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Magic Numbers

Magic Numbers is a podcast about Limited format in Magic: the Gathering. The idea is to use data to try to crack current format, or try to answer longstanding questions in Magic and by answering the questions making the listeners better at drafting, deckbuilding and general strategy. The target audience is intermediate to advanced players, but rest assured, determined beginners will also find useful information that will allow them to level up. The podcast is an audio version of my Twitch seminars, so if some parts are confusing, it was designed to be watched on YouTube or live on Twitch.

Latest Episodes:

#54 - Data? Tada! Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Dominaria United full data hit a bit late in the season but still it is interesting to look at the data even late in the season as they show a format so different from any other. This episode I look at the new tutoring data from 17lands.com, rank the kicker spells - which ones don't need to be kicked, should be kicked and work best when you can reliably kick it every time, preferably in a 2 color deck? I also look at how important being 5 color it was for each domain card.

Reminder: This podcast is a recording of a stream, which relies heavily on graphics. Check the youtube recording of it to see any graphs that are hard to imagine in the audio-only format: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP8RV-k2DGw

Sponsored by mtgazone.com so please give them a visit!

Find all things Sierkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#53 - Why are top players top? Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

Today I look at the data of top, middle and bottom win rate tiers among the 17Lands users. Who are the top players, and what sets them apart from the rest? Which cards can the players maximize? And which cards are universally good across different levels? But that is not all. I also look at why, to become a good player, you need to go through several stages of development. Just knowing that top players win more with card X is not enough to replicate their success. It will speed up your journey through rank, that's for sure, but maximizing the output of a card is a process that takes time and effort. I look at the successful cards at each stage of development - so you can better position yourselves, where you are on your journey, and get a good idea of where to go next.

Sponsored by mtgazone.com so please give them a visit!

Find all things Sierkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#52 - Three New Heuristics for Drafting Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

What is the point of using draft data if we don't get actionable advice from them? Today I look at the drafting data from DMU (and from some other sets) and propose three new drafting heuristics related to drafting mana fixing, multicolor spells and combat tricks.

I also look at the wheeling stats of DMU cards, show you how draft tables respond to number of dual lands that were open in the pod and which cards are the best first picks in terms of future win rate if you manage to draft a deck around them.

Sponsored by mtgazone.com so please give them a visit!

Find all things Sierkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#51 - Multicolor Decks in DMU Draft Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Dominaria United is a draft format like we didn't see in a long time. Formats supporting 2 color, 3 color and multicolor strategies with little win rate penalty was something Wizards were avoiding in their recent design. But that is not the case in DMU. One in 16 decks is a 4 color or more concoction. That is 2 times more than any other format since ZNR. Almost 50% of all decks have 3 or more main colors. And, as a result, only 1/5 is pure 2 colors. So which multicolor decks are the best? Which cards are important to make them win? And, perhaps equally importantly - are there traps 17Lands users routinely fall into? I use data to try to answer those and many other questions about the nature of multicolor decks in Dominaria United.

Find all things Sierkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#50 - Dominaria Untied, First look at 17Lands draft data Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

First dive into 17Lands data for the new set, Dominaria United. This is a set where data analyses should be done very carefully as it is a set we unlike anything we had before. What about it is so unique? Which colors are the best, which color combinations work best and, perhaps most importantly, how many colors should you play? All those questions will be answered in this episode. But wait! There's more! I look at 5 most winning two color pairs and most winning three color combinations and see which cards make them tick and which should be avoided.

Reminder: This podcast is a recording of a stream, which relies heavily on graphics. Check the youtube recording of it to see any graphs that are hard to imagine in the audio-only format.

https://youtu.be/H-1Ot3-nczE

Find all things Sierkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#49 - Dominaria United Draft Primer Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

All you need to know about the new format. OK, maybe not all but quite a lot. Includes removal guide and an overview of color pair specific cards. Just the thing to do to kill the time while waiting to dive into the new set.

Find all things Serkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

Bonus Episode: Skeleton Crew, Dominaria United Edition Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

In this Episode me, SLKerstens, JasonILTG and Tajoordan discuss the DMU draft format before the release. We share our initial thoughts and draft deck archetypes we want to play with in the early days of the format.

See the slides here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13xJrmt9KtlyIxxNhpDO8QHGDOfuYvLR5Fg-cjEoVjyE/edit?usp=sharing

Find all things Serkovitz here: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#48 - Personal Data with Jamie Topples Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

This week we look at the personal data from BO3 HBG drafts of a streamer, podcast host and a limited grinder, Jamie Topples. With a tough season behind her, we are trying to see if the personal data explains her trials and tribulations in the Baldurs Gate.

#46 - Return to Kamigawa Aug 06, 2022

Show notes

A refresher course in Kamigawa limited. But not only. I also look at the differences between the first run of the format and the flashbacks

Check the YouTube recording of it to see any graphs that are hard to imagine in the audio-only format: https://youtu.be/jZH06lH_Xok

Find all things Sierkovitz: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

#45 - Timing Your Picks Aug 06, 2022

Show notes

This week we look at the art of wheeling. How to use 17lands data to reliably predict which cards you open in a draft can return to you doing the full circle. That way you can maximise your draft outcomes and create a great way to produce your own draft signal. We also look at what cards do high win rate players draft more aggressively and which ones do they actively avoid.

Check the YouTube recording of it to see any graphs that are hard to imagine in the audio-only format: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86f2CmgtusU

Find all things Sierkovitz: https://linktr.ee/sierkovitz

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