Since Tournament Policy documents require ongoing updates and amendments to keep pace with Organized Play, we are pleased to present you with Version 2.2 of the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy!

We have made several changes in this latest version – you will find clarification of existing policy, re-structuring of previous information to make it easier to understand, some completely new sections and also some changes from previous policy.

You will need to know all this information to properly prepare for tournament play, but don’t worry! We have prepared this article about the major changes and what they mean for you.  This is not a list of each and every change, but it will explain the more significant ones.  As you read through this article, have a copy of the policy document open too, and refer to it as you go – reading this article by itself instead of reading the policy document won’t provide you with all of the information you need to be ready for tournament play.

Most of the sections in the policy document itself will have example charts that will help you understand how the policy works

Let’s take it section by section!

Also note that previous subsection designations will have changed, due to adding in new subsections.

Read more…

Since Tournament Policy documents require ongoing updates and amendments to keep pace with Organized Play, we are pleased to present you with Version 2.2 of the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Infractions and Penalties Policy.

We have made a few changes in this latest version – you will find clarification of existing policy, re-structuring of previous information to make it easier to understand, some new additions and some changes from previous policy.

You will need to know all this information to properly prepare for tournament play, but don’t worry! We have prepared an article about the major changes and what they mean for you.  While it isn’t a list of each and every change, it will explain the more significant changes.  As you read through this article, have a copy of the policy document open too, and refer to it as you go – reading this article by itself instead of reading the policy document won’t provide you with all of the information you need to be ready for tournament play.

Most of the sections in the policy document itself will have example charts that will help you understand how the policy works

Let’s take it section by section!

Some of the previous subsection designations have changed in this new version, so keep that in mind as you go.

Section I.  Philosophy

This section explains the purpose behind the Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy:

• Outlines the appropriate code of behavior for persons at a tournament.
• Instructs judges and tournament officials how to identify infractions and assign correct penalties.
• Helps ensure a fair and consistent tournament experience, by explaining the various types of infractions along with the penalties assigned to each infraction.

Changes to this section include:

Subsection A. Persons Attending a Tournament

What changed?
We separated Appropriate and Not Appropriate judge calls into separately-labeled sections, to better explain the difference between the two.
We have also provided some newer examples to help clarify.

What does this mean?
Judge calls (these are questions or issues about gameplay or policy which arise during a match) are intended to maintain a fair and consistent tournament. Judge calls should not be used as an exploitative tool to gain an unfair advantage or target another person.

Section II.  Investigation Procedure

This section explains how to investigate issues regarding policy, properly identify infractions, and apply penalties.

Changes to this section include:

Subsection E. Time Extensions

What changed?
We clarified the example table by adding a title for each example, to reiterate each rule and make it easier to retain.
We also added an additional example to clarify when time extensions begin (when the judge arrives at the table).

What does this mean?
There are specific rules for applying Time Extensions, understanding how they work will help you understand the policy.

Subsection F.  Game State

What changed?
We separated Irreparable, Reparable, and Accepted Game States into separate sections, to make the differences easier to understand. 
We added a section to clarify Significant Advantage, which was not a widely understood concept.
We clarified some of the examples in the Misrepresenting the Game State example table.

What does this mean?
It is each Duelist’s responsibility to maintain an accurate Game State, and to call over a judge immediately should any disruption to the Game State occur.

Disruptions to the Game State should be evaluated carefully to determine whether the Game State is Irreparable, Reparable, or Accepted and whether or not the disruption has created Significant Advantage.

Misrepresenting the Game State is a serious offence and can happen in a variety of ways – be aware of this and avoid doing it.

Section III. Penalties

This section covers information about the 4 types of penalties (previously 5) which can be administered.

We have one significant change to this section!
The Caution penalty has been eliminated entirely.
A Warning is now the only penalty that can be given for Minor Infractions.

