Florida Masters Report; one match can change a favorable outcome into a disaster

[ryanvergel]

I know you ended with a 4-3 record. I'm saying that A - it was a close game because that 2 mins was such a factor - its not like you easily beat him then got a Game Loss or w/e. B - This is my point, I don't know how difficult Florida is because I've never been there. You've never been to most states/countries, so how can you claim pretty arrograntly that Florida is the hardest State? I never claimed English States are the hardest and that Florida has a poor playerbase, just that playing Worlds Competitiors isn't uncommon.

2 worlds master champions (jason, steve)
2 senior us national champions (bobby, orion)
3/+ top 8 worlds (jason, steve, eric)
7/+ top 32 US nationals masters (heidi, martin, jim, john, eric, benji, omar)
3/+ top 8 US nationals masters (eric, steve, benji)

it's the most difficult state/metagame in the world, barring japan which is unknown, etc.


i won't even get into the type of metagame present in florida or the game-breaking archetypes or decks that have been unleashed here. 90% of the competitors are from florida alone, and yet the state pulled 230+ players for states, and 130+ for masters. it has massive amounts of players, and players that do extremely well on a global and national level. are there any other qualifications you feel should be met to show that it is the most difficult state?

how many did you have? how many big names did you have? it's not just world competitors- its world champions and national placers. in the united states. going positive in the toughest area in the world is pretty good in my book.

where are you from? the UK or something? you have a few really notable players (4 that I can think of off the top of my head) but have small sized events. It's easier to avoid the good players with fewer rounds and smaller cuts, etc. But the Florida events have both features of tough events- huge numbers, limited cuts, and extremely good players. Those are just the "really noteworthy players". Imagine all of the pretty good and very good players that aren't listed as well- people that are sometimes as good as the noted individuals at a given time. tough indeed,

 

[baby mario]

2 worlds master champions (jason, steve)
2 senior us national champions (bobby, orion)
3/+ top 8 worlds (jason, steve, eric)
7/+ top 32 US nationals masters (heidi, martin, jim, john, eric, benji, omar)
3/+ top 8 US nationals masters (eric, steve, benji)

it's the most difficult state/metagame in the world, barring japan which is unknown, etc.


i won't even get into the type of metagame present in florida or the game-breaking archetypes or decks that have been unleashed here. 90% of the competitors are from florida alone, and yet the state pulled 230+ players for states, and 130+ for masters. it has massive amounts of players, and players that do extremely well on a global and national level. are there any other qualifications you feel should be met to show that it is the most difficult state?

how many did you have? how many big names did you have? it's not just world competitors- its world champions and national placers. in the united states. going positive in the toughest area in the world is pretty good in my book.

where are you from? the UK or something? a place with ~20 masters at SPTs? gmab.

What you say is very true, there is only a handful of good players in the UK and only 2 or 3 up to those standards.

You do pretty much end up playing most of them at every single tournament though (including BRs), but that's what we get for living in a shoebox.

Having a positive W/L record in a very tough tournament is a decent achievement in itself, so props to the OP. Good report too, even if all the name-dropping was a bit lulzy.

 

[ryanvergel]

yeah, if sami and yacine and freddy practiced/played consistently at the same time, etc. and with tom hall thats 4 solid players at every event. quite tough, and there are of course a few other players as well (those are just my favorites <3). edited my post to be a little friendlier. i wanted to concede a little bit.

 

[Martian]

My match vs Greg C, I called over an orange bearded use of another error in gameplay.
-Alex2k aka Kevin K.

Orange bearded? My beard is copper (with a bit of silver to boot!)

Now what am I accused of? Did I issue you a caution or warning as well? I think I gave two all day and both in accordance with the penalty guildlines. Both involved having to fix gamestate errors after the fact. I also awarded two time extensions both in the same round and both of four minutes. Neither game went to time.

I made one ruling error on Regice, got a clarification between rounds and made sure I found the gentleman I had ruled in error against to apologize. I don't claim to be perfect. I learn more each event I judge, I'm sorry if things didn't turn out to your expectations. For my part I can only promise to take the lessons learned forward to my next event.

For your part I would ask that you take issues with events and judges to POP through the event feedback loop and not 'throw people under the bus' in public forums.

I wish you luck in your next event.

 

[ktrs]

i was actually shocked to see just how many jumpluff decks there was, although i believe only one made top cuts, My first concerns were the sloppy judges, man, they were sloppy with the exception of maybe 1 or 2, first off i noticed one of my opponent's mistakes, so i called a judge, what happened.... we both get a caution, for her mistake. she kept repeatly making mistakes so a judge sat at our table, i was playing flychamp against her Gengar/ Ampharos deck. she kept playing stadiums so i kept sand walling with flygon. with expert belt i was doing 60 every turn. I wondered to myself, does she even notice? Well i guess our judge was thinking my flygon was invincible. but when she didn't play a stadium durring her turn i sand walled again for the k o, she pulled up her gengar and poltergeisted for 90. to my shock the judge said that her attack does nothing to flygon? Poor girl she was already confused, so this wasn't helping, i told the judge that he was wrong and that there was no stadium in play last turn so her attack did 90. know what the "professional" judge said, "oh my mistake" and left, didn't return i must say. i heard many complaining about bad ruling, I was thinking to myself geesh this is florida the most competitive state and we get these judges, wow .

