bins) - 5 (stack height) = 3 x 5 (stack height) = 15 points

But to answer the initial question about the pyramid stacking.. we discussed this today. I think it was our general determination that it would count as one stack of 5 and none of the 9 bins would count for points, based on the way the rules read. I think it's an excellent question to pose for FIRST for their clarification because it is not really stated in the rules. Another interpretation would be that one stack of four would count, and the other 4 would be counted as 1-point bins and the top bin negated because it is supported by both.