Changes to this section include:

Subsection E.  Upgrading and Downgrading Penalties

What changed?
We separated the Upgrade and Downgrade examples into separate tables, to make the information easier to process.

What does this mean?
Head Judges should follow correct policy when determining whether or not to upgrade or downgrade a penalty.

Section IV. Infractions

This section covers information about the different types of Infractions that can be committed.

Changes to this section include:

Subsection B. Procedural Error

2. Procedural Error (PE) – Major (Game Loss)

What changed?
We have added a new Procedural Error – Major:  If the Duelist responsible for submitting the Match result for a Match that has concluded has not done so before 5 minutes have passed from the official end of the Round, that Duelist will receive a PE – Major (Game Loss) Penalty.

What does this mean?
Typically, the Duelist who wins the Match is responsible for submitting the Match results. If this Duelist fails to submit the result for a Match that has concluded within 5 minutes after the end of the Round, that Duelist will receive a Game Loss penalty, applied to their next Match. 
This is intended to cut down on delays created by missing Match results in between Rounds.
Matches with Time Extensions must submit their Match result immediately after their Match has concluded.

Which Duelist is responsible for submitting the Match result?
The winning Duelist is responsible for submitting the Match result. 

Subsection G.  Slow Play

What changed?
We clarified there is not a set amount of time for actions.
We added some examples for appropriate upgrades.

What does this mean?
Slow Play is frequently misunderstood, study this section carefully to better understand it.

Subsection H.  Unsporting Conduct

3. Unsporting Conduct (UC) – Severe (Disqualification)

What changed?
We have added some new examples in the example chart, including intentionally misgendering another person, refusing to wear a mask when instructed to do so, submitting fraudulent vaccination information, behaving inappropriately on camera at a Livestreamed event, and anyone other than an official vendor attending a Sanctioned event for the purpose of buying and/or selling.

What does this mean?

Unsporting Conduct – Severe infractions are serious, and it is your responsibility to understand policy and avoid these actions.

4. Unsporting Conduct (UC)  – Cheating (Disqualification)

What changed?
We re-organized the examples, to put similar offenses next to one another.  We also provided clearer scenarios for some of the more vaguely worded examples.

What does this mean?
This information should be easier to understand now.

Section VI. Suspension and Suspended Persons

This section covers information about the process of Suspension from Organized Play, and information regarding Suspended Persons.

Changes to this section include:

Subsection A.  Suspension for Infractions Occurring at Sanctioned Events

What changed?
We added the line “Persons who are suspended from KDE Organized Play will be included on the Suspended Persons list.”

What does this mean?
You should be aware that if you are Suspended from KDE Organized Play, your name and CARD GAME ID number will be included on the Suspended Persons list.

Subsection B. Suspension for Infractions Outside of Sanctioned or Official Events

What changed?
We added the line “Persons who are suspended from KDE Organized Play will be included on the Suspended Persons list.”We have also expanded the examples list.

What does this mean?
You should be aware that if you are Suspended from KDE Organized Play, your name and CARD GAME ID number will be included on the Suspended Persons list.

Unsporting Conduct – Severe/Cheating infractions are serious, and it is your responsibility to understand policy and avoid these actions.

We’re excited about these updates to the document, and hope you found this article helpful and informative! 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.

Please make sure to review this current version (2.2) before attending an event, regardless of whether it’s an in-person tournament or a Remote Duel tournament!

Remote Duel has been with us for a while now! If you have been participating in Remote Duel we hope you have read the Remote Duel Best Practices Guide, which explains the adaptations to game play which are necessary when you aren’t Dueling in person.

What is the Remote Duel Best Practices Guide?

It is a document which explains how to prepare for your Remote Duel event, how to manage the parts of gameplay that require adaptation for Discord,  and how to resolve issues that are unique to Remote Dueling.  You need to know the information it contains in order to participate in a Remote Duel.

Why is it important?

