Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Player Errors
A player commits an error by performing or clearly beginning an action after an invalid command. A player also commits an error by failing to begin a valid command within the accepted response period, performing the wrong action, stopping a continuing action without a valid instruction, or failing to stop when validly told to do so.
Minor differences that still satisfy the instruction should not be penalized. If Simon says “raise a hand,” either hand is acceptable unless a particular hand was specified. Players should not be eliminated for an ambiguity created by Simon.
Standard Penalties
In elimination play, one error eliminates the player from the current round. In a lives format, one error costs one life. In points play, the player receives no point for that command; groups may instead use a one-point deduction if that rule is announced in advance.
Interference and Unsporting Conduct
A player who pushes, blocks, startles, deliberately misleads, or shouts over Simon should receive a warning or an immediate round penalty, depending on severity. Repeated or dangerous interference may result in removal from the game.
Invalid or Unfair Commands
A command should be cancelled if it is unsafe, impossible, inaccessible without reasonable adaptation, contradictory, unintelligible, or too ambiguous to judge consistently. No player is penalized for a cancelled command. Simon should explain the issue briefly and continue with a new command.
Close Decisions
When it is unclear whether a player moved, whether Simon used the command phrase, or whether two events occurred in time, casual play should favor keeping the player active. In organized play, the designated judge may order a no-penalty replay.
Eliminated Players
An eliminated player must promptly leave the active area or move to the designated spectator space. Continuing to perform commands is allowed only if it cannot confuse active players; otherwise, eliminated players should remain still and quiet until the round ends.