A players 'score' is based on the system whereby a win is one point, a draw is 1/2 point and a loss is 0 points. If, at the end of a tournament, 2 or more players have the same score, they are tied.

We can't split (break) a trophy as we can a cash prize, but we can 'break' the ties by using 'tie-breaks'. All tie breaks endeavor to gauge the strength of a particular player's competition at that tournament. There is more than one because frequently one tie-break method alone will not break the tie. Sometimes, it is sometimes necessary to use more methods to produce a decision, which is why at many tournaments trophies are given to every player who gets 3 points.

Individual Tie-Breaks
The standard tie breaks as listed on p. 140 in the USCF's Official Rules of Chess, 4th ed are:

1. Modified Median
2. Solkoff
3. Cumulative
4. Cumulative of Opposition