If you’ve participated in Sanctioned Organized Play, you know that there are standard policies which apply to all events. When you enter a tournament, you know what to expect since these policies exist to make tournaments efficient and consistent. The Best Practices Guide works the same way, enabling you to prepare for your Remote Duel, understand how the processes will work, and help make the experience more enjoyable.

What do I need to know?

The Remote Duel Best Practices Guide will walk you through the Remote Duel process – beginning with setting up to play through how to manage the situations unique to Remote Duel, to help ensure a consistent play experience for everyone.

Expanded Infractions/Penalties:

We’ve updated this latest version with some additional policies to help make the Remote Dueling experience clearer, which will help reassure many Duelists that the Discord gameplay experience can be fair. 
Please pay careful attention to the Setting Up To Play, Remote Duel Etiquette, Changing Control of a Card, and Remote Duel Tournament Policies sections.

Remote Duel-specific Forbidden List:

We have also implemented a Forbidden List specifically for Remote Duel.
There are a number of cards in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME designed to grant your opponent access to Private Knowledge of cards in your hand or Deck. Since it is difficult to resolve these kinds of cards in Remote Duel while reassuring the opponent that you have not also seen the relevant cards, we have instead opted to treat these cards as Forbidden, in Remote Duel only.  There are a few other cards that present other difficulties, and they are added as well.

Cards Forbidden in Remote Duel are not Forbidden for in-person play, therefore they are not displayed on the Advanced or Traditional Format Forbidden & Limited List.

The following cards are Forbidden only for Remote Duel.

Ancient Telescope
Blizzard Warrior
Contact with the Aquamirror
Dark Scorpion – Chick the Yellow
Destiny HERO – Dominance
Diabolos, King of the Abyss
Flower Cardian Peony with Butterfly
Goddess Skuld’s Oracle
Parasite Paracide
Senri Eye
Spell Vanishing
SYPRAL Gear – Drone
Transmission Gear

It’s been about a year since most of us have been able to play together, and we miss it – we miss hanging out at our local OTS, we miss traveling to new locations for bigger events. But in the meantime, Remote Duel gives us the chance to sit down, shuffle up our Decks and handle our cards again as we get together with our friends and just enjoy the game.

Make sure to read through the updated Best Practices Guide prior to your next Remote Duel event!

While we haven’t been able to enjoy in-person Organized Play for a while now, Remote Duel has filled the gap with monthly Extravaganza events along with ongoing Invitational tournaments. Some accommodations and changes are necessary to translate tournament play to a virtual environment, but the fundamentals of policy have not changed.

Spectators at an in-person Sanctioned event have very specific guidelines in place that dictate what they can and cannot do, if they notice an error in game play or other cause of concern.

Let’s take a look at the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy and review the procedure!

From section I.  Preparing to Play,

“H. Spectators
Spectating at an event is a privilege, not a right, for tournament attendees. It is a spectator’s duty to remain neutral while observing game play, and to make sure their presence does not disrupt the event.

• At the discretion of the Head Judge, spectating of a tournament may be limited or restricted.

Spectators must abide by the following rules:

• Spectators should not speak to or communicate in any way with Duelists who are currently engaged in a Match.
• If a spectator notices any violation of game play rules or Tournament Policy, they must alert a tournament official immediately.

This means spectators should not interfere in a Match by speaking to either of the Duelists or attempting to pause the Duel. They should not stand around commenting to other spectators, they should simply alert the nearest judge and explain what they observed.

Remote Duel spectating is a bit different – you aren’t standing next to the table watching the Duel in person, you are observing the action via livestream. It’s a slightly different perspective, and while it is clearer in some ways it will also limit the amount of information available to you.

 Sometimes, while watching a livestream, you may see something that doesn’t look right – a Duelist appears to use an incorrect ruling, a mandatory card effect does not appear to resolve, game phases might look out of order.  Duelists might not follow Best Practice instructions about their hand or their field, or they may appear to be playing excessively slowly

On livestream, you cannot notify a judge – so what should you do?

