WCS
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/TSL3/TSL3_Logo_Banner_1.png){kind=logo}
TSL3 General FAQ
Who is casting? When's the broadcast schedule?
The casters for the TSL3 are as follows:
Games will be aired on Saturdays and Sundays throughout March, April, and May. The first broadcast date is set for March 19th at 2:00 p.m. EDT, 7:00 p.m. CET, (3:00 a.m. KST on March 20th). The full Ro32 broadcast schedule will run from Saturday, March 19th to Sunday March 27th. Schedules for subsequent rounds will be released as the tournament progresses.
Where can we watch the TSL?
You can tune in to one of our two streams provided courtesy of USTREAM. For the high-quality broadcast, please tune in to TeamLiquidTV. If your PC is unable to handle such a resolution, you can find same games live on the mirrored low quality stream. Streams will appear just below the calendar immediately preceding each broadcast.
If you are unable to watch the tournament live, VODs will be uploaded to the Official TeamLiquid Youtube Channel shortly after the casts are finished. You can watch the games spoiler free from the TSL3 VOD Thread here on Teamliquid as watching directly may not be the best method to avoid spoilers.
Which maps will be in the TSL3 map pool?
The final map pool for the TSL3 is as follows: Crevasse, Crossfire SE, Shakuras Plateau, Tal'Darim Altar, Xel'Naga Caverns, Metalopolis, and Terminus RE. Metalopolis has been edited to disallow close spawning positions by ground. Shakuras Plateau has been edited to allow cross position play only. The bottom of ramps have been modified to prevent easy wallling (e.g. with two bunkers). Our Blizzard ladder maps are the same as those used in MLG, and the GSL specific maps are the same as those used in the GSL. Special thanks to MLG's Lee Chen, and to Xeph and superouman for helping out.
We have published results and build order hider versions of TSL3 maps on the NA and EU servers. To play on these maps, simply search for "TSL" on the NA or EU servers. If you see a bug or issue while playing on these maps please let us know immediately through PM on TL or email.
What is the prize pool and prize distribution?
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/TSL3/InfoFlowPrizes.png)
What is the format for this tournament?
The TSL3 will be a 32-man single elimination bracket. The round of 32 will be played in a best-of-3 format. The round of 16 and round of 8 will be played in a best-of-5 format. Semi-finals and the grand finals will be played in a best-of-7 format. Each player will thumbs down one map in each round before the Semi-finals, with maps being picked and ordered randomly following the thumbs down procedure. The Grand Finals will be played live at Teamliquid headquarters in New York City.
Live final in New York? Can I come to it!?
Sorry, but currently there are no plans to have a venue where fans can watch the final live. We may have a fan meet with the players before the final but no live audience. Maybe for TSL4!
What does the bracket look like? Is there a bracket contest, and how do I participate?
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/TSL3/TSL_SmallBracket.jpg)
There is an Official TSL3 Bracket Contest. Entries are submitted through Liquipedia and scored automatically. You can participate by following the above link and following the instructions provided. The winner will get a Teamliquid T-shirt signed by the TSL3 winner.
Why are games cast from replays? Are the casts still live?
Games are cast from replays to provide for the best possible playing environment for players, aiming to minimize lag and maintain a level of fair play. We feel that live streams, even with a slight delay, open a window that could compromise the integrity of the game. Even the slightest risk is one we do not want to take with so much at stake. The casts are still done live, and every precaution is taken to keep the results from casters and fans.
So can we download the replays?
No, for a variety of reasons replays of official TSL3 games will not be available for download. Maintaining the name of the PokerStrategy.com TSL3 is not possible if we allow downloading of replays from the tournament, thus replays are not released. We cannot release the replays without relinquishing creative control of the tournament to third party casters who may or may not chose to properly credit sponsorship and tournament organizers. Keeping replays internal also keeps some level of privacy for the players who come up with new builds specifically for the tournament.
