MTG Pro Tutor - Insights, Tips & Advice from Magic: The Gathering Pros

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159: Near Misses Aren't the End with Gold Level Pro Eric Severson Dec 23, 2016

Show notes

Eric Severson is a Gold Level Pro and a member of Team East West Bowl who has 4 Grand Prix Top 8s to his name. Eric lives in Davis California.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eric Severson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep159

First Set

Invasion

Favorite Set

M13

Favorite Card

Birthing pod

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Competition is key to having fun for Eric. The ability to progress is very appealing.

Early Challenge

Sideboarding was tough at the beginning. By finding a deck, he would master helped him focus on improving his sideboarding skills.

Level Up Moment

Playing the same deck and going to competitive events regularly really added to Eric's skill.

Worst Magic Moment

Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar (3rd Pro Tour), after a great day one and having a 10-1 record, Eric loses 4 games in a row and then draws and misses top 8 and a Pro Tour invite.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8'ing a Grand Prix to make silver and get the Pro Tour invite after losing it 6 times. Top 4 of a team Grand Prix was also a highlight. Eric made a sweet reanimator play on camera.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players drop from tournaments. WHY? If you paid and traveled, then play all the rounds. Thinking through this turn and the next yields big advantages.

Best Format

Limited

Effective Limited Preparation

Grind booster drafts and sealed events on MTGO. Play pre-release. Have a draft camp weekend.

Improvement Suggestions

Have fun playing the games.

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

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158: Playing Against the Unknown with Sergiy Sushalskyy Dec 20, 2016

Show notes

Sergiy Sushalskyy started playing Magic in 1999 with the Urza block. He's been regularly competing in Grand Prixs since 2012 and has 3 Grand Prix Top 8s, 2 Ukraine National Champion's titles and a recent Magic World Cup Top 8 with team Ukraine. Segiy is from Kiev, Ukraine but lives in Edinborough, Scotland.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Sergiy Sushalskyy when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep158

First Set

Portal 2nd Age

Favorite Set

Zendikar

Favorite Card

Counterspell

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

After a year or two, Magic went from a hobby to a competitive objective. He loves the competitive aspect.

Early Challenge

Deck building is the most difficult aspect of Magic. That and dealing with uncertainty. When playing against an unknown, be more cautious.

Level Up Moment

After Sergiy's first Grand Prix Top 8, he top 8'd another about one month later. He prepared by playing Limited and reading articles.

Worst Magic Moment

Grand Prix Barcelona 2016 - Sergiy was playing to get 59 match points. It was the lost GP of the season and if he won his lost match, he would make Silver-level Pro for the season. Sergiy lost and took a break after come back (as always).

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 with team Ukraine in 2016 World Magic Cup.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Sergiy is easily discouraged and gets frustrated. But he learned that everything is possible.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Losing focus part way through the day of a big tournament. The noise of GP's can be very distracted. Get outside and clear your mind. Get fresh air.

Beginner Limited Advice

Time yourself making decks with a sealed pool.

Improvement Suggestions

What is Magic for you? Is it a casual hobby or are you looking to be competitive? Once you know, dedicate the appropriate time to achieve your goals.

Magic Resource

ChannelFireBall, SCG

Connect With Sergiy Sushalskyy

Sergiy can be found in the MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

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157: Dream Big but Start Slow with Petros Tziotis Dec 16, 2016

Show notes

Petros Tziotis is a Greek Magic: The Gathering player who in his first year of playing won Nationals 2007. This year he came back to win the World Magic Cup with his teammates Bill, Panos and Nikos. Petros lives in Athens, Greece.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Petros Tziotis when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep157

First Set

9TH Edition

Favorite Set

Innistrad

Favorite Card

Bloodbraid Elf

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Meeting lots of new friends and having the opportunity to connect with cool people.

Early Challenge

Playing new decks was rough for Petros. He learned by watching other players.

