Subject: Re: Let 'em play! Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 09:13:13 -0800 (PST) From: "Bobby Phillips, Jr." To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com I understand the policy about not allowing employee participation in the big events, but I agree with Hanuise in regard to the lower-class tournaments. I am an alternate judge in Moscow, Id, where we play in only non-sanctioned tournaments (too much red tape to hold sanctioned tourneys here anymore). For the most part, the judges at the weekly games are there to balance the matches, that is, to make sure there are an even number of people participating in the tournaments. Considering that I've taken at least 2nd place in each of the last 4 tournaments here, the store adopted (before I was asked to help officiate) a "claim no prizes" rule for whoever is currently judging that week. So far, no players have complained, because losing to a judge is nearly as useful, as far as the weekly standings, as a win. We also keep a seasonal tabulation, wherein losing to a judge hurts one's overall record, but few players care about that much. Anyway, I think that WoTC employees should be allowed to participate in all events, with restrictions on place holdins and prizes. Such as, in a major event, no WoTC employee may be allowed into the final 8, regardless of record at the time. This would encourage employees to keep up with th game, as well as allowing employees to have a realistic record within the DCI standings. To force someone to quit his/her job to play competitive Magic is sort of a silly idea, especially if WoTC wants to be considered a benevolent institution. Bob Phillips, Jr. Moscow, ID