OFFICE OF PUBLIC INQUIRIES · GENEVA
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS.
The Hall receives a considerable volume of correspondence, much of it from a single household. The most frequent questions are answered below.
Answers are final.
I.
The Championship
How can someone be the World Champion if he frequently loses?
The Hall recognizes only officially sanctioned World Championship results. Recreational outcomes, while personally meaningful to the participants, do not affect championship standing.
Has Mr. Boudreau ever lost a sanctioned championship match?
No. Not once in twenty-five years and 1,284 sanctioned matches.
Has another player ever defeated Stephen Boudreau?
Mr. Boudreau has participated in numerous recreational matches throughout his career.
That doesn’t answer the question.
The Hall stands by its previous response.
Is Stephen Boudreau actually good at UNO?
The Hall does not comment on hypothetical questions.
What happens if another player defeats Mr. Boudreau in a sanctioned match?
The Hall maintains appropriate procedures for a championship transition. The matter has never come up.
Why are positions two through five in the world rankings vacant?
The Hall maintains strict eligibility requirements for its world rankings. These requirements are currently under review.
II.
Sanctioning
Who decides which games count?
The Championship Sanctioning Committee.
Can a match be declared official after it has already started?
Yes. Under Article VII, Section 4, the Committee may sanction a match before, during, or immediately before the final card is played. Advance notice to the other competitors is not required.
Why does Mr. Boudreau’s phone ring just before he wins?
When a match is elevated to championship status, the Committee notifies the reigning champion directly. Calls are placed from Geneva by Sir Reginald P. Worthington III. The timing reflects the Committee’s procedures.
Why didn’t my phone ring when I was about to win?
The Committee telephones only when a championship is at stake.
Why are some losses classified as preseason games?
Because they occurred during the preseason.
When does the preseason end?
The competitive calendar is set by the Committee and may be adjusted without notice. It is published in full on the Official Calendar.
III.
The Record
I beat him. Will it be recorded?
Yes. The Hall records every result faithfully, including yours, in the Match Registry. You may also claim a Certificate of Recreational Victory.
Does a Certificate of Recreational Victory count toward the title?
No. It says so on the certificate.
Why aren’t all 1,284 victories in the registry?
The Hall’s historical archive is being digitized. The absence of a report from the online registry must not be mistaken for the absence of a victory.
IV.
Appeals
Can a player appeal a championship ruling?
Absolutely. The Hall believes strongly in transparency and due process. File an appeal.
How long does an appeal take?
Most appeals are more than 99% complete within minutes of filing.
Who sits on the appropriate subcommittee?
Members’ identities are withheld under Article IX, to protect the independence of their deliberations.
V.
The Institution
Is the Hall independent?
Entirely. The Committee’s decisions have never been influenced by Mr. Boudreau. Mr. Boudreau has confirmed this.
Has Sir Reginald ever played UNO?
No. This has never been considered relevant to his qualifications.
Has the Hall ever investigated itself?
Yes, on several occasions. Its findings have been consistently favorable.
Is this website a joke?
This question has been referred to the appropriate subcommittee.