[easybox]This article was originally published on ManaNation.com on April 11, 2008. We've pulled it from the archives for those of you who might have missed it. -- Trick[/easybox]

Hi guys!

I thought I’d introduce myself in an attempt to justify Trick's belief. I’ve been playing Magic on and off since it’s release back in 1993(!) and judging since about the time of Onslaught when I was volun-told to do so when I worked for my FLGS. I got certified during Mirrodin block and started professionally running events with Unity Entertainment in Champions of Kamigawa when I passed my level 2 certification. I recently received my level 3 certification at the 2007 Worlds in New York. So if you’re looking to get certified or want to talk about the judge program, drop me a line or find me at almost any PTQ in the Florida/Georgia area.

What I want to do in this series of articles is to demystify the world of judges. We’re always around, floating here and there through the event. We act as arbiters, rules lawyers (in the good sense), customer service, and, most often, Janitors (pick up your trash, dagnabbit!). I want to let you know what you should expect when you raise your hand in the air and yell, "Judge!" We strive for consistent service to players while preserving the integrity of the event.

This article is going to focus on the most common infractions that warrant a Game Loss. Mostly I’m going to talk about these infractions at Competitive RELs, such as Grand Prix Trials or Pro Tour Qualifiers. We can have fun comparing the REL penalties later.

The first and the most common infraction that judges come across is Illegal Decklist. The saddest part about giving these penalties is that they are the easiest to avoid with just a little attention to detail. When you turn in your decklist to a judge, there are a few things that we look for when we check it out. Your decklist needs to contain at least 60 cards in the main deck and 0 or 15 cards in your sideboard. The cards on your list must be legal to the format and their full names written out. The decklist must be legible. Your decklist must not contain more than 4 copies of any card, basic lands and Relentless Rats not withstanding.

Well, on average we hand out Game Loss penalties to approximately 7-10% of every tournament for Illegal Decklists.

Seems pretty easy, huh? Well, on average we hand out Game Loss penalties to approximately 7-10% of every tournament for Illegal Decklists. The best and easiest way to avoid this is to create your list the night before the tournament. Have someone you trust count it for you. Count it yourself. Have someone you trust count it again at the tournament. Give yourself a deck check and break your deck apart; verifying that you have listed it correctly.

Arrive early. If you are not in a hurry the last five minutes before round 1, you are less likely to make a mistake, especially in legibility. If I can’t read the card name you’ve written or if it could be one of many cards, it becomes illegal and someone will come over and see you in round 2.

Please don’t abbreviate. ::card(Flametongue Kavu):: as "FTK" and ::card(Dark Confidant):: as "Bob" are not acceptable to see on a decklist and I’m probably not "hip" enough to discern what they are anyway. And if you are going to ignore this and write COP on a decklist, at least tell me what color of COP it is.

Another frequent mistake that players make is a sub-section of Deck/Decklist Mismatch. This new infraction merges the old Failure to De-sideboard and Illegal Deck/Sideboard infractions. Let's talk about sideboards. When you shuffle and present your deck to your opponent, you should indicate your sideboard and present it as well. This rarely happens. It’s not a deal breaker until I come over to deck check you and find that you have cards that you bought from the dealer this morning in your deck box in addition to your sideboard.

The extra cards stored with your sideboard are automatically considered part of it according to DCI policy. Most likely, this will result in a Game Loss. Now there could be exceptional circumstances which may result in your penalty being downgraded to a Warning. One of these would include the cards not being even remotely legal for the format. I’m fairly certain you won’t try to side in that ::card(Mox Diamond) during a Lorwyn Block Constructed PTQ. If you are playing mono-red Goblins with absolutely no possible way to generate white mana or otherwise play it, I’ll just warn you about the ::card(Wrath of God):: in your deckbox.

Remember, only the Head Judge of the event can decide to downgrade a penalty and it’s not a guarantee. If you believe your circumstance is significant or exceptional enough; ask to talk to the Head Judge. We don’t mind. Really.

The last source of common Game Losses that I want to touch on is Tardiness penalties. Again, this is an infraction that is totally under your control. When time starts for the round, glance down at your watch or cell phone to see what time it is. No matter what happens, you should be back in the tournament area in 50 minutes from that time. That is the absolute earliest I can start the next round, even if everyone has finished their match in 15 minutes. Don’t wander about expecting matches to go to time. Chances are that will be the one time you’re wrong and you’ll be late. It only takes 3 minutes after the clock starts to get that first Game Loss.

Next week, I’ll talk about why that Game Loss you received is really your responsibility!

-Erik