Subject: Re: Cheating and Active Ethics Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 00:40:16 +0000 From: "Markham D. Ahn" Organization: Star Fleet Command To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com I'd like to add my two cents to this topic........ Tournament Bridge scene is very similar to the Professional MTG circuit. In tournament bridge, such examples of taking advantage of an opponent's ignorance in the game mechanics is STRICTLY prohibited. Sanctions from the ACBL (and the other players) is swift and harsh. ALL players and especially the professionals, who by the way make far more $$$ than the MTG pros, are bound by the code of active ethics. Active ethics has at its core a policy of promoting fair play and winning the "right" way. There have been many many cases of players going back to the tournament director and correcting a mistaken score (in their favor). Several top players have lost tournaments by correcting such mistakes. Of course, MTG has many gray areas regarding strategy of card employment; however, the MECHANICS of play should be strictly enforced. No player should take advantage of an opponents ignorance of the game mechanics. To do so is reprehensible. For example, if you deal 3 points of damage and the opponent mistakenly takes four this should be immediately corrected. Note, this is very different than if your opponent "forgets" to Tim you at the end of a turn. If I ever witness something like the examples laid out I will be sure to correct it. I will also make sure the perpetrator is called out in public for what they have attempted to do. I sincerely hope all of you would do the same. Win within the rules and by employing superior strategy not through cheating, unethical behavior, dishonesty, or your opponent's ignorance of the game mechanics. This is not a game of caveat emptor where anything goes. ACTIVE ETHICS is the responsibility of every player. I strongly urge all MTG player to promote ACTIVE ETHICS as part of their game. To do less diminishes MTG from the great game it could be. Markham "Genghis" Ahn DCI #1437