Two brand-new addendums and one updated addendum to KDE-US Tournament Policy have recently been posted, and we’d like to give you a quick introduction to each one.  In this article, we will explain what each one is for, and outline the basic information you can expect to find in each document

The new documents are the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy: COVID-19 Addendum and the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy:  Remote Duel Addendum. The updated addendum is the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy: Speed Duel Addendum.

Remember, reading through this article isn’t a substitute for reading the addendums themselves! You will want to have a look at all three of these documents to ensure you understand them clearly. We recommend having a copy of the addendum open so you can refer to it, while looking through this article.

What’s the point of Tournament Policy, anyway?

Tournament Policy documents help keep events consistent, so that attendees will always know what to expect at any KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) event. Everyone who attends a KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament is expected to read, understand, and adhere to all Tournament Policy and Penalty Guideline documents. For a complete understanding of tournament policies, please read the main documents:

• Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy
• Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalty Policy

And these addendums:

• Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy: COVID-19 Addendum
• Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy: Remote Duel Addendum

Why addendums? Why don’t you just add this information in to the main documents?

Putting more specialized information – for alternate formats, or specific circumstances – into a shorter, separate document makes it easier to access the information that is different; and keeps us from having to repeat the information that is the same.  While you may still need to refer to the longer documents for complete, general information, the addendum gets the specialized information to you quickly.

In instances where the addendum policy and general policy appear to conflict, the addendum policy will supersede the general policy.

Let’s start with the first new addendum!

Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy: COVID-19 Addendum

Some tournament locations will need to adapt policy somewhat to better accommodate changes necessary due to COVID-19.   This document explains how to adapt in-person events to comply with improved health and hygiene practices.

This document is broken up into three sections as follows:

• I. Duelist Responsibilities
• II. Tournament Play
• III. Reporting Match Results

What is new about this document?

There are some specific instructions about hygiene, social distancing, and personal protective equipment for events occurring during a pandemic.  Some tournament actions, such as shuffling and reporting Match results, can be handled differently as a result. The addendum explains how to address these concerns.

There is also expanded information on the uses of Yu-Gi-Oh! NEURON (NEURON) during tournament play.

What does this mean?

You should read through the addendum before heading to any Tier 1 or 2 events now that in-person play is returning. Always talk to the Tournament Organizer or the Head Judge for the event if you have any questions.

Now, let’s take a look at the next addendum!

Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy:  Remote Duel Addendum

If you have participated in Remote Duel or read through the Remote Duel Best Practice Guide, you will already be familiar with most of the contents of this addendum.  There are quite a lot of changes to be made when playing in Remote Duel vs. in-person events, and the Remote Duel Addendum will guide you through them. This addendum covers both TCG and Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS (Duel Links) Remote Duel events.

• This document is broken up into seven sections as follows:
• I. Tournament Information – TCG
• II. Tournament Play – TCG
• III. Tournament Information – Duel Links
• IV. Tournament Play – Duel Links
• V. Card Legality – TCG
• VI. Infractions and Penalties
• VII. Contact Information

What is new about this document?

This document covers similar information as the Best Practice Guide, with a focus on policy-specific instructions. It is separated into policies for TCG tournaments and for Duel Links tournaments, as there are some differences

What does this mean?

Actions that may have previously been viewed as “suggested” or “recommended” are now arranged in an official addendum to Tournament Policy.  You will need to read through this addendum carefully before you participate in Remote Duel tournaments.

And finally, an update to a previous addendum!

Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy: Speed Duel Addendum

This document will explain in detail what to expect from Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Speed Duel (Speed Duel) events as well as what you’ll need to keep in mind to have a smooth tournament experience. It has been updated slightly from the previous version.

This document is broken up into five sections as follows:

• I. Tournament Information
• II. Tournament Play
• III. Constructed Deck Information
• IV. Sealed Deck Information
• V. Card Legality

Section I.
Subsection B: Time Limits

What changed?

Speed Duel rounds are now 40 minutes in length.

What does this mean?

Speed Duel rounds were 30 minutes previously, so you now have an additional ten minutes per round.

Section II.
Subsection B: Skill Cards

What changed?

Rules for Skill Cards have expanded since the previous document. The new document provides additional clarification on how Skill Cards should work.

What does this mean?

Some of the rules you may have used previously for Skill Cards will be explained more clearly, and other rules are different. Make sure to read through this section carefully before participating in your next Speed Duel.

Section IV. Sealed Deck Information
Subsection A: General

What changed?

There is now a maximum Main Deck size of 30 cards for Sealed play.

What does this mean?

You can’t use every card you pull in your Deck. You will have to choose carefully

Section V. Card Legality
Subsection B: Forbidden & Limited List

What changed?

While there is no general Forbidden & Limited List for Speed Duel, however, at certain Tier 2 or higher events there may be an event-specific Forbidden & Limited List.

What does this mean?

KDE-US may decide to implement a Forbidden & Limited List for specific Speed Duel events (Tier 2 or higher). If this is the case, the list will be included in any related event FAQs or Operations Documents.
It does not mean that the Tournament Organizer or Head Judge can implement their own Forbidden & Limited List, and it does not mean that there will always be a Forbidden & Limited List for a Tier 2 or higher Speed Duel event.

Any list provided for an event will apply to that event only and should not be treated as applying to any other event.

There’s a lot to take in here for Tournament Policy with all these new addendums, so please take your time to go over them carefully to ensure you know what to expect at your next event. Tournament Policy is often overlooked as Duelists focus on card text and rulings, but it’s every bit as important a part of tournament preparedness.

We hope you found this article helpful and informative!