Judge fun

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John Danker

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Every once in a while I get to feeling just a wee bit "cheated" and I have to put away the judge shirt and sit down and play in a tournament, otherwise I feel slighted from a portion of the fun.

Have you ever felt that way if you judge a good deal? Even when you are able to sit down and play do you get interupted 10 times a match by someone wanting to know a ruling? Have you ever had to just take a deep breath and answer softly and choke back not biting someone's head off with, "Just ONCE I'd like to play a SINGLE game without being interupted! Can't you see I'm PLAYING?"

If you're ever around a person who's normally a judge and you see them playing, please take into consideration that they seldom get to do so and respect their little bit of "fun" If there is any other option than to disturb them please use that option.

Please don't misunderstand my little rant here and think I don't enjoy judging and helping out wherever I can....I do indeed enjoy that. We all need, however, to feel like we have the chance every once in a while, to apply what we learn, to have enough control over our lives to be able to sit down and have a friendly match without or responsabilities taking over.

Now that I've had my little rant....I'll return you to your regularly scheduled surfing!
 
Yo, I feel ya John! Our recent sneak preview was really low on turnout the next day, so late in the afternoon while the other 2 judges were finishing up a couple side events, I sat down to play with a guy for kicks and got about 5 questions during that time.

Last year I wound up just entering our local regional to get some tournament dueling experience. 8^D I don't think enough people knew who I was quite yet, but it was nice to just "Get away" from it all and get schooled by some kids 8^D

I might wind up doing it again sometime this year depending on how the judge turnout is in our area. Its almost worth the $15 or whatever entry fee it is just for some solid duel time to learn a lot, plus you wind up playing a few side duels inbetween flights anyway 8^D

EDIT: Come to think of it, maybe at one of the SJCs or something they could work out a "Judges bracket" for kicks on the second day or something. You could almost make an exhibition out of it. "Come see these guys, who know A LOT about the mechanics and rulings duel against each other against decks that make no sense and they often make bad dueling moves, like overextending their S/T zone 8^D"

I think that could be almost as fun as watching two kids with Exodia decks going against each other in a Sneak Preview side event. It was priceless.
 
Not a bad idea actually.

The guys who got me started playing Yu-Gi-Oh! were Level 1s at the imte and they wouldn't jusge a tournament for nothing. The spirit of compitition was just a little to strong in them. Seems to be the problem with most judges in my area. They are too hell bent on proving what great duelist they are that they don't even bother with judging. Seems they only got thier judge certifications so that they could flash theri UDE card just to avoid arguments.

I wish the judges in my area had your problem, John. ;)
 
John, I understand what you mean---
I was doing most of the judging in my store for a long period of time, so I decided to take a LOA from Judging, and just play for awhile.
It's been about 3 weeks now--thats 3 tourneys in my area--and I plan on going back to judging after the new list drops--
But, yes judging is fun and teaching others is great, however is just as much fun throwing down in the gauntlet...which has to be done everyonce in awhile... ^_^
 
Judging by far is quite the reward. The respect level you gain from players is immense as most place you on a pedestal, even if they have never seen you play a single game.

I know after a Regional Event I Judged, when I finally had the opportunity to exhaustedly sit down after the night was done, several of the remaining players wanted to do nothing more than challenge me to a Duel.

Just because we have all (seemingly) the answers, they are under the impression that our playing skills are somehow "better" than the actual Top 8 Players.

There are many times that I wish I weren't as widely known in the area I used to live in, as a Judge. I don't know how many times I was interrupted to answer questions from other players, to the point where time runs out on me. Just like John said, you want to scream, "Can I play just a little, people?"

Now that I'm basically "starting over" here in Maryland, I can play peacefully, and intervene only when I see something drastically wrong, like a player trying to split up his attack from Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning destroying a monster.
 
The same thing happens to me too. Not to be snotty I tell the person I am entered in the tournament, and can not give a ruling. But they still keep coming. So some friends and I have an idea. we are going to drive 4 hours away to go to a tournament and try to play. I hope it works. I will let you know what happens. If this does not work I might travel to a different geographical area to play.
 
