Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Nebraska States: Report

Deckchecks for an entire state cannot be accomplished with the minimal staff on hand. Even US Nationals does NOT do a mandatory deck check, because deck checking 1000 people would take FOREVER. The guidelines state that 10% of the field must be checked at some point, so seeing an attendance of 60 players, did at least 6 decks get checked?.

How minimal a staff?
We have 4 registration tables in VA for States, more players than here, and get all of them done in about 1 hour. It's very easily manageable to avoid LOTS of potential problems.

Idgi, why would they do a deck check "even" at US nationals? That should be the only tournament without checks imo BECAUSE of the size. 1000 players is a lot, 60 isn't.
 
Well, you have to remember, not all states get the same staff support. I was told that there was 4 judges for Nebraska.

That averages to 15 people a judge, and an average deck check takes 3-5 minutes if your making sure of everything.

so, 15*5 = 75 minutes maximum for deck checks by the judges, not including re checks foer error lists and the like.

Idealy there would be about a 6:1 player:judge ratio which would work wonders. However, what works for 1 state may not work for another.

CA states I guarantee did not have a 15:1 ratio, since they hit alot of players, and if I recall, 11 judges scheduled to be there, 328:11 ~ 30:1. So, doing deck checks for CA states would take twice as long for the staff they had.

But in laymans terms, minimal is less than optimum in my book, and 4 judges for a 60 player is not optimal imo.
 
The only declared target my friend stated was "whoever I can KO". That's a statement. Your judge prematurely made a comment about the gamestate before damage was dealt, before a stated target was chosen, and before any other action was taken. Defend your inexperienced judge as much as you want, but the judge was half paying attention and missed that the opponent attached two tools to one pokemon for the entirety of the game. Last I checked, the game came down to skill, not who can misinterpret a game winning target, but whatever. He outplayed his opponent and that wasn't taken into consideration at all, instead the player who's attaching double tools, pointing to his own uxie as a target (misleading to opponent) gets the win. Good luck running your next events.

So is your point that two tools got attached in error? Or that your friend got "misinterpreted"? Or that I'm supposed to award games to the "better player", a criteria which I assume only you are qualified to assess?

Do you even have a point?

Also, been to several events where standings aren't posted between rounds, but the runners all *confirm* match results while both players are at the table. Those tournaments ran just as smoothly. It is humorous that you post standings between every round, but don't do deckchecks....

I gave you plenty of justification for not doing it and you've ignored it and rolled right on with your insightful commentary. Not really in the mood for arguing with brick walls this week.

Shell out money for sleeves that PTO's have left over from PR's? PLEEEAAASE make me laugh more. :lol:

Very nice that your PRs have product left over. We almost always run out. Also, I seem to recall the most recent PR not even having sleeves as a bonus item.

Wouldn't want to let those silly facts get in the way of your argument, though.

For what it's worth, Texas States last year was a MUCH worse experience for me, this one just happened to leave a sour taste in my mouth, mostly due to uxie donk scooping to his kid to ruin the integrity of the top cut, IMO.

Sounds like you have other issues besides how I judge events. I'll let you get back to those, and I'll get back to quality (except in your opinion) judging.

How minimal a staff?
We have 4 registration tables in VA for States, more players than here, and get all of them done in about 1 hour. It's very easily manageable to avoid LOTS of potential problems.

Good for you. *golfclap*

I have already responded to this argument. Twice.

Virginia can operate using whatever method Virginia wants. We will continue operating the way we want, which doesn't cause nearly as many problems in this region as you "pro" players want to assume it does.
 
Love it. People who run the events not being open to changing their flawed systems and poor judges, but rather blindly turn down criticisms because a few players said "good job". Good luck with future events.
 
People who run the events not being open to changing their flawed systems and poor judges

In your opinion.

but rather blindly turn down criticisms

I'm not blindly turning down your criticism, I'm very openly turning down your criticism.

You keep harping on the lack of pre-tournament deck checks, but you have yet to provide any justification beyond "other events do them so we should too" and how they "prevent problems" but you refuse to define the problems, or point out any problem we did have that would have been solved by checking everyone's deck.

"It's different, therefore I hate it" is not a valid debate strategy. Your criticism would be taken much more seriously if it were actually constructive.

Good luck with future events.

We've been doing this for four years. We are well beyond the need for luck.
 
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The only declared target my friend stated was "whoever I can KO". That's a statement. Your judge prematurely made a comment about the gamestate before damage was dealt, before a stated target was chosen, and before any other action was taken. Defend your inexperienced judge as much as you want, but the judge was half paying attention and missed that the opponent attached two tools to one pokemon for the entirety of the game. Last I checked, the game came down to skill, not who can misinterpret a game winning target, but whatever. He outplayed his opponent and that wasn't taken into consideration at all, instead the player who's attaching double tools, pointing to his own uxie as a target (misleading to opponent) gets the win. Good luck running your next events.

