[EricH]

Originally Posted by bduddy

-So the point of declining is if you are already in the top 8 (or expect to be)? I had never realized that before-I always just thought it was in the rulebook so the "acceptance" song-and-dance could be at least minimally important. I had no idea anyone ever actually did it...

The rules are that anyone can accept or decline any invitation. HOWEVER, if you decline, you are not eligible to be picked again by anyone. If you are in the top eight, you still pick your own alliance.

I can't think of any episodes where a team outside the top eight declined, except for one where the team had to catch a flight home. (This was way back in the early days of selections.) Most teams just accept.