Preceding the finals players are playing from their homes from all across the world - how will cross-server play be handled?
NA vs EU - alternate servers, higher seed receives extra game
KR vs NA - alternate servers, higher seed receives extra game
KR vs EU - all games on NA (KR on EU is unplayable)
Why did you guys do invites for Korea / Asia?
We looked at the logistics of running TL Opens for Korea / Asia and decided that it was too complicated. Language barriers, time zones, and publicity are all huge challenges and we felt that for TSL3 we would not be able to run an open qualifier that was up to our standards. Maybe we can for TSL4, but definitely not now.
Why not allow everyone including Chinese/Koreans to join the TL Opens on US/EU?
We would have preferred doing something for everyone, but we have to be realistic. We are not ready and capable to deal with a hundred progamers playing our US-EU Open tournaments on borrowed accounts without us having a clue who is who. Such a tournament would be a logistical nightmare, with many players not able to communicate with their opponents or admins. Instead, we have chosen for a system that we know we can deliver on, and we will work to improve on it as we gain more experience. Everyone wants Chinese and Koreans to participate, including us. But right now, we're not ready.
From our standpoint it is a choice between an invite system for Korea / Asia or no players from there at all, so we chose invites.
What about the TSL2 abusers? Are they allowed to play in TSL3?
No, they are not allowed to play in TSL3, but they will be allowed for TSL4. If they attempt to smurf for TSL3 or play illegally, they will be given an even harsher punishment. You can read the thread about the TSL2 abusers here.
Who are the 13 mystery Korean / Asian invitees?
Protoss (3) - Thread
Invitee #1:
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/ks.png)
MVP_GeniusInvitee #2:
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/ca.png)
TLAF-Liquid`HuKInvitee #3:
oGs.MCZerg (5) - Thread
Invitee #4:
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/us.png)
EG.IdrAInvitee #5:
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/se.png)
TLAF-Liquid`HayprOInvitee #6:
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/nl.png)
TLAF-Liquid`RetInvitee #7:
TSL_FruitDealerInvitee #8:
IM.NesTeaTerran (5) - Thread
Invitee #9:
IMMVPInvitee #10:
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/cn.png)
LonerPrime.WEInvitee #11:
TLAF-Liquid`JinroInvitee #12:
oGs.NaDaInvitee #13:
SlayerS_BoxerWho are these three seeds?
Tyler won the TSL2, taking home $10,000 and defeating players like Tarson, Idra, and Mondragon. He placed high in several MLG events in 2010 and currently plays for TLAF-Liquid.
Mondragon finished second in the TSL2, defeating players like Brat_OK, Fenix, and Sen. He was considered one of the best players outside Korea for Starcraft: Brood War. Mondragon is not "officially active" in Starcraft 2 but has played 500 games (3100 rated). He will be active and practicing for TSL3 -- he didn't accept his seed to just lose in the first round.
Sen finished third in the TSL2 and is currently one of the top international Zergs. He qualified for GSL3, where he advanced to the Round of 32 before losing in a close series with GSL2 Champion IM.NesTea. Sen currently plays for FnaticMSI.
Who drew that portrait of Tyler?
Glider, TL member since 2003, draws a lot of portraits. He's going to be doing a sketch of every single TSL qualifier. We'll be sending the originals out to the players -- yet another incentive to qualify!
If you want to watch the Tyler portrait teaser again, here it is: + Show Spoiler [Video] +
How can I support my favorite player(s)?
One of the great things about the TSL is that many of the participants frequent the TeamLiquid forums. So post you well-wishes, they may just read them. You can help cheer on your favorite players throughout the course of the tournament in the Pokerstrategy.com TSL3 Forum. You can post in pre-existing threads supporting your favorite player, create a thread if there is none already, or even post a cheerful. On game days it is recommended you check the Starcraft 2 Tournaments Forum for the live-report thread. You can also talk in real time with other viewers in #TeamLiquid on the QuakeNet IRC network.
