Manners & Gaming (a four part series): Part One, the Pre-Game Rituals
In today’s fast paced gaming society, I start to notice more and more that players forget the common mannerisms and become just plain rude in their gaming ventures. If we forget these manners and become rude today then that can distract new players from joining in and therefore the company as a whole collapses just based on the player base. Now gather round and let me tell you about my run in with a rude player. It was at my local shop’s Friday Night Magic tournament, and this was back in my middle school days when I was just introduced into Magic. I, being young still, had made a simple timing error in the game and the other player called the judge over, this “judge” simply flipped out yelling at me with his horrid cigarette filled breath about my error acting like I tried to cheat. It turns out that the ruling couldn’t be undone since it happened three turns ago and that even if it had, I would’ve won regardless. The really irony in this whole situation is that I ended up winning the tournament while being the only kid there. I honestly thought about giving up on gaming that night due to the rudeness of one player, it is important for the players to keep that level of kindness and respect in order to attract new players to the game they love.
Now without further interruption, I have compiled a list of common mannerisms that can make yours and others games more enjoyable. Today, we’ll start where every game starts, in the pre game. This is where the board is set up or the decks are shuffled, players can often tell whether or not the player will be annoying or enjoyable right here so it is best to make a good first impression
- Always Greet Your Opponent - This may seem simple, but there’s always that one person who plays “pro” magic at your local FNM who is just sitting there with that “shut up, sit down, and play your cards” look on his face. It is always best to greet your opponent (no matter who they are) with a handshake and a smile, and who knows? Maybe that simple greeting is what they needed to make their day that much better.
- Get to Know Them - Start a conversation with your opponent. Nobody likes that awkward silence that is there during those five minutes of set up. Also note that it doesn’t have to be about the game itself, you might even make a new friend that way and isn’t that the goal of FNM? To meet new people playing the game you all love.
- Offer a “Cut” - Your opponent may not always take it, but it is always a common courtesy to offer to cut your deck. That way, they cannot ever accuse you of cheating as well.
- Never Gloat! - Don’t be that guy that will sit there bragging about how awesome his deck/strategy is. Most players find this annoying and just laugh when they end up thrashing the deck that is bragged about so much.
- Don’t Rush Your Opponent - Let them take their time, there is no rush in the tournament so just sit back and relax and use this time to get to know them (step 2). Nobody likes that player who’s like “Hurry up, I want to win!”
- Never Ever Ask About Their Deck - At least not unless they talk about it first. Asking what their deck is, is just plain rude. Its like asking “can I know how to beat you?” Which is once again, just rude.
- Always be Prepared - This isn’t really a manners rule, but most players tend to find it annoying if you need to search through your things in order to find a die, pencil and paper, or even your deck. You’re at a tournament after all so you should have those things out already right?
That’s the basis for the pre-game ritual, tomorrow we’ll look at what to and not to do during the game itself. Hopefully you learned a thing or two already and are able to make your games that much more enjoyable for you and the people around you.
-That TCG Blogger-
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