How to give a ruling(or Players are not our enemies)

Miguel Calvo (L2) Sergio García (L2)

How to give a ruling 211/08/2013

Summary

• How do you currently give a ruling?• Before the ruling• How to get to the table• Listen to the players• Goal: clarify the scenario• Once the scenario is clear…• Solving the problem• Once the problem is solved…• General guidelines

How to give a ruling 311/08/2013

How do you currently give a ruling?

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How do you currently give a ruling?

Hand6 Cards

Graveyard

Hand6 Cards

Player who started the game.

Active player

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Before the ruling (I)

1. Choose an area to cover• A non covered area is desirable• Think about accessibility

2. Pay attention nearby

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Before the ruling (II)

3. If you are talking to other judges or players…… do it looking towards the tables

4. Avoid “black holes”

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How to get to the table (I)

• Go by the side of the player who made the call• Friendly and collaborative attitude– Hello, what can I do for you?– May I help you?– Hi, is there any problem?

• A smile makes a lot =)• Put your head at the same level as the players

Denotes proximity & interest • Look at the clock!

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How to get to the table (II)

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Listen to the players

• Be methodical:– Listen first to the player who made the call– Listen then to the version of the opponent– Try to get the important information:

• Avoid superfluous things• Pay attention to the gestures• Pay attention on how the question is made

– Keep eyes contact: shows CONFIDENCE

• Conflictive situations:– Stop the discussions – Prevent spectators from intervening in the conversation

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Listen to the players

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Goal: Clarify the scenario

We should have a general idea of what is happening – Situation at the table– Cards involved in the scenario– Learn how the players got to this situation– Inquire the players about the communication during

the problem

If you still have doubts: ASK THE PLAYERS AGAIN

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Once the scenario is clear…

• Look at the clock• Identify the problem–Maybe it is crystal clear Proceed to fix the problem–Maybe we have doubts• Ask to a partner/team leader/HJ• Check the rules or internet• Call a judge??

–Maybe you are dealing with an investigationINVOLVE THE HEAD JUDGE* AS SOON AS POSSIBLE• Check the clock again to tell the HJ the time past.

How to give a ruling 1311/08/2013

Solving the problem

If we are not sure on how to resolve the problem: ask for help. It’s REALLY IMPORTANT not to give a bad ruling.

Rules/Oracle question• Don’t give out strategic information• Explain if our answer is based in partial information• Request to ask a question apart from the table:– Honor it if possible– Tell the opponent that it was a rules question or the oracle

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Solving the problem

Policy problems• Explain the players the root of the problem• Explain them the derived problems• Explain them the infraction(s) committed. Tell them the name of the

MIPG infraction• Explain the resolution as per the MIPG

• Before giving the penalty, ask if they had other penalties in the tournament and why

• Take into account other possible upgrades or downgrades *• Give the penalty taking into account the MIPG and previous penalties if

applicable

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MIPGDON’T MAKE PARTIAL FIXES

* Consult with a L3+ at certain tournaments

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Solving the problem

Policy problems (cont.)•If the players agree, solve the situation– If a back up is needed: ask the HJ– If you have to shuffle the library, check if there is any part of the

library already known– If you have to put a card on top of the library: choose it at

random

• If they disagree with the ruling - or you feel they do -, offer them the possibility of appealing to the HJ

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Once the problem is solved…

• Tell them they can continue playing. Give them extra time.• Write the infraction (if needed) on the results slip

-Your Name, Surname/ Player’s Surname, Name / Infraction / Penalty / Explanation-Make it apart from the table

• Stay close to the table if we believe that could be derived problems of the situation we had solved.

• Write down the extra time in the Extra time sheet (if used)

Miguel Calvo/ Doe, John/GPE-DEC/GL/Drew two cards at draw stepSergio Garcia/Doe, Jane/GPE-GRV/W/Cast a spell for the wrong mana

How to give a ruling 1711/08/2013

General guidelines

• Positive Attitude – It will make players feel more comfortable– Players will have more willingness to call a judge.

• Try to be as less disruptive as possible for the game• Be always available for giving rulings• Show confidence (eyes contact, voice, body language…) • Don’t be influenced by the players or the vision we have of them – Players who speak a lot– Players with bad reputation

• BE ALWAYS AWARE OF THE TIME– Saving time makes the tournament smoother

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References

• Five Steps to Giving a Professional Penalty – Stelios Kargotis• Body Language – Daniel Kitachewsky

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Remember that…

Players are not our enemies