Froelich

[Kaylesh]

Saw this pass by on Facebook, and I'm quite disgusted.
To me, this reads as Froelich is in favor of fixing of tournaments for established pro players.
(I realize it is not the original article I'm linking, but the article on manaleak provides those).

http://www.manaleak.com/mtguk/2016/03/ethical-for-mtg-pro-players-to-expect-opponents-to-concede/

[Mattao19]

E Fro didn't say it bc of his pro status if E Fro was an avg. Joe he'd still want his opponent to concede.

I'm on the fence about this one. On one hand I'm a fan of conceding if I'm locked and I can help somebody else get locked.

But on the other hand, he was 13-0 at a GP that's so awesome I'd definitely want to try and go 14-0 and sweep the Swiss!

His opponent obviously didn't do anything wrong but neither did E Fro players can expect a scoop in that scenario and it was fine that E Fro did and it was fine that his opponent said no.

[Kaylesh]

His point in the article is don't be a dick. No matter what happens, his opponent was making it to the top 8. He needed a single win to make top 8. Just concede and both parties are in the top 8.

However, since only 8 players can be in that top 8, you shut another player out of that slot by conceding.
Let's say this happens in the NBA. Say the Bulls throw a match just to get the Lakers to get that one win to finish above the Socks, and escape relegation. (Not a clue if this makes sense name wise). That would cause huge uproar.

This is basically the same thing, especially if you'd have a favorable match-up vs the one you're conceding to.
I get the whole split of prizes agreements in prerelease finals etc, however, that doesn't shut anyone out. This does, and thus should be seen as USC IMHO.

[Mattao19]

Did the pros not work hard all day to put themselves in a position to draw/concede?

For I was E Fros opponent I'd scoop/draw but having said that if I was E Fro I would not expect my opponent to scoop/draw

[rarehuntertay]

His point in the article is don't be a dick. No matter what happens, his opponent was making it to the top 8. He needed a single win to make top 8. Just concede and both parties are in the top 8.

However, since only 8 players can be in that top 8, you shut another player out of that slot by conceding.
Let's say this happens in the NBA. Say the Bulls throw a match just to get the Lakers to get that one win to finish above the Socks, and escape relegation. (Not a clue if this makes sense name wise). That would cause huge uproar.

This is basically the same thing, especially if you'd have a favorable match-up vs the one you're conceding to.
I get the whole split of prizes agreements in prerelease finals etc, however, that doesn't shut anyone out. This does, and thus should be seen as USC IMHO.

However, this does happen in pro sports, especially in the NFL. If a team knows that they have no chance to make the playoffs, they will intentional throw games to give themselves a better draft spot

[Mr_Fahrenheit]

As much as I would never concede in a situation like that, as there is a legitimate reason why it isn't prohibited (there is no rule against it and even if there was it would be impossible to enforce), it is part of the game and I accepted that when I started playing. So it happens and I am ok with that. Getting all up in arms about it is a waste of time and energy. So I move on with life.

As far as my personal opinion goes, it is fine to ask. It is even fine to expect. But to think less of anyone and treat them worse when they don't do it, well that's just pathetic and I don't have any respect for those people. But at the end of the day, if it is that much of a big deal for you, then like everything else, maybe this isn't the game for you. I wont treat you any differently because of it though.

[Thetrufflehunter]

I don't feel that it's wrong for his opponent go want to play it out, but in his shoes I'd just scoop and lock top 8 (unless I had a clear and definitive reason not to).

[redwolv]

I am sorry but I feel this a really distaseful. Like glowack meantioned, If i was currently set to take 8th and found out someone conceded so the guy they faced got my slot instead I would be pissed.
If the guy really is a pro he should be able to get into the top 8 on his own merrit, not because someone who is locked in, hands it to him. This kind of comments are appalling, and unsportsmenlike.

[Mattao19]

As bad as that is though think about it like this:

It's Day 2 of a GP 13th or 14th round both players have played all day for the past 2 days a concession that locks both is totally reasonable just for the sake of an hour break! It takes a huge mental toll on a person to do that well at a GP

[griffin131]

Did the pros not work hard all day to put themselves in a position to draw/concede?

His opponent also worked hard all weekend and was at 13-0. Trying to sweep a GP which has never been done before is a worthwhile goal.

[Mattao19]

Which is why later in my comment that he was justified to play it out.

[griffin131]

Why does it have to be justified though?

Eric hadn't won enough to make top 8. Simple fact. He felt entitled to a concession because reasons.

The most if ever do is ID - if you want a win, we're playing for it.

[DirtyMustachio]

If maybe never a concession

[InfinitiveDivinity]

This article dried out my hands by just reading it. This guy is pure salt. Although I understand where he is coming from, I don't think that any amount of time played or circles entered should change the outcome of whether or not you hit top 8. The only factors that should decide placement in top 8 are luck, skill and tie breakers. This is not what I would consider an article at all, as it starts out strong but just turns into a slandering of another players name. Which is bullshit, and completely distasteful, egardless of whether or not they were undefeated, there is no reason why somebody should concede to another player to give them a free entry to top 8, at a GP of all places. Being that they were undefeated though, in that position I would play out every match, because I want to sweep a damn GP! That is unprecedented and would bring some serious bragging rights!

Screw this little whiny girl. He just wanted that extra $500.

[rarehuntertay]

Did the pros not work hard all day to put themselves in a position to draw/concede?

His opponent also worked hard all weekend and was at 13-0. Trying to sweep a GP which has never been done before is a worthwhile goal.

Didn't lsv do it?

Correct. He went 16-0 at 2010 Pro Tour San Diego.
Source: http://www.channelfireball.com/author/luis-scott-vargas/