Shop Rules

1. Respect & Conduct
 

• Treat all staff, players, and customers respectfully.
   
• No harassment, insults, bullying, or disruptive behavior.
   
• Language must remain family-friendly.
   
• Follow staff instructions at all times.

2. Hygiene & Cleanliness
 

• Good personal hygiene is expected. Offensive odors will be addressed discreetly.
   
• Keep play areas clean: dispose of trash and return chairs when done.
   
• Respect store property (tables, cases, fixtures).
   

3. Food & Drinks
 

• Drinks with lids are allowed at play tables.
   
• No food directly on playmats; meals must be consumed away from play areas.
   

4. Spectators & Electronics
 

• Spectators may not interfere or give advice during official matches.
   
• Phones may be used for life tracking or official card rulings only — not outside assistance.
   
• Headphones are allowed if you can still hear staff/judge calls.
   
• No audible music at gaming tables either during official or casual play.
   

1. Proxies & Counterfeits
    
   • Competitive play (tournaments, FNMs, leagues): No proxies unless explicitly stated.

• Casual Play: In unofficial games, proxy use must be agreed upon by all players. If no consensus is reached on proxy usage, default to official rules.
   
• Counterfeit protection: If official tournament/league play allows the use of a proxy (outlined in section 3.4 of the official tournament rules) the owner must demonstrate ownership of an official card, otherwise it will be deemed counterfeit and removed from gameplay.
   

1. Deck Legality
    
   • Decks must follow the official format ban/restricted list (Standard, Modern, Pioneer, EDH, etc.) for official tournament/league play.
      
   • Unofficial / Private games may choose a decklist/ruleset agreed upon by all players. Any special conditions/changes must be announced prior to gameplay to ensure fairness to all players.
      
   • Players are responsible for knowing current banned lists for official play.
      

1. Sportsmanship
    
   • Respect your opponent.
      
   • Judge and staff rulings are final (appeals only to the Head Judge in sanctioned events).
      

1. Time & Rounds
    
   • Sanctioned events: 50 minutes per round unless otherwise specified.
      
   • Call staff for slow-play issues; do not argue with opponents.
      
   • No time/pace limits for casual/unofficial matches. Just be respectful of your opponents time. Staff may intervene only if a complaint is lodged.
      

1. Card Care
    
   • Altered or damaged cards that are unreadable/unplayable (ripped, destroyed) are not permitted in official gameplay.
      
   • Inappropriate or offensive card alterations are never allowed, regardless of group consensus.
      
   • Always treat other players’ cards with care. Intentional bending, ripping, or otherwise damaging cards may result in a store ban.
      

1. Cheating & Collusion
    
   • Any form of cheating, deck stacking, or improper randomization is grounds for disqualification and possible ban in official matches.
      
   • Collusion to influence event results is prohibited.
      

1. Proxies & Counterfeits
 

• Casual play: Proxies may be allowed if all players agree. If no consensus is reached on proxy usage, default to official rules.
  . 
• Competitive play: No proxies under any circumstances.
   

2. Deck Legality
 

• Decks must follow the official Pokémon TCG rotation and ban list for competitive play.
   
• “House rules” or custom formats (Gym Leader challenges, cube, etc.) must be announced and agreed upon by all players.
   

3. Sportsmanship
 

• Treat opponents with respect; no harassment or insulting behavior.
   
• Judge rulings are final during events.
   

4. Time & Rounds
 

• Official Pokémon tournaments follow Play! Pokémon round structure and time limits.
   
• For casual play, maintain a reasonable pace. Can be set by group consensus.
  
   

1. Player-to-Player Trades
 

• Allowed if they do not disrupt events or block store operations. Official trade nights will be posted on our Events page.
   
• All trades must be consensual.
   
• Predatory trading or “sharking” younger/inexperienced players is forbidden.
   

2. Sales
 

• Player-to-player sales are permitted for personal use only.
   
• General resale of sealed product or singles must go through the shop.
   
• Staff can mediate trade disputes if necessary.
   

1. Warnings & Penalties - Gameplay
 

• First offense: Verbal warning.
   
• Second offense: Match/game loss (in event) or temporary removal from play area.
   
• Third offense: Suspension from events or ban from store.  Our staff reserves the right to impose an immediate ban/removal from the store without warning depending on severity.
   

2. Severe Offenses
 

• Cheating, theft, harassment, or repeated penalties may result in removal and permanent ban without warning.

• Shoplifters/Thieves will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.