Player dropped from TOC?

[dugthefish]

ok, i think a similar situation has been discussed here, but i cant seem to find the tread, so i guess i'll start a new one.

we're closing in on the end of the season, we've done 11 of 15 bimonthly tourneys.  heres the problem. 

we have a couple, dick and jane* (not their real names) who came for the first 9 tourneys.  dick was in the top 5 for points, and is probably a lock for TOC (top ten in points play in freeroll).  well, dick and jane broke up.  its pretty nasty, there is a restraining order, ugly stuff.  well, jane has the link in the group, dick came basically as jane+1.  nobody even knows dick's number, and jane has come to the last 2 tourneys solo. 

so what do i do here?  it is fairly certain that dick will not be coming anymore, but will likely qualify for the TOC.  jane is on the bubble right now, she may or may not make it.  either way, i have no way to contact dick.  should i just drop him when the time comes and let player 11 have his spot?  should i assume he might show anyway (which would be a mess with the restraining order), since he knows the date?  or should i just have 9 players at TOC?

[Martini]

Wow. Well not *quite* the same scenario as posted before!

I think you have to proceed as though Dick would show up just in case they reconcile or the restraining order is rescinded (yeah, I know, fat chance). If he doesn't show and qualifies I would put his chips in play and blind him off. Then have his portion of the pot available for him if he cashes.

[dugthefish]

well, that was what i was leaning towards, but of course, some of the players around the bubble are lobbying for dropping him altogether (to give themselves a better chance at making TOC)

[Dr. Neau]

You can't drop him, unless there's a clause in your league rules about restraining orders and such.

[TomGuy]

Our rules dictates that you are in the TOC unless you don't show up.  If you don't show up, the next player that is available for our TOC is in as long as he can show.  All players must be there at the start of the TOC or they forefeit their spot.

[Dr. Neau]

Our rules dictates that you are in the TOC unless you don't show up.  If you don't show up, the next player that is available for our TOC is in as long as he can show.  All players must be there at the start of the TOC or they forefeit their spot.

That's what we do also.  If you can't make it, then everyone below you shifts up one position.

Thing is, if you don't have it documented when the league starts (like it sounds like we both do), then it's pretty shifty to set the policy mid-season.