Answering Requirements

[Delha]

In a CFB article today, the following came up:

Faced with a question like "What does Inkwell do?" you are allowed to give the full text, give a partial answer, or say nothing (usually "I can't answer that" rather than just a stone silent stare). What you cannot do regarding derived information is bold-faced lie. You can't say that Inkwell Leviathan is a 1/1 flying creature with lifelink.

You'll notice that among the legal options was a partial answer. That means that had David asked, it would have been legal for Gerry to say, "It's a 7/11 with shroud and islandwalk" omitting the key trample ability. This leads to a simple rule regarding derived information: when [in] doubt, ask a judge.

My understanding is this: When given the partial answer above, if followed up with "That's it, right? No other text?", then Gerry would be forced to either decline or state that there was indeed more. Is this correct, or is there another "tricky answer" available at that point?

In essence, I'm trying to find if there's a way to be certain the answer being given is the complete truth, without calling a judge. I'm excluding cases where the answering player declines to answer, since you have no option but to ask a judge. I'm also exluding cases where the answering player is outright lying, since that's obviously a rules violation, and you have no way of knowing at the time.

[Anusien]

You can't lie about derived information. If you can find a tricky way to answer "That's it, right? No other text?", go ahead. I can't think of one.

[Cyberpunker]

How about "I think so, not sure" 

[TracerBullet]

You can't lie about derived information. If you can find a tricky way to answer "That's it, right? No other text?", go ahead. I can't think of one.

How bout "I don't know."  I think anything else could be perceived as intentionally misleading.

[Delha]

Sounds like nobody's coming up with any deceptive answers to the "Is that it?" followup. Pretty much what I was hoping for.

[A_Outcast]

You could always reply with something such as "hes also an artifact"  you are answering the question truthfully without giving away a key point (trample)

[Delha]

You could always reply with something such as "hes also an artifact"  you are answering the question truthfully without giving away a key point (trample)

The point would be to repeat the question until they say "Yes, that is all."

If you fall for the exact same tactic you just caught them pulling two seconds ago, you probably deserve the trample damage to the face.

[Norm4eva]

Isn't the better answer to this - if the text of a card is in question, get a judge to look up the full Oracle text?

I know judges can assist with things like naming cards with Meddling Mage; since you're not allowed to just name a non-Magic card, you can call a judge and say "Okay I know what I want to name with Mage, it's that 1/1 Goblin for R that puts a Goblin into play if it deals combat damage, what's THAT guy's name" and he will tell you the proper card.

[Delha]

Isn't the better answer to this - if the text of a card is in question, get a judge to look up the full Oracle text?

In essence, I'm trying to find if there's a way to be certain the answer being given is the complete truth, without calling a judge. I'm excluding cases where the answering player declines to answer, since you have no option but to ask a judge. I'm also exluding cases where the answering player is outright lying, since that's obviously a rules violation, and you have no way of knowing at the time.

As per my original post, I'm trying to confirm ways to be sure your opponent has given you a complete answer WITHOUT having to call a judge every five minutes because the dude sitting across from you is using a complete deck of textless promos and Russian foils and such.

[TheShop]

My answer to these questions is normally "read the card" as most of my stuff is English.  I find my oponents mess up more when they read it than when I tell it to them.  

If they ask a specific question I either give blank stare or "I don't know".  Seriously people, learn to read and be familiar with the cards.  I'm not playing to educate my oponent midgame.  I think relying on the other guy to play nice is asking for punishment and deserves it.  

I am normally nice to newer players, but asking the judge to name the goblin for you is cheese.  If they are asking the other player, the other player should be able to just say "figure it out."