Subject: Pro Player judges Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 12:50:17 PST From: "Noah Weil" To: Fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Hey all, I'm Noah Weil. I consider myself a PT player, yet I'm also a certified judge, a combination I find surprisingly rare. I've read a few posts on the judge certification program: a joke, a waste of money etc. The truth is, if you are a pro or aspiring player, there really is no reason not to get certified. There are three major advantages to becoming a judge, which far far outweigh the supposed disadvantages. 1. Becoming a Better Player. As a judge, you are on a semi-secretive mailing list, where relevant rulings are brought to light and discussed. This group is actually really nice; a direct line to Dan Gray and discovering situations that have real application to the tournament scene. Assuming you're the type of player that utilizes the rules to their full advantage, you will not be disappointed with the mailing list. I'm not allowed to discuss the exact contents of the list, so I can't give you an example, but deck types that didn't even occur to me were brought to my attention due to people asking weir hypothetical situations with the complicated cards in question. As a judge, no matter where you work, you will have the option of wandering the aisles watching matches in progress to any degree. If you are an aspiring player, this an incredibly strong technique to improve your game. Watching players of a higher caliber allows you semi-firsthand knowledge of why they are considered so talented. And of course watching what decks the pros consider good is useful as well. If you are a pro player, it's a lot less likely that you'll be able to improve significantly by observing other matches, but it is possible. And if you see one play that you can use to win a game, that might be a few thousand dollars in your pocket. There's not an incredible difference between being up 25k and playing side events. the $25 looks like a pretty good investment in that light, which brings me to my next point. 2. Making Money. Let me propose a scenario: You just played Day 1 of a PT and kept getting mana screwed. I mean constantly. It was embarrassing. You've scrubbed out, and are fairly disillusioned with play Magic at the moment. What to do? Well if you're a judge, you roll up your sleeves and starting judging Day 2 or some side events. Sure you may be bored or doing it out of the kindness of your heart, but regardless of the reason, you do get paid for it. Crazy I know, but it's an alternate way to make some cash at a PT, or other major venue. In side events alone, you get $8 per 8 person tourney. And trust me, there's nothing stopping you from running multiple drafts at once to start raking it in. Wizards' organizers are ALWAYS short judges, so you won't exactly be sitting around. And it's always possible your local area is going to need another competent judge once in a while. Being a judge doesn't commit you into anything, it merely gives you options. 3. Make a Difference. This is the one that sealed it for me. I'm sure anyone reading this article has heard a million stories on someone or other cheating. In righteous anger, you've sent a post to The Dojo blasting the DCI for incompetence in regulating players, or some other crap. Talk is cheap. what are YOU doing about the cheating issue? I can assure you, players make the best judges. We know every trick an unscrupulous opponent may pull, and are alert for them. Perhaps walking by a game you've seen something illegal or at least questionable. Possibly outright cheating. For whatever reason, you couldn't take an active hand. Good news, as a judge you are expected to interfere! You see someone cheating, you get to make the DQ happen! You'll earn the respect and appreciation of your peers, this loser won't be coming back anytime soon. I know when I've judged, I've made it clear my intolerance for cheating, and have even had the distinct pleasure of kicking someone out. The satisfaction only magnifies when you get to inform the guy that he does not, in fact, get his money back. To wrap it up, let me just try to emphasise the extreme quality of becoming certified. The irony is amazing: Wizards' is short of what players should be jumping to become. The test is irrelevant, if you play the game you'll pass. The Certification fee can be made back the same day, and after that the benefits keep coming in. If any of the points I discussed strike a chord with you, I strongly suggest you become a judge. You can only get better. Noah Weil NWeil@hotmail.com Player/Judge and proud of it ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com