Unreleased Cards

[bangiras]

I asked this question in the "new tournament guidelines" thread, but I don't think it was ever answered.

"14.1.6. Unreleased Cards
With the exception of basic Energy cards, cards acquired prior to the
regular retail release date of a set may not be used in a sanctioned
tournament, even if the card is a reprint of an already legal card. This
includes cards acquired at a Prerelease or from the Japanese equivalent of
the set."

My question is, does this rule apply to ALL reprinted cards, or only to the ones that are reprinted with different artwork?

 

[PokePop]

Can you give an example? It helps with questions like this.

 

[Big Daddy Snorlax]

The rule means that if a card is reprinted in a new set, and you get it at a Prerelease, even if it is identicle to the older card in all ways, it is not legal for sanctioned play until the release date.

This came up with some of the reprinted CG cards at Worlds 2006, since there had been a prerelease the week before. Some cards were identicle and some had different art. PUI initially said the cards had not been released and could not be used period. That is what the rule means. However, it was later decided to allow them. I wouldn't count on that in the future though.

BDS