The Current Ashes Charter

February 2007 - Updated by Ashley Reid

• The Ashes trophy shall become a tontine. If the number of official players should one day get down to one - the last player may be buried with the trophy.
• There must be at least five players to make an Ashes event valid. The event can take place but the trophy and assorted paraphernalia will not be swapped.
• The "Summer" Ashes must be in December, January or February and the "Winter"Ashes must be June, July or August. If an organiser cannot fulfill this requirement the duty of organising returns to the previous winner.
• The starting amount for each player at an Ashes is $20.00. The winnings obtained by all players (the amount above the original $20.00) is not kept and instead is placed into an Ashes fund. Ashes members can then vote at each Ashes what to do with the money in the fund. An example would be to buy a box for the cards and chips. It might be to buy communal beers or to hold the money over to next Ashes. But only at the Ashes event can a decision be made on the funds.
• Every Ashes event must have cards played for at least 6 'contact' hours, not including breaks.  (Added 24/01/03 Matt Rowston)
• Players welcomed to the ranks of Ashes members will be considered 'New Blood' until unanimously voted full members. In all cases where there is a requirement for a unanimous vote requirement the vote does not need to be unanimous only in so far the votes made by New Blood. The Ashes trophy can not be stored at a premises not frequently visited by at least two full Ashes members. 'Frequently' can be decided my simple majority vote.
• Any organiser that does not abide by each clause of the current charter shall pay a financial penalty of $1 to each other player at the start of play.  (Added 1/09/03) Ashley Reid)
• When nominating a game of poker a member may request up to five hands of that game be played. The winner of the final hand is the player who then chooses the next game.
• The organiser for each Ashes shall arrange at least one non-card game to form part of the event.  It may be arranged as a lead up event (eg Bowling, shooting, mini-golf etc.) or as a game during the evening.  (Added 12/01/02 Ashley Reid)

September 2003 - Updated by Ashley Reid

• There must be at least five players to make an Ashes event valid. The event can take place but the trophy and assorted paraphernalia will not be swapped.
• The "Summer" Ashes must be in December, January or February and the "Winter"Ashes must be June, July or August. If an organiser cannot fulfill this requirement the duty of organising returns to the previous winner.
• The starting amount for each player at an Ashes is $20.00. The winnings obtained by all players (the amount above the original $20.00) is not kept and instead is placed into an Ashes fund. Ashes members can then vote at each Ashes what to do with the money in the fund. An example would be to buy a box for the cards and chips. It might be to buy communal beers or to hold the money over to next Ashes. But only at the Ashes event can a decision be made on the funds.
• Every Ashes event must have cards played for at least 6 'contact' hours, not including breaks.  (Added 24/01/03 Matt Rowston)
• Any organiser that does not abide by each clause of the current charter shall pay a financial penalty of $1 to each other player at the start of play.  (Added 1/09/03) Ashley Reid)
• The person who acquires the Bag O at the end of the card night is given the responsibility to introduce a new game at the next card night. It is up to this person because obviously they have just been shellacked at this card night so perhaps they can find a game that might help them in the next. The description of the rules has to be clearer and more concise than 'Sales Tax'.
• When nominating a game of poker a member may request up to five hands of that game be played. The winner of the final hand is the player who then chooses the next game.
• The organiser for each Ashes shall arrange at least one non-card game to form part of the event.  It may be arranged as a lead up event (eg Bowling, shooting, mini-golf etc.) or as a game during the evening.  (Added 12/01/02 Ashley Reid)

January 2003 - Updated by Matt Rowston

• There must be at least five players to make an Ashes event valid. The event can take place but the trophy and assorted paraphernalia will not be swapped.
• The "Summer" Ashes must be in December, January or February and the "Winter"Ashes must be June, July or August. If an organiser cannot fulfill this requirement the duty of organising returns to the previous winner.
• The starting amount for each player at an Ashes is $20.00. The winnings obtained by all players (the amount above the original $20.00) is not kept and instead is placed into an Ashes fund. Ashes members can then vote at each Ashes what to do with the money in the fund. An example would be to buy a box for the cards and chips. It might be to buy communal beers or to hold the money over to next Ashes. But only at the Ashes event can a decision be made on the funds.
• Every Ashes event must have cards played for at least 6 'contact' hours, not including breaks.  (Added 24/01/03 Matt Rowston)
• The person who acquires the Bag O at the end of the card night is given the responsibility to introduce a new game at the next card night. It is up to this person because obviously they have just been shellacked at this card night so perhaps they can find a game that might help them in the next. The description of the rules has to be clearer and more concise than 'Sales Tax'.
• Every time an Ashes event is about to start, a rendition of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" must be played.
• When nominating a game of poker a member may request up to five hands of that game be played. The winner of the final hand is the player who then chooses the next game.
• The organiser for each Ashes shall arrange at least one non-card game to form part of the event.  It may be arranged as a lead up event (eg Bowling, shooting, mini-golf etc.) or as a game during the evening.  (Added 12/01/02 Ashley Reid)

