First Time Judging
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Posted on March 10, 2015, 7:03 a.m. by Maltanis
Hey guys, I'm training to become a Level One judge and I've been asked to Judge my upcoming FNM as part of this.
Does anyone have any advice or tips for my first time? I've been doing the rules questions and such, just wondering if anyone had some sage advice.
Thanks guys!
Also, knowing the rules is not the only thing you need to know - what penalties are due for rules infractions is also key knowledge for a judge. The document known as the Judging at Regular REL is what you need for FNM:
Knowing at least the common issues will help you a lot. Having it handy on your phone is also good. From that document:
"Educating players ... should be your primary motivation as a judge". Your duty is to be a pillar that the community can rely on and rules knowledge is small part of the job - nobody expects you to remember several hundred pages of rules. What you should do is explain people (especially if new/small children) that violating the rules is not helping anyone - educate, educate, educate and ensure everybody is having fun.
After all, it is Funday Night magic!
March 10, 2015 8:32 a.m.
Also, please do share how your first time went, I am sure at least I from the community is very willing to hear some judge stories.
March 10, 2015 8:33 a.m.
It's the one thing that seems to be missing on the site. Just a section under the forums for rulings & judge talk would be nice.
Great way for Judge's to compare how things are in different places.
I've been through JAR before, I'm more just wondering if people have any generic advice. I'm pretty good on the card rulings, my biggest weakness is probably fixes (like when someone draws and extra card)
I also tend to doubt myself! But that's just because I don't want to make a wrong ruling.
March 10, 2015 8:49 a.m.
Have the rules handy as was already mentioned. Nobody (most at least) will not say anything - you are not really expected to have memorized several hundred pages when they are not even lvl1 yet. Whatever you do, do not doubt yourself - establish that you are somebody the players can rely on.
This is FNM no less - do not expect complex decisions and interactions to popup, so do not be too nervous.
March 10, 2015 8:59 a.m.
mathimus55 says... #8
My biggest thing in my shadowing and doing the mentorship under an L2 that I've learned is that the friendlier and more personable you are towards the players the better. If you are treating the first time FNM the same as the seasoned person in terms of respect and patience more people will like you, which means the store owner will like you, which leads to more opportunities to judge again. Don't just hover over people, get down on their level and let them know you're not there to be stiff about rules, but just to make sure everyone plays fair and has fun. It's a blast judging, I wouldn't worry a whole lot about most of the punishments quite yet unless it's blatant cheating. FNM's are a place for an aspiring judge to learn just as much as the players.
Don't forget to have fun with it! It's a great game and helping others play is(almost) as fun as playing.
March 10, 2015 10:07 a.m.
I won't get the chance to hover as I'm playing myself that evening. Which I'm glad about. I think I'd have more of an issue if i was JUST judging that evening. At least by playing I can take my mind away from any tension I have.
March 10, 2015 11:02 a.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #10
well thats something that wouldnt be possible here, even on FNM level where its technically (i think...) legal. are you sure its a good idea to play in the same tournament you are judging on your first day? i mean what if you happen to play against that one annoying dude who always suspects his opponent to be cheating... and that happens to be you. awkward duscussion inc
March 10, 2015 11:19 a.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #11
When it comes to fixes, you'll want to be familiar with the "Additional Remedy" paragraphs of the various topics in the Infraction Procedure Guide. Like Boza said, since this is Regular REL you only need to follow the JAR, not the whole IPG, but knowing some of those things will give you valuable insight. At Regular you're given much more leeway to use your own judgment and strategies for fixing problems and educating players.
March 10, 2015 11:20 a.m.
the3rdH0kage says... #13
Remember that judging at an FNM is a learning experience for the players. If you have to look up a ruling, then do it, don't give a ruling unless your sure about it. Good luck judging, and post how it went.
March 10, 2015 9:23 p.m.
the3rdH0kage says... #14
Also, unless there is a judge or someone else at your store who is a Rules Advisor/judge or someone who is familiar with rulings that the other players trust, it might not be the smartest call to play and judge. A friend and I are the de-facto "judges" at our store, and we never play during the same FNM in the event there is a judges call that one of us are involved in, so that the other person can come and answer the judges call. We have an L1 that comes and competes every now and then, so he does the calls when he is there, unless he is in a match. So we almost always have someone who can answer a judges call. There was an FNM that the L1 wasn't there, and me and the other "judge" were doing commentary for our stores stream (shameless plug twitch.tv/afkgameswv) and there was a judges call, so one of us had to leave the commentary room and do that call. It was a tad awkward.
March 10, 2015 9:30 p.m.
It's not a huge store, the max number of players will be around 35.
I'm doing it whilst the usual Level 1 is there, and we have several Rules Adviser's in the store (I'm a rules adviser myself). They know I'm taking part in the event as far as I'm aware and have made no comments to me doing so.
It's a pretty casual store, the local Level 1 isn't even always there himself but he's the only guy in the area.
March 11, 2015 6:01 a.m.
Although I'm a complete novice and this was only my second FNM (and you trounced me good and proper!) I think you did a good job.Very welcoming and friendly, but best of all every time I looked confused you had the grace to stop and explain what just happened and exactly how you just whooped me. (Blasted infect!)Little comfort maybe but I thought you would appreciate the feedback.
pskinn01 says... #2
Dont be afraid to look up rules u r uncertain of. I have questioned judges on their rulings, only to have them appologize for mis interpreting the situation. Most people would rather get the correct ruling, than a fast one. Have the dci judge core app on your phone/tablet for quick reference.
March 10, 2015 7:38 a.m.