You are technically correct however players rarely play magic in the most technically correct method. A judge would have to investigate to determine whether your opponent forgot about the regeneration ability or was simply using a shortcut for a batch of actions.
What about the reverse? Could they handle more players in the main event if they cancelled side events on Saturday?
While postponing sides could allow for more players in the main event the trade off is really poor as the logistics do not scale the same. A single skilled judge can handle 10 drafts (or 80 players) without much difficulty due to the more casual nature of the events.
Whereas at the GP an optimal ratio would be 30:1 to provide effective customer service which we are right up against with the current judge staff. At this point just about every GP capable judge who can make it to Vegas has been recruited and judging is not something simply throwing more bodies at solves, they need to be skilled.
(That's just the judging side of the logistics, not accounting for things like scorekeeping bottlenecks and riding herd on thousands of players)
Additionally you can end up frustrating far more players by having sides closed than you would accommodate by using those resources for the main event.
The TO, Tim Shields, is a very smart and experienced man; I am confident that he has considered every option available to him and will do his best to make this unprecedented event the best experience possible for everyone involved.
One thing that puzzles me there: if they are capping the event because of lack of space/staff, where is the space/staff for the "draft based event using Modern Master packs for anyone who I am forced to turn away from the GP" coming from?
Adding more chairs and space isn't the primary issue. Being able to adequately service the players in the event is, also as people drop from the main event that space will be allocated to side events, nothing says the apology draft needs to start at the same time the GP does (and it likely will not).
Tim has updated his blog with the reasoning behind the cap and his apologies.
Basically it comes down to logistics of managing an event that size while still providing a positive experience for the players in the event. Product is not the issue here (and there will be plenty of Modern Masters side events).
UPDATE
Registration for Grand Prix: Las Vegas has been capped at 4500 players, online preregistration has been capped at 4400 players. If you want to play in Grand Prix: Las Vegas you NEED to preregister online.
I don't think Mindslaver-ing your opponent gives you the right to see their Sideboard...
I didn't think you were allowed to pick up and look at your sideboard until such times as you're legally able to so do (During a Living Wish execution, or during Sideboarding)
If he asks to see your sideboard, calmly say "no" because it is not a legal time during which the sideboard can be looked at.
This is incorrect.
Players can look at their sideboards at any time provided it is kept clearly separate from other cards in the game.
If you mindslaver an opponent you have access to all information they have access to, this includes sideboard.
Quote from Mindslaver Gatherer Rulings »
You can see everything that player can see but you normally could not. This includes that player's hand, face-down creatures, his or her sideboard, and any cards in his or her library that he or she looks at.
Can you legally do this? Say I went to GP Vegas this weekend and opened a foil Tarmogoyf to register for someone else. Can I just drop at that point (before we swap our pools) and go play in a side event?
Yes, you can.
Do I have to tell a judge?
At GP: Vegas please check in at one of the Drop Stations for your portion of the event so that you are not paired for Round 1 and someone ends up having to wait 10 minutes for an opponent who will never come.
It seems like bad form on WOTCs part to announce this so close to the event. They should have announced this much sooner. They also should have anticipated the demand for the event and prepared for the logistics of it accordingly.
There are solid reasons behind this and its not due to poor planning. Making sure the event fires on time and is as smooth as possible is a very high priority.
UPDATE
Registration for Grand Prix: Las Vegas has been capped at 4500 players, online preregistration has been capped at 4400 players. If you want to play in Grand Prix: Las Vegas you NEED to preregister online.
Graft modifies how the creature enters the battlefield so the counters are placed before humility applies.
After it is on the battlefield it will be a 6/6 (1/1+5 +1/+1 counters) creature with no abilities which means it can attack/block normally. It also does not have the graft ability to move counters.
Hi. I'm planning on attending GP Vegas next weekend I have already preregisted for the main event and have a few questions. First off should i arrive early to the venue prior to them opening for registration at 9 am to give myself the best chance at getting a playmat.
