At the various events I’ve been attending lately, I’ve seen a huge influx of new judges, which I think is very exciting. I like seeing my old friends, but it’s great to see so many new people coming in, determined to carve themselves out a judging career. It’s easier to start out now than it was when the program was first developed, because there are so many experienced judges and other resources available to the beginning judge. I’m going to give you one more in today’s article—a detailed checklist you can use the day and night before your judging gig, to make sure you show up totally prepared and ready for the event.

All judges should avoid an, “Ehh, close enough!” kind of work ethic—showing up to an event late and unprepared, thinking that it’s enough to show up at all, etc. Whether you want to make judging your focus or are just doing it occasionally, you’re expected to arrive on time and ready to work. So, culled from the experiences of the judges that have gone before, I present the Night-Before Checklist! If you have an event coming up, this will help ensure that you arrive on-site knowing what you need to know, wearing what you need to wear, carrying what you need to carry, and in all-around top judging form. You don’t need to do them in order, and you certainly don’t have to wait until the night before, but make sure that you’ve completed these tasks before you leave for the event.

1) Keep current on the judge email list for recent rulings updates.

You should do this as an ongoing habit, but make the extra effort before heading off to judge. Rulings change, get clarified, or are even reversed. I remember when the ruling that Apprentice Magician activated on the field was reversed—there were plenty of judges who missed the update on that, and it caused some problems at events right after the change. Check your spam filter, too—I’ve noticed that the judge list emails sometimes end up in there. Oh, and that individual rulings FAQ over on the Yu-Gi-Oh! site is definitely worth your careful study.

2) Read the errata and card text update page!

Print out a copy, too. There have been a lot of text changes now that so many cards are being reprinted. Bring a copy of the list with you (it’s really hard to memorize every change in text), and if a card has been changed, the text on the errata list is the text that counts—not the text on an older version of the card. You might be surprised at what is on that list, so make sure you read it.

3) Check for updates to all policy documents.

Check online to see if the Tournament Policy, the Yu-Gi-Oh! appendix and Tournament Penalty Guidelines documents have been updated—each has a “Date Added” date next to the name of the document. While major updates or changes are generally announced on the judge mailing list, that’s not always the case. You need to actually go and look at the page. Don’t worry: it won’t take you very long.

4) As long as you’re there anyway, review the policies!

Read them over, and make sure you know how to deal with the situations that will arise at the tournament. Do you know what happens in an end-of-match procedure? Do you understand what constitutes winning a match? Are you familiar with the appropriate penalties for misplays, late arrivals, incorrect decklists, unsporting conduct, and the like? Are you sure you understand them? I had a floor judge once who put a pair of players through a totally incorrect end-of-match procedure because he didn’t know the policy had changed. The players didn’t think he was right, but he insisted he was—and since the players didn’t appeal, we weren’t able to correct him in time. Make sure you know what you’re doing—you’ll risk possible embarrassment and potential tournament upheaval if you don’t, so read these documents through. Read them even if you know them; it doesn’t hurt to refresh your memory. If you can, why not print them out and take them with you? They often come in handy.

5) Make sure you know which cards are legal to play.

This is usually not that difficult, but when there’s been a recent format change, new expansion, or other release of cards into the environment, you need to know what the players are allowed to use—believe me, there will be plenty of players showing up who haven’t bothered to check. You can find set legality answers in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Policy Appendix, and a copy of the current format lists here. If all else fails, email the judge mailing list earlier in the week and ask. Oh, and go ahead and print out a copy of the format list—there will be players who want to see it at the event.

6) Review your duties.

If you already have your assignment—team lead for logistics, floor judge assigned to deck checks—then do what you can to get ready beforehand. Head judges, prepare your teams and work on your judge and player meeting checklists. If you’re a novice at the task you’ll be assigned, then talk to other judges who have worked that job before, or look for a study resource (perhaps a past Agents of Judgment article can help you out) or even consult with the head judge. Regardless of your assignment, you’ll be expected to perform the duties listed for judges in the policy document—if you’ve completed task #4, reading the policy documents, you should already be familiar with your basic duties.

7) Find out where you’re supposed to be and when you’re supposed to be there.

If it’s the same place you always go, then this is an easy one. If it’s a new place you haven’t been to before, find out how to get there before the morning you are supposed to leave. You can look it up online and print out a map, you can call someone who’s been there before and get directions, or whatever suits you best. If you’re working an event in a convention center, find out which part of it you’re supposed to be in—a room name, a building number, or whatever else will pinpoint the tournament location. Some convention centers are huge, and you can wander around in them forever trying to find where you’re supposed to be. Don’t rely on security guards or cleaning staff to tell you where the Yu-Gi-Oh! event is, and while looking for crowds of gamers might be a clue, you’re really best off calling the TO and asking. While you’re at it, find out what time you’re supposed to be there, and then make plans to show up fifteen minutes early. You heard me.