For the record, there are no Professional Judges, just as Lawman stated - Judges are normally players that volunteer to work the event so others can participate. I judge often and enjoy it for many of the same reasons that Ken Cross posted in an earlier post in this same thread.

I am disgusted by your posting - Not wanting to name names, sure.... I don't even think you know what you were talking about it, it wasn't Mr. Curry talking about his personal problems. It wasn't personal problems that the Head Judge, Mr. Spurlock was talking about. It was personal pet peeves which included NO SWEARING. No Swearing is part of the Spirit of the Game, and personally I am glad that Mr. Spurlock mentioned it because sometimes in tournaments, those with "potty mouths" can ruin the family style events that Pokemon stands for. So before you decide to post again, make sure you know WHO you are talking about and make sure you know WHAT you are talking about.

Also for the record, this is a public forum that has rules that you signed up to abide by when you got your login. Maybe you should re-read the user agreement before you slam people in a public way,....Mr or Mrs, I don't want to name names.


'nuff said!

 

[Muk Man]

... Judges Happen...
although, it seems lately rulings have been extra harsh...
That being said, good job and welcome to masters

 

[nnaann]

2 worlds master champions (jason, steve)
2 senior us national champions (bobby, orion)
3/+ top 8 worlds (jason, steve, eric)
7/+ top 32 US nationals masters (heidi, martin, jim, john, eric, benji, omar)
3/+ top 8 US nationals masters (eric, steve, benji)

it's the most difficult state/metagame in the world, barring japan which is unknown, etc.


i won't even get into the type of metagame present in florida or the game-breaking archetypes or decks that have been unleashed here. 90% of the competitors are from florida alone, and yet the state pulled 230+ players for states, and 130+ for masters. it has massive amounts of players, and players that do extremely well on a global and national level. are there any other qualifications you feel should be met to show that it is the most difficult state?

how many did you have? how many big names did you have? it's not just world competitors- its world champions and national placers. in the united states. going positive in the toughest area in the world is pretty good in my book.

where are you from? the UK or something? you have a few really notable players (4 that I can think of off the top of my head) but have small sized events. It's easier to avoid the good players with fewer rounds and smaller cuts, etc. But the Florida events have both features of tough events- huge numbers, limited cuts, and extremely good players. Those are just the "really noteworthy players". Imagine all of the pretty good and very good players that aren't listed as well- people that are sometimes as good as the noted individuals at a given time. tough indeed,

Karl B ( Top 16 Worlds 09 ), Nicholas F ( 3rd Worlds 09 ), as well as 2+ previous Worlds competitors. Florida does have the best players of course, but you also have 130 Masters so you probably won't play most people there. We get around 20 - so you're playing these same guys Round 2-3 minimum if you're on course for Top Cut.

I'm just saying that playing someone who Top 32'd Worlds in a State isn't all that special.

 

[jeffrey123]

What you say is very true, there is only a handful of good players in the UK and only 2 or 3 up to those standards.

You do pretty much end up playing most of them at every single tournament though (including BRs), but that's what we get for living in a shoebox.

Having a positive W/L record in a very tough tournament is a decent achievement in itself, so props to the OP. Good report too, even if all the name-dropping was a bit lulzy.

Thanks, and soz.

Orange bearded? My beard is copper (with a bit of silver to boot!)

Now what am I accused of? Did I issue you a caution or warning as well? I think I gave two all day and both in accordance with the penalty guildlines. Both involved having to fix gamestate errors after the fact. I also awarded two time extensions both in the same round and both of four minutes. Neither game went to time.

I made one ruling error on Regice, got a clarification between rounds and made sure I found the gentleman I had ruled in error against to apologize. I don't claim to be perfect. I learn more each event I judge, I'm sorry if things didn't turn out to your expectations. For my part I can only promise to take the lessons learned forward to my next event.

For your part I would ask that you take issues with events and judges to POP through the event feedback loop and not 'throw people under the bus' in public forums.

I wish you luck in your next event.

No, I wasn't saying that you did anything wrong martian. I was just saying that I did recieve a warning from you also. Not that that's even your fault anyways since it is not, but I was just trying to say that I don't want anyone to think that I am trying to get my opponents to give me prize penalties or anyone to think of me in a bad manner.

... Judges Happen...
although, it seems lately rulings have been extra harsh...
That being said, good job and welcome to masters

Thanks alot.

