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Tournament Operations » Post: I am a little confused about how intentionally drawing a game works

I am a little confused about how intentionally drawing a game works

May 6, 2014 06:02:24 AM

Adam Eidelsafy
Judge (Level 2 (Judge Foundry))

USA - Northeast

I am a little confused about how intentionally drawing a game works

Consider the following scenario, Alex and Nicole in the first round of a Competitive REL event. After series of bad hands, they both have mulliganed down to four cards and have started their first turn. Due to their poor hands, they eventually agree to ID game one and proceed onto game two. How many more games can they play this round?

For a traditional three game round, my past experience leads me to believe the answer would be two. However, the only information I could find on the subject was in sections 2.1 and 2.4 of the MTR (emphasis mine).

2.1 Match Structure

A Magic match consists of a series of games that are played until one side has won a set number of games, usually two. Drawn games do not count toward this goal. If the round ends before a player has won the required number of games, the winner of the match is the player who has won the most games at that point. If both players have equal game wins, the match is a draw.

The Tournament Organizer may change the required number of games to be won for any portion of the tournament as long as this choice is announced before the tournament begins. Match results, not individual game results, are reported to the DCI for inclusion in Planeswalker Points.

Also

2.4 Conceding or Intentionally Drawing Games or Matches

If a game or match is not completed, players may concede or mutually agree to a draw in that game or match. A match is considered complete once the result slip is filled out or, if match slips are not being used, a player leaves the table after game play is finished. Until that point, either player may concede to or draw with the other, though if the conceding player won a game in the match, the match must be reported as 2-1. Intentional draws are always reported as 0-0-3.

Players may not agree to a concession or draw in exchange for any reward or incentive. Doing so will be considered Bribery (see section 5.2).

If a player refuses to play, it is assumed that he or she has conceded the match.


Reading the above passages leads me to believe that this ID would allow them to, time permitting, play a full three games. Is there a section in the MTR that clears this up?

Edited Adam Eidelsafy (May 6, 2014 06:02:40 AM)

May 6, 2014 06:07:57 AM

Shawn Doherty
Judge (Level 5 (Judge Foundry))

USA - Midatlantic

I am a little confused about how intentionally drawing a game works

The two sections that you quoted were the correct ones for explaining how the policy works now.
The confusion only seems to come from your prior experiences.
“Drawn games do not count toward that goal” <- That's about as clear as you can get

They can draw any number of games, but they will continue to play until someone wins two (within the time constraints)

Edited Shawn Doherty (May 6, 2014 06:08:55 AM)

May 6, 2014 07:49:55 AM

Adam Eidelsafy
Judge (Level 2 (Judge Foundry))

USA - Northeast

I am a little confused about how intentionally drawing a game works

Originally posted by Shawn Doherty:

The two sections that you quoted were the correct ones for explaining how the policy works now.
The confusion only seems to come from your prior experiences.
“Drawn games do not count toward that goal” <- That's about as clear as you can get

They can draw any number of games, but they will continue to play until someone wins two (within the time constraints)

Well thank you for teaching me something new today Shawn!