What is the best way to enforce proper gameplay during a tournament? Warning cards? What's the effect of the warning card? When a player becomes a problem what steps need to be taken?

I've only played in small store tournaments, but essentially wouldn't you just explain the issue and clarify the rules once and not expect a problem again?

I guess to a certain extent, it depends on the offense. Normally you'd go with warning, disqualification, ejection from the tournament.

This is pretty much the procedure I use when I'm working as a Speedway race referee. And I can assure you that race car drivers are a lot more firey than any X-wing player I've ever seen.

I've only played in small store tournaments, but essentially wouldn't you just explain the issue and clarify the rules once and not expect a problem again?

Let's assume that this is already the normal procedure.

How do you handle a disqualification in terms of scoring and MoV?

If a player were disqualified during a match, I assume you would treat it as a conceded match and the opponent should receive a 200-0 win. I'm not sure there would be a need to change previous game results, unless it was shown that the person was cheating. I guess a lot would depend on the specific situation.

So what are some examples of conduct that merit disqualification?

Abuse of players or the TO.

Failure to adhere to any ruling a TO may have given.

Unsporting behavior. (This one can get a little bit tricky)

That's a few to start with.

Look at the Floor Rules for Netrunner. Section 4 talks about types of penalties and how to move up to down in the level of penalties. Section 10 makes suggestions for casual events.

The document is very specific for Netrunner but can be adapted for any FFG event.

So a more pointed question.

I have asked a player to pause their deployment while I check a ruling. I go get the book and when I return the player has set up their ships already. The ruling is inconsequential, but the player is correct, though I have not had a chance to watch the player engage in the mechanic in which the rules question occurred. Do I move on and make a mental note to watch that player more closely next time or do I request that the player redeploy their ships so that I can observe the correct procedure?

I think I have a problem player on my hands. Most of my questions lately have been directly related to this one player who seems dead set on gaining every advantage and they seem to have little regard for my role a judge in this event, calling over the store owner rather than myself for rulings. Asking for the match time and dawdling over simple moves. My gut tells me to deal with unsavoury players quickly and bluntly, but I fear that my club will view me as draconian. However I don't want players to have to deal with crappy opponents.

What do you think they could have done while you checked the book?

So a more pointed question.

I have asked a player to pause their deployment while I check a ruling. I go get the book and when I return the player has set up their ships already. The ruling is inconsequential, but the player is correct, though I have not had a chance to watch the player engage in the mechanic in which the rules question occurred. Do I move on and make a mental note to watch that player more closely next time or do I request that the player redeploy their ships so that I can observe the correct procedure?

I think I have a problem player on my hands. Most of my questions lately have been directly related to this one player who seems dead set on gaining every advantage and they seem to have little regard for my role a judge in this event, calling over the store owner rather than myself for rulings. Asking for the match time and dawdling over simple moves. My gut tells me to deal with unsavoury players quickly and bluntly, but I fear that my club will view me as draconian. However I don't want players to have to deal with crappy opponents.

The best way to deal with player that wants to push the boundaries is to outsmart them. And the best way to do that, is to know your rules. Especially if you are the TO. In order to avoid another incident like the one you mentioned, keep the rulebook handy when you go from game to game. Just hover silently around the games and try and spend an equal amount of time at each game. If you are asked for, or required to make a judgement, make sure you are 100% correct and be consistent. Don't make a rash decision that may be incorrect as you'll lose any credibility as a TO straight away. It would probably also pay to have a quiet word with the store owner before the tournament and tell him that if ANY player comes to him for a ruling, he should direct them to you. You're the one running the tournament, not the store owner. You can reiterate that at the start of the tournament to ALL the players. Tell them all if they have any questions, you're the one and only answer that counts, no one else. That being said, if you're unsure about something, you can always bounce the idea off someone else before making a firm ruling. Although, try not to make a habit of doing this as the cred suffers again.

As for asking for the match time, next time set up a clock and at the start of a tournament round let the players know exactly what time, to the minute, that it will finish. Put the finish time on a piece of paper under the clock if you have to, so long as everyone can see it. Call out the time when it's 30 minutes, 15 minutes and 5 minutes to go.

Slow play can be rather tricky and you have to watch and time it carefully. Especially as there's no official time limit per round that players have to adhere to. But if he's taking more than a couple of minutes to set the dial for one ship, or generally taking his time choosing actions, you can ask his opponent if he thinks this guy is stalling or slow playing. If the opponent thinks he's stalling, all you have to do is agree and tell the guy to speed up or he'll get a warning. If the opponent doesn't think he's stalling then it's not an issue. Either way, the guy will know you're on to his antics.

