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GoggleBoy's Food4Thought
Proper Con Etiquette
March 31, 2006

A lot of you have larger CCG/TCG tournaments you plan on going to this summer. A good amount of these tournaments will be held at anime and gaming conventions across the US. I'm here to make sure you act right, both to the convention staff, con-goers, and your card-gaming opponents opponents.

Don't Alienate

Whether you enjoy anime or merely enjoy the card games you're there to play, when you drop that entry fee, you are part of the convention community. Don't look at other con-goers in disgust or distaste. Don't try to alienate yourself from the people there either. Don't talk down to them either. In doing this, you make yourself seem smug and acting like you're better then them merely because they enjoy anime, cosplaying and whatnot. If you need a gamer's POV, then think of it this way.
More then half the gamers will be anime fans. By alienating them, those are few opponents and possible trades.

"I'm just here for the TCG/CCGs"

So, what to do if you don't really like anime? If you only came for the tournament. No worries, just enjoy yourself. Too many people think they'd be judged or that they'll be pulled into something they don't want. Cons are very friendly and the staff is helpful. Grab a schedule and just scan it. You may find something that intrigues you, and if so, just go. You already paid your entry. Enjoy it!

Bring a pen and paper

"Well yeah. I'll need that to keep track of my life." was probably your first reaction to the above, yes? Well, there is another reason. Cons attract people from great distances, several states and (for some cons) countries. You'll want that pen and paper for contact information. Meet people, make new friends, get some good trades...heck, find a girlfriend if you're exceptionally lucky.

Bring a camera

Even if you aren't an anime fan, they will be at least 2 things you'll want a picture of. I guarantee it!

Don't disrespect your opponent

Now, to the tournaments. Keep in mind your opponent is just another gamer like you. Being in costume doesn't mean they are any less serious about taking you down then you are to them. "A card is a card is a card is a card" meaning a Shock or an On The Move has the same effect whether it came from a 20-year old, 8-year old, or a 15-year old in a Pikachu outift.

NEVER act continuously cocky or like you're better then your opponents

If you're the World Champ or a US finalist, that's cool. Talk to us. A good amount of those guys can actually be really nice guys. If you act like you own the place because you've "played the longest" or "Rule my town of (such and such)", no one will want to play you. Attitudes like that do little to your opponents' self-esteem and, more often then not, just make them dislike you. You're a gamer. They're a gamer. You're personal best does not deminish their own skills by anything.

Ask

Simple put. If you don't know what a card does, ask. If you've never seen a card and want a closer look, ask. If you want to trade or merely look through someone's binder, ask. By simply asking, 99 times out of 100 you'll get what you want.
Grab and take, even if only to look, is rude to your opponent. I've seen people become livid at their opponent because they merely take or open without asking the owner.

"Judge!"

They are there for a reason. If you have a rulings question, ask the judge. Simply put. Now, being a judge myself, I do make mistakes. I am human. If something doesn't sound right, ask the judge to explain why something happens the way it does.
You may actually be right in your assumption and that can at times change the game. However, don't be rude about it. If the judge explains it and is set in what the ruling is, do not continue to pursue it. They are judging for a reason.
Pursuing such matters merely agitates all parties involved and, in such rare severe case, may get you kicked out.

Well, I hope this helps you as you plan your tournament treks across the US. Take care.

~Kirk
UMaine Animation Club President
UpperDeck Demo Team Leader
Yu-Gi-Oh Level 1 Judge & Tournament Organizer

"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage