Updated Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy

We are pleased to announce an update to the Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy, which serves as a companion document to the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy document that was updated this April.

Much like the previous document, the biggest changes you’ll see here are adjustments to the formatting and organization of the information, to make it easier to find what you need.
We have also expanded the example sections, and provided clarification based on feedback from Duelists and judges.

Like the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy document, there are two versions – one for KDE-US territories and one for KDE-E territories. The only difference between the different versions  is the use of KDE-US vs. KDE-E, and the correct contact information for the specific territory. Please make sure you’re using the version which corresponds to your territory.

Let’s take it section by section!
We’ll explain what has changed or been updated so you don’t miss anything new.
We recommend reading through this article alongside the Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy document itself – treat this article as a study guide, to help you better understand the document.
Reading this article without also reading the document will not adequately inform you or prepare you for a tournament.

You can find the document here.

Got the document open too? Then let’s begin.

Section I.  Philosophy

This section explains the philosophy behind the Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy. We’ve expanded and clarified this section, and added in some new information.
Changes to this section include:
Clarification on Tier 1 vs Tier 2 enforcement.

What changed?
We have clarified the role of policy and rules enforcement for all Tiers.
What does this mean?
Some judges, Duelists, and Tournament Officials have mistakenly interpreted previous Tournament Policy to not apply at the Tier 1 level, believing that the more casual nature of this Tier does not require very much policy or rules enforcement.  This has led to one set of rules and policy for Tier 1 and a different set for Tier 2 or higher, which ultimately does not do anyone any good.

1. 
   Persons Attending a Tournament
   Rule Sharking is defined more carefully, via what kinds of judge calls are appropriate and what kinds are not appropriate.

   What changed?
   Nothing changed, we’ve just expanded the definition based on feedback from Duelists and judges, who had a lot of questions about what actually constitutes Rule Sharking, so we’ve provided a more detailed explanation, along with an example box, and an explanation of appropriate vs. not appropriate judge calls.
   We have clarified that Rule Sharking is an Unsporting Conduct – Minor infraction.
   What does this mean?
   It means you have a clearer explanation of what Rule Sharking actually is, making it easier to avoid and easier to recognize.

Section II.     Investigation Procedure

This section defines the terms “infraction” and “penalty,” and explains the process for investigating a potential infraction, determining the correct penalty (if any), and administering that penalty.

Time extensions are also covered in this section.
Changes to this section include:

1. Determining an Infraction
   Duelists, spectators, judges, etc. are not allowed to film or record investigations (these are conducted by the Head Judge during a tournament, to determine what infractions may have occurred).

   What changed?
   Nothing changed, we’ve never allowed this – but sometimes people asked about it, so we’ve included the information here.
   What does this mean?
   If you are conducting an investigation (as a judge), being investigated by a judge (Duelist) or watching an investigation (spectator), you cannot film or record it.

The appeal process has been clarified. Duelists have the right to appeal policy decisions not made by the Head Judge, just as they have the right to appeal ruling decisions not made by the Head Judge.

What changed?
Nothing has changed here, it’s been clarified since many Duelists weren’t sure how appeals for policy decisions worked.
What does this mean?
You can appeal policy decisions (infractions and penalties) that are not made by the Head Judge of an event.

     C. Applying the Penalty
Penalties incurred at a multi-day event will “carry over” into the next day.

What changed?
Nothing has changed, we’ve clarified how this works to make sure everyone understands. There are some examples, so you’ll want to read those.
What does this mean?
If you commit an infraction on Day 1 of an event, and then commit the same infraction on Day 2, your penalty will likely be upgraded. For example, if you committed a Slow Play infraction on Day 1, you will have received a Warning, which is the correct penalty. If you commit another Slow Play infraction on Day 2, your penalty will probably be upgraded to Game Loss.

1. Time Extensions
   Time extensions are not given out for matches incurring a Game Loss.
   Multiple time extensions can occur in the same match.

   What changed?
   Nothing has changed, we’ve just clarified it and provided examples to make it easier to understand.
   What does this mean?
   If a judge call results in a Game Loss, a time extension won’t be added to that Game.
   If there are multiple judge calls for one Game, multiple time extensions can be given. This wasn’t always clear.

2. Game State
   We have a lot of additions here, and a few changes. This is an extremely important section – make sure to read it through carefully.

   What changed?
   The biggest change here is the addition of the “Accepted Game State” section.  This is something that has been difficult to understand, since it wasn’t officially explained.  You will find more information about “Accepted Game States” in the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy document.
   Another change worth noting is we no longer ask judges to reconstruct games when Duelists have not been tracking Life Points.
   An entirely new section, “Misrepresenting the Game State,” has been added.
   Other than that, additions to this section are mainly clarification or additional examples.
   What does this mean?
   Game states are not just “reparable” or “irreparable.” They can also be considered “accepted.” Make sure you read through this section to understand the difference.
   Also, if you call over a judge to rebuild your game because neither you nor your opponent were keeping track of Life Points, they are not going to do it.

