A word about “gaming the system:”

There are clearly a few ways to maximize your plays in “cheesy” ways that run counter to the spirit of Geekway and play and win. We aren’t going to list all of them here. But, a couple that we do want to mention:

• Do NOT have your group check out multiple games at once, set them all up for fifteen minutes, and then return them all to the library so that everyone gets maximal plays.

• Do NOT list “extra players” for a game who weren’t there to actually play the game.

• Do NOT check out a popular play and win game and then hide it (under your table, in your hotel room, under your trenchcoat) so that other people can’t play it.

• Remember that a checkout is only good for FOUR HOURS. This means holding a game overnight will exclude that play from contention.

We have people roaming the hall looking for these behaviors. If we detect checkout “shenanigans,” that is, people working the system to maximize their chances to win, we reserve the right to delete your plays without notice to you or anyone else. Not worth it!

Does my rating affect my chances of winning?

NOPE...no effect.  We utilize the rating for post con analysis and as feedback for publishers.  They appreciate the metrics.  So please rank a game regardless of whether or not you have any desire to win it.

What if I don’t want to win the game?

This happens.  One person may already own a game or truly dislike it enough to not want to win it.  In this case, when entering info at the kiosk, there is a checkbox next to the rating.  

Checking this will mean that you do not want to win this game.  The other players in this play of the game may still win it, unless they too check the box on the line with their name.  

NOTE:  if you play a game twice (checked out twice) and only mark one of the two plays as “NO WIN”, then you could still win the game from the other play.

How many times can I enter?

You can play as many games as you like, and your group gets one entry per checkout. The Play and Win kiosks will not allow multiple entries per checkout. If you play multiple times during one checkout, you still only get one entry. The goal is to let as many people as possible play the games.

What about a game like Spyfall, where you play a dozen times on one checkout?

We assume that all groups will play a similar number of times for short games, and everyone will get one entry per checkout. In cases like this, please keep the game for a reasonable amount of time and then check in, and all players who played will get one entry each.

Can I immediately check a game back out?

No, the game must go back into circulation to let everyone have an opportunity to play games. We want as many groups as possible to get chances to play the most popular games.

Can my group check out a stack of games and then play them all back to back and check them in at once?

Please do not do this. This is game hoarding, and we want all games in play as much as possible.  There is a default of 4 hours for a game to be checked out and returned. 

If kept for longer than 4 hours, the play is not eligible to win the game.  We realize mistakes and accidents happen, but groups who continually check out multiple games at once may be marked as ineligible to win.

Can I play my personal copy of a game and get an entry into Play and Win? What about the Geekway Library copy?

We will no longer allow personal copies to generate Play and Win entries. 

Library copies of Play and Win games will be stored in the Play and Win room, and checking those out will also earn Play and Win entries. Although, we will not be giving away the Library copy of a game.

How many games can a person win in Play and Win?

Each individual attendee with a badge can win one game from Play and Win. 

What if my name is drawn for multiple games?

We use a computer to determine the winners. Games will be picked randomly and a winner chosen. Once chosen, an individual winner will be ineligible for further prizes. 

When are Play and Win games given away?

Play and Win games are given away on Sunday, as soon as the logistics of repacking and choosing the winners for the games is complete. 

Winners will be posted and you can pick up your games during a reasonable window of time.

What if I can’t be there on Sunday?

You can give your badge to a friend, and they can pick up your game for you. You don’t have to be present to pick up the game, but your badge does.  Very important.  Your badge MUST be there.  

What about games that are unclaimed?

We will make a valiant effort to give all winners a chance to pick up their games. After game pickup has passed, we no longer give away games that are not picked up, and instead use them at our sole discretion. Historically, 4–6 games go unclaimed.