Dueling Book's "Hand Trap" Policy

Head Judge related rules and information specific to Dueling Book.
DB Head Judge
User avatar
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:47 am
Reputation: 0

Dueling Book's "Hand Trap" Policy

Post #1 by DB Head Judge » Sun Jan 10, 2021 9:54 pm

What is Konami's Tournament Policy on Private Knowledge?
In order to understand Dueling Book's policy regarding "hand traps", it is important to understand Konami's underlying Tournament Policy.

Konami's Tournament Policy identifies cards in a player's hand as "Private Knowledge", and further states that intentionally revealing information that is considered Private Knowledge, or giving false information about information that is considered Private Knowledge, may result in a Disqualification penalty.

Konami's Tournament Penalty Guidelines states that duelists may not perform actions that would intentionally mislead their opponent or a tournament official, and duelists may not make false statements about the game or gameplay, even about information that is considered Private Knowledge. Konami's Tournament Penalty Guidelines also state that misrepresenting the Game State is considered Unsporting Conduct – Cheating.

Konami Tournament Policy -- Section IV, Subsection L: Public Knowledge & Subsection M: Private Knowledge
https://img.yugioh-card.com/ygo_cms/ygo/all/uploads/KDE-E_TCG_Tournament_Policy_2_0.pdf

Konami Tournament Penalty Guidelines -- Section II, Subsection F: Game State
https://img.yugioh-card.com/en/gameplay/penalty_guide/Penalty_Guidelines_v_2019June4.pdf


What is Dueling Book's Policy on Private Knowledge?
Dueling Book's policy follows Konami's Tournament Policy. This means that duelists should not be intentionally revealing information that is considered Private Knowledge, or giving false information about information that is considered Private Knowledge.

However, we understand that there are circumstances where it is convenient for both duelists to play without needing to wait for confirmation each time a play is made.

How is this conveyed between duelists? Typically, a duelist will state to their opponent that they have "no hand traps" or "no ht". While this form of communication is not recommended, it is allowed; players are free to inform their opponents that they have no "hand traps" with the intention to communicate to the opponent that they do not need to wait for a response for each action, etc.

Some common phrases used to indicate you have no responses, and would like to pass through the turn include:
"everything good”, “I got nothing”, “go nuts”, etc.

However, intentionally lying about information that is considered Private Knowledge is not allowed; this includes a player falsely informing their opponent that they have no "hand traps", or indicating that you have no response, but are planning on activating an effect.

Essentially, Dueling Book's policy prevents a duelist from lying to the opponent about not having a "hand trap".


What Is a Hand Trap?
The term "hand trap" is an unofficial term used to describe any Monster, Spell, or Trap Card effect which activates in the hand in response to some action.

Some examples of a "hand trap" include, but are not limited to:
"Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring", "Droll & Lock Bird", "Effect Veiler", "Nibiru, the Primal Being", "Fantastical Dragon Phantazmay", and "Infinite Impermanence".

For more information regarding "hand traps", see: https://yugipedia.com/wiki/Hand_trap


How Do I Know If a Card in My Hand Is Considered a Hand Trap?
Since the term "hand trap" has no official meaning, that term may mean different things to different players.

If you are uncertain if your card classifies as a "hand trap" then your best bet is to simply not say anything to your opponent that would be considered lying about Private Information.

Communication between players is key to avoiding issues on Dueling Book. It is not recommended that you take these shortcuts to progress the game faster – however, we understand that sometimes you would like to communicate to the opponent that they do not need to wait for a response for each action, etc. in order to progress the game faster – instead of informing them that you have no "Hand Traps", inform them that they may play faster.

Return to “DB Head Judge Q&A”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 27 guests