You need to deal with unsavory players in a careful manner but firmly and quickly. You need to make sure that a particular style of play or behavior is unwarranted and unwelcome at the tournament. And you need to make sure that whatever you have decided leaves him absolutely no wriggle room to complain. For instance, if you issue a warning for slow play, and he starts debating the issue with some claim that some other guys were just as slow, you shoot him down straight away with "I'm not concerned about other players games, I'm only concerned about you game." This is also another reason why you quietly ask the opponent for their opinion beforehand. If he wants to keep arguing about it, tell him the decision is final and the debate is over. If he's not happy about it, tell him his choices are: he's welcome to carry on playing as directed or he's welcome to leave.

Before issuing ANY kind of penalty, talk to the opponent first. Get both sides of the story. If you go in bluntly and give the guy a DQ because you thought he was too slow, and then the opponent says he didn't have a problem, you're going to look like a dork. And you can kiss goodbye to any credibility you may have earned.

Above all else you've got to be as impartial as you can, and never, NEVER lose your cool. If it even smells like you've got an agenda with one guy, they'll have you and you'll never run another tournament. It's a hard job when you've got a dodgy player that chooses to ignore you, but you have to just lay down the law and if he chooses to accept it or not, that's up to him.

Be fair, be firm, be consistent and stay cool.

Thanks Parravon.

That's some good advice. I'll be talking to the store owners about him today. We actually took bets, and silly me I bet against the goat. I bet that the player would defy all odds and be a model opponent. No, instead he's the first one to cause a problem. Looks like I'll be getting coffee today! Lol

No, I understand that I have to be impartial and not let my own displeasure with this player exacerbate his punishment. He is going to earn enough ire without me having to give him any of mine. I think all I have to do is watch his games and I'll be afforded an opportunity to make an example of him. Which isn't to say that I'm waiting for this person to mess up so I can crucify them! I just feel strongly about the integrity of this club I have started from nothing. I'd hate to see it break down thanks to one sh*tty player at our clubs first event.

One other bit of advice.

If you're the TO and this guy is trying to skirt around you, talk to the owner and other people there and ask them to tell anyone who asks them about a ruling or the like that they have to go to you.

If someone is trying to get away with something and know you'll catch them at it, they'll do everything they can to avoid getting you involved.

But unless the owner or whoever else there turns them away, they'll constantly be trying to bypass you.

Here are some questions that I would like to ask:

- How many players are in your tournaments?

- How long are your rounds (are you respecting the 75 min format?)

- How experienced is your community as a whole?

- Are you also playing during said tournament?

- How comfortable are you with the rules?

This is not a critic in any fashion, but I am curious as to whether there exists some conditions that would encourage players to bypass you (which would be helpful in proposing solutions). The more time efficient your rulings are, the more likely you entire community will turn towards you for a ruling (and the less likely you will be seen as "draconian").

The more time efficient your rulings are, the more likely you entire community will turn towards you for a ruling (and the less likely you will be seen as "draconian").

That's OUR word

So a more pointed question.

I have asked a player to pause their deployment while I check a ruling. I go get the book and when I return the player has set up their ships already. The ruling is inconsequential, but the player is correct, though I have not had a chance to watch the player engage in the mechanic in which the rules question occurred. Do I move on and make a mental note to watch that player more closely next time or do I request that the player redeploy their ships so that I can observe the correct procedure?

I think I have a problem player on my hands. Most of my questions lately have been directly related to this one player who seems dead set on gaining every advantage and they seem to have little regard for my role a judge in this event, calling over the store owner rather than myself for rulings. Asking for the match time and dawdling over simple moves. My gut tells me to deal with unsavoury players quickly and bluntly, but I fear that my club will view me as draconian. However I don't want players to have to deal with crappy opponents.

I have a store where I play and the TO is not as knowledgeable as some of us, but I appreciate him organizing the events. We try to guide him with questions and issues, but never undermine his authority.

A good approach is to acknowledge his point of view, but make decisions based on what is right and best for play according to the rules.

As stated, spend time reading the newest version of the Rules and FAQ and note any questions you are not sure of. If he is around - asking his opinion may even soften his attitude at future events.

Here are some questions that I would like to ask:

- How many players are in your tournaments?

- How long are your rounds (are you respecting the 75 min format?)

- How experienced is your community as a whole?

- Are you also playing during said tournament?

- How comfortable are you with the rules?

This is not a critic in any fashion, but I am curious as to whether there exists some conditions that would encourage players to bypass you (which would be helpful in proposing solutions). The more time efficient your rulings are, the more likely you entire community will turn towards you for a ruling (and the less likely you will be seen as "draconian").

