Large Number Competition

The Large Number Competition is an annual competitive event held in Ishiq, T'vaqi, where 100 participants compete to handwrite the largest number possible in one shav (2h 24m). The event is televised annually on most networks.

Rules

Each participant in the Large Number Competition is allowed unlimited paper and writing utensils. The constant rules of the Large Number Competition are as follows:

• All writing on paper must be in the form of a single, legible number. If the number continues onto separate page(s), this must be indicated.
• Participants may only write their number during the allotted time.
• Participants may only write on their own paper.
• If any rules are broken by a participant, they are eliminated from the competition.

The main appeal of the event is derived from the introduction of additional rules throughout the competition that the contestants must follow. These rules begin fairly straightforward (e.g. "You may not write the numeral 1") and increase in absurdity as the game continues (e.g. "You must remove a shoe and keep your dominant hand in it for the remainder of the competition"). Each additional rule is numbered sequentially. Contestants must remember each rule as they are added; rules can be repealed at any time, which requires contestants to remember which rule corresponds to which number. Judges are present to enforce the rules. The competition ends after one shav or when all contestants have been eliminated. After the allotted time ends, each contestant's paper is analyzed, and the largest rule-abiding number is declared the winner.

Gameplay example

This excerpt has been highlighted by the Bureau of Broadcast for demonstrating standard Large Number Competition conduct.

(Half of a shav has passed. 35 participants remain in the competition. In accordance with Rules 9 and 17 respectively, all are writing with one eye closed and singing a children's lullaby.)

(One contestant blinks and opens both of his eyes. A judge informs him that he has broken Rule 9. He sighs and sits back in his chair, ceasing to write or sing.)

Official: Rule 18. You must write standing up.

(Dozens of papers shuffle as contestants rise from their seats in near-unison. Several fumble and drop their papers; all are eliminated in their attempts to pick them up while remaining upright.)

(A few sqovi pass. A handful of contestants are eliminated for various reasons. One is caught attempting to sabotage a neighboring contestant's paper by writing the numeral 9 on it. Writing the numeral 9 is forbidden by Rule 2.)

Contestant: What? No, no, I wasn't― man, I stumbled! I stumbled and my hand fidgeted a bit, I wasn't doing that on purpose, it's a single line!

Judge: Violation of constant rules. My apologies, sir.

Contestant: (Yelling) Yeah, thanks for the apologies, old bastard!

(The outburst disrupts the concentration of most contestants. Many forget to continue singing or tapping their feet, and are eliminated in accordance with Rules 17 and 12. Officials begin to escort the yelling contestant off the premises.)

(Some time passes without an elimination or rule.)

Official: Drop Rule 6.

(There is no visible change in the behavior of most contestants. Rule 6 prevented them from writing the same numeral twice in a row. However, some contestants appear to conflate Rule 6 with Rule 5, which requires them to wear a hat. The contestants who take off their hats are eliminated.)

― 75th Annual Large Number Competition, 2 TT