The reason is pretty simple, and I have actually shown this as an example at the Store I play at a few weeks ago.

I scenario'd a situation where I had a Deck Search Monster (Destiny Hero Malicious) sent to my Graveyard as a result of playing Destiny Draw, and while looking for another Malicious, I "manipulated" my Deck to place DMoC, Dimension Fusion, Premature Burial, and Magical Stone Excavation near the top of my Deck.

No one even saw how I did it. I then "shuffled" my Deck by splitting it in half and just moving what I felt was each half back and forth in my hand until it looked like I really did something and I gave a player my Deck, had them just give it a Single Cut, according to the Tournament Policy, and hand it back.

Within 3 cards from the top of my Deck, I had the 4 cards I "manipulated". Remember, I had a Malicious in hand, so how easy is it to discard for another Destiny Draw, and use Diamond Dudes effect to get at the third card? Then I still have the option of looking at my Deck again thanks to Malicious in my Graveyard.

Now, is it possible for this to happen if my opponent pile shuffles my Deck? Probably not. But, for players who do this as a practice, it's really easy to take advantage of your opponent who simply Cuts, and you can find this out by how your opponent treats your Deck in the beginning of the game where each player doesnt "know" what is being played. Generally, a player will stay with the same method throughout.

That's all I'm saying. The potential to cheat is greater if you allow a innocent card move here and there to even out a player's Deck. If you ONLY allow a player to do one thing while they have their Deck in hand, then there is no dispute. A player who is going to cheat, will cheat regardless.

The potential to cheat is always there, and that's why we let the opponent shuffle the deck. Don't forget, this scenario can occur without moving any cards as well. You look through the deck and find the copy closest to the top of your deck, now you have a good idea where a pocket of good cards is located and its fairly easy to shuffle them to the top the way you described. This has the same result, but no cards were moved in the search.

Catch my drift ? That's why we shuffle and let the other guy shuffle.

I also think that if you keep your deck together and you shuffle three copies of a card piled together into random spots of the deck blindly, that its probably even less likely than what you described.

So the blame in the scenario you described is your opponent not asking to shuffle your deck more thoroughly. There are always opportunities to pull a St.Clair if you want it bad enough.

I asked ths very question on the new L3 judge list, the only difference being the cards "rearranged" while serching, for those of you who can access that list you can find the post here...

http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/o...ad/721858.aspx

The answer came back from the judge manager (Alex Charsky) that players are not allowed to do this.

John and Master are correct. It may seem silly, but if you see them together you cannot change their position. just shuffle once done and hope you move them apart.

oh no, I agree entirely, I wasn't trying to say they were wrong, I must admit I hadn't the faintest what the ruling would be on this. Just some trouble understanding if it was (and apparently it is), then why. Still do. But as with most of these things that's fairly irrelevant. The rule is the rule, and the rest doesn't matter.

Looks like I can do some rule sharking in philly now :).

At a Shonen level it's most definitely something they can get a loss for. On a local level, not usually since many don't know, but Shonen's are not for the unknowledgable. I've been to 3 and luckily never been called for stupid rulings, but I've seen it happen to many over little things like this.

If a judge sees this, they will just give a reminder to the player that it is not allowed; this type of action is not a penalty-worthy offense. If it's repeated throughout the day then a warning may be issued. Game losses aren't really supposed to be tossed around like warnings are.

Wow, very well put, I never thought about it that way, all judges should be on the alert for various card manipulations. It would be naive for judge's to think that most players are innocently moving cards around to "randomize their deck". They might be, but why allow card sharks to have a free opportunity to cheat? The policy is clearly stated, which means no arguing, you have your warning, please do not do it again. You can always pile shuffle it afterwards.
I am not mentioning names, but it seems like some high profile players are a bit "too slick" to allow a free hand at manipulating their deck. If David Copperfield got the five pieces of Exodia on his first turn, would you be suspicious? Guess what, he doesn't own the patent on deck manipulation. Try playing three card monty with some hustler on the street, eventually you will get the idea, bring lots of money.
If you ever play poker for money, would you allow someone to "move cards away from each other"? Try it sometime, I'm sure nobody will say anything.

not valid because by the rules he would be allowed to cut the deck and ask for a resuffle.

only noobs use underhand techs.

By the rules, you either Cut or Shuffle, not both.