Oh no worries, I'd like help with my own conduct as well, to be sure that I am helping to keep the environment fun and not detrimental to it in my eagerness.

We have 18 players.

75 minute rounds.

I'd say the community is about average skill with a couple new player and a couple veteran (wave 1 & 2) players. I wouldn't say that anyone in the community is overly competitive, except for the problem player.

I am not playing so as to avoid any extra hassle. There is already one store owner playing to even out the numbers, but he has already said he won't take the prize, and we all joke he won't have to worry about that. If the need arises I have two lists ready to play, but I really really want to avoid that and just focus on being the TO.

I am pretty comfortable with the rules. I do sometimes refer to print but usually just to provide justification. I'd say I have a pretty solid grasp on the rules and how game rules work in general.

edit: USCgrad... I did indeed watch the game from start to finish and when the player began taking actions that I wanted to clarify I stepped in. It is also worth it to note that at this point the timer was not set as we had decided that the match would begin with the first planning phase, so there was no delay in my objection at all. The player was quite short with me when I asked him to wait and remained so during the rest of the match. He even questioned whether or not I had any right to make decisions in an event held in someone's store where I didn't actually work.

To be honest I'd like to punt the guy right now. It's a free event with a pretty awesome prize on the line and the biggest rule of all is to play fair and have fun. But I'm not going to do this, nor will I give this problem player any special consideration. I'll just rely on the mighty dice gods to punish those who are deserving. If I catch him doing something dumb like cheating then he'll get his fair treatment, but I think this may be a case where I can let the community sort him out. I trust that no one is going to let him be a jerk for very long.

Pre-tournament instructions are your friend. Make it clear that you are running the event, that you are the one making the rulings, and that you are the final say.

He even questioned whether or not I had any right to make decisions in an event held in someone's store where I didn't actually work.

Seriously?!? This guy seems to have one agenda and that's to belittle you as much as he can. I ran the last tournament at our wargaming club at our usual venue which is a hall owned by the local Scout troop. If I had a player ask me if I had more right to make decisions than the Scouts, I'd punt him out the door.

What you need to do, or even get the store owner to do as part of a welcome at the start of the tournament is establish your role as Head Judge (or TO). The Tournament Rules have 3 instances where it states "the Head Judge is the final authority...":

1. Rules and Interpretations
2. Component Modifications
3. Range Rulers and Maneuver Templates.

I think these cover pretty much any eventuality that may arise and give you as Head Judge/TO the ONLY authoritative right to make decisions. The store owner is merely providing the venue, and I'm guessing kindly donating the prize. That's where his input should end. It doesn't matter if the guy plays in order to make up numbers. That still doesn't make him the Head Judge or TO. That's you.

Ok, that clarifies things very nicely, thank you. As far as I can tell, I can`t see anything that would justify players bypassing you.

He even questioned whether or not I had any right to make decisions in an event held in someone's store where I didn't actually work.

That sounds like the behavior of someone who is used to bullying or intimidating tactics to get what he wants. That is indeed a serious red flag. Bullying you into backing off so that he can bully his opponent into rash decisions.

The best tactic that I would suggest would be to have the store owner greet the players when the competition starts and then introduce you as the Judge for the day, making it clear that rule questions should be directed to you. Then when it`s your turn, encourage players to not be shy to call up on you and to have fun. Keep an ear open for any rise in tone from that player, even if you're not looking at his game. If he's as aggressive as he sounds then no need for a pre-emptive strike; he'll dig his own grave.

Thanks for all the advice fella's. I'll be sure to put it all to good use.

I have a comic con in September that I am taking my commission painting business to, and we're also talking about bringing X-Wing to it. I want to do a good job here so that my peers will up-sell me to the convention organizers. I already have plans to organize a paid entry tournament soon, as soon as the league finishes up, and more to come besides. Any help I can get, be it from the store owners or the official forum, I'll gladly take and appreciate.

I will also mention that the store owners have been very supportive of me in all this and they are aware of the player in question. We are working as a team to resolve this, but since I'm the TO, well... that's why I gotta ask the questions on the forums! Haha!

Thanks again all.

i'm curious as to what the question/ruling was on.

Didn't someone come up with a document of common questions and rulings to go over before a tournament started?

It had some of the key things a TO needed to know and the like... Was it Parravon?? I remeber discussing it and people making suggestions about what to include in it.

If anyone has a link Darkcloak might find it useful.

Nah, it wasn't me, but I do recall it showing up some time ago. It was quite a well-authored document.