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

Latest Episodes:

139: Pro Tour Hall of Famer Ben Rubin on Developing a Long Perspective Oct 14, 2016

Show notes

Ben Rubin is a Pro Tour old timer who started when he was 15 yrs old. He has 4 Pro Tour top 8s, about 8 Grand Prix top 8s, and has won 2 masters. Hes a member of the Hall of Fame and got there by winning and losing a lot of matches.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ben Rubin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep139

First Set

Revised

Favorite Set

Mirrodin Block

Favorite Card

Traverse the Ulvenwald

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Network with really smart people.

Early Challenge

Really wanted to break the format and wouldn't listen to others input.

Level Up Moment

In High School, Ben was very strong relative to the field.

Who have been your mentors

William Jensen Jon Finkel Patrick Chapin

Worst Magic Moment

Playing in a Masters competition. Normally Ben left basic mana up to play around wasteland. Ben drew a Pyroblast and couldn't play it because of his hobbit.

Proudest Magic Moment

Very proud of team at Grand Prix Louisville. Accomplishing something great with a team is great.

Best Format

Doesn't have one but enjoys toning decks.

Activities that help you in Magic

Play a lot of Magic.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Ben has an affinity for competition.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not having a long view. People get so hurry up on this game instead of understanding the overall picture.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Building pools leading up to a team sealed event and really discussing choices.

What are your shortcomings

Getting into the new method of preparation.

Magic Resource

Reviewing deck lists

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

138: How to Qualify for the Pro Tour 3 Different Ways with Brandon Pascal (He Did All Three!) Oct 11, 2016

Show notes

Brandon Pascal is a professional Magic: the Gathering grinder who has qualified for the Pro Tour three different ways! He won a Regional PTQ for Pro Tour Atlanta, a MTGO PTQ for Pro Tour Sydney and top 8'ed Grand Prix Indy for Pro Tour Hawaii.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Brandon Pascal when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep138

First Set

Kamigawa

Favorite Set

Scars of Mirrodin

Favorite Card

Blade Splicer

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The competition and the people.

Early Challenge

Changing deck types. Brandon was set on his elf deck but eventually had to move on.

Level Up Moment

Last year (2015). Brandon gained a new perspective.

Worst Magic Moment

SCG Event. Brandon was one round off of making top 8. In game 3, Brandon misplayed and lost his win and in. He realized his mistake as soon as he passed the tournament.Brandon learned to slow down and think through plays.

Proudest Magic Moment

Regional PTQ. Brandon traveled over an hour for a PPTQ. He barely squeaks a win in the final. Then he drove 4 hours for the RPTQ.

Pro Player You Look Up to

Kevin Jones

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Tapping mana wrong.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Magic back pack, binder, decks, spare cards

Advice to new players

Don't let price scare you. Trade with people.

Magic Resource

Twitch "When you watch magic you learn so much more." CFB Gathering Magic SCG

Connect With Brandon Pascal

Twitter: @bmppwns

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

137: Practice to Your Energy with Matt Sperling Oct 07, 2016

Show notes

Matt Sperling has 6 Grand Prix top 8s and 2 Pro Tour top 8s. He writes a regular column called Sperling's Sick of It and tries to play to win without taking himself too seriously. He considers himself a hobbyist, not a professional, but feels that playing on the Pro Tour is just the best experience available. Matt lives in the Bay Area of Northern California.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Sperling when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep137

First Set

Legends

Favorite Set

Zendikar

Favorite Card

Preacher

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The friends Matt had made is more important than the game now.

How do you balance having fun and being competitive

"I only play Grand Prix and Pro Tours." You have to devout time to the aspects of your life at the appropriate time.

Aspect of Magic you improved at

Getting attached to one deck. If you can only play one style of deck, look for opportunities to learn. "Empathy = Thinking about things from both sides of the table"

Pro Player You Admire

Jon Finkel

Worst Magic Moment

Most recent Pro Tour, Matt was Platinum level but hadn't done well and was shooting for Gold . He missed it by one game.

Proudest Magic Moment

1st Pro Tour Top 8

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Impulse control. Playing fast and making the first good play that comes to mind helped Matt develop intuition. However, Matt has learned to think of other good plays. Not just the 1st one.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Being afraid to make obvious attacks or blocks.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Follow the intuition of "this card feels really powerful" and "I feel helpless against this card."

What are your shortcomings

Constantly working on impulse control.

Back in 10yrs Ago what advice would you give to yourself

Look for energizing relationships and deck/strategies

Guidance

To produce content for Magic, find something you can be proud of.

Magic Resource

CFB SCG TCG Player Playing w/ friends in similar level

Connect With Matt Sperling

Twitter: @mtg_law_etc

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

136: Deepen Your Knowledge and Expand Your Skill by Playing Outside of Your Normal Group with Immanuel Gerschenson Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Immanuel Gerschenson is 23 years old and is studying technical physiques. He has 2 Grand Prix wins and 1 Pro Tour Top 16. Hes made Gold level Pro for the second season in a row and is a member of team EUreka.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Immanuel Gerschenson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep136

First Set

Kamigawa

Favorite Set

Innistrad

Favorite Card

Jace Beleren

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Traveling around the world with friends.