If you are observing the stream and participating in the chat, you can alert a moderator. The moderator can alert the judge team, who can evaluate the Duel.

You should:

• remember that livestreams are on a time delay. What you are seeing on screen actually happened slightly earlier.
• alert a moderator. The moderator can communicate to the judge team. Do not @ spam the moderation team. Pointing out the issue in chat or via whisper once is all that’s necessary.
• stick to what you actually saw – “It looks like (Duelist’s name) didn’t banish PSY-Framegear Gamma and PSY-Frame Driver after they were Special Summoned by PSY-Framegear Gamma‘s effect.” “It looks like (Duelist’s name) might have an extra card in his hand.” Not “(Duelist’s name) is cheating! (Duelist’s name) is a cheater!!” —  it is up to the Head Judge of the tournament to investigate if needed and determine whether something was intentional or unintentional.
• leave it to the moderator and the judge team after you’ve said something.
• be sure you understand the rulings you think may be incorrect. You may be wrong about what happened.
• be sure you understand infractions and their associated penalties.  You may be mistaken about the correct penalty for an infraction you have witnessed.

You shouldn’t:

• keep repeating comments from yourself or from other spectators.
• accuse, criticize or attack the Duelists or the judges.
• call for specific penalties to be assigned to a Duelist. That is a job for the judge team, not a job for the spectators.
• harass the moderators.

Sometimes, spectators have concerns after an event has concluded. Without any moderators or judges, you might wonder what to do about a potential problem you’ve observed. 

In these kinds of cases, you should:

• contact KONAMI’s Organized Play team. For North America’s events, you can email us-opsupport@konami.com.  For Latin America’s events, you can email la-opsupport@konami.com.
• explain what you observed, clearly and concisely – for example, “During the second Duel in Round 4, in their third turn it looks like (Duelist’s name) activated Virtual World – Fanfan’s effect but put the detached materials in their hand instead of in their Graveyard.”
• understand that the Organized Play team has access to additional video, as well as other tournament data.  They can evaluate your information and refer to available resources, including talking to judges and to Duelists.
• realize that examining other data may lead to a different conclusion than yours.

You shouldn’t:

• expect KONAMI to provide you with information about other individuals. Privacy laws prohibit this.
• call for specific penalties to be assigned to a Duelist.
• harass the Duelists, judges, or other tournament officials.  Whether you do this by creating accusatory or defamatory online content about your perception of the issue or repeating accusations of Unsporting Conduct, either posting online or in person; this is never an appropriate way to express your concern about a tournament issue.

When you publicly accuse someone – whether you make videos about them, demand that KONAMI suspend them, spread rumors about them or make online posts about them, you can destroy their reputation.  If you join in with repeating accusations made by others, you contribute to the damage. 

This can very quickly become harassment, which is something for which you can be penalized.

Please refer to the Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy, section VI. Suspension and Suspended Persons:

“B. Suspension for Infractions Outside of Sanctioned or Official Events
An Unsporting Conduct – Severe or Unsporting Conduct – Cheating infraction does not have to have been committed or discovered at a Sanctioned or Official event, in order to result in a Suspension.

• KDE reserves the right to suspend persons from KDE’s Organized Play program for infractions not connected to a specific Sanctioned event, as long as the infraction impacts or connects to a Sanctioned event; in the past, present, or future.

• In these instances, Persons do not need to have been disqualified at a Sanctioned or Official event in order to warrant additional penalties from the KDE Penalty Committee.

These include but are not limited to:

• Severe or ongoing harassment of another person.

If you are genuinely concerned about tournament integrity, the correct course of action is the one described above. Contact KONAMI’s Organized Play team, provide them with the information you have, and let them evaluate the issue. They can and will pass your information and the results of their own investigation along to the KONAMI Penalty Committee if this is indeed a case that needs to be reviewed

It is never acceptable to attack someone – regardless of whether you believe you have witnessed Unsporting Conduct.  Once accusations have been made they cannot be easily unmade, even if they are discovered to be unfounded. The damage done to someone’s reputation may never be mended.