   Misrepresenting the Game State
   This section deals primarily with what people have often called “soft cheating,” the implication being that while it wasn’t strictly ethical, it wasn’t actually cheating.  This is not the case, and these actions are now very clearly defined as cheating.  Everyone needs to read this section!
   
   What changed?
   This section was added to support sections of the other policy document, most particularly the Private Knowledge section. If you haven’t read through the other document you will need to do so to fully understand this section.
   What does this mean?
   It means if you misrepresent the Game State, you will likely get an unsporting conduct cheating infraction, the penalty of which is Disqualification.

Section III. Penalties

This section explains the different penalties that can be applied to infractions.
Changes to this section include
     A. Caution

What changed?
The Caution section has been clarified, providing more explanation about when Cautions are appropriate.
What does this mean?
There was a misunderstanding among Duelists and judges alike, that Cautions are the default penalty at Tier 1 events. We’ve explained more clearly that Cautions are for new players only.

1. Disqualification
   We’ve expanded and clarified the Disqualification section.

   What changed?
   We have clarified that ignorance of the rule does not mean you are not cheating.
   What does this mean?
   “I didn’t know I couldn’t do that” has been a common plea from Duelists caught doing everything from altering the result of a Match, randomly determining a Match result, marking cards, or changing their Decks during the course of a tournament. We need to be clear that you are responsible for learning these policies prior to attending the event and if you violate them you are still liable for any resulting penalties.

2. Upgrading and Downgrading Penalties
   Upgrading and Downgrading Penalties has been clarified.

   What changed?
   The policy itself has not changed, but many people believed that penalties must be downgraded for new Duelists, young Duelists, or Tier 1 events. This isn’t the case, so we are explaining it here.
   Properly upgrading penalties wasn’t clearly understood either, so we’ve provided more information and several examples.
   What does this mean?
   New or young Duelists should receive the same penalties as older or more experienced Duelists. They should be educated and reassured if needed, but being younger or new doesn’t mean that you do not have to follow the rules.
   Likewise, although Tier 1 events are viewed as more “fun” or “casual,” policy still needs to be correctly enforced.

Section IV. Infractions

This section explains the various infractions that can be committed. This is important information that everyone needs to know.
Changes to this section include:
     F. Marked Cards (MC)

3. MC – Strict: (Match Loss)

What changed?
We have added a new infraction, that did not previously exist: Marked Cards – Strict. This is a Marked Cards infraction based on a significant pattern of marked cards which the judge determines to be unintentional; but the impact on the game is serious.
This will result in a Match Loss, but not a Disqualification.

What does this mean?
It means there is an option between a Game Loss and outright Disqualification for significantly marked cards.

1. Unsporting Conduct (UC)
   Unsporting Conduct has a lot of updates, across all the infraction levels. Pay special attention to the UC-Severe and UC-Cheating sections! We have included a lot more information here.

   What changed?
   We have many new examples, based on changes in game play and feedback from Duelists and judges. The UC – Cheating section in particular has a lot of new examples, and we explain what the specific issue is with each example (Misrepresenting the Game State, Collusion, Stalling, Tournament Fraud, etc.)
   We have changed “making a racial and/or sexual slur” from UC-Major (Game loss) to UC-Severe (Disqualification).
   We have added Harassment to the UC-Severe section.
   What does this mean?
   We’ve evaluated unsporting conduct over the past few years, and made adjustments we deem necessary.

1. Suspension and Suspended Persons

This section explains the suspension process, and provides instructions for Suspended Persons.

Changes to this section include:
     A. Suspension for Infractions Occurring at Sanctioned or Official Events

What changed?
We didn’t make any changes, we have simply clarified the suspension process and what it means, as some people were confused.
What does this mean?
Look here if you want to know more about what can result in a suspension, how the process works, and what to do if you have been suspended and wish to return to good standing.

     B. Suspension for Infractions Outside of Sanctioned or Official Events
We added a new sub-section: Suspension for Infractions Outside of Sanctioned or Official Events.

What changed?
Many people did not understand that actions occurring outside of Sanctioned or Official Events could result in a suspension. We have expanded and clarified the kinds of actions that can result in suspension from Organized Play, even if you are not engaging in these actions at an event.
What does this mean?
If KDE-US deems your actions to be detrimental to the safety of others or the fairness of Organized Play, you may receive a Suspension, even if the actions did not occur at an event.

Thank you for reading through this article, we hope it helped your understanding of the new Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy. Remember, reading the document itself is of upmost importance in both understanding these policies, and being properly prepared for a tournament.

Take time to read (or re-read) the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy document too, to make sure you fully understand all policy.  We have an article explaining that document, which you will find helpful.

Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy document

Updates and Changes to KDE-US Tournament Policy (article)