Why is Slow Play penalized in tournaments?

The rationale behind penalizing Slow Play in tournaments primarily focuses on ensuring that opponents are not disadvantaged. In a competitive setting, each player is given a limited amount of time to complete their turns and interact with the game. When one player takes an excessively long time to make decisions or plays, they can unintentionally deny their opponent the opportunity to experience a fair play environment.

Slow Play can lead to frustration and can affect the overall pace of the game, which is especially significant in time-limited tournament formats. This principle is rooted in the desire to foster a healthy and competitive environment where both players have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and strategize effectively. Thus, addressing Slow Play helps maintain the integrity of the tournament and respects the time and experience of all participants involved.