Why are you splitting hairs??

| bimmerbot

Alfred is yet again playing Mr. Nigma and as usual, they have a question for you concerning life totals.

After resolving that issue, you notice that Alfred has a Nevermore in play with no indication that you can see to determine what was named. After asking a few questions, you determine that when Alfred played the Nevermore a number of turns ago, he had named Beck // Call.

What is the most appropriate infraction/penalty/additional fix?

Judges, feel free to discuss this scenario here!

View Answer
Alfred has committed a Game Play Error – Game Rule Violation and Mr Nigma has committed the associated GPE – Failure To Maintain Game State. As per the recent rules change, you can no longer name both halves of a split card for things like Nevermore.

Alfred needs to make a legal choice as part of the partial fix exceptions in the GPE-GRV additional remedy section.

Note that Alfred does not need to name either Beck or Call.

How this choice is indicated on the card is up to the players, as long as the choice is legal and both players are completely aware of the game state. A judge may request that they make the game state clear to observers (such as the judges) by using a slip of paper to indicate which card was chosen for Nevermore.

One very important item I would like to be sure everyone is aware of is the excellent post by Eric Shukan. As he noted, we should never be trying to influence player’s actions during a match.