Cube Masters Series | Security

[wv]

Hi all,

 

So the Cube List is basically finished (and will be ready after the release of New Phyrexia).

 

As April is a month of holidays and Grand Prix's, I'm looking at setting this tournament up for May/June.

 

I've got one more nut to crack however - SECURITY.

 

As you can appreciate, you will all be playing with extremely valuable cards, most of which I have personally paid for. It isn't unreasonable to assume that some players might be tempted to steal a valuable card from their pool.

 

In addition to this, I feel that I need to be (legally) protected against my cards being 'lost' or damaged. It happens all the time - people leave their decks in the toilets, or knock over pints of beer over a table of cards. I cannot afford these kinds of losses.

 

I want to put together a strategy that protects my assets, as well as ensures that players feel comfortable that I am not trying to steal from THEM.

 

Question: How do I stop people stealing, losing or damaging my expensive cards?

 

Here are the solutions I have thought of so far:

 

---------------------------------

1] No liquids, drinks or food are to be on top of tournament tables for the duration of the event. Penalty - instant game loss.

 

2] Players may not under any circumstances leave the venue with their deck pools. All deck pools must be signed in/out of the tournament venue.

 

3] Pool and Deck registration

 

To enter the tournament, all players will sign a Tournament Entry Form. This form legally binds players to replace any cards missing from their pools at the end of the tournament, whether lost, stolen or damaged.

 

All players must register their pools and decks. All card pool lists will be individually checked before the tournament begins, and after the tournament ends. Players will replace any missing or damaged cards, as per the agreement formed by the Tournament Entry Form.

 

4] Card Pool Weight Collection

 

Using a 0.xxx digital scale, all players card pools will be weighed and recorded directly after the draft. All sealed pools will be weighed and recorded before being handed out to players, and after the tournament ends.

 

After the tournament, and upon Card Pool return, all players pools will be weighed again. Players will sign for both the weights to confirm they have been witness to the weighing process. Any significant differences in weight will immediately be investigated.

 

5] Tournament Cancellation and Prize Forfeit

 

If after any of the events in the tournament, card/s of a value £10> are missing from the Cube, and an investigation cannot identify the guilty party, the tournament will be canceled, and all prizes forfeited.

---------------------------------

 

I know this may seem excessive to some, but we are talking about a a large amount of money that I am risking for the sake of this tournament. I need to be protected.

 

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

 

[Gary Lynch]

Sounds reasonable but how can you enforce it. You say they have to sign a legally binding document but I don't see you paying lawyers to draw up this contract. Also the only way you could make them pay after they signed something is to take them to small claims court. Seems like a lit of hassle.

My solution would be just to allow people you know well and trust to play. Lots of people have cubes and there is always a chance of stuff going missing but if you play with your regular group of friends that risk is greatly reduced.

[wv]

You don't necessarily need lawyers to draw up a legally binding document right?

 

The problem is that the tournament is open to 30+ players, it's far bigger risk than just playing with the 'regular' play group.

 

I want to tournament to be bigger than just 8 of my mates.

 

Another option is a £50 deposit to play, that you get back when you hand in your card pool and it's confirmed legit?

Gary Lynch said:

Sounds reasonable but how can you enforce it. You say they have to sign a legally binding document but I don't see you paying lawyers to draw up this contract. Also the only way you could make them pay after they signed something is to take them to small claims court. Seems like a lit of hassle.

My solution would be just to allow people you know well and trust to play. Lots of people have cubes and there is always a chance of stuff going missing but if you play with your regular group of friends that risk is greatly reduced.

[Dan Barrett]

Everyone leaves a Jace TMS with TO for duration of the event?

[Gary Lynch]

Its a tough situation. The problem with deposits is some people don't have that much money available. Also if the concern is people stealing then what's to stop them paying 50 deposit and then drafting cards worth more than that and keeping them.

Your tournament is a great idea buy I'm not sure its viable as you open yourself up to a lot of risk. Hopefully someone can come up with a solution.

You could always do it baker style and just use colour proxies. This would eliminate the risk ans the cost of printing could be split between all the players. I know this takes away the feel of plating proper cards but will still ve fun and reduce your risk to a few pounds printings.

[James Mills]

Warren - do you have your cards insured? If not then probably a good idea to do that.

[wv]

Last time I heard, you can't insure magic cards?

 

Not sure I'd be able to claim from losing cards in a tournament either?

[Daniel Royde]

You can insure magic cards under your contents insurance. On the other hand, insuring cards while you let people you don't know very well draft with them outside of your house...?