The main change comes in the scoring. Instead of receiving an average score from the judges, these scores will now be transferred into a staggered point system. The top score will get 15 points. The second best will get 10, third 8, fourth 6, fifth 4 and sixth 2. All other entries will receive one point.
The double rounds that previously occured every five rounds and proved pivotal in the overall standings have been dropped for this season. They will be replaced by a new feature. Eash competitor will get three "Doublers". These can be used at any point in the competition (apart from the last round) and they will double their points for that round. It must be stated alongside the caption that the "Doubler" option is to be used and cannot be decided upon after judging.
In addition, each user will have one "halver" where they can nominate one competitor from that round to have their score halved for the round. This is also not valid in the last round. The intention to use the "halver" must also be stated alongside the caption and cannot be used in conjunction with a doubler. No matter how many people nominate a person for a "Halver" in round one, their score will only be halved once.
We are hoping that this new inclusion will increase the competition between entrants and will also lead to a tactical battle.
The full format of the competition is outlined below:
The competition will run from W/C 13 August until W/C 3 May. There will be an Xmas break.
A photo will be placed on the messageboard at the beginning of each week. Users will have until the following Sunday night to place a caption to the picture in the relevant thread.
Users are asked not to add posts to the thread that do not contain a caption.
It is one caption per person and each one will be judged by a panel of four people. The panel will consist of two Millersmad users and two Millersmad staff. The names of the two non-staff will remain a secret.
The entries will be scored in the manner described above. The scores will be published at the beginning of each week before a new round is launched.
At the end of the competition the top three users who have amassed the most points over the course of the competition will receive a prize.
Prizes are yet to be announced but believe me, the top prize will be special and well worth winning.
Just a few words on the content on the captions. Captions can contain smut and adult humour but any caption that is blatantly copied or a slight variation of anyone else's who have already posted will become void! All captions are subject to censorship should the judges feel they are inappropriate or offensive.
Judges have asked to stress that the constant use of any themes (e.g YMCA, Strictly Come Dancing) could result in lower scores as is the case with longer entries.
Millersmad take accusations of cheating and corruptness very seriously and anyone making such accusations against the judging panel may find their future scores affected.
Disclaimer: Millersmad reserves the right to be late with the publication of results and also has the ability to end the competition at any time without notice and without the obligation of handing out prizes.
Good luck!!