Bertoncini, back in business.

[Bed Decks Palyer]

Funny that he was immediately able to make the finals without being able to participate in sanctioned magic for 18 months (please correct me if the ban wasn't for 18 months and my Memory fails) without any signs of rust.

I've heard of an electronic device called Magical Online Playstation, but I consider these rumors to be false.
Also, does anybody know if it's true that the DCI agents were given right to enter one's private property if there's a suspicion that an unsanctioned Magic is happening there? Isn't this in collision with Constitution, Bill of Rights and UN Charter?

[Kayradis]

It's all covered by the Patriot Act

[Secretly.A.Bee]

I'm pretty sure that's not how any of this works.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[phonics]

I doesn't matter much to me but the dude is a prolific cheater, with the audacity to even do it while being recorded, while taking two sets of power and a ton of money that should have gone to actual deserving winners in the process. Isn't it like he stole tens of thousands of dollars and is now laughing in their faces all the way to the bank?

[thecrav]

Also, does anybody know if it's true that the DCI agents were given right to enter one's private property if there's a suspicion that an unsanctioned Magic is happening there? Isn't this in collision with Constitution, Bill of Rights and UN Charter?

The DCI has drones so they don't have to get their hands dirty.

[Lord Seth]

I doesn't matter much to me but the dude is a prolific cheater, with the audacity to even do it while being recorded, while taking two sets of power and a ton of money that should have gone to actual deserving winners in the process.

And that makes it worse... how? No, really, how is it somehow more moral to cheat off camera than on camera?

Isn't it like he stole tens of thousands of dollars and is now laughing in their faces all the way to the bank?

You mean the "tens of thousands of dollars" (actually only $10,000) that SCG didn't give him because of his suspension?

[android]

If this was the wild west & a game of poker....just sayin'. No more Alex.

[Gammadoom]

The crazier thing than Bertoncini finishing second, at least to me, is that Drew Levin still has the audacity to call anyone out on being a cheater after the team trios fiasco in Richmond. Just astounding.

[android]

Most human beings are born with a moral compass. He either doesn't have one or he chose not to follow it on repeated occasions. He should never be allowed to play sanctioned magic. It sickens me that there is this blurred line among many professional magic players who opt to leave gamesmanship on the wayside for hedging their odds to come out a winner. Everyone sticking up for them just don't get it. This isn't supposed to be a game of "what can I get away with this time".

[Lord Seth]

The crazier thing than Bertoncini finishing second, at least to me, is that Drew Levin still has the audacity to call anyone out on being a cheater after the team trios fiasco in Richmond. Just astounding.

I have no idea what this refers to, and searching for "Drew Levin Richmond" does not help me out either. Could you clarify?

[HammafistRoob]

The crazier thing than Bertoncini finishing second, at least to me, is that Drew Levin still has the audacity to call anyone out on being a cheater after the team trios fiasco in Richmond. Just astounding.

What fiasco? Got a link?

[Bed Decks Palyer]

Most human beings are born with a moral compass. He either doesn't have one or he chose not to follow it on repeated occasions. He should never be allowed to play sanctioned magic. It sickens me that there is this blurred line among many professional magic players who opt to leave gamesmanship on the wayside for hedging their odds to come out a winner. Everyone sticking up for them just don't get it. This isn't supposed to be a game of "what can I get away with this time".

You know that a life-time ban takes whole life to lift, don't you? I find it very harsh to not give the man a second chance. Maybe it was a bit son and they should have kept him out of sanctioned Magic for a longer time, but well, it could be his only hobby so why should he return to it in 2055?
Otoh, he should have not cheated...

What's the fiasco?

[Gammadoom]

What fiasco? Got a link?

