Subject: article reguearding cheating and pro-tour magic Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 01:34:14 -0500 From: jpowers To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Hello everyone, this article is in response to all the allegations of cheating on the professional level of play. I think that cheating in any form devalues the professional atmosphere of a magic the gathering tourney. Recently numerous events have transponded that have pushed cheating and professional magic into the limelight, having played for many many years i have seen cheating in various forms and i hope the following list can help you be prepared for them in the future. 1. General rule of thumb cut thin or deep in the first game. This will keep a player from being able to effectively stack his deck. Say if someone is shuffling their eight best creatures into the middle of their librabry you cutting there takes away four of them but gives them four of them as well. Another note on this is that skilled individuals who attempt to stack their deck will always see where you cut the first time if you cut it thin they'll stack it thin in the second game. Make sure to vary your cutting style, never knock someone's deck one the first draw unless you believe their attempting to stack their deck to the bottom, then by all means let them draw all the pooh they put on top. Another good rule is not to be afraid to shuffle another players library, if you shuffle you know its getting shuffled good. 2. Second good rule. Keep track of both players life some of the simplest cheating occurs in life manipulation, only taking one when you took twenty and so on. If you can prove all the damage you'v done to them to a judge then their should be no room for a rational argument. I suggest using a pen and piece of paper for life totals. Not only will this help to keep track of life but i have also noticed that it keeps you more focused on the game. 3. The third and final rule of Cheaters. This last rule is by far the most important rule of all.One person is going to get cheated at magic the player that for some reason doesn't care. You say well thats definetely not me but chances are unless you are a hardcore pro-tour player a seasoned vet of the tourney circuit you probably qualify here. The rule is Cheater's prefer the unprepared. So here's where you must ask yourself if your willing to invest the time to become mentally prepared for the event. You may think this sounds funny but i rarely talk during games of magic unless its like ill counter that sink for eight, incinerate you, etc. I'm to busy in my mind saying untap, upkeep( any fast effects or upkeep cost), draw phase (any fast effects) main phase etc. I do this during both mine and the opponents turns. This accomplishes two things keeps you focused on the game and allows you to catch mistakes the opponent is trying to slip by you. At this point in time you must ask yourself if you're the kind of player that allows players to take back mistakes or retap mana, if you are then don't post on the dojo how crappy it is to get cheated. Like i said cheater's favor the unprepared, the more of a dick you are the less like you'll be writing a report complaining about how someone cheated you. THanks and good luck in all your matches Jonathan powers