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

Latest Episodes:

129: What Committing to Magic Taught Robert Santana Sep 09, 2016

Show notes

Robert Santana is an up and coming star who made top 16 at the Star City Games Open in Las Vegas in 2014 and is the Grand Prix Portland 2016 Champion.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Robert Santana when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep129

First Set

Lorwyn

Favorite Set

Worldwake

Favorite Card

Primeval Titan and Ishkanah

Underplayed Card in Standard

Call the Bloodline

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The competitive scene drew him in.

Early Challenge

Creature combat. Robert played more control decks to get around not playing creatures.

Worst Magic Moment

SCG Las Vegas 2014. Robert dropped from the Invitational and joined the open. Playing win and in for top 8. Robert played against Steve Robin and got demolished. This led Robert to really doubt his ability to play. He forced himself and asked "is this something I really want to do ?". Once he committed he went all in.

Proudest Magic Moment

Champion of GP Portland 2016.

Level Up Moment

Started attending a competitive FNM. Associating with better players really helped.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Robert felt like he hit a wall. Tournament result were stagnant. Connecting with other players is key to his success.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players have deck ADD. Stick to a certain deck and get to know it really well.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Find a group of like minded individuals. Build the gauntlet and attend PTQs and GPQs together.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Clothes and Magic Cards

Daily Rituals

Hard work

Improvement Suggestions

Get on MTGO ; Reach out to players, connect and ask for advice.

Mentor

Brian Kibler

Advice to New Players

Go to LGS and get Intro decks, augment those and more up.

Magic Resource

MTGO Cockatrice SCG Premium CFB r/spikes

Connect With Robert Santana

Twitter: @itsRobbSon

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

128: Travis Woo Reveals the Planeswalker that Can't Be Attacked Sep 06, 2016

Show notes

Travis Woo is a strong Magic personality who has made Top 8 of a Grand Prix 3 times from the 12 he's attended. He also developed a decklist that made it to the top 8 of a Pro Tour. He runs the Magic For Good Facebook group and more of his content can be found on his YouTube channel, youtube.com/traviswizard. Travis lives in Humble, California.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Travis Woo when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep128

First Set

The Dark

Favorite Card

Shambling Vent

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

"I'm invested in it. It's a vehicle to share energy with people"

Early Challenge

Mulliganing. The new mulligan rule really helps. Deck building. Travis built a lot of decks on his own to overcome his lack of confidence.

Mentors

Kai Budde, Jon Finkel, Patrick Chapin, LSV, Ben Stark, Mike Flores

Worst Magic Moment

Letting the community down. Driving far and doing poorly.

Proudest Magic Moment

Hearing community members say he's made a difference in their life. Top 8 Grand Pix Oakland 2013 with his brother.

Best Format

Sealed

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

"I'm constantly evolving"

Biggest Mistake Players Make

People not preparing the right way. Many players will play and learn nothing.

Shortcoming

Not having a Pro Team. Need to network to overcome this.

Daily Habits

Bike ride, record videos, risk life (surfing), eat good food

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Travis was involved in a private Magic coaching group. He was helping others prepare for their events and absorbed an understanding of the format. Have a plan to win. The brain is most alert on an empty stomach.

Improvement Suggestions

Win the next game. Take one game at a time.

Magic Resource

Next Level Deck Building Travis Woo's book Seek out players doing well in the format you want to play. Magic For Good Facebook Group.

Connect With Travis Woo

Twitter: @traviswizard

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

127: Play As Much As You Can with Saul Alvarado Sep 02, 2016

Show notes

Saul Alvarado has 2 Grand Prix top 8s: one at Grand Prix Los Angeles in 2009 and the other at Grand Prix Costa Rica in 2016. He's a 2 time National Champion and has been part of several National Teams. Right now he's focused on achieving his degree in Psychology, but is always making room for some Magical trips! Saul live in Panama City, Panama.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Saul Alvarado when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep127

First Set

Tempest

Favorite Set

Newest Set

Hated Set

Mirrodin

Favorite Card

Vendilion Clique

Underplayed Card

Eldritch

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Saul loved the the competitive aspect of Magic.

Aspect of Magic You Were Terrible at

Focuses a lot on Constructed and leaves Limited for last.

Level Up Moment

Before GP LA Saul was talking to Pros and asking questions.

Pro You Look Up To

Consistently playing tournaments. Guillaume Wafo-Tapa

Worst Magic Moment

Pro Tutor Honolulu: Night before the tournament Saul changed his deck the night before. He lost pretty bad. Learned: Never change deck the night before. Pro Tutor Sydney: Showed up unprepared. Next time he'll make the time to prepare.

Proudest Magic Moment

Making Top 8 twice. Saul likes that he has inspired other players from his local area to do well.

Best Format

Standard

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

"How competitive I can be"

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players don't know how to mulligan or sideboard properly. Have a sideboard plan.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Play on MTGO and get serious about 1 month before the tournament.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Camera and Deck

Improvement Suggestions

Practice a lot. Play as much as you can.

