| | | | | You are not authorized to post a reply. |
| | Author | Messages | |
English Ghost (OP Program Manager)
Talafenix
Sneak
128 Posts
    
 | | 05/18/2006 3:58 PM |
| In other threads there has been much talk about what a judge can and cant do. What happens when they make mistakes, when is it appropriate to ask a judge and what happens if you argue a point as you think it's wrong?
And about two bazzillion more questions. There has also been a call for seminars. Well here's the first good news. I've already talked about this for Gen Con and maybe other shows BUT it's limited to those only able to attend. I'm therefore going to start a series of articles and workshops here and on our boards.
Disagreeing with policy is fine. I encourage all feedback but trust me this policy has been developed and refined out of application across the globe and hundreds of thousands of head-to-head games we run week in and week out.
I'll do it in FAQ format so as you ask questions I'll reproduce them and post to a common thread. So moderators can you create a thread that allows for the questions and I'll keep this thread clean for the answers.
Onwards...
Judge basic rules:
Some of these are going to sound harsh. To be honest they are. Why? Because it will optimize the experience for everyone. Most are common sense but it has been found common sense isn’t that common.
The do’s:
· Always treat everyone with the utmost respect.
· Always be impartial.
· Correct all errors you see even if not called to do so by a player (example: You see a player move his Sacred Watcher 8 instead of 6. Inform them of the error and have the player redo their move)
· Listen to both sides if called to rule.
· Ask questions as appropriate.
· Consult the rules.
· Have the players also consult the rules.
· Consult with people watching the game if necessary.
· Consult your Head Judge if necessary.
· Make a ruling and point out the rules in the rulebook when possible.
· Apply any penalties as necessary.
· Apply any extra time to the match as appropriate for your ruling and have the game continue. Assuming no disqualifications.
· Write up all Warnings and above penalties and file the report with the DCI via DCI Reporter*.
*A free copy of DCI reporter is available to all Tournament Organizers set up to run events with the DCI.
The do not’s:
· Never argue.
· Never take anything personal.
· Never rule without a chance for both sides to input.
· Never allow undue arguing between players.
· Never reverse your decision even if later you find out you ruled incorrectly.
Head Judge:
· Always back your judge’s decision unless extraordinary situations dictate otherwise.
· You are the final decision maker in an event therefore you need to be available at all times for both judges and players.
Tournament Organizer:
· You have no role within the tournament itself save logistics (venue, tables, chairs, power, engaging judges etc.)
· All rules and match situations need to be addressed by the Judges and Head Judge.
· You cannot make a ruling or overturn any ruling. Only the Head Judge can perform this action.
· A Tournament Organizer can appoint themselves a Judge or Head Judge.
Basic Questions and/or situations:
This is a guide to some of the more common situations and actions/penalties. Draw from these to how you should apply rulings to other situations. This section will be organic. Meaning it will continue to grow as more examples are added.
Q. Is it cheating to not point out a mistake another player is making, which will be to my advantage, and can I be disciplined for it?
Yes you can receive a caution, warning or match loss depending of situation. If it's a case of dropping a mini to allow a clear line for a fireball that will toast a bunch of minis... mistake of player... if it's application of a rule that the other player says... it's like this right? And you agree knowing it'll keep your mini alive by allowing him to be wrong then you're in breach of gamesmanship. It's a form of cheating to knowingly gain advantage. Players are expected to be honest with each other and not misrepresent the rules or game state. It’s also possible both players could receive cautions, warnings or match losses. If you have a question don’t rely on your opponent to be right ask a judge.
Penalty: Caution, Warning, Match Loss and Disqualification
Judges: Listen to both sides. Ask questions as appropriate. Consult with people watching the game if necessary. Consult your Head Judge if necessary. If beyond reasonable doubt the play applied it to their advantage then give them the appropriate penalty. It is also necessary to issue penalties to both parties. One for the Cheating: Other and the second for Procedural Error. Multiple cases of the same infraction should be escalated to the next level of Penalty.
Q. How can I misrepresent the game state? What would be the penalty?
Example: It’s cheating to offer your hand and say, ‘looks like you win’ making the other player think you conceded. You then sit and watch them scoop up their minis and proceed to call a judge over and complain you had not conceded and push the judge for a victory in your favor, as the game state cannot be accurately reconstructed.
Penalty: Warning, Match loss or Disqualification.
Judges: Listen to both sides. Ask questions as appropriate. Consult with people watching the game if necessary. Consult your Head Judge if necessary. If beyond reasonable doubt the player misleads the opponent or misrepresents the game state then apply the appropriate penalty. Multiple cases of the same infraction should be escalated to the next level of Penalty.
Q. You talk about game state and accurately recreating it. How far can a Judge back up?
As a rule Judges won’t back a game up beyond a set of activations. At most a game will be backed up one full round. Beyond that it’s too inaccurate. If you have a question ask it immediately do not allow the game to evolve beyond that state otherwise the Judge is powerless to apply anything satisfactorily. There is nothing worse being told you are correct but the game cannot be turned back due to possible inaccuracies in game state.