Level Up Moment

When Petros started going to local stores and playing with good players he grew the most.

Worst Magic Moment

A PPTQ come to Greece during Scars of Mirrodin. He did 100 sealed events online. At the event, he went 0-2. He left without talking to anyone because he was upset. He learned that you have to accept the losses and understand that it's cyclical.

Proudest Magic Moment

Winning world Magic Cup 2016 with his teammates.

Best Format

Standard

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Magic has similarities to fencing and Petros learned to love the mind games and bluff.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players don't realize their mistakes. Too often players don't break down the game after and analyze what they could have done differently.

Advice To Yourself 5 Years Ago

Play more and take advantage of opportunities that came by.

Advice for Standard

Find a deck that fits your style and play that a lot.

Success Tip

Regulate drafts. Keeps your Magic mind sharp.

Improvement Suggestions

Start slow but dream big. If you want to go big, find those better players.

Connect With Petros Tziotis

Petros can be found in the MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group.

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

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156: Finding The Balance with Peter Vieren Dec 13, 2016

Show notes

Peter Vieren played continually on the Pro Tour from 2010-11, then took (sort of) a break when he started working. He got back to the Pro Tour in 2015. He has two Magic Grand Prix top 8s (Lyon '10, Prague '15), 1 Pro Tour top 16 (Milwaukee '15) and is the captain of the 2016 Belgium World Magic Cup team which took second place. Peter lives in Leuven, Belgium.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Peter Vieren when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep156

First Set

Planeshift

Favorite Set

Rise of the Eldrazi

Favorite Card

Jace, The Mind Sculptor Dig through Time

Early Challenge

Peter played rogue decks "too much". However, he has learned from every deck his built.

Worst Magic Moment

Pro Tour Amsterdam; Peter played a Restore Balance deck and missed in day 2 by one match.

Proudest Magic Moment

World Magic Cup 2016 - being in a great environment with a wonderful team.

Level Up Moment

Coming back to the game after a break showed Peter that being calm and not being whipped up in the results.

Best Format

Draft, look for mana sinks in limited.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Peter has the ability to be very focused.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Side boarding is where many players stumble. With experience, you'll know your own deck and format better.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Water, Cards

Mentors

Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa (past guest)

Improvement Suggestions

Balance is big. Don't be extreme in some cases and too soft in others. Questioning every decision you made gets you nowhere but not seeking advice is also flawed.

Magic Resource

CFB

Connect With Peter Vieren

Twitter:@peter_vieren

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

Sponsors

155: How Being Nice Will Get You Ahead with Lauri Pispa Dec 09, 2016

Show notes

Lauri Pispa has been playing Magic competitively for 2 years, which comes after a 10-year break from the game. In that time he played other games competitively and even opened a card shop one year ago named Sensei's Divining Shop. He's a member of the 2016 Finnish World Magic Cup team and lives in Tampere, Finland.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Lauri Pispa when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep155

First Set

Urza block

Favorite Set

Prophecy, Innistrad

Favorite Card

Tangle wire

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Traveling is a lot of fun. Magic is a good excuse to get out and see the world.

Early Challenge

Lauri wasn't good at taking criticism. He thought he knew it all. But as he lost at GP's he learned that he had a lot to learn. Now he embraces learning from others.

Worst Magic Moment

Pro Tour Madrid 2016, Lauri needed to win 2 of the last 4 games but didn't win a single one. He went out with the team deconstructed the event.

Proudest Magic Moment

World Magic Cup Top 8 2016

Level Up Moment

When Lauri decided he was going to be competitive and when he recognized there is always a better player. He started reading and watching content.

Best Format

Legacy and draft

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Lauri has learned that he enjoys the deep thinking process.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not being open to criticism. Players sometimes don't listen to others.

Mentors

BBD- Brian Braun-Duin (Past guest)

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Extra cards to build decks, Clothes

Improvement Suggestions

Be nice to everybody. Be nice to your opponents and be nice to yourself.