Not noticing a Snowpoint means not being aware of the game state. That shows a lack of skill. If your friend outplayed his opponent the whole game up to that point, he still misplayed that turn and that can cost a game. Also your friend didn't notice the double tool either and it wasn't even a top cut match. Judges don't (and shouldn't) actively chaperone Swiss games; it's up to the players to call them over. Your friend failed to notice so clearly it wasnt that bad of a problem.

Also, been to several events where standings aren't posted between rounds, but the runners all *confirm* match results while both players are at the table. Those tournaments ran just as smoothly. It is humorous that you post standings between every round, but don't do deckchecks....

If your speed gauge is broken I'll still pull you over for speeding. Your deck is your responsibility.

Shell out money for sleeves that PTO's have left over from PR's? PLEEEAAASE make me laugh more. :lol:

If you're hungry and I got two burgers, do I owe you a burger?

My friend left without his packs because of the poor judgement and not really caring to have to do anything with an event with results like that. No matter what, someone was going to be mad over the decision made, but that's what happens.

For what it's worth, Texas States last year was a MUCH worse experience for me, this one just happened to leave a sour taste in my mouth, mostly due to uxie donk scooping to his kid to ruin the integrity of the top cut, IMO.

People scoop to let their opponents in cut, most notably when a worlds player is paired up and can't cut even with their win. If you make it that far I think you should have the right to forfeit your chances at cut and thus deny someone else cut. Kinda like how when passdowns were legal, people didn't have to opt out of rankings even if they couldn't make it to worlds. Doing that well means you can deny someone else their trip (because they almost earned it, but didn't quite make it since you're there; sound like this scenario?). Fair game.

And to all my TX friends, don't worry, we'll be back down next season!

Replies are in bold text
 
Well this is getting out of hand, Stephen from alot of your posts I'm really getting a "screw you" attitude which is really suprising becuase this is so unlike you in person.

I can understand how deck checks are timely but offer "opitional" deck checks there would only be a hand full and would cut down on the complaining later. Expecially in a state where this was their first major tournament I'm suprised more issues didn't arrise. I don't really get the hate towards Virgina they obivously found a system that works for them this seems like one of those cases where we should put our pride aside and try to figure out what makes it work for them. I'll side with you on the whole sleeve thing players should have extra on them its nice when TO's have them but I can see where thats not always possible.

"We will continue operating the way we want, which doesn't cause nearly as many problems in this region as you "pro" players want to assume it does. "

Your really letting your pride get in your way here.

"I'm not blindly turning down your criticism, I'm very openly turning down your criticism."

Once again not my problem but as a head judge I would walk this line carefully

---------- Post added 03/25/2011 at 09:45 AM ----------

You keep harping on the lack of pre-tournament deck checks, but you have yet to provide any justification beyond "other events do them so we should too" and how they "prevent problems" but you refuse to define the problems, or point out any problem we did have that would have been solved by checking everyone's deck.

It was there first state championship with what I'm sure was a lot of new players expecially in the younger devisions who aren't familiar with high level competive play or competive play at all and perhaps its card pool. Is this a good enough reason?
 
OK, I think enough has been said here by all sides.

Let it drop.

Points have been made, and countered.

Jay, you considering a career as a mediator or attorney? Got the skills brother.

Vince
 
If your friend doesn't want to be misinterpreted, he shouldn't do things that can be misinterpreted. I tell my league players to think in their head, not over the play area, because this is exactly what happens. Personally I don't believe there was any misinterpretation, just regret over an error.

This sounds lack a serious SotG issue. Take for example you are playing Kecleon. Adding your attack damage, reducing resistance, adding weakness, adding Shaymin's body, then accounting for Expert Belts (on both actives), adding plus powers/black belts, and if they have a Sunnyshore or Snow Point in play. First, calculating this in your head can EASILY lead to a warning by the judge for stalling. I'll bet my math skills against most in Pokemon, not bragging, just sayin. Second, I REALLY thought it was against SotG to try and mislead your opponent in anyway.


Pointing out the two tools on the opponent's Registeel at that point (where it had zero bearing on the game outcome) seemed a lot like fishing for a penalty to me. I very politely ignored that and focused on the issue at hand.

Fishing or not, his opponent did take an action that gave him an unfair advantage. I'm not sure how you can justify that in any way. Of course it had bearing: he had free retreat, less cards in hand for Uxie draws, more HP and more damage. I can see how ignoring that, politely or not, could cause some sour grapes.
 
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