Pokémon TCG Controversy: Card Warping at Milwaukee

A recent controversy at the Milwaukee Pokémon TCG regional championship has sparked widespread debate within the competitive community. During the event held earlier this month, a player’s deck was flagged over alleged card warping, leading to a disqualification that cost him a spot in the top 8 and a potential prize of over $3,000.

The incident unfolded just before the top cut, with tournament officials scrutinizing cards from Luke Smith’s deck. The controversy echoes the infamous ‘deflategate’ scandal from American football, but in this case, it revolves around the physical condition of the cards rather than gameplay integrity. Officials claimed that some of Luke’s cards appeared “warped,” raising suspicions of cheating or unfair advantage.

According to Luke’s brother, Hunter Smith, the first day saw Luke receiving a warning for minor imprints on four of his cards, which were visible under certain lighting conditions and through sleeves. Despite contesting the warning, he was advised that there was no way to dismiss it. The following day, however, Luke was disqualified after two different cards in his deck were found to be warped or marked, even though no prior warnings had been issued regarding those specific cards.

Judges stated that they had not flagged certain holos, such as Fezandipiti or Squawkabilly, during initial checks, focusing only on the sleeves. Hunter argued that holos tend to warp more easily and suggested that if a thorough examination was conducted across all decks, similar warping issues might be found universally. The situation became more contentious as content creator and player Dan Squared highlighted that Luke had already secured a $3,000 payday as a top 8 finisher, but due to the disqualification, he lost both the earnings and a shot at the $10,000 grand prize.

Visual evidence shared by Dan raised questions about the legitimacy of the disqualification, with some fans commenting on the apparent warping of the disputed cards. Critics expressed frustration with the judging process, comparing it to overbearing sports officials and calling for greater accountability. Many argued that judge decisions should be transparent and consistent, especially when they have such significant consequences.

This incident is not isolated in the Pokémon competitive scene. Not long ago, at the 2026 Pittsburgh Regional Championships, a bizarre event occurred when a player forfeited a final match after losing a card during a celebration, adding to the ongoing discourse about fairness and officiating standards in Pokémon tournaments.

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