5.1. Unsporting Conduct — Minor
Definition
Unsporting Conduct — Minor is action taken by an individual that is disruptive to the tournament or its participants. It may affect the comfort level of those around the individual, but determining whether this is the case is not required.
Examples
A. A player uses excessively vulgar and profane language.
B. A player inappropriately demands to a judge that her opponent receive a penalty.
C. A player appeals to the Head Judge before waiting for the floor judge to issue a ruling.
D. A player taunts his opponent for making a bad play.
E. A player leaves excessive trash in the play area after leaving the table.
Philosophy
All participants should expect a safe and enjoyable environment at a tournament, and a participant needs to be made aware if his or her behavior is unacceptable so that this environment may be maintained
Penalty
All Levels
Warning
In addition to the Warning, the player must correct the problem immediately or face upgraded penalties for repeated infractions. A judge may upgrade repeated Unsporting Conduct — Minor infractions for different offenses.
If a Game Loss is issued for repeated or upgraded infractions, and it occurs at the end of a game, it is acceptable for the judge to apply the penalty to the next game instead. Game Losses (in the case of an upgrade) are never replaced by Match Point penalties for Unsporting Conduct — Minor.
5.2. Unsporting Conduct — Major
Definition
Unsporting Conduct — Major infractions fall into three categories:
• Failing to follow a direct instruction from a tournament official.
• Insulting another person based on his or her race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Aggressive or violent behavior that is not directed at another person or another person’s property.
Examples
A. A player is asked to leave the play area and is still watching a match a few minutes later.
B. A player continues to argue with the Head Judge about a ruling after being asked to stop doing so.
C. A player uses a racial slur against his opponent.
D. After losing a match, a player throws his cards onto the table and knocks his chair over in anger.
E. A player picks up one of his tokens that has been exiled and tosses it across the room.
Philosophy
Officials should expect their instructions to be followed without needing to issue an interim warning. This only applies to specific and directed instructions. Failure to follow general announcements is handled through specific infractions or in Tournament Error — Failure to Follow Official Instructions.
Hate speech and other insults targeted at a protected class indicate a deeper issue and must be dealt with swiftly. Even if unfounded, they may be offensive to spectators or other nearby individuals. Local areas may have additional protected classes that fall under this category.
Undirected aggressive behavior needs to be curtailed. It is disruptive, can leave a lasting negative impression on those around, and may turn to directed aggressive behavior if not dealt with swiftly. Care should be taken not to escalate the situation if at all possible. The player may need to be removed from the area to receive the penalty and may need a few moments to cool down, in which case a time extension should be granted.
Penalty
All Levels
Game
The player must correct the behavior immediately, and be expected to refrain from similar behavior or face more severe penalties. As with Unsporting Conduct — Minor infractions that have been upgraded due to repetition, if the offense occurs at the end of a game, it is acceptable for the judge to apply the penalty to the next game instead. In single-game matches, Match Point penalties are not issued for Unsporting Conduct — Major.
