Today's MTR changes moved GPTs to Regular REL (yay!).
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-tournament-rules-release-notes-2016-07-18

Two questions:
1. Do they still require a minimum of one L1 Judge like before? Or can they be run by TOs without a certified judge (like other Regular events?)

2. Can the Judge (or other Tournament Officials) play in the GPT? I assume not, because GPTs are still listed as Premium events in section 1.4 of the MTR. But they're the only Regular REL events listed, so they stand out.

This should be verified in the fact sheets for upcoming GPTs, but my understanding is this:

1) “The net effect of this change is that Grand Prix Trials now require a level 1–certified judge” - you still have to have an L1 Judge.
2) this part of the MTR did not change, so - unless the aforementioned fact sheets contradict me, the Head Judge can not play in a Permium event.

The primary motivation behind this change was to eliminate the seeming discrepancy - you had a Comp REL event that required an L1+ judge, but we don't require L1 judges to be familiar with Comp REL.

d:^D

I left this open in case there were further questions - not so un-Official sources could offer up “answers”. So, I deleted some un-Official stuff, and I'll just leave this here, as an ‘O’fficial answer to an implied question.

Originally posted by MTR Appendix F:

Grand Prix Trials can be run at Competitive Rules Enforcement Level if that Grand Prix Trial offer a significant prize (other than the awarded byes to the relevant Grand Prix).

d:^D

Sorry about that.

I have a question. Since GPTs are run at Regular, can I play in a side-event and trade cards with my friends while HJ'ing the GPT? With a GPT at Regular I feel I don't need to supervise the event with falcon eyes.

Originally posted by Lars Harald Nordli:

can I play in a side-event and trade cards with my friends while HJ'ing the GPT?

Can you? Yes. Would I be happy, if I were your RC, and I heard about this? No, not one bit.

We require an L1+ for GPTs because we feel these events deserve that level of attention.

d:^D

Lars, no.

What about Judge Attire? Still black is the new black?

I suspect it's much the same as before. L1s don't tend to have Judge shirts, so whatever was acceptable before is still fine now, with the option to be a little more relaxed as it's now Regular.

Always check the specifics with your TO, just be aware that you represent the judge program and dress accordingly.

- Emilien

Hello, I still have some questions on how Regular REL GPTs differ from other Premier Events (say, PPTQ) and how they differ from other regular events (say, FNM).
I assume that you still are required to have decklists and deckchecks in Regular REL GPT just like before and it's not optional for TO to choose, am I right?
And also I assume that FNM is a lighter case of Regular REL event, as a TO or an aspiring judge can judge an FNM, but not GPT, am I right?
As you cannot both judge and play in a GPT, I assume everything is basically the same as in running/judging a PPTQ, it's just that you don't issue warnings and basically judge by Regular REL rules, and don't even have to be familiar with Competitive REL and infraction procedure guide. Am I right or am I missing something important?

Edited Egle Devizyte (Nov. 27, 2016 09:28:00 AM)

Originally posted by Egle Devizyte:

I assume that you still are required to have decklists and deckchecks in Regular REL GPT

No, that's not correct. You may choose to perform deck checks, and require deck lists; some communities demand that, others don't need it. I'd let your players guide that decision.

Originally posted by Egle Devizyte:

FNM is a lighter case of Regular REL

I think a lot of players see it that way, as a fairly friendly, casual event - but it's still held to the same standards as any other Regular REL event.

Note also that GPTs can be run at Competitive REL, at the TO's discretion; this is recommended if the prizes are significant. (What defines “significant” will, of course, vary greatly from one community to another.)

But, bottom line, if it's a Regular REL event, run it according to the Regular REL guidelines; if it's Competitive REL, follow those guidelines instead. Your questions almost suggest a sort of “hybrid” event, a cross between Regular and Comp; that's not the case. The only real distinction between a GPT at Regular REL and other events at Regular REL, is the fact that a GPT is considered a “Premier” event, and has specific rules - like the requirement for a judge who is not playing in the event: “The store owner, organizer, judge(s), and/or scorekeeper of the GPT may not play in the tournament.”

d:^D

Thank you, Scott, you made everything clear to me.

Another important fact relevant to GPTs as Premier events is that they have prescribed number of rounds. See MTR appendix E.

http://blogs.magicjudges.org/rules/mtr-appendix-e/