From: vincent@wizards.com (Jason Carl)
Subject: DCI 8 Player Minimum
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 14:08:14 -0800

   Jeff Kuta recently posted some comments about the DCI's policy of not
sanctioning tournaments which run with fewer than eight participants. 
Jeff asked about how the DCI arrived at this decision, and remarked that
there might be other alternatives.  He was also curious as to why the DCI
did not make a general announcement about the change in our sanctioning
policy.  These are all good questions which deserve an answer.        

   Among the many tasks within DCIıs responsibility is protecting the
official ratings from fraud, abuse and artificial manipulation. 
Previously, an easy method of significantly increasing oneıs DCI rating
was the habit of regularly participating in numerous, small tournament
(i.e., tournaments with fewer than eight participants) -- doing so
habitually may raise a DCI memberıs rating to artificially high levels. 
This is not to imply that all tournament participants in smaller events
sought to achieve this goal, but rather that the problem was widespread
enough that the DCI became concerned at the potential effect it could have
on the official ratings.  The DCI discussed (and continues to discuss)
methods of reducing this problem so that all ratings are not unduly
affected by this situation. The counter argument that ³cream rises,²
meaning that participants who reach a premier event through the artificial
increase of their ratings will be defeated by more skilled participants
once they reach the actual event is may be attractive.  Regardless, the
DCI believes this situation is detrimental to an equitable organized play
structure.

   The solution we have adopted at this time is to no longer sanction
tournaments with fewer than eight (8) participants.  We have not chosen to
do so because we cannot handle the work load, or to artificially
manipulate the geographic distribution of tournaments.  Nor to we foresee
a significant impact on the tournament community:  Tournaments run with
fewer than eight participants represent less than 10% of the total number
of sanctioned events, and less than 2% of the total number of match, a
very small number indeed.  There may be other methods of regulating the
effects of the tournaments in question other than by simply not
sanctioning them.  However, the DCI has determined that this is the best
option at this time.  Suggestions regarding other alternatives, or
comments about our sanctioning policy, should be directed to the DCI
(dci@wizards.com).
   
   The DCI announces changes in the Standard Floor Rules on a regular
basis for the benefit of the tournament community at large, but changes to
our sanctioning policies are normally updated in our sanctioning packets
which we send to tournament coordinators and organizers.  However, the DCI
is more than willing to provide this information to Magic tournament
participants through the customary means in the future.

Sincerely yours,

Jason Carl
Policy Director, DCI
Wizards of the Coast