In a tournament, what is a “Game Loss”?

A "Game Loss" is a penalty applied in a tournament context indicating that a player has lost their current game due to a rules violation. This penalty reflects the seriousness of the infraction committed, which could range from minor rule infractions to more significant violations that impact the integrity of the game. When a Game Loss is issued, it typically results in the affected player losing that specific game, and this consequence is often part of a structured penalty system designed to maintain fair play and adherence to the rules during the tournament.

In the tournament setting, other elements like sideboard management, sportsmanship rewards, or opportunities to replay games do not pertain to the concept of a Game Loss. Instead, the focus is solely on the implications of a player not following the rules, thereby warranting this type of penalty.