The Merge Gaming Network is a joke now that Jazette has taken over. If you play there now, we suggest finding another US poker site to give your business too. These fools are only going to make it worse. If you do still play there, despite our protestations, here is their tournament policy, for what it's worth. Just remember, there are far safer US poker sites available to you to choose from.
The following is direct from Carbon Poker's website as it relates to Merge Gaming Network tournament cancellations, refunds, and policies. All references to Carbon Poker below are the policies in place for all of the Merge Gaming Network as regards tournament policy.
The internet makes playing poker online possible, but it can also cause issues. A player accepts the risk of internet disconnection, due to the problems with the connection between their computer and the servers. Other issues, including a connection slowdown or some other problem in the player's computer may also arise. Carbon Poker does not accept any responsibility for a player disconnect except in the case of a Carbon Poker server interruption.
While each user is responsible for his or her own internet connection, Carbon Poker makes every effort to protect players who are disconnected during the final stages of a tournament, by allowing Extra Time to reconnect. If a player times out during a hand, whether connected or disconnected, his or her hand will be folded unless the check option is available to them, at which point the player will auto check. If a player is not connected before a hand starts, he or she will be dealt cards, and a blind and/or antes will be posted automatically. Players can also choose to sit out on their own, as there is no penalty.
In the event of a server crash, the hands in progress at every table will be restored by rolling back all of the hands. Each player’s chip count will be reset to the amount at the beginning of the hand. In special circumstances, when a tournament needs to be cancelled because of a crash or some other reason, players will be compensated according to Carbon Poker’s tournament cancellation policy, which is in full below.
Game cancellation policy
Occasionally, there is a need to cancel certain games on our severs. When games are cancelled, refunds and prize pool payouts will occur as follows:
COMMUNITY/PRIVATE GAMES: Each player will be refunded the exact amount of money he or she had at the start of the hand at the time of cancellation.
SINGLE-TABLE TOURNAMENTS: If a Single-Table Tournament is cancelled for technical reasons, players who were eliminated prior to cancellation will not be refunded in any way and will not receive any prize pool dividends. Players that were active in the tournament at the time of cancellation will receive the entry fee refunded and the buy-in refunded from the prize pool. If the guarantee was exceeded or prizes had been paid, a share of the remainder of the prize pool (50% distributed equally and 50% distributed based on stack size at time of shutdown). If the guarantee was not met and prizes had not been paid, a share of the sum of an adjusted prize pool containing all non-refunded buyins, rebuys and addons applies (50% distributed equally and 50% distributed based on stack size at time of shutdown).
MULTI-TABLE TOURNAMENTS: If a Multi-Table Tournament is cancelled for technical reasons, players who were eliminated prior to cancellation will not be refunded in any way and will not receive any prize pool dividends. Players that were active in the tournament at the time of cancellation will receive the entry fee refunded and the buy-in refunded from the prize pool. If purchased, rebuys will be refunded from the prize pool, unless the rebuy was purchased for re-entry to the tournament after being knocked out. If purchased, addons will be refunded from the prize pool, and if the guarantee was exceeded or prizes had been paid, a share of the remainder of the prize pool will be awared (50% distributed equally and 50% distributed based on stack size at time of shutdown). If the guarantee was not met and prizes had not been paid, a share of the sum of an adjusted prize pool containing all non-refunded buyins, rebuys and addons applies (50% distributed equally and 50% distributed based on stack size at time of shutdown).
FREEROLL TOURNAMENTS: If a Freeroll Tournament is cancelled for technical reasons, players who are eliminated prior to cancellation may not be eligible for any further compensation. Players that were active at the time of the tournament cancellation will receive an entry to another instance of the same tournament, to be re-run at a time of Carbon Poker’s choosing, and an entry to a similar tournament, run at a later date, at the discretion of Carbon Poker.
Disconnection protection
Disconnection protection is not available for any Single-Table (SnG) or Multi-Table tournaments. Players will be folded if they lose connection and blinds will be automatically paid until they return.
For ring games, if disconnected while involved in a hand, a player will have an additional 30 seconds to reconnect and make his action with the exception that when a pot is larger than 100 times the big blind. This reconnection time is increased to 60 seconds.
All Players must accept the risk of disconnection. If a disconnection occurs (they can and do happen), connect/log on and continue playing as soon as possible. At no time will Carbon Poker assume responsibility for disconnections or disconnected players, regardless of the cause. Contact your ISP for advice on how to help limit the risk of disconnection.
Carbon Poker reserves the right to change and modify this policy and make final decisions on all matters herein at its sole discretion. Any policy changes and relevant information will be communicated through Carbon Poker (electronic and/or written).