Playmat Regulations?

[NikkiK]

As we all know, playmats have become fairly commonplace. They easily keep one's cards from becoming dirty from frequent contact with a table, and are a nice way to show the player's individuality and keep cards all in one area. Even Pokemon has given out or sold mats at Worlds and through the Professor program.

However, I've noticed that some third party playmats aren't always appropriate. Most of the time, I see cutesy Pokemon or hand-drawn pictures on the mats--on the other hand, I've also seen mats with scantily clad anime girls nearly exposing breasts and more. Considering that Pokemon is, first and foremost, a game geared toward kids, shouldn't these be banned?

What do y'all think? I think eventually POP will regulate mats once they become more commonplace, but I also know they don't "technically" affect gameplay (like sleeves do) and hence are more difficult to regulate. Should a judge/LL/TO have the right to ask a player not to use an inappropriate playmat?

 

[PokePop]

Staff can certainly ask/tell players that their playmat is inappropriate for a family friendly event and that they can't use it.
Same for attire, language, or anything that is not appropriate at a Pokemon event.

 

[SolarPichu]

I vaguely recall the head judge saying inappropriate play mats were not permitted at this past Regionals, since this is a family friendly game and there are kids in attendance.

 

[NikkiK]

Really? I actually didn't know that rule was in place. I knew it was expected that people keep it appropriate, but not that staff could point out specific clothes or playmats or anything. That's interesting.

 

[LuMaga1]

Is there a penalty in the guidelines for players not respecting a judge's ruling on a playmat? I'm just curious as a player and an organizer.

 

[tutti]

I would expect refusing to follow a judge's instructions would lead to a very stern warning, followed shortly by disqualification unless the issue improves rapidly.

 

[SD PokeMom]

Is there a penalty in the guidelines for players not respecting a judge's ruling on a playmat? I'm just curious as a player and an organizer.

as an organizer, how are you not familiar with the penalty guidelines?

2014 Pokemon Penalty Guidelines, section 7.6, Unsporting Conduct IMO at the very least this would fall under 7.6.2, unsporting conduct-major, and depending upon the words/images on the mat (hatespeech, p0rn, etc) could be escalated to 7.6.3, unsporting conduct-severe. recommended starting penalty for major is a game loss, for severe is disqualification...

 

[LOLZ]

Is there a penalty in the guidelines for players not respecting a judge's ruling on a playmat? I'm just curious as a player and an organizer.

If a judge tells you to do something, and you don't the Penalty is a Game Loss.

7.6. Unsporting Conduct-
7.6.2. Major
Players are expected to behave in a respectful manner to all attendees and staff of a Pokémon event. Players who don’t behave properly need to be reminded to with the issuance of a penalty. Infractions in this category have a direct impact on event operation or cause a small degree of emotional distress to those around them.

Examples of Unsporting Conduct: Major include:
 Leaving a large amount of garbage in the tournament area.
 Failure to comply with the instructions of the event staff.
 Engaging in gamesmanship/rules lawyering.
 Attempting to manipulate a match through intimidation or distraction.
 Refusal to sign a match slip.
 Making legal plays which have no effect on the game in progress to manipulate the time remaining in a match.
 Playing slowly to manipulate the time remaining in a match.
Recommended Starting Penalty:
Tier 1: Game Loss
Tier 2: Game Loss

Edit- Ninja'ed by Doreen

 

[LuMaga1]

Ah, thank you for the post good sir.

 

[Raen]

Some trouble I have is that sometimes organizers won't do anything if kids aren't actually seeing said inappropriate playmat/shirt/whatever. But I feel like there ARE some of us out here that play the game that don't like that stuff regardless of our age. I hope organizers/judges will recognize this and actively attempt to remove inappropriate playmats and apparel from Pokemon venues, regardless of the number of children around (I've also see a problem with this in certain stores with prominent display of inappropriate merchandise).

 

[DukeFireBird]

Bring that issue up with the organizer of the event. Also, submit a support ticket with details if you absolutely have to.
Questionable playmats should not be allowed at all, no matter even if it is pokemon related. The only ones that are definatelly no question are the official playmats. If I saw a questionable playmat at my league or a tournament, I would request its removal and explain why.

