When splitting/sharing/negotiating prizes in the final rounds of a tournament, are players currently allowed to share prizes that were already paid out? An older version of the Tournament Rules states that players may share such prizes (Rule 5.2 here). However, 5.2 in the newest rules I can find changes the wording to "players are allowed to share prizes they have not yet received in the current tournament." (Link here) Is this something that has changed in the last few years?
As an example, say there's a PPTQ where prizes other than the invite have been paid out before the Top 8 (which, as I understand it, is how they are currently supposed to be structured.) One of the players in the finals asks his opponent to let him have the invite to the Regional PTQ. Is it now impossible/illegal for the second player to request a portion of the first player's prizes in return for guaranteeing him the Invite? (Assuming, of course, that the result of the actual match never enters the discussion, as that would obviously not be allowed.)
If it is possible, how would such an exchange occur? I understand that player 2 in this situation would have to drop from the tournament to grant player 1 the invite, but I'm not entirely clear on whether the match can still be played at all.
Something like this happened to me at a PPTQ a while ago, and I felt overwhelmed trying to figure out how to handle it, so I'd like to know what players' options are in such a situation for the future.
I don't know about the history of the changes to this policy, but as it is now, if prizes other than the invite have been given out before the top 8, there is nothing to split in the finals. The current Tournament Rules specify "prizes that have not yet been received" for a reason. One player offering part of his or her now property as incentive for the other to concede is true bribery, even in the finals.
I'm a former judge (lapsed), who keeps up to date on rules and policy. Keep in mind that judges' answers aren't necessarily more valid than those of people who aren't judges; what matters is we can quote the rules to back up our answers. When in doubt, ask for such quotes.
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As an example, say there's a PPTQ where prizes other than the invite have been paid out before the Top 8 (which, as I understand it, is how they are currently supposed to be structured.) One of the players in the finals asks his opponent to let him have the invite to the Regional PTQ. Is it now impossible/illegal for the second player to request a portion of the first player's prizes in return for guaranteeing him the Invite? (Assuming, of course, that the result of the actual match never enters the discussion, as that would obviously not be allowed.)
If it is possible, how would such an exchange occur? I understand that player 2 in this situation would have to drop from the tournament to grant player 1 the invite, but I'm not entirely clear on whether the match can still be played at all.
Something like this happened to me at a PPTQ a while ago, and I felt overwhelmed trying to figure out how to handle it, so I'd like to know what players' options are in such a situation for the future.