Yes, I would recommend getting there early to check in as playmats are limited and attendance is expected with exceed 3000 players (with 2600+ already preregistered)
Second if i want a artist to sign my card will i have to pay them, I've been to several star city events in my area but never visited an artist booth.
This is entirely dependent on the artist.
Also should i bring my own basic lands for when building my sealed pool?
Basic lands will be provided but you are free to use your own provided they are not marked.
Since the set is entirely reprints all off the FAQ entries are already in gatherer as gatherer rulings, I'd imagine they didn't feel the need to make a separate document with them all in one place.
Umezawa's Jitte
You are technically correct however players rarely play magic in the most technically correct method. A judge would have to investigate to determine whether your opponent forgot about the regeneration ability or was simply using a shortcut for a batch of actions.
Rounds are capped at 9 Rounds Day 1 and 6 Rounds Day 2. Players with a record of X-2 or better at the end of Day 2 will earn a PT invite.
While postponing sides could allow for more players in the main event the trade off is really poor as the logistics do not scale the same. A single skilled judge can handle 10 drafts (or 80 players) without much difficulty due to the more casual nature of the events.
Whereas at the GP an optimal ratio would be 30:1 to provide effective customer service which we are right up against with the current judge staff. At this point just about every GP capable judge who can make it to Vegas has been recruited and judging is not something simply throwing more bodies at solves, they need to be skilled.
(That's just the judging side of the logistics, not accounting for things like scorekeeping bottlenecks and riding herd on thousands of players)
Additionally you can end up frustrating far more players by having sides closed than you would accommodate by using those resources for the main event.
The TO, Tim Shields, is a very smart and experienced man; I am confident that he has considered every option available to him and will do his best to make this unprecedented event the best experience possible for everyone involved.
Adding more chairs and space isn't the primary issue. Being able to adequately service the players in the event is, also as people drop from the main event that space will be allocated to side events, nothing says the apology draft needs to start at the same time the GP does (and it likely will not).
Basically it comes down to logistics of managing an event that size while still providing a positive experience for the players in the event. Product is not the issue here (and there will be plenty of Modern Masters side events).
Registration for Grand Prix: Las Vegas has been capped at 4500 players, online preregistration has been capped at 4400 players. If you want to play in Grand Prix: Las Vegas you NEED to preregister online.
This is incorrect.
Players can look at their sideboards at any time provided it is kept clearly separate from other cards in the game.
If you mindslaver an opponent you have access to all information they have access to, this includes sideboard.
Yes, you can.
At GP: Vegas please check in at one of the Drop Stations for your portion of the event so that you are not paired for Round 1 and someone ends up having to wait 10 minutes for an opponent who will never come.
No, absolutely not.
Please read Tim Shield's (The Tournament Organizer of GP: Vegas) blog on the subject of the change.
There are solid reasons behind this and its not due to poor planning. Making sure the event fires on time and is as smooth as possible is a very high priority.
You must however, play at a reasonable pace and intentionally playing slowly in order to take advantage of a time limit is Cheating.
You must preregister or be there Friday to register on-site.
Help boost the signal so no one ends up getting left out, there's still plenty of time to hop online and preregister.
For more information visit: http://www.wizards.com/Magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg%2Fdaily%2Fother%2F06182013
UPDATE
Registration for Grand Prix: Las Vegas has been capped at 4500 players, online preregistration has been capped at 4400 players. If you want to play in Grand Prix: Las Vegas you NEED to preregister online.
Cascade Games Blog posts:
Why no Saturday registration?
Why is the event capped?
Graft modifies how the creature enters the battlefield so the counters are placed before humility applies.
After it is on the battlefield it will be a 6/6 (1/1+5 +1/+1 counters) creature with no abilities which means it can attack/block normally. It also does not have the graft ability to move counters.
Yes, I would recommend getting there early to check in as playmats are limited and attendance is expected with exceed 3000 players (with 2600+ already preregistered)
This is entirely dependent on the artist.
Basic lands will be provided but you are free to use your own provided they are not marked.