Terminate That Jack Tournament — Official Rules

Vertical Cable is proud to present the Terminate That Jack Tournament, a two-part competition to crown the ultimate keystone jack termination pro. Compete for speed, precision, and bragging rights — and win credit toward Vertical Cable products! First Prize – $1000, Second Prize – $500, Third Prize – $250.

Tournament Overview

The competition takes place in two phases:

Phase 1: Online Challenge (Pre-CEDIA)
Phase 2: Live Finals at CEDIA Expo 2025 – Denver, CO

Phase 1: Online Challenge

Duration:
Now through September 3, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)

Who Can Enter:
Residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, age 18 or older.

How to Enter:

  1. Record a video of yourself terminating any brand of keystone jack using any termination tool.
    • The video must be filmed in one continuous shot
    • Start and finish must be clearly shown
    • A visible timer must appear in the frame at all times
  2. Upload your video to a public platform: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Dropbox, or Google Drive
  3. Submit your entry via the official Vertical Cable promo page with the following:
    • Your termination time
    • A link to your video
    • Full name, contact info, and city/state/country

Validation & Leaderboard:

  • Our team will verify all valid entries for time and quality
  • Once approved, your name and result will appear on the official Leaderboard

Phase 2: Live Tournament at CEDIA

Location:
Vertical Cable Booth #1533
CEDIA Expo 2025 – Denver, Colorado
Dates: September 4–6, 2025

On-site Rules:

  • Vertical Cable will provide V-Max Keystone Jacks and I-Punch Termination Tools
  • Contestants may bring and use their own tools/jacks if preferred
  • Participants will be timed by official VC staff
  • Judging criteria: speed, technique, and clean, standards-compliant terminations (no shortcuts!)

Prizes

Three Grand Prizes:
VC Cash – a product credit valid at any authorized Vertical Cable distributor in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. First Prize – $1000, Second Prize – $500, Third Prize – $250.

Permissions & Disclaimers

By submitting an entry, participants agree to the following:

  • Media Release: You grant Vertical Cable the right to use your name, video, image, and termination time in all media formats, including but not limited to social media, marketing campaigns, and promotional materials — without additional compensation.
  • Original Content: All video submissions must be original. No edits, time-lapse, or enhancements are allowed. Any signs of tampering will result in disqualification.
  • Right to Disqualify: Vertical Cable reserves the right to disqualify any participant for suspected cheating, inappropriate behavior, or failure to comply with the official rules.
  • Contest Changes: Vertical Cable reserves the right to modify, extend, or cancel the tournament at any time.
  • No Purchase Necessary: There is no purchase required to enter or win.

Think You’ve Got What It Takes?

The current champion clocked in at 18 seconds.
Can you beat that? Show us what you’ve got.