When should a deck check be conducted during a tournament?

A deck check should be conducted randomly and when suspicious activities are noted to ensure compliance with the tournament rules and maintain the integrity of the game. This approach allows judges to monitor players and uphold fair play throughout the event. Random checks help in maintaining a consistent standard of enforcement without giving players the opportunity to manipulate their decks in preparation for a known check. Additionally, addressing suspicions of rule violations is crucial as it protects the legitimacy of the match and the tournament as a whole.

This method balances the need for vigilance with respect to both player privacy and tournament flow, making it an essential aspect of tournament organization. Implementing checks solely at the beginning of the event or at the end of each round does not account for incidents that may arise during play, while checking before players enter the venue is impractical and would not cover potential issues encountered during the matches. Thus, conducting checks randomly and in response to suspicious behavior is the most effective and fair way to uphold tournament integrity.