New Orleans, LA -- Upon looking at the standings after the final round of swiss competition saturday, Chris Pikula was disapointed to find himself placed 33rd. Pikula finished one place shy of top 32, which would have qualified him for upcoming Pro Tour San Diego. "There's still hope," Pikula joked, "Trey Van Cleave is ahead of me in the standings." Unknown to Pikula, Trey Van Cleave was actually at that very moment being investigated for possible cheating.

Trey was disqualified without prize, and the following statement was issued:

Trey Van Cleave was disqualified from Pro Tour New Orleans without prize for attempted bribery. In round 4 of Day 1, after losing his match against Michael Sigrist, Van Cleave made statements to his opponent indicating that he wanted to pay Sigrist for the match win. Van Cleave explained that he really needed all the pro points he could get in order to earn an invitation to the Masters Series.

Sigrist declined the offer.

Upon learning of the disqualification, there was much rejoicing, as most of the tournament competitors moved up a place as a result. "It's like everyone in the room just won a moneydraft against Trey Van Cleave," Tim McKenna commented. Pikula, now qualified for San Diego, left New Orleans a happy man.

One spectator noted, "Pikula hasn't mised in such a way since he made up the rule that qualified him for two Pro Tours! You know, the Magic Invitational fix!"

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New Orleans, LA -- Upon looking at the standings after the final round of swiss competition saturday, Chris Pikula was disapointed to find himself placed 33rd. Pikula finished one place shy of top 32, which would have qualified him for upcoming Pro Tour San Diego. "There's still hope," Pikula joked, "Trey Van Cleave is ahead of me in the standings." Unknown to Pikula, Trey Van Cleave was actually at that very moment being investigated for possible cheating.

Trey was disqualified without prize, and the following statement was issued:

Trey Van Cleave was disqualified from Pro Tour New Orleans without prize for attempted bribery. In round 4 of Day 1, after losing his match against Michael Sigrist, Van Cleave made statements to his opponent indicating that he wanted to pay Sigrist for the match win. Van Cleave explained that he really needed all the pro points he could get in order to earn an invitation to the Masters Series.

Sigrist declined the offer.

Upon learning of the disqualification, there was much rejoicing, as most of the tournament competitors moved up a place as a result. "It's like everyone in the room just won a moneydraft against Trey Van Cleave," Tim McKenna commented. Pikula, now qualified for San Diego, left New Orleans a happy man.

One spectator noted, "Pikula hasn't mised in such a way since he made up the rule that qualified him for two Pro Tours! You know, the Magic Invitational fix!"

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!