At a 1k I ran recently, there was coverage going on of the event. There was no commentary during swiss, so there was no advantage to the players watching the coverage on their phone (as opposed to standing over the player's shoulder). However, during T8 commentary started, and some of the players who advanced to T4 continued to watch the coverage + commentary on their phone. With this information, I released deck lists to T4, since the information had already been partially compromised to several players. Was this correct? Under what criteria do you release deck lists to other players?

Typically, deck-lists in Comp REL+ events are only released in instances whereas you expect players to be able to have a significant advantage over their opponents due to coverage being provided, usually in a major fashion. That said, this practice is only utilized, to my knowledge, in the SCG Opens, Grands Prix, Pro Tours, and World Magic Cup (plus Qualifiers) - events of an extremely large, prestigious nature with very far-reaching coverage expectations.

In my opinion, I would not have shared deck-lists with the Top 4 (as, honestly, there is no restriction on players who finish their matches early from watching the matches of others, even their direct upcoming opponents).

Edited Peter Richmond (Dec. 26, 2014 09:42:36 PM)

Players seeing their future opponents play is no reason to share decklists. Commentary probably isn't that important, since players in the top 8 can usually figure out what a deck is doing by themselves.

I would only share decklists if the commentary revealed the entire sideboard and/or sideboard strategy of players, which isn't usually available when watching a match, or if there's a long time between the Swiss rounds and the top 8.

The MTR specifically states that decklists are only to be shared in the top 8 of a Professional REL event. If you are running an event you think you might want to do this in then the TO should contact their WPN rep for permission to do so, if the event doesn't have this permission then do not share them

Thank you, Gareth, you are correct.

Simple version that applies to almost everyone reading this message: do NOT share decklists.

d:^D

I think Bram's logic is good, but as policy dictates when you are allowed to share deck lists with players I'd reverse the logic: Only provide decklists to your coverage team if you have gotten permission from WotC to share them with players during the elimination rounds.

Originally posted by Gareth Tanner:

..TO should contact their WPN rep for permission to do so, if the event doesn't have this permission then do not share them

Scott Marshall
Thank you, Gareth, you are correct.

Simple version that applies to almost everyone reading this message: do NOT share decklists.

So is there a process to verify that a TO has obtained permission? Personally, I am thinking of every SCG Open ever. Top 8 always see opponents' decklists…

I'm not exactly looking forward to verifying this for each TO. However if we are going to adhere to this policy, it would be good to know the process.

Cheers!

It's been mentioned before that SCG have several specific dispensations for their Open series (I'm honestly not sure of where or by whom, but definitely on JudgeApps). Decklist release is part of this.

Originally posted by Bret Siakel:

I'm not exactly looking forward to verifying this for each TO.

We don't have that burden, Bret; we know that StarCityGames.com has permission to do this for their Opens and Invitationals; all constructed Grand Prix and Pro Tour events, this is also in effect.

At any other event, don't share deck lists. If the TO tells you (as Head Judge) that they want to share lists, explain that's against policy. If they then say "I know, so I got permission from “ - then be surprised, and do as they ask.

And, in a worst-case scenario, if they instead say ”I don't care, do it anyway"? Well, go ahead, comply with the TO's instructions - and let them live with the consequences of their choices.

d:^D

Edited Scott Marshall (Jan. 20, 2015 03:47:32 PM)

Sounds like a plan. Thanks.

Also, didn't intend to throw SCG under the bus. I assumed that they of course had received permission. I just needed an example that 90% of competitive judges could relate to. :D

Cheers