Since Tournament Policy documents require ongoing updates and amendments to keep pace with Organized Play, we are pleased to present you with Version 2.1 of the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy!

We have made several changes in this latest version – you will find clarification of existing policy, re-structuring of previous information to make it easier to understand, some completely new sections and also some changes from previous policy.

You will need to know all of this information to properly prepare for tournament play, but don’t worry! We have prepared an article about the major changes and what they mean for you.  This is not a list of each and every change, but it will explain the more significant ones.  As you read through this article, have a copy of the policy document open too, and refer to it as you go –reading this article by itself instead of reading the policy document won’t provide you with all of the information you need to be ready for tournament play. Most of the sections in the policy document itself will have example charts to will help you understand how the policy works

Let’s take it section by section!

Also note that previous subsection designations will have changed, due to adding in new subsections

          Section I.  Preparing to Play

This section discusses the roles of various attendees at an event, including what is required and/or expected of them.
Changes to this section include:

Subsection D: Floor Judge
What changed?
We have rewritten the examples of questions that can and cannot be answered, using the same scenarios. Looking at different kinds of questions being asked about the same set of card interactions helps clarify the difference between what a judge can answer, and what a judge cannot answer.
What does this mean?
While judges do need to provide correct information, they should not provide strategic advice. Questions should be asked carefully and answered carefully, to ensure this does not happen.
The updated examples should make it easier for Duelists to understand how to ask a judge a question they can answer; and easier for judges to understand the correct way to impart information without “coaching”.

Subsection D.  Scorekeeper
What changed?
We have clarified that the scorekeeper must use a Duelist’s full name to register them for a tournament, they cannot use nicknames or shortened names. We have always required this, but it wasn’t spelled out clearly enough.
What does this mean?
When the scorekeeper registers you in a Sanctioned tournament, they must use your full name. Don’t make their job difficult by requesting they use a nickname or abbreviation.

Subsection I. Media
What changed?
We have further clarified and expanded requirements for media at a Sanctioned event.
What does this mean?
There are specific requirements for media clearance at a tournament – members of the media must ensure they meet them, make sure to read this through carefully if you are planning to attend an event as a member of the media.

          Section II.  Duelist Responsibilities

This section covers expectations and requirements for Duelists attending an event. We have added some new information to this section, as well as clarifying previous policy.
Changes to this section:

Subsection B. Identification
What changed?
This section again references the need to use your full legal name when registering for an event, as it appears on your ID.
We have also clarified what can happen for Duelists who want to register and do not have ID.
What does this mean?
If you have name change issues that are not reflected on your ID, you will need to speak to the Tournament Organizer prior to registering at an event.
If you do not have an ID, the Tournament Organizer is limited on what they can do to accommodate you at an event.

Subsection E.  Neuron
What changed?
This is an entirely new section, providing official policy for in-tournament use of Konami’s smartphone app Neuron.  Offline functions that can be used during a Duel are listed and explained.
None of the online functions of Neuron can be used during a Duel at a Sanctioned event.
What does this mean?
Neuron is quite useful and Duelists are encouraged to use it, but make certain you understand which functions are allowed during a Duel and which are not. You should also take note of requirements such as a paper record of Life Point changes when using the Life Point application in Neuron.
This is a new section, so read through it carefully.

Subsection G. Understand Policy
What changed?
We have updated the list of Tournament Policy documents to include addendums, such as the Official KDE-US TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy Speed Duel Addendum.
What does this mean?
We will occasionally add Addendums to Tournament Policy. They are not complete documents in and of themselves, instead they are shorter documents that cover policy additions or changes that are specific to a particular format (in this instance, Speed Duel).  You will still need to reference the main documents to get a full understanding of policy.

