<p>It depends whether you are playing casually or in an official tournament. For tournaments, it also depends on its type - beginner-friendly <em>Tier&nbsp;1</em> tournaments like League Challenges are different to <em>Tier&nbsp;2</em> tournaments where players are expected to abide by the rules all the time.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>In casual play, both players have to agree on the resolution of the game state, i.e.</p>

<ul>
<li>ignore the mistake</li>
<li>try to rewind the game state to the point before the mistake</li>
<li>the opposing player draws a Prize card (or more of them)</li>
<li>player who made the mistake loses</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>In tournaments, everything depends on the official <em>judge</em> (or more of them) - they are the only ones who can rule the resolution of the game state. In addition to possible resolutions above, they can also give a Caution or a Warning to one or both players.</p>

<p>The main document for judges is <strong>Pokémon TCG Penalty Guidelines</strong>, available from <a href="https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/tournaments-rules-and-resources/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Rules &amp; Resources</a> page of official website.</p></li>
</ol>

<blockquote>
  <p>A coin was suppose to be toss and if tails the Pokemon could not attack. I failed to (overlook) the toss, several turns later I realize my mistake.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Using <em>Penalty Guidelines</em> from October 2019, the actual resolution depends on "rewindability" and overall damage of the game state. Because several turns have passed, the problem would probably fall into <em>8.1.2. Gameplay Error - Major</em>, but might also be closer to <em>8.1.3. Gameplay Error - Severe</em>.</p>

<p>Both players are responsible for maintaining the game state. If the game state is irreversibly broken, the opponent might get a penalty for <em>8.1. Gameplay Error</em> as well.</p>

<p>The actual penalties strongly depend on the particular situation.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-30T17:10:04.713Z
This is (now, anyway) very slightly incorrect - you do not "draw prize card(s) for free", you just don't have to take those prizes anymore - but otherwise a good answer.  It could be improved by linking to the penalty guidelines linked on [this page](https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/tournaments-rules-and-resources/), though the specific guideline link now is a dated link which raises the possibility it will stale quickly sadly.
Joe
CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-01-30T21:57:27.023Z
2020-01-30T22:15:27.580Z
2020-01-30T22:15:27.580Z
Kate Miháliková
<p>According to the <a href="https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-tcg-penalty-guidelines-10232019-en.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Play! Pokemon Penalty Guidelines</a> it depends on the severity of the mistake made, and the Tier in which you are playing. It can range from a Caution all the way up to a Game Loss.</p>

<p>For you example it would probably be a Game-Play Error - Major for "Using an Ability when a card prevents its use". For this error in a Tier 1 match you would get a Warning, in a Tier 2 your opponent has to take two fewer prize cards. In either case your opponent would get a Caution for failing to maintain game state.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-01-30T21:57:11.463Z
2020-01-30T17:51:42.523Z
2020-01-30T17:51:42.523Z
diego
<p>If a mistake is made in a Pokemon game, and neither player catches it, does the player who failed to do the correct action lose the game, or is the game a draw, or do you continue to play the game since the mistake was overlook. Example: A coin was suppose to be toss and if tails the Pokemon could not attack. I failed to (overlook) the toss, several turns later I realize my mistake. This mistake may have put me ahead in the game (if the toss had been tails.) I forfeited the game and later try to look up an official rule on this to no avail.</p>

<pokemon>
Failure to take a call for step in Pokemon
butch
# Failure to take a call for step in Pokemon

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-01-30)

If a mistake is made in a Pokemon game, and neither player catches it, does the player who failed to do the correct action lose the game, or is the game a draw, or do you continue to play the game since the mistake was overlook. Example: A coin was suppose to be toss and if tails the Pokemon could not attack. I failed to (overlook) the toss, several turns later I realize my mistake. This mistake may have put me ahead in the game (if the toss had been tails.) I forfeited the game and later try to look up an official rule on this to no avail.

**Tags:** pokemon


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-01-30. Score: 4

It depends whether you are playing casually or in an official tournament. For tournaments, it also depends on its type - beginner-friendly *Tier 1* tournaments like League Challenges are different to *Tier 2* tournaments where players are expected to abide by the rules all the time.

1. In casual play, both players have to agree on the resolution of the game state, i.e.

   * ignore the mistake
   * try to rewind the game state to the point before the mistake
   * the opposing player draws a Prize card (or more of them)
   * player who made the mistake loses
2. In tournaments, everything depends on the official *judge* (or more of them) - they are the only ones who can rule the resolution of the game state. In addition to possible resolutions above, they can also give a Caution or a Warning to one or both players.

   The main document for judges is **Pokémon TCG Penalty Guidelines**, available from [Rules & Resources](https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/tournaments-rules-and-resources/) page of official website.

> A coin was suppose to be toss and if tails the Pokemon could not attack. I failed to (overlook) the toss, several turns later I realize my mistake.

Using *Penalty Guidelines* from October 2019, the actual resolution depends on "rewindability" and overall damage of the game state. Because several turns have passed, the problem would probably fall into *8.1.2. Gameplay Error - Major*, but might also be closer to *8.1.3. Gameplay Error - Severe*.

Both players are responsible for maintaining the game state. If the game state is irreversibly broken, the opponent might get a penalty for *8.1. Gameplay Error* as well.

The actual penalties strongly depend on the particular situation.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: This is (now, anyway) very slightly incorrect - you do not "draw prize card(s) for free", you just don't have to take those prizes anymore - but otherwise a good answer.  It could be improved by linking to the penalty guidelines linked on [this page](https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/tournaments-rules-and-resources/), though the specific guideline link now is a dated link which raises the possibility it will stale quickly sadly.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-01-30. Score: 2

According to the [Play! Pokemon Penalty Guidelines](https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-tcg-penalty-guidelines-10232019-en.pdf) it depends on the severity of the mistake made, and the Tier in which you are playing. It can range from a Caution all the way up to a Game Loss.

For you example it would probably be a Game-Play Error - Major for "Using an Ability when a card prevents its use". For this error in a Tier 1 match you would get a Warning, in a Tier 2 your opponent has to take two fewer prize cards. In either case your opponent would get a Caution for failing to maintain game state.


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