I just wanted to check back briefly with two important points. I read most of the feedback on my work on the forums; thank you for your responses and it's what keeps me writing.

However, I just wanted to clarify a few points.

1) The article wasn't intended to disparage Emon in any way. Like most good friends, I don't like to backstab people openly in a public forum. Because I haven't spoken with him since I've come to Australia, I have no idea about any of the details in the incident. The basic point was that he was good enough to be one of the best ever without cheating, but might have resorted to cheating anyways like a Barry Bonds.

2) I've received many responses agreeing with me about the judge comment, but I still felt I should retract that statement and apologize. The good folks at Upper Deck Entertainment have done an excellent job of promoting this game and ironing out the rulings. Like a lot of you, I remember the dark days back around Pharaoh's Servant when the judge board and Netrep hadn't come up yet; it was a nightmare trying to sort out different concepts like ignition effects and priority in the phase.

Most of the judges you see at events aren't receiving compensation for their eight hours of work, other than product. And most of the judges that I've talked to from the Southern California area and certainly all of the professional stud muffin leaders at the forefront such as Julia Hedberg, Curtis Schultz, and others show nothing but class and dignity in the face of sweaty players.

The few bad apples that seek judgehood to reverse their failing confidence and lack of success as players shouldn't reflect badly upon the entire community. I am sorry. Scratch that statement from my record!