Forum:Judge Stories...

I'd like to share some of my stories, things that happened while I was a Judge in a Tournament, and see other fellow judges' stories as well! Stories can be anything from busting cheaters (like I did :D) to funny reactions to rulings/deck checks etc. I'd also like some judging queries to be answered by my peers!

My story is as follows: I was the Head Judge of a tournament, with 2 other judges acting as help. About halfway into the deck check proceedure, I called for a player to come and get his deck checked. Everything seemed to be ok, until I got to his side deck... there, I felt that the cards plus the sleeves were too thick (being a frequent player, I know the thickness of a card + a sleeve just by touch), so I decided to pull the cards out of their sleeves, and discovered that there was another card behind the first in every sleeve! The cards were also playable (i.e. good side deck cards), and thus I decided that the player was intentionally using 30 cards as a side deck, and disqualified him. Albeit unfortunate, I think it was necessary.

Later on, I checked the deck of an individual that was using 3 Royal Decree, Hobby League Parallel Rare. I noticed that those Decrees were bent (like most Hobby League cards, since the coating contracts more than the paper). I gave the player a Warning and instructed him to change the Decrees with Commons or Supers, not Hobby League ones, and come back for a re-check. Was this a good decision? I believe that this infraction usually warrants a Game Loss or even a Match Loss, but I thought it to be too much, especially since I couldn't be sure if it was intentional (Hobby League cards are always bent, making them go to the top of the deck when it is cut, so it is a form of stacking).

Finally, there was a player arguing that you can activate Rekindling with Necrovalley face-up on the field, on the grounds that "Rekindling does not target". I ruled against that, of course, and I know I was right (confirmed officialy in a parenthesis comment in the coverage of YCS Charlotte), but there was no convincing him. I gave him a Warning for not accepting the ruling, and when he didn't stop, a Match Loss. After that he threatened with violence, and I immediately disqualified him. He attempted to attack me, and the rest of the players stopped him, then threw him out. Fortunately, this was an isolated event and was never again repeated. Have you ever witnessed or been the victim of such an act?

Please do share your stories and opinions!

-- Darth Covah (Talk | DeckZone | Binder) 14:24, March 21, 2011 (UTC)