These rules are the general framework for games and tournaments on Kawat. A game or tournament may add its own rules on its page. If an event's own rule conflicts with these rules, the event's rule applies to that event.
1. Who can play
- Players must be at least 18 years old and have a Kawat player account;
- Players can only join games in their age division (Open, or their own 20's, 30's, 40's or 50's) and the game's gender category (Men, Women, or Mixed);
- Players must follow the Kawat Terms & Conditions and the Kawat Community Guidelines.
2. Teams and rosters
- A team has up to 15 players and one owner. The owner sets the team's home barangay and preferred courts;
- In a challenge, each side has a captain who invites players and marks the team complete;
- Team challenges are for team members only, unless the organizer opens the game to individual players for that game.
3. Posting and accepting a challenge
- A captain posts a challenge with the date, time, hours, format (for example 5v5 or 3v3), age division, gender, court and court payment;
- The challenge can be open to any team, to teams from a chosen barangay, or to one rival team;
- Posting and accepting a challenge use credits, as shown before you confirm.
4. The deal
Before the game, both teams agree to the "deal": date, time, court, format, how the court is paid, and any house rules or game conditions set by the organizer. When everyone has agreed, the game locks. The court fee is always paid directly to the venue, never to Kawat or to another player.
5. Losing team covers the court fee
If the organizer chose "losing team covers the court fee" (sometimes called "loser pays the court"), the losing team pays the court fee directly to the venue. This is a game condition, not a bet. No other money may change hands between teams or players because of a result.
6. Officials
The host can assign a Timer, a Scorer and a Stats keeper. Only assigned officials can operate the clock, the score or the stat sheet. Assigning someone else as an official uses credits. Decisions of officials about running the game are final for that game unless the event has an appeal process.
7. Scoring and game length
Unless the game says otherwise: a field goal is 2 points, a shot from beyond the three-point line is 3 points, and a free throw is 1 point. Game length (time or first to a score), overtime and timeouts are set in the deal or by the organizer. Follow standard basketball rules and the calls of officials.
8. Results
- After the game, the result is recorded by the scorer, by a captain, or by Tati from a scoreboard photo;
- Both captains confirm the result. If they disagree, the result is marked disputed and can be reviewed;
- Confirmed results update ratings, records and leaderboards. Report the real score only.
9. Cancellations
- The organizer can cancel a game that is not yet locked. Credits are returned as described in the Kawat Terms & Conditions;
- Once a game is locked, the organizer can only request a cancellation, and the other captain must approve it;
- A cancelled game did not push through and does not count for ratings.
10. No-shows and late arrival
Players who agreed to a game are expected to arrive on time. Captains can mark no-shows. Leaving a locked game or backing out on game day counts against reliability ("shows up"). Organizers can set a cut-off time after which a team may be considered to have forfeited. Repeated no-shows can lead to removal from future games or tournaments and account restrictions.
11. Forfeits
A team may forfeit if it does not appear, arrives after the cut-off, does not have the minimum number of players, refuses to follow the rules, or is disqualified.
12. Fouls and conduct
Follow basketball rules and the instructions of officials and organizers. Dangerous, intentional or abusive play can lead to removal from the game.
13. Tati's Game Nights
- Game Nights are free games hosted by Kawat. Players sign up individually;
- Tati balances the teams by rating and height when sign-ups close;
- Sponsor perks for all players and the cash prize for the winning team (for example an amount for each player) are shown on the Game Night;
- Players who sign up and do not show up may lose their spot in future Game Nights.
14. Tournaments
- Registration: only the team owner registers the team, picks the roster (within the minimum and maximum shown), gives a contact number and agrees to the rules. The entry fee (in pesos, set by the organizer) is paid through PayMongo with GCash, Maya or card, not with credits. An unpaid slot is held for 2 hours, then released;
- One team per player: each player can be on only one team per tournament;
- Slots and waitlist: when all slots are taken, new teams go on the waitlist and are only charged when a slot opens;
- Withdrawal: a team that withdraws before the bracket is drawn gets its entry fee back, refunded to the account it was paid from (refunds can take 5 to 10 banking days). After the draw, entry fees are not returned;
- Format: unless stated otherwise, single elimination (lose once and you're out). Seeds come from team ratings, and top seeds may get a bye;
- Schedule: dates, times and venue are on the tournament page; scores and the bracket update live.
15. Prizes
See the Kawat Official Prize Rules. The Game Night or tournament page states the prize, who is eligible, the number of winners, conditions and how the prize is released. Winners may need to confirm their identity and age. A prize may be withheld or cancelled for cheating, a false identity, result manipulation, a serious rule violation or disqualification.
16. Ties and disputes
Ties are decided by overtime unless the event states another method (for example head-to-head, point difference, an extra game or a free-throw contest). Protests should be raised as soon as possible through the game chat or with the organizer, and are decided by the organizer and officials.
17. Disqualification
A player or team may be disqualified for cheating, fraud, playing under a false identity or in the wrong age division, manipulating scores, betting, fighting, serious misconduct or repeated rule violations.
18. Weather and venue problems
Games may be moved, postponed or cancelled because of bad weather, unsafe courts, venue problems, power outages, emergencies, government restrictions or other circumstances outside the organizer's control.
19. Recording and streaming
Games may be photographed, recorded or streamed on Kawat LIVE. Players taking part understand that their participation may appear in the footage.
20. Changes to an event
Kawat or the organizer may change the schedule, format or venue when reasonably necessary. Important changes are posted on the game or tournament page and sent as notifications.
21. Safety
Follow the safety instructions of the venue and organizers. If you feel unable to continue safely, stop playing and get help.
22. Agreement
By joining a game, a Game Night or a tournament on Kawat, you agree to these rules, the Kawat Terms & Conditions, the Kawat Community Guidelines and any rules on the event's page.