It just goes through things that you can do to not only protect yourself, but also improve how you play technically and how to deal with certain situations. These may be common sense to more veteran players, but for newer or less experienced players I thought this was a very helpful article.
I myself don't really think too much about this kind of stuff (only FNM level here, so I don't really feel this stuff applies there as much). I did find a few things that I'm not doing myself though, such as asking spectators to move to the sides, as well as slow play calling early on. I always sort of feel like I'm being rude or unpleasant when I ask these types of things (particularly calling judges for minor things), so I usually don't or let things slide, but I can see how in higher level events things like this could give an edge against unwary players and possibly steal wins.
Are there any other things one can do to help prevent these types of things done against them? Any tips or tricks you do personally? Again, I'm only FNM level, but I feel like habits formed there can lead to better protecting yourself at higher level events.
Always call a judge if your opponent is breaking tournament rules, even if you think it's by accident. You can be friendly about it, but this way the judges can notice if the person keeps making the same "mistake" over and over again. People will cheat at tournaments of any level, so don't think you're immune from it just because you're at FNM. The overwhelming majority of people you play are honest, but you should pay attention so that you aren't caught unawares by the cheaters that are out there, and furthermore so you can help stop those cheaters from getting away with it. A cheater is a cheater is a cheater. If they'll cheat at a Grand Prix or PTQ, they'll cheat at an FNM, and vice versa.
FWIW you are probably more likely to see cheating at the FNM level than a major event. Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because it is meant to be a pretty casual event people won't cheat, as I've been playing a LONG time at events of both levels, and seen a LOT more cheating at the local FNM level. Drawing extra cards is probably the most common, but I've also caught shuffle cheats and even caught someone trying to swap cards under a Hideaway land once.
A lot of the ideas seemed pretty obvious ideas. The one that I'd like to reiterate is the one where he talks about keeping track of life totals. At a tournament, it should probably be pen and paper. At FNM I actually use my cell phone's life counter App. And the important thing is every time the life total changes it's a good habit to get into to verbalize it and make sure your opponent marks it down as well. I can't even count the number of times at an FNM where both of us are keeping track of life and one of us forgets to mark down a change in life total for one of the players and the other has to correct him eventually. If you were playing against a less than honest player at a more serious event and forgot to note the loss of life of your opponent playing Thoughtsieze, he could potentially notice an "gain 2 life" against you by not recording the change either.
While I don't play in competitive formats, we have a player in my Commander league that has a habit of mumbling his plays and not slowing down to wait for anyone to respond. I constantly have to ask him to slow down and speak up. Probably a concern at FNM and higher as well.
Always call a judge if your opponent is breaking tournament rules, even if you think it's by accident. You can be friendly about it, but this way the judges can notice if the person keeps making the same "mistake" over and over again. People will cheat at tournaments of any level, so don't think you're immune from it just because you're at FNM. The overwhelming majority of people you play are honest, but you should pay attention so that you aren't caught unawares by the cheaters that are out there, and furthermore so you can help stop those cheaters from getting away with it. A cheater is a cheater is a cheater. If they'll cheat at a Grand Prix or PTQ, they'll cheat at an FNM, and vice versa.
This is so true.
A warning means nothing to a non-cheater (unless they are ridiculously sloppy repeatedly). But, a warning will both undermine a cheater's confidence (sometimes enough that they stop cheating at that event, sometimes enough to make them worse at cheating so they get caught for something real), and a paper trail develops that can help catch them later.
How about people who watch peoples games during round 1 if they have a bye and compile a list everyone's decks. It's not cheating per say but it's not within the spirit of the game surely judges should be empowered to create a less toxic atmosphere.
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I thought that this was an interesting article, particularly after the whole recent scandal.
It just goes through things that you can do to not only protect yourself, but also improve how you play technically and how to deal with certain situations. These may be common sense to more veteran players, but for newer or less experienced players I thought this was a very helpful article.
I myself don't really think too much about this kind of stuff (only FNM level here, so I don't really feel this stuff applies there as much). I did find a few things that I'm not doing myself though, such as asking spectators to move to the sides, as well as slow play calling early on. I always sort of feel like I'm being rude or unpleasant when I ask these types of things (particularly calling judges for minor things), so I usually don't or let things slide, but I can see how in higher level events things like this could give an edge against unwary players and possibly steal wins.
Are there any other things one can do to help prevent these types of things done against them? Any tips or tricks you do personally? Again, I'm only FNM level, but I feel like habits formed there can lead to better protecting yourself at higher level events.
A lot of the ideas seemed pretty obvious ideas. The one that I'd like to reiterate is the one where he talks about keeping track of life totals. At a tournament, it should probably be pen and paper. At FNM I actually use my cell phone's life counter App. And the important thing is every time the life total changes it's a good habit to get into to verbalize it and make sure your opponent marks it down as well. I can't even count the number of times at an FNM where both of us are keeping track of life and one of us forgets to mark down a change in life total for one of the players and the other has to correct him eventually. If you were playing against a less than honest player at a more serious event and forgot to note the loss of life of your opponent playing Thoughtsieze, he could potentially notice an "gain 2 life" against you by not recording the change either.
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This is so true.
A warning means nothing to a non-cheater (unless they are ridiculously sloppy repeatedly). But, a warning will both undermine a cheater's confidence (sometimes enough that they stop cheating at that event, sometimes enough to make them worse at cheating so they get caught for something real), and a paper trail develops that can help catch them later.