Alan and Nate are playing in the penultimate round of a PTQ, and they are both high in the standings. Time has ended in the round and Alan just finished extra turn number 5, yet there is no winner. Both players agree that a draw will knock them out of top 8 contention, but neither player will concede to the other. They are the last match and the entire tournament is waiting for them to finish, so you ask them “please fill out the result slip for me.” They do not acknowledge you as they continue their discussion, so you firmly tell them, “I need you to fill out the result slip now.” After 10 seconds of not acknowledging, what do you do? Has an infraction been committed? If so, what is it and what is the penalty?

Judges, feel free to discuss this scenario on Judge Apps!

[expand title=”View Answer”]Judges, thanks for another week of great discussions!

Here’s the solution:

This is a failure to follow a direct instruction from a tournament official. The judge should make sure that players have had ample opportunity to listen to and follow the direction of the judge. The judge has already politely asked, then firmly instructed. The judge could say something along the lines of “Gentlemen, I have given you a direct instruction. Since you two can’t resolve this, I will. This game is a draw, and each of you will receive an Unsporting Conduct – Major penalty; you each receive a Game Loss in this match.” Then mark the slip 2-2-1, and get it to the SK, quickly.

The players have heard the judge and decided not to follow his instructions. These two players are holding up the entire tournament.

This situation may feel like Slow Play or Stalling, but it does not fit the definition of either of those. This is Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Major.[/expand]