How do I help support TL and PokerStrategy?
You can play in the qualifiers, tune into the broadcasts, and tell your friends about the TSL. If you live outside the US, you can register at Pokerstrategy.com, take their quiz, and get a free $50. By doing this you'll also enter our raffle to win a trip to Korea for GSL Finals and a tour of the oGs-Liquid house. Make sure this Referral Link so we can track you properly.
TSL3 Qualifier FAQ
How do I qualify?
You can qualify for one of the 16 spots by doing the following:
1. Winning a qualifier tournament.
2. Placing in the Top 8 of non-winners (ranking points).
Ties are broken with a playoff.
How do I register for a TSL3 Qualifier?
We will be using the same procedure as previous TL SC2 Opens. Registration time will be announced, usually the Thursday before the tournament on Saturday. A countdown to registration will appear on the top of TeamLiquid. Registration links will appear in multiple news posts, as well as at the top of TL for the duration of the registration period. You can also access this by clicking on the "Tournaments --> TL Open" tab in the navigation bar. Early registration will be available for professional players.
Who can qualify for the 16 EU / NA spots?
Players who do not reside in countries assigned to the Taiwan / Korea Battle.net servers can compete in the TSL3 Qualifiers. Players residing in SEA countries can compete.
How are ranking points assigned?
2nd - 100 points
3rd-4th - 51 points
5th-8th - 26 points
9th-16th - 14 points
What is the qualifier schedule?
Jan 08 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #8 / TSL3 Qualifier #1 -
![[image loading]](/images/flags2/eu.png)
Jan 15 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #9 / TSL3 Qualifier #2 -
Jan 22 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #10 / TSL3 Qualifier #3 -
Jan 29 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #11 / TSL3 Qualifier #4 -
Feb 05 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #12 / TSL3 Qualifier #5 -
Feb 12 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #13 / TSL3 Qualifier #6 -
Feb 19 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #14 / TSL3 Qualifier #7 -
Feb 26 - TeamSpeak TL SC2 Open #15 / TSL3 Qualifier #8 -
**You can enter all of them provided you don't live in a Korea/Taiwan server country.
If I win a tournament can I play in the others?
No, you cannot. You cannot secretly play under another name -- this will result in disqualification from the TSL and future TL events.
What about banned or previously disqualified users?
Banned users (for any reason) cannot enter these tournaments. Do not try to circumvent by creating smurf accounts. We will find you, and you will be disqualified from the TSL and future TL events. Additionally, previously disqualified abusers from TSL2 still serving out their punishments cannot play as well.
Can I enter all eight qualifiers?
Yes. Anyone who can enter one qualifier can enter all eight. You do not have to play all eight, but your chances increase as you play more.
Do the TeamSpeak TL SC2 Opens / TSL Qualifiers still have $200 prizes?
Yes. The TSL qualification and ranking points are additional prizes. The TeamSpeak TL SC2 Opens are stand alone events. If you qualify for TSL and do not wish to participate, you can decline and we will give the spot to the player with the next highest number of points.
What is the Map Pool for the TSL Qualifier tournaments?
Shakuras Plateau, Metalopolis, Xel'Naga Caverns, Lost Temple, and Scrap Station. Please note that Blistering Sands, Desert Oasis, Jungle Basin, Delta Quadrant, Steppes of War, and Kulas Ravine are removed from the qualification map pool.
What about hackers / cheaters / abusers?
Any sort of cheating may result in disqualification from the TSL and from future TL events. We take cheating very seriously, and we will hand out harsh punishments.
Who's going to qualify?
You. Good luck.
This TSL is sponsored by PokerStrategy.com, the world's largest poker school and community. With hundreds of Poker VODs and an assortment of learning material in 18 different languages, PokerStrategy.com offers the chance for aspiring Poker players to learn from a beginner to a professional level. Sign up using TL's referral link.
