Deck checks by kush singhal
- 1. Deck Checks (for Constructed Events) By Kush Singhal Level 2 Judge Lake Grove, NY Judge Conference at Ice Imports, Connecticut September 6th, 2014
- 2. Overview •Philosophy •Deck Lists •Deck List Counting •Notes/Tips •“The Swoop” •General Deck Check Process •Mid-Round Deck Checks •Fixes, Remedies, and Penalties •Deck Check Wrap-up •Other Notes/Tips
- 3. Philosophy •Players must play with a legal deck and sideboard throughout a tournament •Deck lists are used to ensure that decks are not altered •Deck checks are required for Competitive and Professional REL tournaments •10% of participants Useful Sections in the IPG: 3.4, 3.5, 3.8 http://wpn.wizards.com/sites/wpn/files/attachements/mtg_ipg_18july14_en.pdf Useful Sections in the CR: 103.1, 701.16 http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/resources/rules/MagicCompRules_20140601.pdf Useful Sections in the MTR: 2.8, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10, 3.11, 3.15, 6 http://wpn.wizards.com/sites/wpn/files/attachements/mtg_mtr_en.pdf
- 4. Deck Lists •Alphabetical player meeting -Makes judges’ lives much easier •Player count and verification -1 list per person -Quickly identifies missing lists -Pre-registration attendees
- 5. Deck List Counting (not required) •Goal: Finish counts in Round 1 •Skim list for card names -Card legality -Number of copies in 75 less than or equal to 4 -Incorrect/Incomplete names 3 Jace 2 iasdfghj 1 GW Temple 4 Black Lotus 12 Pack Rat
- 7. Deck List Counting (continued) •Numbered count -Get a counting app! -60+ cards in maindeck -0 to 15 cards in sideboard -Write initials on lists after they’ve been approved •Problems? Deck check to verify! •Alphabetize lists •Store out of reach of players
- 8. Notes/Tips •Get a partner -One person to swoop -Second person pulls lists and runs interference •Round 1 deck checks are important! •Apply deck list counting penalties in Round 2 •Assign table away from the players, but still overlooks the event •Players can request that they come along when you check them •Goal: deck checks should take 5 mins, hard cutoff at 7 mins -Olivier’s presentation
- 9. “The Swoop” •Stand inconspicuously in general area •Partner should run interference •Watch for any odd actions or strange shuffling •Note time when you act – for time extensions •Be LOUD! •Jump in after they present, but before they cut •Ask for names, decks (obviously), and match slip
- 11. General Deck Check Process •Check sleeve edges •Two schools of thought for speedy checks -Start with sideboard first -Start with maindeck first •Sorting – color, CMC, and/or spell types •Sufficiently randomized? -Mana weaving -Perfect distribution of all spells -Clumping
- 12. General Deck Check Process (continued) •Check backs of sleeves -Should all be identical (Section 3.10 in MTR) -Distinctive markings and/or scuffs (pattern might suggest more serious issue) -Maindeck vs sideboard sleeve wear -Opaque sleeves
- 13. General Deck Check Process (continued) •Other cards in deck box? -Extra deck -Unsleeved cards -Token printouts backed by magic cards -Replacements for altered cards •Marked cards? -Damaged (creased) cards -Foils which are excessively warped -Non-uniform (double) sleeves •Alters? -Require Head Judge approval (Section 3.3 in MTR)
- 14. Deck Check Wrap-Up •Return decks to players •Fix any issues away from opponent •Explain any penalties – don’t mention specific cards •Instruct players to randomize and double check they’re presenting legal decks •Answer any questions •Give time extension +3 minutes •Once DC completed, mark on the deck list -The error + brief explanation -The fix -The round of the deck check and your initials •Look for mid-round deck checks!
- 15. Mid-Round checks •Find a table where both players are shuffling, look at match slip •Using table number, pull the deck lists •Be careful! -Don’t change contents of presented deck •Start with sideboard first •Ask the players to double check deck legality •Guideline: 35 minute cutoff
- 16. Fixes, Remedies, and Penalties •Contents of the deck should match deck list -If there’s a problem, change the list so it matches the deck •Marked sleeves -Find replacements -In the interest of time, can request the player change after the match •Marked, missing, and/or lost cards -Find replacements -If replacement not found, use basic land (note on deck list) -Can’t change back to original card once replaced -If cards are missing from a sideboard, make a note of this but issue no penalty (IPG section 3.5)
- 17. Fixes, Remedies, and Penalties (continued) •Check with Team Lead/Head Judge when delivering Game Losses •Head Judge for any investigations, upgrades, or downgrades •Game loss penalty -Current game ends, next game (if any) begins -If game loss applied for game 1, players can’t sideboard for game 2 -Person who lost gets to choose play/draw in next game -Simultaneous double D/DLP game losses offset (IPG section 3.5)
- 18. Other Notes/Tips •Too slow when swooping? “ If a player has drawn an opening hand and potentially made mulligan decisions, the contents of the hand will be preserved unless a game loss is issued as a result of the deck check.” (MTR section 2.8) •Understaffed? -1 “real” DC -1 sleeves and sideboard check •Game Losses – check with Team Lead/Head Judge •Upgrades/Downgrades of penalties – check with Head Judge •Cheating investigations – get Head Judge involved immediately
- 19. Thanks for listening! Any questions or comments?