8) Eat (and drink) sensibly!

I cannot over-stress the importance of choosing your food carefully. You do not want to arrive at the event suffering from food poisoning, and I know this from sad personal experience. I ate at a disreputable-looking Pizza Hut the night before an event, and oh, did I ever get sick. It was only one slice of pizza, but it nearly killed me. Unfortunately I was the head judge, armed with one moderately experienced judge and one absolute beginner for a rather rowdy 100+ player Regional. It was absolutely the worst judging experience of my life—I could barely stand up, and everyone kept saying, “Heyyy, you’re not smiling!” Yeah, okay, all of my internal organs are slowly liquefying . . . let me dredge up that smile.

Eat something well balanced and healthy, and get yourself some breakfast the morning of the event. Include some protein—that will help keep you from getting hungry again too quickly. Avoid cramming your face with a lot of sugar-laden foods, because sugar burns off quickly and will leave you feeling hungry and lightheaded.

Drink plenty of water the day before the event, too. Water is good for you—dehydration makes your head hurt, and can cause aches all over your body. And bring some with you, even if it’s just a bottle or two. I remember reporting at an event where the food service ran out of bottled water, leaving everybody high and dry—except for myriad bottles of Diet Coke. No thank you.

Along those lines, avoid energy drinks or caffeine, and for goodness’ sake don’t hit up the bar the night before the event, or bring any alcohol with you. It should go without saying, but in case you were thinking about it, don’t!

9) Find your judge clothes.

You need a judge shirt (if you own one—if not, then you need a clean black t-shirt, either plain or with a Yu-Gi-Oh! design), a shirt to wear underneath, black pants, and a pair of comfortable, supportive black shoes. Collect all these items the night before. Next, make sure they are in good condition and clean. By “clean,” I mean they should have recently emerged from the laundry. I do not mean pick them up, shake them off, sniff them, and say, “Hmm, they’re not that bad.” Find some clean socks too, and you’ll need a belt—the players do not want to see your underwear. Put all your nice, clean, neat clothes in one area so you can get dressed quickly.

10) Pack your bag.

You need to bring some things with you, and I don’t mean your trade binder and decks! You should take a change of undershirt, some deodorant, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket in case the venue is freezing, and perhaps some quick, easy-to-eat-on-the-run snacks (leave the Pungent Crumb-Filled Garlic Delights at home), mints to keep your breath fresh, a bottle of water of two, some hand sanitizing gel (yes, laugh at my hand gel fixation, but bring it anyway), a pen, and your UDE registration number if you haven’t memorized it. Toss in whatever other items are necessary for you (medication or the like), and have it all ready to go. Put it next to your judge clothes, or by the door, or wherever will remind you to bring it.

11) Perform final trip logistics!

If you’re traveling to the event the morning of, avoid unpleasant surprises. Is there gas in the car? Did you go to the ATM and get money? Are you supposed to pick anyone up on the way? If you’re getting a ride from someone else, did you call them to make sure they know a) that they’re giving you a ride, b) where to pick you up, and c) what time to come and get you? Do you know where you’re supposed to park? Do you have a phone number to reach the TO, and a number for at least one other member of the judging staff, so you can call them if you get lost or abducted by aliens on the way to the venue?

12) Set your alarm.

Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to get ready, too. Don’t tell yourself, “Oh, I can be up and out the door in ten minutes.” If you try to do that, you are inviting catastrophe. Something horrible will happen to you—you will fall down the stairs because your shoes weren’t tied, brush your teeth with styling gel, or back your car into a light-pole, causing the axle to break and surly tow-truck guys to point at you and laugh. Take my word for it, disaster will strike.

Give yourself enough time to groom, to dress yourself in your clean judge attire, and to fix your hair and brush your teeth—don’t forget to  eat some breakfast—then proceed in a timely manner to the tournament venue.

13) Go to bed!

Go to bed early the night before the event. Don’t travel late if you can possibly avoid it, and absolutely don’t sit up until the wee hours playing cards or video games, or watching pay-per-view at the hotel. You never know when 800 people are going to turn up and keep you shambling around that event hall until 2:30 the following morning, so get a decent night’s sleep!

It’s important for every judge to be prepared—from the head judge right on down to a first-time beginner. If you’re a seasoned judge, acting as a team lead, or the head judge, you really don’t want to set a lazy, unprepared tone for the judges working alongside you. If it’s your first time working with a TO or group of judges, then you don’t want to look like you don’t know what you’re doing—you want to make a good impression so you’ll be welcomed back. If you’ll follow the suggestions I’ve put down here, you’re off to the right start.