Magic Resource

www.senseisdiviningshop.fi, MTGGoldfish, CFB, SCG

Connect With Lauri Pispa

Twitter:@Telkku

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

Sponsors

154: The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of Ryan Cubit Dec 06, 2016

Show notes

Ryan Cubit made it to his first Pro Tour (PT Madrid) in early 2016 where he made day 2. He's been playing on and off since 2000 and has won states and regionals as well as other low-level tournaments. He's a member of the 2016 Australian World Magic Cup team who loves building new decks and tweaking current ones. Ryan lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ryan Cubit when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep154

First Set

Mercadian Masques

Favorite Set

Invasion

Favorite Card

Goblin Guide

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The good memories of his friends keeps Ryan involved.

Early Challenge

Ryan loved 80 card decks. He struggled to cut his deck down to 60 cards. Resource management. Your life total is just a tool.

Worst Magic Moment

Soon after winning States, Ryan played an FNM and went 0-3 and then got a bye. He had never lost that badly. Ryan learned magic is a game that you win and lose.

Proudest Magic Moment

Winning in the States in 2004. Crushing a pre-release in Austria while traveling with a friend.

Level Up Moment

Ryan started top 8'ing tournaments and other players noticed him.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

How far your morals play into everything you do. In competitive events, there is always the ambition to win at any cost. Ryan has realized the importance of his values.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players get in their own head. They let misplays and losses affect their next match.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Ryan played a lot of Leagues on Magic Online. He has a Restore Balance deck in that he's practiced with a lot.

Improvement Suggestions

Be yourself. Play and have fun.

Magic Resource

SCG, SCG Premium, CFB, Gatherer

Connect With Ryan Cubit

Twitter:@EgyptainCubit

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

Sponsors

153:Masters of Modern Founder Alex Kessler Talks Content Creation and Mana Management Dec 02, 2016

Show notes

Alex Kessler is the creator of the web show Top Decking, the previous host of Mad Magic, and the creator and host of the Masters of Modern Podcast. He's a Founding member of the website www.Collected.Company, and is the President and game and toy designer of the KessCo toy and Game company. Alex lives in Santa Monica, California.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Alex Kessler when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep153

First Set

5TH Edition

Favorite Set

Innistrad

Favorite Card

Geist of Saint Traft

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The content creation has been a large hook for Alex. He also loves the brewing side of magic as well. The creation is key.

Early Challenge

Attack step. Alex is a more passive player and plays a deck that doesn't attack a lot.

Level Up Moment

Reading a draft and pick article in Zendikar block led to his first win.

Worst Magic Moment

Alex assumed he lost a game that he actually won. He didn't count the damage and scooped. His opponent lets him lose.

Proudest Magic Moment

The first decent finish at an event. The positive response to Top Decking.

Best Format

Modern

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Alex is more competitive than he realized. He's also greatly improved his ability to learn.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

The mana management. Tapping the wrong land, Keep your mana organized.

Shortcoming

Learning the deck that he should play and sticking to it.

Advice to Yourself 5 Years Ago

Buy fetch land.

Underplayed Card in Standard

Gideon Jura Geist of Saint Traft

Improvement Suggestions

Always ask for help. Call a judge if you need to.

Mentors

LSV(Luis Scott-Vargas), Patrick Chapin,Brian Kibler

Connect With Alex Kessler

Twitter:@mmcast

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

Sponsors

152: Why Playing the Best Deck is Right with Zachary Kiihn Nov 29, 2016

Show notes

Zachary Kiihne is a 19 year old Computer Science major at Umass Amherst. Grand Prix Providence 2016 was his first Grand Prix Top 8. Previously he had top 64ed two GPs and top 8ed the last RPTQ. This is his first time breaking through to the Pro Tour. Zachary lives in Amherst MA.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Zachary Kiihne when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep152

First Set

Eventide

Favorite Set

Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Archangel Avacyn, Pyromancer Ascension

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The challenge of stay focused and then the reward of winning.

