When I got to Memphis there was one place to play and it was a little close when more than four players were in the game. So I asked the Judge to get me started and I would find a place with more room. He would not so I went to find a place with room to play. I worked without guidance to get it up to a venue and myself up to a Judge for the venue. Now that we have a great place to play where we can handle a hundred players everyone wants to be the Judge. I think I know why Daniel Boone kept looking for new land in the West.

You are right it takes a lot of time. It also takes a bundle of nerves when the spoiled brat (not always a kid) gets out of hand. Everyone wants the LE's from doing the games but few want to clean up the maps and junk after the game. You also have to give up your best game. The last game I played was a Demo and the next will be a Demo.

I'd say anyone who wants to be a Judge deserves the punishment.

See ya!

Great article. Do you take requests? I'd like one on recruiting new players.

I do take requests and that one will be coming up not next week, but the week after.

Great article MSU...but like was mentioned, you also need to be ready and able to pretty much giving up playing. In fact, I took up Mage Knight just to get some play time in. The worst part is that I am also the Judge who runs the Premier (Holiday, Regional Quals, Pre Releases) for my area, so I've never gotten to play for Galactus, Masterpiece Mags Hulk MODOK or Loki. I didn't get to have Mutant Mayhem or Legacy before everyone else, and get those sweet Purple rings. So that's one thing you have to keep in mind as well....

good article

im thinking of being sponsored so i can start a game club at my university next semester, since i missed going to tournaments (and playing in general) this past year...i think i remember reading somewhere that game clubs only get 1 sanctioned tourny a month (per game line i beleive) is this true? its not a problem if it is...im just curious

also, is there a minimum number you have to have? thanks in advance

Thanks MSU,

The place where I buy my heroclix does not hold events. They did once have a non-supported event which I hoped would have turned into something regular, but they haven't had any since. I have often thought about being an envoy and getting something organized there, but that puts me in the catch-22. The reason I want there to be events there is so I can play in them!

Then again I think I would get enough enjoyment out of organizing the games. One thing I wonder about though, if I were to be judging a event, that would probably disqualify my son from competing in it, wouldn't it?

Then try to get one of the other players up to speed and get that person approved as a Judge also and split the chores.

Your son would not be disqualified from competing. You would have to do your best to be as impartial as ever when making rulings or awarding fellowship.

Um..... is a judge the same as an envoy?

If not, do you have to be 18 to be a Judge?

I would like to add that a potential Judge also needs dedication to the game. Because of late it's a thankless job. I judged/battlemastered for over two years and have sponsored three other judges in my "career" at two different venues. But I had to stop because there just isn't that incentive to be a judge like in the "old" days.

All potential players must understand that the LEs you recieve as a judge you can get in boosters as SRs or win as a player. That means that you could be playing and still get the judge rewards or just pick them up in a booster. Not that I'm complaining about the judge rewards but do you know how many Angelica Jones a person can get before they snap? I'm not sure but I have 5.

What I'm saying is that WKs really needs to make more incentive to judge. Like in the old days we had points and could "buy" what we wanted. That was really good. But now you end up just giving up 4 hours of your weekend for a LE that you probably already have.

That being said if this doesn't bother you, then go ahead it DOES have its rewarding moments. But generally I'm not sure if it is worthwhile. I know my fiance is heck of a lot happier these days after I "retired".

There is a great way to get some play time in that I've found out...Basically you sponsor a new judge then play at their events =) It's worked woneders for me.

Indeed, that's exactly what I've done. Maybe I just wasn't Judge material. I love the game too much to just watch it being played every weekend and not being able to play. Once a player always a player?

With the teams you bring? I really wouldn't call it "competively"

I've gotten everything done for my application but my status has said Pending for the last two weeks or so. Does it usually take this long?