Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Tricky vs. Deceptive Behavior (updated 2/12)

Chairman Kaga said:
I think instead of arguing whether or not bluffing is cheating, I will instead argue about what sort of sad, pathetic player has to resort to bluffing in order to win games.
Click to expand...

Really?? WoW seriously bluffing is a mind trick and you need skills to do this this is a big part of the game in games like yugioh this is soo big. So you r saying that players that can bluff susesfully are pathetic ?? plz bluffing is part of any game sorry.
 
Pachi said:
plz bluffing is part of any game sorry.
Click to expand...

Unless the rules say different.

I dunno why people want to make Pokemon into Yu Gi Oh or poker. If you think those are better games cos they use bluffing, then . . . obvious choice is obvious.

A lot of posing in this thread.
 
Trying to "psyche" your opponent out with the perceived threat of a power spray is just silly mind games. I don't see any harm in it. I've always found that it's easier to get a read on someone when they're actually doing or saying something, than when they're maintaining a calm expression and posture and keeping their hand to themselves.

Pay close attention to your opponent's turns. Keep a mental note of the cards that go into his hand (like the things he searches for with a search supporter or power), the things that leave his hand (stuff coming into play or going to the discard), and whatever is left remaining are your "unknown" cards. Probability and the plays your opponent makes will help you decide whether your opponent has the power spray, or the pluspower, or the warp point, or whatever card it is they need to beat your next play.

I love the concept of SOTG but I don't understand how the "bluffing" (actually really poor bluffing) that has been described in this thread detracts from the fun and sportsmanship of the game. I think bluffing is a fun and exciting dimension to any game where there are "unknowns" like face down cards or cards in hand. I always thought the "honesty" aspect of SOTG just meant not cheating. If someone wants to be "dishonest" about what's in their hand, I don't see how that's causing anyone harm. You don't have to believe them. You don't have to disbelieve them. You haven't actually -seen- their hand so to a decent player it doesn't matter what your opponent says. You're going to try and make the best possible play either way.

I'd much rather have my opponents try and tell me what they have (or don't really have) in their hand. It's so much easier to figure someone out that way. ;]
 
I personally would like to thank RA for this great thread. Not only has it provided some excellent reading, it also has allowed folks to expose their intentions.

I've been judging for a bit now. Tomorrow I HJ NH and next weekend HJ MA, I will then HJ Northeast Regionals, Judge nats, and with any luck, be invited back to judge at Worlds.

Forewarned is forearmed.

This deceptive/bluffing behavior will not be tolerated by any of the judging staff in the NE. Whether we see it or are called over to a match.

If any of you who think you can get away with any of these bad behaviors at any of the tournaments in the North East, I invite you to please come to one of ours.

We will catch you, we will apply the appropriate penalty, and we will move the event forward - with or without you.

Have a nice day.
 
Jayson: Lying about your hand is gamesmanship. Will such lies pick up a penalty? That is down to the local judges.

Just because a player does not have to believe an opponents lies does not absolve the opponent from making such misrepresentations.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, Rogue Archtype! Every time I read one of your threads, I learn something new. Also, I frequently absent-mindedly shuffle my discard after using NM or Aqua Pump, so don't feel too bad. ;)

I personally see the psychological side as a major part. I try my hardest to "read" my opponent and figure out their strategy from the cards they play and their facial expressions, body language, etc. Determining whether or not your opponent is trying to mislead you is all part of the game, IMO. EDIT: I am talking about evaluating your opponent, not lying.

I tend to inadvertently slump when my Uxies are prized and such -- I'm not deliberately trying to mislead my opponent, it just slips out. If I try to hide it after I mutter under my breath, am I playing "mind games"? What about suddenly switching to a "poker face" when up 'till then I have been more relaxed?
 
Jayson said:
Trying to "psyche" your opponent out with the perceived threat of a power spray is just silly mind games. I don't see any harm in it. I've always found that it's easier to get a read on someone when they're actually doing or saying something, than when they're maintaining a calm expression and posture and keeping their hand to themselves.