 

[wboyden]

the terms inappropriate and Questionable are very subjective to the person in question, While one person may find something obscene others will not. While I would agree that it would be up to the Judges/Organizer/Venue Staff to make a ruling at the event to suggest that all material of that nature be removed from venues will never happen anime/magic all have some of the features and most of the venues are card/game stores and that type of material sells

 

[Ruiner]

The only thing I find inappropriate and offensive is people using playmats in the first place.

 

[CFOURCOLTSFAN]

never getting rid of my playmat lol..

 

[ogremarauder]

Bikini is not obscene. Princess Leia in chainmail is not obscene. A nude or graphic language/gesture/action depiction could be considered obscene for children to view. I agree that some mats/sleeves may skirt the line. The line is a slippery slope though. Some more Zealous people claim that Pokemon itself is demonic and obscene. That it depicts the coveting of devils and promotes witchcraft. I use that as an example of how 'obscene' is capable of being a VERY subjective thing. While the rules are the rules and a TO/HJ always (and for good reason) have final discretion, I would strongly urge everyone to temper their concerns with understanding. You may find something in bad taste, and you are certainly entitled to that opinion. But the prevailing community standards should be upheld. In a free society we exercise a majority rules approach to life. While those in the minority are guaranteed a voice in the process, I personally don't believe the system guarantees the right to never be offended by something. But obviously P!P is well within its rights to dictate general standards for the safety and security of all who play.

 

[tutti]

"Obscene" is not where the line goes though. If your playmat is obscene, you've crossed the line twice, turned back, and spat on it.

 

[ogremarauder]

"Obscene" is not where the line goes though. If your playmat is obscene, you've crossed the line twice, turned back, and spat on it.

What is obscene to someone IS subjective though. One person's art is another's pornography. Unless there is blatant profanity or ACTUAL graphic images, then 'community standards' should apply. I'm saying that one person should not decide what the definition of 'obscene' is. Any given tournament is subject to HJ/TO rulings. Obviously. But said HJ/TO should not engage in setting the standard, but rather enforcing that standard which is mutually accepted by the community en total.

 

[Raen]

What is obscene to someone IS subjective though. One person's art is another's pornography. Unless there is blatant profanity or ACTUAL graphic images, then 'community standards' should apply. I'm saying that one person should not decide what the definition of 'obscene' is. Any given tournament is subject to HJ/TO rulings. Obviously. But said HJ/TO should not engage in setting the standard, but rather enforcing that standard which is mutually accepted by the community en total.

Here is my thing: Pokemon is an E rated game. If it wouldn't be acceptable in your typical "E" rated game, it shouldn't be on a playmat.

 

[Prof Clay]

What is obscene to someone IS subjective though. One person's art is another's pornography. Unless there is blatant profanity or ACTUAL graphic images, then 'community standards' should apply. I'm saying that one person should not decide what the definition of 'obscene' is. Any given tournament is subject to HJ/TO rulings. Obviously. But said HJ/TO should not engage in setting the standard, but rather enforcing that standard which is mutually accepted by the community en total.

Actually...as an organizer, we do have the right to establish the standard for our events. If I ask you in a reasonable manner to put a playmat away or even change shirts, you can do so or not....but I do not have to allow you to continue play until you comply.

I have never had any player argue the point if something is questionable.

Also...I will generally do what I can to make parents of young children happy on this as I would like to have them continue coming to my events

 

[wboyden]

Here is my thing: Pokemon is an E rated game. If it wouldn't be acceptable in your typical "E" rated game, it shouldn't be on a playmat.

Not all playmats are for E rated games and even some that are still have some things that some people may take offense to

Actually...as an organizer, we do have the right to establish the standard for our events. If I ask you in a reasonable manner to put a playmat away or even change shirts, you can do so or not....but I do not have to allow you to continue play until you comply.

I have never had any player argue the point if something is questionable.

Also...I will generally do what I can to make parents of young children happy on this as I would like to have them continue coming to my events

I agree that an organizer does, although if in doing so end up up lowering your attendence or upsetting good customers of the venue costing the venue in the end is not really a good move either