I voted #2 and here are my responses to the rules;
#1 - I wish my DM had something like this. Too many players try to join and just don't mesh with the group.
#2 - AMEN!! Our current group actually games maybe 4 hours out of 7 every other Saturday. What a waste of time!!!
#3 - a little harsh, but in some cases necessary. A DM has to prepare everything for the adventure, the only thing a player has to worry about is his/her own character. Why people can't have everything ready to go on gameday, I'll never now.
#4 - Again, sometimes necessary. I know some people will have issues with this, but in our group the DM doesn't have time to sit there and go over every little detail of the characters. I help out by trying to make sure that everyone knows the rules. For example, we have one player that will try to bring in anything related to FR that he can, when we are playing Greyhawk :\ Others either can't seem to grasp basic rules, such as the fact that Weapon Finesse and Weapon Focus require a +1 BAB, so only "warrior" classes can take them at 1st level. Our current system is to post all the character information on our campaign message board and then everyone go over the info looking for possible errors and then point them out.
#5 - Some things need to be questioned, especially if it is clearly black-and-white in the rules. If it is ambiguous or "grey" then the DM's ruling should be followed. If his ruling contradicts black-and-white text then it needs to be discussed. For example, our DM recently ruled that attacking an opponent engaged in a grapple with another character suffers the same 50/50 miss chance as attacking with a ranged weapon
If this was put forth beforehand, I would be fine with it, but since it came up during combat the ruling had to be discussed and debated.
Don't change rules unless you do it ahead of time and let everyone know.
#6 - Depends on what you classify as munchkin. For me, it is any character that dips into more than 2 or 3 prestige classes. I prefer games where you either have straight-class characters or if you decide to take a prestige class you finish it before looking at another. Basically, anything from the Character Optimization boards at Wizards is "munchkin"
#7 - Breaks are needed, whether for the bathroom or a smoke break. Just keep them to a limited amount. Either plan food out ahead of time, or schedule a break to order food and then pick up the game again.
#8 - I'm not sure how to look at this. Personally, I am a shy person and don't like to talk to people much. I can get along with people, I just don't make small talk and I am very non-confrontational. When it comes to the social aspects of roleplaying, I stink. That's just who I am
#9 - Don't like it. If there is a reason, I can understand letting a player go, but not just because the group "voted"
#10 - Eh, add them as you go along if need be. No real comment here.
#11 - Will my character most certainly die at some point, or is there just a possibility (i.e., no pulling strings). If it's the second, fine. If it's the first, no thank you. I invest a lot of time in my characters and if you are certainly going to kill them off with no chance of avoiding it, I'll find someone else.
The only other rules would have has to do with priorities.
#12 - If you are going to miss the game, let someone know! In today's age there is no reason you can't pick up a phone, email, etc. and let the DM/Players know that you can't make it. Unless you are in a serious accident, in which case it can be excused.
#13 - This is a GAME!! Do not choose the game over real world responsibilities. We had a fellow show up while his wife was in labor at the hospital
Personally, I think he should have been let go from the group just for that.