Early Challenge

Constructed. Early on Immanuel was not good at building decks, but the events he wanted to attend were constructed so he had to practice.

Level Up Moment

Going from Silver to Gold level pro at Pro Tour Vancouver

Worst Magic Moment

GP Ghent went 0-2-1 and dropped. He stopped playing for a few months. Good friends got him to comeback

Proudest Magic Moment

GP Madrid - first Grand Prix win PT Eldritch Moon - needed 11-5 to stay on the train. Immanuel got 11-4-1.

Effective Playtest

Watch others play and keep track of hard to deal with cards so you can develop a plan.

Best Format

Standard

What card is underplayed in that format

Nahiri The Harbinger

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Not to get as down or angry after a loss. It comes with time and by emulating players you respect.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players stay in their own playground. Go to events and play with others.

If you could have a conversation with yourself 10 years ago, what would you say

Look up to other players and learn.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Water, Apples, Deck, Note Pad, Pen, Dice

Improvement Suggestions

Socialize and make friends. Magic is best when shared with others.

Magic Resource

SCG CFB MTG Mint Card MTG Salvation MTG Goldfish

Connect With Immanuel Gerschenson

Twitter: @igerschenson

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

135: What Star Craft II Taught Chris Botelho About How to Succeed Playing Magic: The Gathering Sep 30, 2016

Show notes

Chris Botelho is a relatively new player who started playing in Fate Reforged. Grand Prix Portland was his first Standard GP (second GP ever) and his only Top 8. He works at CCGHouse, and goes to sleep each night a little bit better at Magic than when I woke up. Chris lives in Vancouver Washington.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Chris Botelho when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep135

First Set

Fate Reforged

Favorite Set

Dragons of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Demonic Pact

Underplayed Card

Make Mischief

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Connecting with new people face to face.

Early Challenge

Playing creatures in Main I instead of saving mana for combat.

Level Up Moment

When Magic Origins launched, Chris used a sealed pool generator to practice building decks. He was able to translate which cards were good from sealed to draft. Also, when Chris was testing for GP Portland. He loved his deck and practicing it was fun.

Pro You Admire

Caleb Durward

Worst Magic Moment

Chris had two chances to make day 2 of his first Grand Prix and missed both. Play around cards not effects.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at GP Portland

Best Format

Draft

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Getting your ego wrapped into the game. Look at every game and say "I know I made a mistake , what was it and how can I learn. "

Daily Habits

Sorting commons every set

Drafting Advice

Evaluate how your deck is going to win.

Guidance

Love Magic. The more you love it the more you'll practice.

Magic Resource

r/spikes

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

134: How Focusing on Your Own Mistakes Can Get You to the Top 8 of a Grand Prix with Ryan Solave Sep 27, 2016

Show notes

Ryan Solave is from Sarnia, Ontario and has been playing Magic since Alara block. He plays a lot of online games, but sets aside most of his time for Magic. He had his first Grand Prix Top 8 in Indianapolis and is qualified for PT Kaladesh in Hawaii.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ryan Solave when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep134

First Set

Alara

Favorite Set

khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Bloodbraid Elf

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Player base is great. People are competitive but still nice.

Early Challenge

The Stack. Ryan was not good at it early on.

Level Up Moment

After Khans came out Ryan hit events hard. By consistently playing at a high level Ryan got experience.

Pro's You Look Up To

Owen Turtenwald

Worst Magic Moment

At GP Toronto Ryan made a huge misplay. He assigned 1 damage to tokens when his opponent had a Gideon Emblem.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at GP Indianapolis

Best Format

Steppe Lynx

Conversation w/ Yourself 5 Years Ago

"How are you going to win this game."

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Learning different formats has helped Ryan read his opponents better.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Over side boarding

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Choose a deck and play against the gauntlet starting a month.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck Box, Pad, Deck

Daily Habits

Use same water bottle, make list

Modern Advice

Learn the stack. Know when you can respond and what you should respond to. Learn the removal of the format.

Advice To New Players

Play whatever is most fun for you. Just have fun.

Improvement Suggestion

Focus on your own mistakes.

Magic Resource

CFB SCG

Connect With Ryab Solave

Twitter: @RyanSolave

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

133: 13 Year Old Magic Whiz Kid Ethan Brown Shares the Secret to Leveling Up Sep 23, 2016

Show notes

Ethan Brown is 13 years old and loves to play Magic! Since he started playing almost 4 years ago, he has competed in 7 Grand Prixs, made day 2 in 4 of them and top 8 in one. His favorite formats are modern, legacy and pauper. Ethan lives in Portland.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ethan Brown when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep133

First Set

Return to Ravnica

Favorite Set

Theros and Time Spiral

Favorite Card

Olivia Voldaren

Underplayed Card

Rune Snag

Guilds of Ravnica

Selesnya Conclave

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Like complicated mind games.

