[ChrisH]

When your team is offered an alliance you may either accept or decline. If you decline, then you may not be asked by any other team. If you decline an alliance in the first round you might be allowed to accept another offer in the second round, but I don't think so. If you are already in the top 8 or are moved there by picking within the top eight seeds, you may form an alliance even if you have already declined an alliance.

Let's say that you are the #10 seed. You have noticed that the #1 and #3 seeds and the #2 and #5 seeds have been hanging around together, so you figure you're going to wind up #8 if not higher. If #1 should suprise you and make an offer, you may turn them down. But if you do forget any plans for an alliance with #6. Since you turned down one alliance, you will not be allowed to form another one with a lower ranked team. (Assuming the officials understand the rules) If, after turning down #1, things turn out as you originally expected then you will be allowed to compete in the elimination matches. But you will compete as the leader of the #8 alliance, not as part of an alliance other than the one that made the first offer.

The two reasons to decline are a non-functional robot that cannot be repaired in time for the Finals or you are close enough to the top that you think you can lead an alliance of your own. The first is GP, the second may be hubris.

I'd cite the rule but the link to HyperRules doesn't seem to be working and I can't remember what I did with my rules CD. It's way out of date anyway.

Things have been this way since the second year we had alliances, due to there being so much "deal making" going on that an eighth seeded team couldn't get anybody to accept an alliance the first year. Well they did get somebody, but only after four or five other teams declined. I was kind of embarassed for them.

Don't just Read the Rules, Know the Rules

BTW Stacks do matter, you guys just haven't figured out that wanton distruction of them is a BAD THING. I saw a whole lot of matches in Sacramento where the winner would have been much better off to leave the losers stacks alone. If you don't understand why, then I suggest that you go read the rules until you do.