I just had a run rejected because "USA needs to have +3 handicap as per the standard rules of Twilight Struggle". I've checked my paper version of the rules which came with my version of the game, as well as the most recent version of the rules on TSR's web site (http://www.gmtgames.com/living_rules/TSRules2nd.pdf), and they both state under rule 3.4 under game setup:

"Finally, place the VP marker on the Victory Points Track on the zero space."

I've never seen any version of the rules, nor I have I ever played a game with anybody else, where the US got a 3 point head start. Can my run be re-accepted? Thanks.

It's not about Victory points (VP's), it's about Influence Points (IP's).

Allow me to explain: In the standard manual America receives +1 influence points. Because this is a speedrun and an official space I went with Standard Tournament Rules which would have a bidding system agreed upon both players (or a flat rate of +3 IP's for USA). Because we are unable to negotiate with the AI on this system the flat rate is given.

I accepted your first run because I hadn't included that in the rules which had prompted me to change it up.

Fair enough. I had never played with the handicap slider in the game, so I assumed that gave VP instead of IP.

I also didn't notice the change in rules between when I submitted my runs. While that's totally on me to keep track of, I still would've appreciated some sort of heads-up on this board that the rules had changed, rather than finding out after a run had been rejected. You can imagine how I felt after the moderator of the game (who's the current WR holder and only other runner) rejected a new WR run by citing a stipulation that wasn't there a day ago.

Of course, and I hope you haven't become discouraged, myself and my community have enjoyed this not being a dead game and look forward to your attempts in the future :)