Pay close attention to your opponent's turns. Keep a mental note of the cards that go into his hand (like the things he searches for with a search supporter or power), the things that leave his hand (stuff coming into play or going to the discard), and whatever is left remaining are your "unknown" cards. Probability and the plays your opponent makes will help you decide whether your opponent has the power spray, or the pluspower, or the warp point, or whatever card it is they need to beat your next play.

I love the concept of SOTG but I don't understand how the "bluffing" (actually really poor bluffing) that has been described in this thread detracts from the fun and sportsmanship of the game. I think bluffing is a fun and exciting dimension to any game where there are "unknowns" like face down cards or cards in hand. I always thought the "honesty" aspect of SOTG just meant not cheating. If someone wants to be "dishonest" about what's in their hand, I don't see how that's causing anyone harm. You don't have to believe them. You don't have to disbelieve them. You haven't actually -seen- their hand so to a decent player it doesn't matter what your opponent says. You're going to try and make the best possible play either way.

I'd much rather have my opponents try and tell me what they have (or don't really have) in their hand. It's so much easier to figure someone out that way. ;]
Click to expand...

Finally, someone who agrees with me. A little bluffing IMO really doesn't take away from SOTG at all.


NoPoke said:
Jayson: Lying about your hand is gamesmanship. Will such lies pick up a penalty? That is down to the local judges.

Just because a player does not have to believe an opponents lies does not absolve the opponent from making such misrepresentations.
Click to expand...

Who ever said that X player would by lying about his hand? If I hold up a card as if I might be preparing to power spray something, its not a lie. Its 100% up to my opponent to decide if either I'm bluffing, or if I really have the card. They may even think that I'm just holding my cards weird. TBH I think that when serious penelties are given for HOLDING A CARD IN YOUR HAND a certain way, that's pushing it to far. I'm allowed to arrange my prizes how ever I want after a Time Walk, but I can't hold a card in my hand a certain way? This is really getting a little silly.
 
Well I don't agree with you Pika. NO place for bluffing in Pokemon.

Besides-unless you have used cyrus's or honchos command to get / show me the spray- if I
need the uxie while I'm using roseanne's I'll get it regardless of you have power spray in your
hand or not.

If you have, I'll use looker, then use uxie next turn ( hopefully).
 
@The Captain: why paint a target on your back?

Trash talking other players isn't nice. It is also an infraction at a tournament.

As to doing something about it, POP can and do read these boards. If ever you were written up for unsporting behaviour at a tournament your posts here would not help your case.
 
Last edited:
The Captain said:
Ok bro heres the thing, i bluff and because of thast i win. I WIN ALOT. I'm not any where near the best but i am succesful. I HAVE FUN when I WIN. Look at any sport or game and tel;l me how much fun the loosing team has.

You say that Pokemon is not intened to be like any other game well guess what it is just like any other game, its not special its just a game like any other. If you think any differently then you sir need a reality check

Lets be honest what i want out of the game and what i do are different. I play pokemon because its got good prizes and is full of bad players. You seem to play because you enjoy the atmosphere and aura of the game. Obviously bluffing is bad for you and good for me. So what the solution? It doesn't matter, ill keep bluffing and using underhaned tricks. You try to do something about it...

I say that pokemon players are trash because as a whole i believe it to be true. Not all players but the playerbase as a whole
Click to expand...

Try that where i judge and i will be glad to hold the door open for you when you are escorted out the door and off the property.
 
Scenario: A year or so ago I was battling my brother @ our league. We were both using Brock's Challenge, which let us shuffle our respective discard piles into our decks once during the game. He had 1 prize card left, and I had 4. We were both getting very close to decking out. I managed to stall & played Holon Farmer to save myself from decking out. Eventually, he drew his deck. He finished his turn, I drew my card, decided not to attack, and won the game.

Now, I was very careful not to remind him that he could use Brock's and therefore save himself. I didn't cover up the Challenge card, I just didn't say anything.
It was completely deliberate and intentional. All I did was neglect to remind him of something optional, comparable to Speed Stadium in the current format. Was this within the rules?
 
yes - nothing wrong with staying silent on options. You don't have to help your opponent to win.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top