Sadly everything is in a closed Facebook group, including an official statement from Jared Silva on the matter. Nothing was officially posted anywhere that I know of, which some people have opined was blatant nepotism shown towards a SCG writer and his team (I'm of the opinion that SCG is generally a better company than that). I'd copy/paste the relevant bits, but I believe that damages all of the integrity of what's been said. Anyone that wants to do their own research can join the Richmond, VA Magic group and do a simple search to find it and form your own opinion. My opinion is that I'd like to use Drew's anti-Alex article as toilet paper for the rest of my days. I hold no love for Bertoncini as I'm Captain Fairplay, but glass houses and whatnot.

The fiasco was that their team opened a ridiculous sealed pool, and then didn't participate in the deck swap process. That's what I know to be true. There's various other things that were overheard/found out at the tournament, but not directly by me so I won't repeat them as they are nothing more than hearsay at that point.

[Griselpuff]

So what the hell happened after that? They played with their ridiculous sealed pool and got caught? I don't even know how you could get away with something like that without collusion from the TOs or judges.

[Gammadoom]

So what the hell happened after that? They played with their ridiculous sealed pool and got caught? I don't even know how you could get away with something like that without collusion from the TOs or judges.

They got reported after round three (I know this as a fact). They were allowed to continue in the tournament with the same pool and made the semi-finals.

[UnderwaterGuy]

The fiasco was that their team opened a ridiculous sealed pool, and then didn't participate in the deck swap process. That's what I know to be true. There's various other things that were overheard/found out at the tournament, but not directly by me so I won't repeat them as they are nothing more than hearsay at that point.

Well I've got to say, cheating by colluding with tournament organizers might be even worse than sleight of hand cheating. That's a messed up thing to happen at any event.

[lordofthepit]

If I were in charge of the DCI, intentional cheating--especially in Bertoncini's case where the evidence is so extensive and damning--should result in a lifetime banning. Certainly something more than 18 months, as there's no place in the game for cheaters.

However, the DCI is the sanctioning body of this game, and Bertoncini's served his time. I hope for the sake of the game that he's genuinely reformed, although I feel that all too often, violators (cheaters and otherwise) who are given second chances by the community end up re-offending. Obviously, I think we'll have to reluctantly accept that he's back in the game, monitor him more vigilantly, and hope that he's turned over a new leaf.

[Gammadoom]

If I were in charge of the DCI, intentional cheating--especially in Bertoncini's case where the evidence is so extensive and damning--should result in a lifetime banning. Certainly something more than 18 months, as there's no place in the game for cheaters.

However, the DCI is the sanctioning body of this game, and Bertoncini's served his time. I hope for the sake of the game that he's genuinely reformed, although I feel that all too often, violators (cheaters and otherwise) who are given second chances by the community end up re-offending. Obviously, I think we'll have to reluctantly accept that he's back in the game, monitor him more vigilantly, and hope that he's turned over a new leaf.

If Mike Long and Trey Van Cleave are any indication, I'm sure we'll see Alex's name back on the banned list before you know it.

[sdematt]

If I were in charge of the DCI, intentional cheating--especially in Bertoncini's case where the evidence is so extensive and damning--should result in a lifetime banning. Certainly something more than 18 months, as there's no place in the game for cheaters.

However, the DCI is the sanctioning body of this game, and Bertoncini's served his time. I hope for the sake of the game that he's genuinely reformed, although I feel that all too often, violators (cheaters and otherwise) who are given second chances by the community end up re-offending. Obviously, I think we'll have to reluctantly accept that he's back in the game, monitor him more vigilantly, and hope that he's turned over a new leaf.

In my opinion, SCG should ban him from their circuit. He really made a mockery of the circuit, and really let them down, being one of their "celebrity" players and all.

But, controversy brings viewership. Maybe they don't want to be the heavy, I don't know. Alls I know is that when I'm at the Invitational and I have to face him, it's disconcerting to think that he has an edge since I can't keep my full concentration on him, but I have to always keep an eye out to make sure there's no foul play, here. I can't really just call a judge to watch a match based on past offenses, can I?

-Matt

[cdr]

Everyone deserves a second chance. When someone gets caught for a second time - especially while displaying an attitude - the second suspension is not going to be short.