SCG Dallas Open Head Judge Speaks on Game Losses

by News | posted at 2010-01-01 23:12:00
tagged: MTG, Magic, Magic the Gathering, StarCityGames, StarCity, SCG, Open, Legacy, Kevin Binswanger, Dallas, Game Loss

(Read more about the James Palaima game losses as originally reported here on TheStarkingtonPost.com. Or, check out all the Dallas Open coverage from StarCityGames.com.)

Kevin Binswanger, the head judge for the StarCityGames.com Dallas Open, officially commented on the game losses that peppered the Top 8 on StarCityGames.com Wednesday evening. The article, entitled "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People," details the pscyhology behind awarding both Andres Suarez and James Palaima game losses that ultimately determined the outcome of the tournament.

Suarez, who received his for insufficient randomization in the Quarterfinals, was ruled not to have intentionally cheated. However, his game loss came in the pivotal third of his match against (ironically) James Palaima. The young Palaima, who was the second 14 year old to make the Finals of a SCG Open in as many days, had his Finals opponent Tom Ross locked out of the game in their third duel. Unfortunately James ran afoul of a third warning for a game rules violation. That meant his penalty was upgraded to a game loss, and he found himself losing a game he had won in the only fashion possible.

Binswanger analyzes what DCI policies were involved in making the calls he had to made, and what it means for players in the future. Again, you can read the full article here.

And read the full Dallas coverage from StarCityGames.com here.

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