Early Challenge

Side boarding and multi-gaming in constructed.

Level Up Moment

It was summer before college when Zach became top 8'd in a limited PPTQ. In the semi-finals, he lost due to getting warnings. He learned that cold streaks end.

Worst Magic Moment

Shuffled in a card to his deck and lost because of game rule violations. Zach learned to slow down and clean up his play.

Proudest Magic Moment

Grand Prix Providence, 5TH place

Underplayed Card in Standard

Westvale Abbey in W/U Flash

Mentors

Noah Walker

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Zach has learned that he likes to focus and he likes to compete.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

People don't break down why they lose. Think about what you could have done differently whether or not your opponent got lucky.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Zach made the decision to play whatever deck went 9-1 at the Pro Tour.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck box, Paper, Pencil, Water

Improvement Suggestions

Look back and evaluate each match and each game.

Magic Resource

CFB, SCG, SCG Premium

Connect With Zachary Kiihne

Twitter:@ZKiihne

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

� Sponsors

151: Andreas Ganz Knows There is Always More to Learn Nov 25, 2016

Show notes

Andreas Ganz has filled his life with many Magic-related activities. When he's not playing Grand Prixs he works at a local Magic store, manages content for Blackborder.com and does some trading of his own. He has top 8ed 2 Grand Prixs and won 1! Andreas lives in Zurich, Switzerland.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Andreas Ganz when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep151

First Set

Ice Age

Favorite Set

Mirrodin & Full block Ravnica

Favorite Card

Polymorph

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Magic is constantly evolving.

Early Challenge

Andreas thought he had "figured it out". However, when he started playing against top players he realized how much he had to learn.

Worst Magic Moment

Playing for top 8 at GP Vienna, Andreas was playing mono black and made a terrible chump block that cost him the game.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8ing a Grand Prix for the first time. (Charlotte 2016)

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Andreas learned that if you don't give up you can achieve your goals.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players get to a point where they think they are good when they still have much to learn.

You should always try to learn from others.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Read content about what's going on in your format. Remember that people want to play new cards and try what's popular. Choose the deck that is well positioned based on that knowledge.

Mentors

Kai Budde, Ben Stark

Advice To Past Self

Be patient. Results will come as you focus on your game.

Underplayed Cards

All the modules

Guidance

Enjoy the game. If you don't, take a break.

Magic Resource

MTG Goldfish

Cockatrice

Blackborder.com

Connect With Andreas Ganz

Twitter: @Pfluegmeischter

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com

Sponsors

150: The Mitas Touch of Tournament Prep with Alex Mitas Nov 22, 2016

Show notes

Alex Mitas is a college student from Albuquerque, NM, and an up-and-coming Magic player with a penchant for playing control decks, experience on the pro tour and, most recently, a grand prix top 8 competitor.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Alex Mitas when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep150

First Set

Lorwyn

Favorite Set

Lorwyn, Innistrad

Favorite Card

Sphinx's Revelation

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Flavor, story, art, but above all - the competition.

Early Challenge

Alex played too impulsively.

Level Up Moment

Discovering Twich.tv and watching videos of other Magic players.

Worst Magic Moment

At Grand Prix San Antonio years ago, Alex went 0-3 and dropped. He felt awful because he had drove a long way, spent money on the event and practiced really hard. He learned to be more open-minded about his mistakes.

Proudest Magic Moment

First time Alex qualified for the Pro Tour. Alex felt like it was all worth it.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Alex has learned he has a capacity for patience.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Mulligan decisions. Newbies don't mulligan enough. More advanced players (on the cusp of being really good) mulligan too much.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

"Sit down and do the work." Get a team together.

Mentors

Andrew Cuneo

Guidance

Play Magic because it's fun. Not for the sunk costs.