Subsection H.  Unacceptable Behavior
What changed?
We have updated the section for wearing masks or face coverings.
What does this mean?
This change was implemented to accommodate health requirements in different areas.

Subsection K.  Proper Attire
What changed?
This is a new section, detailing acceptable standards of clothing for Sanctioned events.
What does this mean?
Duelists need to be properly dressed to participate in Sanctioned events.

          Section IV. Tournament Play

This section covers information about registering for a tournament, required items or materials for tournament play, and basic policy for tournament play.
There are some significant changes to this section!
 Changes to this section:

Subsection D.  Deck Registration
What changed?
Neuron has been added as a way to register your Deck.
What does this mean?
You can use Neuron to register your Deck for a Sanctioned event, however there are some very specific requirements in order to do this. If you want to register your Deck using Neuron, be certain you read this section and follow the instructions.

Subsection G.  Sleeves
What changed?
The change many have been asking for – double sleeving is now allowed!
What does this mean?
Duelists may use one additional clear sleeve, when sleeving their Decks. There are some specific requirements for doing this, so read through the section carefully before you start re-sleeving everything.

Subsection H.  Tournament Materials
What changed?
Nothing has changed, we have clarified some points that were previously misunderstood.
Paper records of Life Point changes are still required, even if you are using Neuron.
If counters are used, the number of counters needs to correspond with the number they are counting.
What does this mean?
Paper and pen/pencil MUST be used to keep a written record of the scores for each Duel in the Match. This has always been a requirement, and remains a requirement even when using Neuron.
When using counters, you cannot use one item such as a die to represent more than one counter

Subsection J. Note-Taking
What changed?
Note-taking has been amended, to include tracking of effects or actions which are necessary to maintain a legal Game State. This doesn’t mean you can take notes on absolutely everything, and Slow Play penalties will apply if you take too long to write down your notes.
We have also clarified that notes must be written.
What does this mean?
Expanding note-taking to cover information that maintains a legal game state should help keep Duels progressing smoothly.
Remember you must write down your notes, you cannot use dice, counters, tokens, etc. as reminders.

Subsection O. Loops
What changed?
This is an entirely new subsection which explains how to handle loops during a Duel.  You will want to read through this carefully, as it is contains a lot of new information.

What does this mean?
A clear explanation of what to do with a loop helps Duelists avoid problems when building a Deck, and helps judges deal with loops should they arise.

Section VII. Constructed Deck Information

Subsection C. Side Deck
What changed?
Nothing has changed, we have clarified the time limit for siding.
What does this mean?
Duelists misunderstood the time limit for siding to mean they have three minutes in which to side, we have clarified that they must complete siding before three minutes is up. It is a subtle difference, but a significant one.
You cannot take three minutes to side, for the express purpose of just taking three minutes to side.

  Section IX. Card Legality

This section covers information about everything related to card legality. If it’s about whether or not a card can be used, you’ll find it in this section.
Changes to this section:

Subsection G.  Cards with Updated Text or Errata
What changed?
We have reorganized the information, and added in Neuron as a source of updated Card Text.
What does this mean?
Cards will sometimes get an errata (a clarification or change to how the card works). Older versions of cards might get their effects rewritten.  If the cards in your Deck do not have the most recent version of their card text, you will need to provide written copies of the most recent text or use the “Camera Search” function of Neuron

Subsection H.  Foreign Language Cards
What changed?
We have added in Neuron as a source of card translations.
What does this mean?
Duelists can use the “Camera Search” function of Neuron to provide card translations

Subsection M.  Cards With Translation Errors
What changed?
This is a new section, clarifying that translation errors, if any, do not change how a card will work.
What does this mean?
Duelists should use the English-language text on the Card Database as a basis for a card’s stats or effects, if there is a difference in how the card is worded in a different language.

We’re excited about this update to the document, and hope you found this article helpful and informative! 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.

Please make sure to review this current version (2.1) before attending an event!