"Unsportsmanlike Conduct" Sees Pokémon TCG Player Eliminated At World Championships

Can someone post a link to urban dictionary or something? What does that mean. It just looks like a normal fist pump.

Honestly? It's his own fault. He was well aware of the motion he was making.

@Overzeal I didn't watch for the gesture, but if you can't figure out what the gesture means, I really doubt anyone should be posting it on here.

@Overzeal oh I watched it now, honestly if you're asking it means you're a kid, and no adult on here is going to explain it to you trust me.

@Overzeal it’s called the “butter churn”, and it’s highly offensive against lactose intolerant people.

Always act like your mother (or whomever you wish not to shame) is watching. Manners are the measure of character. Being a decent person costs nothing.

Seems a bit harsh, but I see the reasoning in this one, unlike the last time I recall someone getting kicked...

@RubyCarbuncle maybe for your average gaming event but competitive pokemon has always been serious about child friendliness, and it is beyond obvious to anyone competing that this would be over the line. The guy shouldn't be shocked.

@Overzeal Oh, my sweet summer child.

Edit: In what universe could that be confused with a normal fist pump? I have to assume you're a nun.

Okay, I'd argue his move WAS a bit childish! 😂
What is he, 14?! 😂

But seriously, I get why they did this but it's really harsh!

@RubyCarbuncle didn't they also disqua. Last years winner because he didn't know what pronouns were.
The guy laughed after winning and they saw it as an insult.

Ohh, the bad rap we get as gamers for being associated with this behavior.🫠

@Overzeal yeah, unfortunately, it was a lot more inappropriate than a harmless fist pump😅

I come from a devoutly religious background that promotes sexual modesty, so I'm probably more of a "prude" than most people on this website. But even I think that's going too far to disqualify him, especially with such a large jackpot on the line. I'd be devastated if I was him. Poor guy. At least he wasn't doing a Nazi solute or something.

I can see how this wasn't very sportsman-like, given what this gesture is for. Can't get into why, but it's a really crude thing to say to someone in a competition like this.

@Mrkittyhead Ehh I wouldn't say this "first pump" is harmless either. Both are very big issues in terms of sportsmanship.

Absolutely disgraceful. Imagine making a gesture like that infront of Pokémon.

I don’t think the meaning of the gesture was the issue, so much as winning with zero grace. Don’t rub it in your opponent’s face when you win. That’s way more childish than a gesture itself.

Wow childish and disgusting (if he has a GF she should dump him)

I wouldn't say it is enough to disqualify him, but I do understand why they did it.

Hahahahaha oh that's funny. If I was gonna get disqualified from a tourney, this would be how it happens

So he won and then did that, how childish, but still kind of funny.
Fair play to the tournament people for chucking him out though.
You should respect your opponent if you win or lose.

@jesse_dylan 'it was the winning with zero grace'
I don't think that is a reason you can ban someone. Let's face it Esports wouldn't exsist if you banned players for this. In fact look at emotes in games, the scene actually promotes it.

Maybe he shuffles his cards like that 😅

Lol. It's like he realized what he's doing with his life.

"looks like a normal fist pump" 😆😆😆😆😆 oh, you sweet summer child

People might be complaining that it's too harsh but this is up to the Pokemon company to decide and along as its in the rules AND they are enforcing it consistently, then I have no issues with this player being booted out.

If another player did something similar and they let it go, then I would be questioning it.

@RubyCarbuncle he wasn’t disqualified, the article is flat out wrong, he was given a loss for that turn.
It’s all in the tournament’s rules, and honestly they were pretty lax since he could’ve been outright disqualified, he’s own fault he knew well what a dumbaxx gesture he was doing and you don’t mess with those things at a freakin Pokemon World Tournament.

He was given a loss, not disqualified. He got off easy since they ruled “unsporting conduct” but it could easily fall under “severe Unsporting conduct”.

Pokemon Tournament Rules:
https://www.pokemon.com/static-asse...mon-tournament-rules-handbook-03092020-en.pdf

Unsporting conduct infractions are caused when poor personal conduct on behalf of a tournament attendee results in a detraction from the experience of others.

a. Minor Unsporting Conduct is characterized by mild lapses in judgement that result in a contained incident, or the annoyance of a small group of attendees.
Examples may include:

• A player swears mildly in annoyance, or in conversation with a friend.
• A player disturbs a match in progress.
• A player leaves food wrappers or other detritus in the play area after their match is over.

b. Major Unsporting Conduct is characterized by behavior that displays a lack of respect or consideration for fair play, or for the enjoyment of others in attendance.
Examples may include:

• A player attempts to distract or intimidate their opponent into misplay.
• Refusal to cooperate with a tournament policy, such as signing a match slip.
• During a match, a player makes legal plays that have no effect on the game in progress, or plays unreasonably slowly, in order to manipulate the time remaining in that match (TCG).
• Attempting to view the opponent's screen to gain an advantage (screen peeking) (VG).

c. Severe Unsporting Conduct demonstrates a blatant disregard for the Play! Pokémon Standards of Conduct, and actively contributes toward the disruption of a safe and family-friendly environment.
Examples may include:

• The use of profanity, slurs, physical threats, or insults toward any other attendee.
• Assault, theft, or other criminal activity.
• Wilfully lying to tournament staff, such as during an investigation.
• Determining the outcome of a match by random means, through the use of bribery or coercion, or via other disallowed methods.

Dude, he's rolling the dice! Just shake them before you toss them. The guy is a gambler! What else could this gesture mean?

@SoIDecidedTo no wonder they removed the Game Corner from the mainline versions.

Let's hope his middle name isn't Jack.

Ouch looks like karma wins again.

He has no one to blame but himself, you should know very well not to do that as the company wants to maintain a family friendly image. He fully deserved the loss.

Uh yeah that’s highly inappropriate for a kids tournament 🤣

Disqualifying is a bit much. All these companies like to pretend they're perfect while having abusive environments inside their studios.

Just don’t be rude. You’re unlikely to risk the judges wrath.

I don’t care if nobody has ever pulled you up for it before, just be… not rude. It’s free, you’re more likely to earn respect, at least from people who’s respect is worthwhile having anyway.

@Brianst0rm He was given a loss, not disqualified.

Also, this isn't EA or Ubisoft you're talking about. And while of course there could exist problems, it's not as wrong as a company as those and others.

@ClaytThaGreat What a comment to bookend this comment section 🤣

@Olmectron Sure...