Subject: Re: The Competition of Magic by Nate Clarke
Date: Fri, 08 May 98 16:45:58 -0400
From: fairbank@muhthr.hlo.dec.com
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com, nateman@bit-net.com

> Nat,
>
> Did you read Nate Clarke's comments on the Dojo? What's your opinion?

Well, I read it Wednesday, and I've been digesting it ever since.

All of the examples Nate used are cheating.  It's manipulating the
result of the game by methods outside of game play.  Sure you may not
actually know your opponents life total, but you should.  And if you do,
you better reply with the right total.  You may have forgotten that
Savage Twister is green as well as red, but what you did was illegal
anyway.

The game of magic is played by a set of rules that each player is
supposed to know.  DCI sanctioned events play by more than just the
rules of M:tG, they also play by DCI floor rules.  While playing a
tournament match, you MUST play by those rules.  Each player has a
responsibility to follow those rules, and also make sure their opponent
follows them.

If your opponent does something illegal you are REQUIRED to correct
them.  The rules of the game are meant to be followed.  Through allowing
your opponent to make an illegal play, you are also making an illegal
play.

Not destroying a creature of yours that received lethal damage is even
worse than allowing an opponent to make an illegal play.  The previous
two cases it can at least be argued that you presented nothing
incorrectly, and your opponent made a mistake that you didn't remember
to correct.  By not destroying your sliver, you initiated the illegal
action.  It's almost as clearly cheating as the fourth example.

Nate goes on to justify his actions by saying they were merely
questionable plays, and just unethical, not illegal.  Well, they clearly
were unethical, and that makes them illegal.  His examples all fit
within the floor rules that cover cheating and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Most players realize they can't cheat.  What some forget is that
unethical play is cheating, as defined by unsportsmanlike conduct.

Unfortunately it seems some judges also don't realize that making the
unethical play is also cheating.  Judges need to drill into peoples
heads that tournament play MUST be above the board at all times.
Cheating is not, will not, and can not be allowed.  I used to be of the
opinion that being lenient to offenses that could be innocent mistakes
was a good idea.  Right now I don't think that works, and instead we
should begin penalizing even POTENTIAL innocent mistakes that could also
be cheating as harshly as possible.  Maybe then players will realize
that cheating is unacceptable no matter how they attempt to justify it.

-Nat Fairbanks