Amen brother... amen... I rarely get to sit down and play a VS match these days, and the fact that I judge most of the PCQ's and other premier events in the NC, VA, KY, SC area... just means that I do get interupted a million times during a game when I can finally sit down and relax and play a game, ;).

I don't get really upset about it, I understand that people need help sometimes... but yeah, it would be nice, lol. And if I'm playing then that means that there is another judge there that you can talk to, ask them instead, lol, I mean, that's what they're there for.
 
[ycard="DR1-EN006" said:
Helpoemer[/ycard]316]I don't get really upset about it, I understand that people need help sometimes... but yeah, it would be nice, lol. And if I'm playing then that means that there is another judge there that you can talk to, ask them instead, lol, I mean, that's what they're there for.
Click to expand...

Here, here!!! Here, here!!!
Well said!!!
Absolutly.gif
 
I go to the same store as AtrusOfKrondor, and he is right, we have 4 people that can judge there, but no matter who is judging, people turn to him for an answer.
 
your judging wisdom please

Hey all!

I am new to judging big events. My second event will be this Saturday Oct. 8 at San Jose, CA (regionals). I've done a lot of playing...probably too much. Compared to the rest of you, I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I WANT to judge, but there is only 1 event per month in the Nor Cal Bay Area.

After last month's regional, I've been getting more questions at my local store, even when I'm playing. The feeling one gets from being looked up to is quite extraodinary. I would like to become a better judge, yet remain close to the players.

Since you are all experienced judges, I want to ask you for some advice and on your judging experiences. Thanks in advance!
 
While you're playing you'll just have to kindly explain that while you'd like to help, your knowledge and opinion actually mean very little and that you shouldn't actually be commenting at all.

Be careful about even commenting to others on a judge's ruling or performance in a tournament. While you're not currently judging you're a part of a judging team that needs to remain a team at your local store.

If you see something that was ruled incorrectly pull the judge over after the tournament and one on one, in a very nurturing and friendly manner explain to them the ruling and why it should have been ruled differently.

Remaining a friend while being a judge is actually quite easy. Be honest, be kind, be fair, admit fault when it's yours and correct it immediately....and people will respect and look up to you. Those that don't or can't respect those qualities you don't want as friends anyway.
 
Aww, I remember when you did that to me John. =) It was nice! The more friendly you are as a judge when giving rulings and helping people with their problems during an event is a nice habit to get into. You get a sense of pride in a way as they move out of your way kindly as you post up pairings (that happened to me at the CRV preview, man I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle of amusement) on the wall or at a table.

Also if you doubt yourself, tell the players involved that you're confirming your ruling with another judge and if needed that a time extension be issued (like when one of the players disagrees with you). If a player disagrees with you and appeals your ruling, quickly search for the Head Judge (for me that would be John) and inform your Head Judge of the situation of that ruling appeal.

Luckily for me I've never had to do that yet. I've only judged at one event and that was the CRV Sneak Preview and now soon to be EEN Sneak Preview. Usually if I'm in public judging at a local tournament or at an event with a ruling that I'm given should be commen sense, I try to smile instead of getting a discouraged look on my face.

One of the Metagame writters wrote a series of articles on Floor Judging and Head Judging. That information is VERY useful. =) I'll probably re-read it before I go and judge at my next event. Also reviewing tournament policies of all categories insures that you know your stuff and are prepared to judge.

I've had a kick out of players claiming that they're really good because they've beaten me. Why? Because they think that a judge has all the time in the world to both play and judge. This isn't the case. Does a player have all the time in the world to both judge and play? No, they don't. So the wheels turn in both directions. The more you play the worse your judging ability is. The more you judge the worse your playing ability is. Not rocket science IMO. =)
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I will definitely try to use your advice and try to do my best on Saturday.

I'm going to read all of Julia Hedberg's articles on judging.
 
The best part about playing when you judge all the time, is the extra level of mystique you have when people you've judged over and over see you shuffling up and playing. Definitely a nice psychological edge to have.
 
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