The first thing I need to do this week is tell you I screwed up. Last week, I published in my Grand Prix Dallas report that Pulse of Llanowar produces any color of mana save that which the land originally produced. This was an error. PoL creates a simple replacement effect. It replaces "This basic land produces <color>" with "This basic land produces <any color>," which can include the original color. I won’t defend the circumstances of my mistake. I take complete responsibility and hope it didn’t lead anyone down a bad road. My most sincere apologies.
I did learn, however, just how many readers I have – because they all sent me "Are you sure?", "I think you’re wrong," or "What kind of idiot are you?" messages, doubting my skills as a Judge and my parentage. Trust me, I have lots of readers.
Okay, on to business. I want to tell you, the new judge, what to do should you ever make a mistake. This is one of the most difficult parts of Judging. Face it: You’re going to err occasionally. You’re a human being, after all.
First of all, if you’re in doubt about a ruling, ask one of your other Judges (or the Head Judge). Look it up in one of the many volumes (or disk files!) you’ve carried with you. I’m a firm believer in having as many resources at hand as possible. I bring my laptop to every tournament. I have the Comprehensive Rulebook, the D’Angelo Rulings, the Floor Rules, the Universal Tournament Rules, the Penalty Guidelines, and the Oracle on my hard drive. I have the capability of quickly searching any document based on a character string. No more flipping through stacks of paper, no more wondering where something is. Ctrl-F rules.
Anyway, what to do when you make a mistake? First and foremost, issue the correct ruling as soon as possible. If the game or match is still in progress, stop it and explain the ruling, unless the ruling couldn’t possibly have an impact on the game (such as if you issued an incorrect warning or if the players asked you about cards neither is playing). If their match has finished, find each player individually and explain it to them. I find it most helpful to take the relevant document to the players (the Comp rules or the D’Angelo serve best) and show them the reference.
If no significant game actions have taken place, you might be able to back up, but it’s doubtful that this will be the case. Once a turn has passed, don’t ever back up. Play decisions have been made based on the current game state. It’s best to just continue on, with the players now aware of the correct ruling. It’s actually likely that you’ll discover your error at a much later time. Again, give the players the correct ruling and have them move on.
Unfortunately, your error might cost a player a game or match. While we hope this is never the case, it’s within the realm of possibilities. Do not change match results. Be as professional and apologetic as you can. If it helps, get the Head Judge to apologize with you, but be firm on not overturning results of a game or match.
Understandably, players might get upset with you. They’re likely to vent some frustration on you. Let them vent as much as they like so long as they don’t become belligerent and unsporting. Give them some leeway, but don’t compound the problem by letting them walk all over you or exceed the boundaries of acceptable conduct. If you have to caution them that they’re getting out of hand, do so as gently as you can while remaining firm. Just don’t make a second mistake by letting them misbehave.
If you issue an erroneous penalty, simply wait until a convenient time (don’t interrupt the flow of a game) and downgrade or upgrade it as necessary. Often, you won’t even need to do that. The player to whom you’ve issued a penalty is aware of their mistake, and the purpose of cautioning/warning them has been fulfilled. Obviously, you can’t rescind a game or match loss-again, don’t even try. I’d also warn against going back without a huge reason and upgrading a penalty to a game loss. This is a tricky situation and it’s difficult to issue blanket coverage. Judge each situation on its own merits.
Obviously, you’d prefer not to make mistakes at all. I’ll repeat myself. When in doubt, look it up or ask another Judge. There are loads of resources at your disposal (and despite my recent brain leak, I’m still one of them; feel free to email me at [email protected]). You’re much better off giving a table the two extra minutes that you spend looking up a ruling than explaining why you botched one. Or all that time answering emails. Lesson learned.
And that’s my Final Judgement.
Sheldon K. Menery