Early Challenge

Deck building and drafting. Solution: Listened to Limited Resources podcast.

Level Up Moment

During Theros, Ethan grew a lot as a player.

Pro Player You Look Up To

Paul Cheon

Worst Magic Moment

Playing against Splinter Twin. Ethan forgot to sideboard.

Proudest Magic Moment

Grand Prix Los Angeles 2nd place. Started a journal to track sideboards.

Effective Playtest

Play often and after every game ask opponent what's the best sideboard choices.

Shortcomings

Bad at constructed deck building. Practicing by building proper deck.

Best Format

Modern and Legacy

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

"I'm a very fast player." Slow night.

What Advice Would You Give Yourself

Don't be afraid to go to tournaments.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not asking for help from others.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Decks, Sideboard guide, KMC Sleeves, Playmat

Daily Habits

Play Magic daily, consume Magic content.

Advice to New Players

Get into modern.

Improvement Suggestions

Have a sideboard plan.

Magic Resource

MTG Goldfish Limited Resources

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

132: Making Top 4 of a Grand Prix with Felix Tse Sep 20, 2016

Show notes

Felix Tse made top 4 at Grand Prix Montreal 2016 and live in Cananda.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Felix Tse when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep132

Connect With Felix Tse

Facebook: Felix Tse

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

131: Why Did You Start Playing? with Thierry Ramboa Sep 16, 2016

Show notes

Thierry Ramboa started playing magic 12 years ago but wasnt able to travel or play competitively until April 2015. He reached Silver level pro status in 2015 and has attended every European GP's since then. He Top 8d Grand Prix Sydney.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Thierry Ramboa when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep131

First Set

5th Dawn

Favorite Set

Ravnica City of Guilds (Izzet)

Early Challenge

Always felt he was unlucky. Thinking through the situation and realizing that if the same thing happens it's not luck.

Worst Magic Moment

Came back after a break and did so poorly he thought magic wasn't for him. Friends helped him get through it.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 of Grand Prix Sydney. Just focus on the match.

Best Format

Standard - Look at best decks in the format. Use MTG Goldfish and pick a deck that can beat the top 3.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Tone down his over confidence.

Pro Tour Testing

Focus on limited and brewing. Run small tournaments within the Team and see results of each deck.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Being over confident. Think "How can I lose" and plan accordingly.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Played 2-4 drafts a day for the week.

Activity

Talking with others about magic. You get new ideas

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck Box, deck, water, pen, dice

Entry Level Suggestions

Borrow cards from other players. Use proxies (not in tournaments)

Improvement Suggestions

Never forget why you started playing.

Magic Resource

MTG Top 8 MTG Goldfish CFB MTG Mintcard

Connect With Thierry Ramboa

Twitter: @El_Gran_Boa

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

130: You're Not Failing at Life with Oliver Polak-Rottmann Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

Oliver Polak-Rottmann has 4 Grand Prix Top 8 including 1 Win, 1 Pro Tour Top 16, and is a 2-time National champion (2008, 2016). Oliver lives in Vienna, Austria.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Oliver Polak-Rottmann when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep130

First Set

4th Edition

Favorite Set

Coldsnap (Draft) / Champions of Kamigawa

Favorite Card

Island

Mana Drain

Master of Waves

Underplayed Standard Card

Woodland Bellower

Gilt-Leaf Winnower

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Oliver has made great friends playing Magic.

How to have fun and be competitive

By understanding variance always happens it will even out the highs and lows

Early Challenge

Try to finish his black border dual land collection. Money was an issue. Through trading and drafting. Oli was able to get the money for the card.

Level Up Moment

The year Oli qualified for 3 of 7 Pro Tours is when he realized he had leveled up.

Worst Magic Moment

In the 2008 season, Oli skipped the Pro Tour because he only needed 1 point. He needed to make to 200 of 380 players, and he didn't make it. It felt terrible . Oli learned you have to take the game seriously but not let it consume you."If you're failing at Magic, you're not failing at life".

Proudest Magic Moment

Making Platinum at Pro Tour Eldritch Moon.

Best Format

Standard

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Oli learned about the world by traveling with Magic.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players don't Sideboard correctly and they don't seek advice as much as they should. People feel they know it better.

Short comings

Make Pro Tour Top 8.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Booked a house two weeks before the Pro Tour with his team to practice. Know the balance you need. Playing a lot of games (10-15) per match up helps Oli get a feel and collect data.

Conversation 5 Years Ago

"Pick up Power cards and dual lands."

Improvement Suggestions

Enjoy the game, Make friends.

Magic Resource

CFB Hareruya

Connect With Oliver Polak-Rottmann

Twitter: @polakrottmann

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