Player Etiquette 101 - How Not to Lose Friends and Alienate People at the Table

At ala Tompkins TCG, we take pride in not only providing a space for thrilling battles, but also in fostering a community built on respect and camaraderie. In-store play offers a unique opportunity to engage with fellow players face-to-face. While the rules for each game will vary, an essential part of the play experience is remembering the importance of good sportsmanship and etiquette.

Here's a guide to navigating in-store play with courtesy and respect:

Respect Personal Space: Not everyone may feel comfortable with physical contact like handshakes. Instead of assuming, it's better to ask your opponent if they're okay with shaking hands before extending your hand. This simple gesture shows consideration for your opponent's boundaries.

Grace in Victory and Defeat: After a match, avoid comments that may come across as unsportsmanlike, such as telling your opponent how they could have won or attributing their victory to luck. If you want to offer advice, ask your opponent if they're open to feedback rather than imposing it upon them.

Mind Your Space: Be mindful of the space you occupy at the gaming table. Avoid cluttering the area with bags or personal belongings, and make sure to leave enough room for both you, your opponent and everyone else around you to play comfortably.

Respectful Observation: If you want to observe someone else's game, always ask for permission before standing over their shoulder. Refrain from commenting on their plays unless they invite discussion.

Consider Ongoing Games: After your match concludes, move away from the gaming tables if you intend to continue conversing with your opponent. This helps minimize distractions for players engaged in ongoing matches.

Courteous Communication: When exchanging pleasantries after a match, be mindful of how you express yourself. If you've won, allow your opponent to initiate the "good game" sentiment, or opt for a more neutral phrase like "it was nice playing with you."

Time Management: While it's acceptable to take time to think through tough decisions during a match, be mindful of not excessively delaying gameplay. If you do take quite a while to think through your lines of play, show appreciation for your opponent's patience by offering them the same courtesy should they require a moment of thought (delaying gameplay too much can be called slow playing, and it is a punishable action in most games but taking an extra minute on one particularly hard turn should not trigger a judge call).

Courtesy with Judges: If you need to report match results to a judge, wait for them to indicate they're ready to receive them. Avoid interrupting or imposing your results on them before they're prepared. This will help prevent unnecessary reporting errors or the judge having to verify results that they maybe did not hear the first time.

Handling Cards: Always ask for permission before touching your someone else's cards. If you’re playing a game where your opponent is entitled to shuffle or cut your deck, offer your deck to your opponent rather than forcing them to ask. Respecting each other's belongings demonstrates mutual trust and consideration.

By adhering to these guidelines, we can ensure that everyone enjoys a positive and respectful gaming experience at ala Tompkins TCG. Let's continue building a community where sportsmanship and etiquette are valued just as highly as strategic prowess.