January 2002 - Updated by Ashley Reid

• There must be at least five players to make an Ashes event valid. The event can take place but the trophy and assorted paraphernalia will not be swapped.
• The "Summer" Ashes must be in December, January or February and the "Winter"Ashes must be June, July or August. If an organiser cannot fulfill this requirement the duty of organising returns to the previous winner.
• The starting amount for each player at an Ashes is $20.00. The winnings obtained by all players (the amount above the original $20.00) is not kept and instead is placed into an Ashes fund. Ashes members can then vote at each Ashes what to do with the money in the fund. An example would be to buy a box for the cards and chips. It might be to buy communal beers or to hold the money over to next Ashes. But only at the Ashes event can a decision be made on the funds.
• Every Ashes event must have cards played at least between the hours of 10pm and 4am.
• The person who acquires the Bag O at the end of the card night is given the responsibility to introduce a new game at the next card night. It is up to this person because obviously they have just been shellacked at this card night so perhaps they can find a game that might help them in the next. The description of the rules has to be clearer and more concise than 'Sales Tax'.
• Every time an Ashes event is about to start, a rendition of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" must be played.
• When nominating a game of poker a member may request up to five hands of that game be played. The winner of the final hand is the player who then chooses the next game.
• The organiser for each Ashes shall arrange at least one non-card game to form part of the event.  It may be arranged as a lead up event (eg Bowling, shooting, mini-golf etc.) or as a game during the evening.  (Added 12/01/02 Ashley Reid)

July 2001

• There must be at least five players to make an Ashes event valid. The event can take place but the trophy and assorted paraphernalia will not be swapped.
• The "Summer" Ashes must be in December, January or February and the "Winter"Ashes must be June, July or August. If an organiser cannot fulfill this requirement the duty of organising returns to the previous winner.
• The starting amount for each player at an Ashes is $20.00. The winnings obtained by all players (the amount above the original $20.00) is not kept and instead is placed into an Ashes fund. Ashes members can then vote at each Ashes what to do with the money in the fund. An example would be to buy a box for the cards and chips. It might be to buy communal beers or to hold the money over to next Ashes. But only at the Ashes event can a decision be made on the funds.
• Every Ashes event must have cards played at least between the hours of 10pm and 4am.
• The person who acquires the Bag O at the end of the card night is given the responsibility to introduce a new game at the next card night. It is up to this person because obviously they have just been shellacked at this card night so perhaps they can find a game that might help them in the next. The description of the rules has to be clearer and more concise than 'Sales Tax'.
• Every time an Ashes event is about to start, a rendition of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" must be played.
• When nominating a game of poker a member may request up to five hands of that game be played. The winner of the final hand is the player who then chooses the next game.

Accepted Policy

• The ?active? (ie still awake and in the game) player who has the most winnings at the conclusion wins the ?Ashes?.
• Play shall continue until 4am or another pre-arranged time (late enough to prove stamina).
• The winner of an Ashes will organise the next event.
• The winner of an Ashes takes ownership of the trophy until the next event.
• The Ashes shall involve at least some form of card playing.
• Anything can be bet on.
• The winner of a hand or game chooses the next one.
• The Bag O? prize goes to the person who first loses their initial allocation of money.
•  The Death Uno Box goes to the player who draws the most cards in a Uno game.

   

After Sir Oakley?s win in mid-2000 he put forward the idea of a written ?Charter? or set of guiding principles; but with a twist.  Each player has the opportunity to put in place a rule that they would like to see followed.  If you then win an Ashes you have the privilege of adding a rule.  You can also remove a rule you don?t like if you choose.  Ie. If you like it the way it is you do not have to remove anything.

Lord Kimbies then put out a few emails early in 2001 to gather thoughts and ideas.  After discussion at the Rowston Ranch (mid-2001) this idea was honed further and it was decided that a set of ?Standard? rules would be compiled (as the event stands today) and then a new rule from each player gathered to form the Charter.  As insurance against the spirit of the Ashes being damaged it was also decided that any rule could be rejected if all other players agreed that it spanked.  When invoking a rule each player should reflect on the proud history of the event, the rarity of long term friendships and the essence of manly competition.  This exercise is meant to be both a genuine attempt at keeping the Ashes alive and also a chance for some fun, so be creative but do not forget the face of your father (a term of shame in the Gunslinger series)?