Magic Resource

MTG Top 8 (Latest Decks)

Connect With Saul Alvarado

Facebook: Saul Alvarado

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

126: Don't Let Your Dreams be Dreams with Erik Carson Aug 30, 2016

Show notes

Erik Carson spends most of his time as a musician and graphic designer but still makes room for Magic. He has 2 Star City Games Legacy Top 8s and 1 Grand Prix Top 8. He goes through spurts of streaming and is looking to make a run at the Pro Players Club starting with Grand Prix Portland 2016. Erik lives in Roseburg OR.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Erik Carson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep126

First Set

Zendikar

Favorite Set

Innistrad

Favorite Card

Capsize

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The strategy and brain exercise.

Early Challenge

Deck building. Mono curves weren't at the top of Erik's mind.

Worst Magic Moment

SCG Open in 2012. Erik made Top 8. Lost in quarter finals. Erik made a huge mistake in game 2. He misconducted the game state and lost. Slow down and think through your plays.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at GP Los Angeles, hearing his name over the speakers felt amazing. It was very validating.

Best Format

Legacy

Entry Level Tips For Legacy

Play a deck with Force of Will. Ask to read you opponents card. If you don't understand it, counter it.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Erik chose his deck early, a few months in advance.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Clothes, Deck Box + Deck, Extra Cards, Toothbrush, Trail Mix Legion

Improvement Suggestions

Never be afraid to make mistakes and look foolish. Don't let your dreams be dreams.

Habits That Help You Improve

Playing Music.

Pro You Look Up To

Reid Duke

Connect With Erik Carson

Twitter: @platypusisland

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

125: The Playtesting Tip That Made Robert Lombardi a Grand Prix Champion Aug 26, 2016

Show notes

Robert Lombardi has a Degree in Mechatronics Engineering, he's married and has a 6 month old son. He has been playing Magic since Visions, took a break in Odyssey and got back in during Zendikar. He's the Champion of Grand Prix Toronto and made Top 8 of Grand Prix Montreal. He's much better at Limited than Constructed and is actively trying to be less hyperbolic.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Robert Lombardi when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep125

First Set

4th Edition

Favorite Set

Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Lightning Bolt

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Deck building

Worst Magic Moment

Losing to an "unplayable" card. Sub per cards when used correctly have a place. Expand your range.

Proudest Magic Moment

Winning GP Toronto.

Conversation with Yourself 10 Years Ago

Don't get out of the game. Go straight to university.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

He was a poor looser.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Restricting themselves to archetypes in draft. You need to be able to draft a good deck regardless of what you open.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

A lot of free time leading up to the Grand Prix. 6 hours a day playing against the best decks (the gauntlet).

Daily Rituals

Draft daily.

Mentors

John Buden, Patrick Chapin

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Binder of Rares, Dragon Shield Sleeves, 10 of each land

Improvement Suggestions

Consume, content; articles, streams/videos; more friends & share cards. Focus on learning instead of winning during play testing. Treat your opponent with more respect.

Magic Resource

LSV, Patrick Chapin, Huey, Owen, Reid Duke

Connect With Robert Lombardi

Twitter: @RobertLombardi0

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

124: Philippe Gareau Shares The Best Way To Win at Magic Aug 23, 2016

Show notes

Philippe Gareau has been playing Magic: The Gathering for 18 years and made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Montreal which qualified him for Pro Tour Kaladesh in Hawaii. Philippe lives in Quebec City, Canada.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Philippe Gareau when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep124

First Set

Tempest / Stronghold

Favorite Set

Time Spiral

Favorite Card

Life from the Loam

Early Challenge

Learning the stack. Understanding the stack helped Philippe get to the competitive level.

Worst Magic Moment

GP Ottowa 2014 - Khans Limited - Philippe had multiple Secret Plans in play with a mandatory draw clause. He was disqualified because he missed the draw trigger.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at GP Montreal 2016 and qualifying for the Pro Tour.

Favorite Format

Cube

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players don't trust in their own instincts. Too many players copy the 75 cards of an online deck. To get ahead, look at the strategies and tweak to address them.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck
Playset of commons
Clothes

Ravnica Guild

Golgari

Non-Magic Activity

Talking with people about cards and match ups.

Improvement Suggestions

Try to play for a limited time. Never be afraid to experiment. The best way to win at Magic is to lose at Magic.

Magic Resource

Connect With Philippe Gareau

Find Philippe on Facebook

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

123: How to Learn Every Time with Jonathan Melamed Aug 19, 2016

Show notes

Jonathan Melamed is a husband and father and has a PhD in Neuropsychopharmacology. He's a long time Magic player, a Level 1 Judge, a Tournament Organizer AND store owner from Brasilia, Brazil. He has 2 Grand Prix Top 8s and 1 Pro Tour Top 16.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jonathan Melamed when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep123

First Set

Ice Age

Favorite Set

New Phyrexia

Favorite Card

Island/ Oath of Druids/ Tropical Island

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The challenge of Magic drew Jonathan in at the beginning. All these years later the game is still challenging.

Early Challenge

Learning when/how to attack. As a control player attacking didn't come easy to Jonathan. Playing a lot of limited helped him learn.

