Magic: The Gathering Pro Disqualified From Grand Prix Prague

Wizards of the Coast/ Photo: WOTC

MagicFest Prague is happening this weekend, and Magic Pro League member Rei Sato has been disqualified during Round 6 of the Limited main event, Wizards of the Coast announced.

Here's the explanation from Head Judge Emilien Wild that led to this decision:

"Sato was planning what was going to be his last attack of the current game. He went to declare attackers and then noticed that he forgot to play his land for the turn, a land that he needed for his attack to work out. He didn't acknowledge this fact and didn't ask for permission to back up to his main phase, but instead, he just placed the land onto the battlefield and finished declaring his attackers.

During our investigation, we determined that Sato was aware that what he did was against the rules. Thus, he was disqualified from the event."

According to Wizards of the Coast representatives, this infraction will be further investigated by the MPL. If Sato slowed down and asked for the courtesy he would've been fine from the judges' perspective or at least not disqualified.

Here's the ruling for that:

4.8 Reversing Decisions

Players are expected to consider their options before taking an action and players are not usually allowed to take back an action that has been communicated to their opponent, either verbally or physically. Sometimes, a player will realize that they have made a wrong decision after making a play. If that player has not gained any information since taking the action and they wish to make a different decision, a judge may allow that player to change their mind. Judges must carefully consider whether the player has gained information since making the play that might have affected the decision; in particular, players may not try to use opponent reactions (or lack thereof) to see if they should modify actions they committed to. If the judge cannot be sure no information was gained, they should not allow the decision to be changed.

It's surprising that one of the 32 players selected for the Magic Pro League was disqualified in just the second week of Grand Prix this year.

The Magic Pro League includes 32 of the best Magic players around the world, who are paid $75,000 US for participating in pro tours and for streaming Magic Arena.

Related: MTG Challenger Decks to Return in April