Columbia Gorge Fiddle Contest

GAMBLERS DIVISION Rules

Open to fiddlers of all ages

In addition to the General Contest Rules, the following rules apply to the Gamblers Division:

1.	Entry blank must be completed and entry fee paid before participation. A division is closed ½ hour before the division begins.
2.	Committee officials will randomly select numbers for all contestants for order of appearance. Contestant order of play will be posted approximately ½ hour before the division begins and the contestants must all be ready to go on stage together (and be seated) when the division begins. Contestants will play in the same order for the duration of the division.
3.	Contestants may play unaccompanied or with an accompanist who will be provided and will be on stage for the duration of the division.
4.	While one contestant is playing, the next contestant will draw a slip of paper with a tune name written on it. The contestant may elect to put it back immediately and re-draw or keep the original tune. If the contestant re-draws, the new tune must be played. The contestant must be ready to play as soon as the prior contestant finishes their tune.
5.	The tune will be played no more than one time through. If the contestant is only able to play a portion of the tune, it will be up to the judges to determine if it was recognizable enough. A contestant may elect to try and “fool” the judges by playing a similar tune. A contestant may elect to “pass” and be eliminated from the next round.
6.	Judges will be seated together in the audience and should confer very briefly. If all three judges agree that the contestant has played the tune in a sufficiently recognizable manner and can advance to the next round, they will give a “thumbs up” to the stage. If one or more of the judges gives a “thumbs down”, the contestant will be eliminated from the next round.
7.	The last contestant standing will draw one more tune and play it – if successful; this contestant will be the winner. If this contestant cannot successfully play the tune, the last contestant who was eliminated will have one more chance to draw and play, and if successful, the contestant will be back in the contest and it will continue. If unsuccessful, the winner will be declared.