Worst Magic Moment

Feature match in a Pro Tour in 2009. Playing a UG Landfall deck. Jonathan won but a well-respected player looked at him and said "you play so awful". This hit Jonathan hard. Jonathan focused on learning everytime, even if he wins. Pay a lot of attention to the game.

Proudest Magic Moment

National Top 8 in 2011 (first major top 8) made Jonathan realize he could do it.

Best Format

Modern
Learn the deck you are playing. Learn it inside and out.
Learn the other decks as well. Get to know their game plan

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Be positive. No matter what. Jonathan struggles with this sometimes but knows how important it is.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not communicating well during a game. If you communicate well the entire game then mistakes come across as honest instead of cheating.

Non-Magic Activity

Neuroscience articles help Jonathan improve his focus.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Coat
Food
Water
Playmat
Notepad
Dice

Improvement Suggestions

Have fun.

Connect With Jonathan Melamed

Twitter: @InsideMTG

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

122: Andrew Sullano Sets Long Term Goals and Shares How They Help You Be a Better Magic Player Aug 16, 2016

Show notes

Andrew Sullano is a Pro Tour veteran who has attended Pro Tour Avacyn Restored, Return to Ravnica, and Oath of the Gatewatch. He made top 4 at Grand Prix Oklahoma City. Andrew lives in Dallas, Texas.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Andrew Sullano when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep122

First Set

Betrayers of Kamigawa

Favorite Set

Shadowmoor

Favorite Card

Wild Nactl

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

At first, Andrew liked the lore. Then, because when he gets into things he like to do them well, he started getting more competitive. Now, Magic is a social component of his life and he likes the people he can surround himself with when he plays.

Early Challenge

Andrew lost a lot during team drafts when he started and while this was disheartening he learned to ask for help. By getting guidance from better players he slowly improved his win percentage.

Worst Magic Moment

At Grand Prix Pittsburgh Andrew was salty most the day because he needed 2 points to get Silver level as a pro player and even after two byes he found himself 6-3. His core group wasn't with him on this trip so things just seemed bad. Thankfully, another friend scooped to him and he was able to carry on but Andrew learned that the people you surround yourself with are very important.

Proudest Magic Moment

Making top 4 at GP Oklahoma City.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players are quick to clean up and move to the next game after losing. Andrew takes his time and reviews the entire game in his head (especially if he lost). He will analyze hands, land drops and spell sequencing to see what he could have done better.

Non-Magic Activity

Exercise

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck

Clothes

Toiletries

Improvement Suggestions

Draft at least once a week (if you're new to the game).

Set a long-term goal (like making Day 2 or Top 8 of a Grand Prix) and then actively work towards it.

Magic Resource

Star City Games

Channel Fireball

MTG Top 8

Friends

Connect With Andrew Sullano

Twitter: @panicking92

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

121: OP Like Jace, The Mind Sculptor with Matteo Moure Aug 12, 2016

Show notes

Matteo Moure has been playing Magic since he was 12 and has only been playing competitively for about one year. He made the finals at both Grand Prix London 2015 and Grand Prix Stockholm 2016. In addition to a few other minor Grand Prix placings he placed in the money at Pro Tour Milwaukee. Matteo lives in Rome, Italy.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matteo Moure when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep121

First Set

Odyssey

Favorite Set

Onslaught

Favorite Card

Jace, The Mind Sculptor

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

A lot of friends play and Matteo gets to travel.

Worst Magic Moment

Matteo had to stop playing Magic for a while due to work and this was his worst moment with the game.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at Grand Prix London

Best Format

Limited

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Matteo learned how much of a social animal he is. He loves having fun with friends and Magic gives him that opportunity. (Futbol does as well.)

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players underestimate their opponent too often.

Players also play their resources too early in the game and don't have answers to real problems later on.

Improvement Suggestions

Draft when you can and trade your cards for what you need.

Connect With Matteo Moure

FB: Matteo Moure

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

120: The Secret to Level Ups with Matt Tumavitch Aug 09, 2016

Show notes

Matt Tumavitch recently graduated college with a degree in sports and recreation management. He's a front end leader at a grocery store during weekdays and a ski instructor in the winter. He's an aspiring Magic pro with one Grand Prix Top 8 and 2 Star City Games Open Top 8s. Matt lives just outside Scranton, PA.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Tumavitch when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep#120

First Set

Return to Ravnica

(Matt would be in the Gruul Guild)

Favorite Set

Gatecrash / Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Domri Rade

Worst Magic Moment

Matt's first Standard Grand Prix was tough because he started out 10-0 and then bombed. He felt like he was coming up short of his potential.

If you feel the same way Matt says: "You're good enough. Don't give up."

Best Format

Standard

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Matt learned he can achieve his goals and succeed if he applies himself. He always tried hard in sports but was never a starter or varsity member. Through Magic Matt know he can get the results he desires.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Showing too much emotions.

Players let it show when they draw a bad card and it gives a lot of information away.

Control your emotions.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Play 10 games of each match up.

Improvement Suggestions

Borrow cards and build budget decks.

Always ask for advice.

Non Magic Activity

Sports help build drive.

Being a skiing instructor taught Matt to ask for advice.