Penalty: None.
Judges: Listen to both sides. Explain the policy if you are unable to accurately reconstruct the situation. Note: Players maybe able to remember but the rule of thumb is, once the next initiative dice are thrown the game won’t be turned back. That said an early round with full 8 activations per side may also not be able to be reconstructed accurately and therefore you may rule that it also cannot be backed up. Usually no penalty is necessary but undue arguing of pressure may result in a Caution or Warning for Misconduct or Unsporting Behavior.
Q. Can a Judge over turn a result after reflecting on a ruling they made was wrong?
No. The ruling at the time stands, as the game state cannot be reconstructed. Continuing to do this may result in the DCI not using that Judge for events. Judges are responsible for having a sound understanding of the rules.
Penalty: None
Judges: Never reverse a decision for the above reason. Acknowledging the mistake is fine but the game cannot be reinstated. Accept no pressure from players to do otherwise. Continued pressure from players may result in you having to issue cautions or worse from persistent arguing.
Q. If I disagree with a judge ruling can I complain?
Yes. The next line would be to ask for the senior judge or ‘Head’ Judge. You then have a second opportunity to discuss the issue. Don’t expect it to change. Unless it is extraordinary circumstance nothing will be overturned. Example: Chraal’s suddenly do all element damage and don’t require commanders.
At all times remain calm, be precise, use the rules and accept the result. To argue non-stop will likely get you a caution, warning or worse, a match loss. In extreme circumstances we’ve also had to apply a total disqualification and area ejection.
Judges are there to help facilitate games. There are not there to receive verbal or implied physical abuse or worse actual physical abuse. Yes that has happened.
Penalty: Caution, Warning, Match Loss, DQ.
Judges: You are there to facilitate. Listen to what they have to say. Remain calm at all occasions. Players that get overly animated should be gently urged to calm down. Point out the effect if they don’t, which could result in a Caution or worse. Show understanding, acknowledge you heard their point and empathize with their passion but there is never reason for rude or threatening behavior.
| |
Ian Richards
RPGA Program Manager
Program Manager for D&D, Star Wars and Axis & Allies Miniatures.
Organized Play
Wizards of the Coast | |
| English Ghost (OP Program Manager)
Talafenix
Sneak
128 Posts
| | 05/18/2006 6:25 PM |
| Q. While supporting your people is a good thing, I worry about "Always" and "extraordinary circumstance". What if the first ruling was just plain wrong? Even if the Head Judge can instantly see it was an incorrect ruling, he should rubberstamp the answer? Then what is the point of a Head Judge at all?
Head Judges should always support their Judge's decision. Most games will continue past a recreation state. Issues that fall within extraordinary are when it changes the state of play that has been earlier ruled OR affects things like time. Example: no extension was applied after a 10 minute delay answering rules. That is unfair as the game should have a 1-hour limit. A Head Judge would over turn a decision to not extend while also adding in time for the extra stoppage.
NOTE: There is a point beyond which a tournament or tournament can not be extended. Judges should ensure games continue as fast as possible while being fair and taking all efforts to be as concise as possible. This means finding the rules in the rule book would be optimal but there cames a time that games need to resume or risk loosing time.
In the case of an error call. Head Judges should outline the error at the first opportunity to the Judge concerned. They may even wish to sit in on further answers by the Judge or ask the Judge to shadow them from then on.
Q. If you are not a judge, but are a knowledgable bystander such as another player who has already finished their game, and you see a player make a rules violation, should you point it out? Are you even allowed to, or is that considered interfering with the game? Should you report it to a judge?
That could be seen as coaching (He could be your friend who you are having stand there and watch for errors while you consider the next moves) and therefore would be asked to keep quiet. Severity or complaint from a player may well end up with you receiving a minimum Warning or worse Event Ejection.
NOTE: All infractions from Warning upwards are written up and tracked by the DCI. Each may also receive secondary investigation and penalty esculation which can include a ban from all sanctioned events for period of time that includes Life Time.
As the game continues to gather pace and Tournaments become more competitive then there is more and more need to apply the Judging rules as per the guidelines. This also means we'll need a testing and ranking program. These Programs cost a considerable amount of time and money to set up and maintain. | |
Ian Richards
RPGA Program Manager
Program Manager for D&D, Star Wars and Axis & Allies Miniatures.
Organized Play
Wizards of the Coast | |
|
neilasaurus
Sneak
134 Posts
| | 07/04/2006 9:09 PM |
| | I think you need to reword that first statement. Its cheating to not point out a RULES mistake your opponent is making. Otherwise you would be constantly helping your opponent with every move he made. | |
| |
|
jack
Skirmisher
11 Posts
| | 11/15/2006 11:16 PM |
| do encourage all players to call a judge over if they have a conflict about the rules.
always carry a rule book
| | | |
|
| | You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| |
ActiveForums 3.7 | You must be signed in to participate in the
games. | |
| | |
|