This is getting a little off track for this thread but IMHO, the AMA rules should be the guide for all scale contests in the U.S. Everyone has them or can get them easily from the AMA. If you don't like a rule or want to add/change one you have the opportunity as an AMA member to submit a rule change proposal. I know this will never happen because of obvious reasons but wouldn't it be great if all contests were ran with the same rules? Judging will always be subjective and in some cases political. In the past when I feel the judging is not consistent or too political I simply do not attend any longer.