Is it technically against the rules to sign up (a willing friend) that wont attend a GP, pay and then get the playmat? Could this be considered some kind of violation? What if you drop him before the tournament starts so as not to harm pairings? Does anyone care about this? Seems like it shouldn't matter but I'd like to know.
One of the players responsiblities is to be physically present at the tournament. So if you do regester your friend online and they don't show up they are not entitled to the playmat, nor will they receive any PW points for the event. They will be dropped before the tournament begins.
One of the players responsiblities is to be physically present at the tournament. So if you do regester your friend online and they don't show up they are not entitled to the playmat, nor will they receive any PW points for the event. They will be dropped before the tournament begins.
No, I mean I can just fill out his registration sheet and hand them the cash, then they hand me the playmat and the promo, right? At GPs you usually just wait in line, hand in the paper and they hand you your goodies. The walker points are irrelevant, my friend really wants the playmat and unfortunately can't make the event.
Is there anything really wrong with this? It doesn't disrupt anything.
I don't know about the rules, but it does seem morally wrong. What about all of the other people who want that playmat but can't attend? What if they run out because you took that one for someone not present, and another person who was actually able to attend doesn't get one?
Ok, you can't do on site registration on the day of the tournament. To do on site pre-registration you would have to do so the Friday of the GP weekend. Otherwise you are required to pre-register online. With the GP's getting larger it's no longer feasable to allow players to register the day of the GP (takes too much time, and causes unreasonable delays).
As to whether you are allowed to do that, no you are not. As I stated players must be physically present, so if your friend is not there you are not allowed to register them into the tournament just to pick up a playmat. GP "goodies" are for players, and players are physically present.
Otherwise what would stop someone from getting 50 players from their home town, getting their DCI numbers and money, then registering them so they could pick up 50 playmats and promos without attending. The fact that you only want to do that for one player would be viewed in the same fasion. The player isn't there, they don't get the mats and promo.
Mind you from a TO perspective, one would think they wouldn't mind accepting $30+ in exchange for a playmat...
Easy money. "It costs me under $5 and they want it for $30...Ok I'll take your money."
So do you think it would be fine for me to submit the registration form on Friday evening, pay the money, drop at a time that doesn't affect the tournament and let my friend have the play mat he's always dreamed of obtaining?
So do you think it would be fine for me to submit the registration form on Friday evening, pay the money, drop at a time that doesn't affect the tournament and let my friend have the play mat he's always dreamed of obtaining?
Contact the Tournament Organizer of the event ahead of time and ask them directly if you can work something out.
At GP Vancouver, there were surplus playmats at the end of Day 2. Granted, many players didn't care for the giant slug artwork.
There are no tournament or game rules that govern freebies given away by the organizers.
There may be requirements imposed by the Wizards Play Network or the organizers may have there own rules, but you can get your answer by contacting the organizer directly.
Great advise! I want to be clear about rules though. Would this be potentially breaking any rules that the DCI cares about?
Do you know what's cheaper than registering for a playmat? Offering to buy a playmat off someone else for less at the event. Surplus playmats are divided up and given to vendors to sell on. Players who don't want the playmats sell them to the vendors also. Also if it's sealed gp your going to end up paying far too much for a playmat that might have terrible art.
I think it's against the rules for us to buy playmats from non-vendors. I have no idea how much they might charge. There is also a good promo card for him (batterskull), the playmat is amazing (GP Beijing check it out).
No, I mean I can just fill out his registration sheet and hand them the cash, then they hand me the playmat and the promo, right? At GPs you usually just wait in line, hand in the paper and they hand you your goodies. The walker points are irrelevant, my friend really wants the playmat and unfortunately can't make the event.
Is there anything really wrong with this? It doesn't disrupt anything.
As to whether you are allowed to do that, no you are not. As I stated players must be physically present, so if your friend is not there you are not allowed to register them into the tournament just to pick up a playmat. GP "goodies" are for players, and players are physically present.
Otherwise what would stop someone from getting 50 players from their home town, getting their DCI numbers and money, then registering them so they could pick up 50 playmats and promos without attending. The fact that you only want to do that for one player would be viewed in the same fasion. The player isn't there, they don't get the mats and promo.
So do you think it would be fine for me to submit the registration form on Friday evening, pay the money, drop at a time that doesn't affect the tournament and let my friend have the play mat he's always dreamed of obtaining?
Great advise! I want to be clear about rules though. Would this be potentially breaking any rules that the DCI cares about?
I think it's against the rules for us to buy playmats from non-vendors. I have no idea how much they might charge. There is also a good promo card for him (batterskull), the playmat is amazing (GP Beijing check it out).