 

[smearcanvas]

For the record, there are no Professional Judges, just as Lawman stated - Judges are normally players that volunteer to work the event so others can participate. I judge often and enjoy it for many of the same reasons that Ken Cross posted in an earlier post in this same thread.

I am disgusted by your posting - Not wanting to name names, sure.... I don't even think you know what you were talking about it, it wasn't Mr. Curry talking about his personal problems. It wasn't personal problems that the Head Judge, Mr. Spurlock was talking about. It was personal pet peeves which included NO SWEARING. No Swearing is part of the Spirit of the Game, and personally I am glad that Mr. Spurlock mentioned it because sometimes in tournaments, those with "potty mouths" can ruin the family style events that Pokemon stands for. So before you decide to post again, make sure you know WHO you are talking about and make sure you know WHAT you are talking about.

Also for the record, this is a public forum that has rules that you signed up to abide by when you got your login. Maybe you should re-read the user agreement before you slam people in a public way,....Mr or Mrs, I don't want to name names.


'nuff said!

Maybe my post was harsh, and it intented to be, I'm looking at the bigger picture, look if you were there, all the points i will mention are true so bear with me. First of all if you are annoucing at a big tourney like FL states, please sound enthused, make your players feel you want to be there yourself, I dont' know if you know this but the way you speak at a tournament changes the mood of your players. mr. curry started to talk about attendance, and how it wasn't as good as last years, why would you say something like that in the first place. it doesn't reflect on anything that players actually want to hear, off topic subject deterrs the players attention to something else, and people don't listen to what he has to say. that's what i meant about personal issues, So i voiced my opinion about Ronae i think she is a fantasic person who would have brought more life to her words, but no she's stuck behind a computer desk.Did you know people have opted out not to play at states just because of the judging, that's horrible and it's not helping with the enhancement of the game. If you were watching the matches of the top cuts in masters, you would have noticed one judge anwsering and talking on his phone mulitple times not even paying attention to the game, this is very rude when you are sitting right next to two players who are trying win a championship. Maybe if this was juniors it wouldn't have been so bad. If Florida doesn't want to see another drop in attendance, please run the event smoothly take all aspects of how your actions will affect your players, I hope a better job will be done next year.

 

[Lugias_Realm]

The judge your questioning happen to be the Masters HJ and the only reason he was on the phone was to check on his son who happens to be diabetic and his readings were all out of whack. He was simply checking on his condition.
As HJ for the event I could not over see these matches as I had a son who was playing in top 8 and top4. If not then I would have been at the table myself...

 

[smearcanvas]

Yeah i got a pm from a friend, that told me about the phone calls, now i feel bad, I mean if i had a son with health problems that would be my first priority, For that I'm sorry, I'll Hush up now.

 

[LEPRECAUN]

Maybe my post was harsh, and it intented to be, I'm looking at the bigger picture, look if you were there, all the points i will mention are true so bear with me. First of all if you are annoucing at a big tourney like FL states, please sound enthused, make your players feel you want to be there yourself, I dont' know if you know this but the way you speak at a tournament changes the mood of your players. mr. curry started to talk about attendance, and how it wasn't as good as last years, why would you say something like that in the first place. it doesn't reflect on anything that players actually want to hear, off topic subject deterrs the players attention to something else, and people don't listen to what he has to say. that's what i meant about personal issues, So i voiced my opinion about Ronae i think she is a fantasic person who would have brought more life to her words, but no she's stuck behind a computer desk.Did you know people have opted out not to play at states just because of the judging, that's horrible and it's not helping with the enhancement of the game. If you were watching the matches of the top cuts in masters, you would have noticed one judge anwsering and talking on his phone mulitple times not even paying attention to the game, this is very rude when you are sitting right next to two players who are trying win a championship. Maybe if this was juniors it wouldn't have been so bad. If Florida doesn't want to see another drop in attendance, please run the event smoothly take all aspects of how your actions will affect your players, I hope a better job will be done next year.

Hi smearcanvas,

I was the Head Judge in masters you were refering to! I only had to to use the phone twice! even at that there was a judge at each table watching the matches. I was going back and forth watching all the matches. My son is a type 1 insulin dependant diabetic. He is part of a rare group of Diabetics that his body doesn't process insulin the same way each time! I travel 2.5 hours each way to take him to Vanderbuilt University in Nashville,TN. His doctor heads the research department for Vanderbuilt.

The first time my wife called I went to the edge of the playing area to talk to her. His Blood sugar level was 352( for reference yours proberly stays between 80-120) high blood sugars affects his ability to think and If left high will produce key tones that will start to shut the kidneys down).

The second time my wife called his blood sugar level had fell to 52! When the blood sugar level falls much below 80, the blood starts losing its ability to carry oxygen! at 40-50 he can't think and brain cells start to die if the level doesn't rise! At much below 40, if left there for very long, he will start having siezers and convulzing. If he still doesn't come up, HE WILL DIE! If Diabetics stay low too long, sometimes you can't save them anyway.

I'm sorry I had to take the calls during the match, but when we are talking about a life and death situation it is something I couldn't avoid! My wife needed my help dealing with our son.

I hope you understand,

Ken Cross

 

[Lawman]

Yeah i got a pm from a friend, that told me about the phone calls, now i feel bad, I mean if i had a son with health problems that would be my first priority, For that I'm sorry, I'll Hush up now.

Hope you have some salt and pepper to flavor those feet of yours that are stuck in your mouth. Geez, if ppl would just take the time to ask a question and learn some FACTS before tossing someone under the bus.

Keith

 

[Team Cook]

Y'all are missing his / her true point. The point he / she is trying to make is that the judge, knowing the importance of the call, should have excused himself from the playing area all to together and not returned until the phone issues were taken care of.

The player is simply asking that if you must take phone calls (while judging), then get up and walk away, tell another judge to step in. That would have been the proper thing to do. This way the player has nothing to complain about.

In no way am I saying he shouldn't have answered his phone.

 

[LEPRECAUN]

Y'all are missing his / her true point. The point he / she is trying to make is that the judge, knowing the importance of the call, should have excused himself from the playing area all to together and not returned until the phone issues were taken care of.

The player is simply asking that if you must take phone calls (while judging), then get up and walk away, tell another judge to step in. That would have been the proper thing to do. This way the player has nothing to complain about.

In no way am I saying he shouldn't have answered his phone.

I did excuse myself from the table I was at! I had a judge watching each finals table! At no time were the players left alone! The only time I had a phone near the players was when as I was hanging up the phone with my wife, I sat back down at the table!

Ken Cross

 

[Squirtle]

I did excuse myself from the table I was at! I had a judge watching each finals table! At no time were the players left alone! The only time I had a phone near the players was when as I was hanging up the phone with my wife, I sat back down at the table!

Ken Cross

I was playing while Ken had to answer his phone.


First of all, his phone was on silent as not to bother the players. He walked away from us before he answered it so that he wouldn't bother us. And then the only time any of us heard him was when he was saying goodbye.

Secondly, I find it ridiculous that someone who wasn't even in cut at the time is complaining about something that happened and didn't impact ANY of the 4 players remaining.


The judging was just fine, it sounds to me like Smearcanvas is really just trying to find anything wrong with this event.

If you have a problem with the event I encourage you to use the feedback area in your myTrainer account on www.pokemon.com and express them there.

 

[PkB_]

I don't see why you guys keep trying to throw all these Judges/PTO's under the bus. As said before use the feedback on My pokemon or don't say it. I for one only have one complaint about the event which is how I placed (9th in a T8 cut) which they can do nothing about. IMO it was better than last year for the simple fact that I didnt have to stay up till 3 to see who won.

 

[smearcanvas]

Hi smearcanvas,

I was the Head Judge in masters you were refering to! I only had to to use the phone twice! even at that there was a judge at each table watching the matches. I was going back and forth watching all the matches. My son is a type 1 insulin dependant diabetic. He is part of a rare group of Diabetics that his body doesn't process insulin the same way each time! I travel 2.5 hours each way to take him to Vanderbuilt University in Nashville,TN. His doctor heads the research department for Vanderbuilt.

The first time my wife called I went to the edge of the playing area to talk to her. His Blood sugar level was 352( for reference yours proberly stays between 80-120) high blood sugars affects his ability to think and If left high will produce key tones that will start to shut the kidneys down).

The second time my wife called his blood sugar level had fell to 52! When the blood sugar level falls much below 80, the blood starts losing its ability to carry oxygen! at 40-50 he can't think and brain cells start to die if the level doesn't rise! At much below 40, if left there for very long, he will start having siezers and convulzing. If he still doesn't come up, HE WILL DIE! If Diabetics stay low too long, sometimes you can't save them anyway.

I'm sorry I had to take the calls during the match, but when we are talking about a life and death situation it is something I couldn't avoid! My wife needed my help dealing with our son.

I hope you understand,

Ken Cross

Ken I am sorry, i understand, i wish your son gets better

 

[PkB_]

Scientists do believe that there is a cure in the future but it's not in the imediate fututure. One of my freinds has that disease. She doesn't belong in the rare group that kens son has but I know how hard it is on her.

 

[Team Cook]

I did excuse myself from the table I was at! I had a judge watching each finals table! At no time were the players left alone! The only time I had a phone near the players was when as I was hanging up the phone with my wife, I sat back down at the table!

Ken Cross

Let me clarify, I'm not questioning you and I never will, I don't have the right to question any of you. I was just trying to post his point. No one owes me an explanation.