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

Latest Episodes:

249: UK National Champion Autumn Burchett Returns and Shares Her Rise to the Top Nov 03, 2017

Show notes

Autumn Burchett last came on the podcast after her 11th place finishes at Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar. Since then she has become the English National Champion, going undefeated in a field of almost 400 people, and is now eagerly awaiting the World Magic Cup later this year in Nice, France. Autumn lives in London, UK.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Autumn Burchett when she shared her story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep249

Catching Up

Streaming a lot more and attending more event. Autumn decided that she's going to be practicing anyway, might as well stream it. It keeps her motivated.

Preparation for the Pro Tour

Autumn had quite different experiences working with two teams for two Pro tours. She learned it's crucial to have a team that communicates and shares information. There's a notion you have to have a team to do well, Autumn learned that it's important to have a team that suits you.

English Nationals

Preparation went much better for this event because Autumn found a group that communicated well with her. She practiced a lot and shared the results. 36 hours before the event, she switched decks and jammed several games to get a feel of it.

Parting Guidance

Accept that sometimes Magic needs to take a back seat. When you come back you'll be refreshed and ready to face new challenges.

Connect With Autumn Burchett

Twitter:@AutumnLilyMTG

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

248: UK Captain Niels Molle Returns and Encourages You to Take the Next Step Oct 31, 2017

Show notes

Niels Molle is the UK World Magic Cup team Captain and returns to the show with 2 Grand Prix Top 8 finishes and a Gold level Pro. Originally from the Netherlands but coming to us from England.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Neils Molle when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep248

Catching Up

Niels has spent the year playing more Magic Online and a lot more Grand Prix.

Biggest Lesson Over The Year

Niels' Limited game has improved a bunch this past season.

English Nationals

Niels played a Mardu vehicles lost. As the English team captain, he's with the other members to prepare for the World Magic Cup.

Standard

There are several tips 1 deck with Temur energy being the top.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

In reflection, Niels realizes that his technical gameplay needs work. (Money players struggle with this.) His solution is to slow down and consider the lines more.

Parting Guidance

Players are sometimes hesitant to take the next step. There's no substitute for just going.

Connect With Neils Molle

Neils 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

Sponsors

247: Go With Your Gut and Your Subconscious Super Computer with Quentin Martin Oct 27, 2017

Show notes

Quentin Martin has 4 Grand Prix top 8s, 1 Pro Tour top 8 and multiple top 16s. He's played on the Worlds team for Canada and most recently took 4th at the UK Nationals in 2017. He was the #1 player in the UK for 8 years, has his own Player's Card and is still near the top of the UK list based on Pro points. Quentin lives in Douglas, Isle of Man.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Quentin Martin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep247

First Set

Ice Age/Mirage

Favorite Set

Ravnica City of Guilds

Favorite Card

Solemn Simulacrum

Early Challenge

Quentin realized he wasn't as good at playing as his peers. But his strength was in the analytics. He focused on understanding the metagame.

Worst Magic Moment

In a feature match on the Pro Tour, Quentin was playing to make top 8. A judge came over mid-game and said there was a mistake with his deck registration and he got a loss. He reviewed the whole situation and realized he wouldn't have done anything differently. After he knew that, he stopped beating himself up about it.

Proudest Magic Moment

Making first Grand Prix top 8; top 8 in UK Nationals 2017; Getting a Player Card

Growth Through Magic

Magic taught Quentin how to make friends and allowed him to see the world.

Tournament Day Tips

Sleep well the night before. Eat well. Stay hydrated. Forget your lost match.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not asking 'why'. Talk with players about their lines. Also, not thinking player don't consider their turn ahead of time.

Parting Guidance

Smile and have fun. Go with your gut.

Connect With Quentin Martin

Quentin 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

Sponsors

246: Worlds Finalist Javier Dominguez on the Journey from Silver to Platinum Oct 24, 2017

Show notes

Javier Dominguez returns to MTG Pro Tutor after two years of focused improvement. He's a Spanish Magic player with 6 Grand Prix Top 8s, including 2 Wins, 4 Pro Tour Top 16s, and just recently placed 2nd in the 2017 Magic Worlds Championship. Javier lives in Palau de Plegamans. (Check out episode 47 for his first appearance on the podcast.)

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Javier Dominguez when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep246

What have you been up to

Javier leveled up by playing more and really focusing on improving. Last time he was on he was a Silver Pro and now his Platinum focusing on improving has paid off.

2017 World Championship

In testing, Javier quickly learned that forcing a tribe/archetype would not work. He focused on Limited and played a deck he knew for Constructed.

What Have You Learned From Magic

Consider that others are thinking too. All parties are doing their best.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not listening to others. It's easy to assume you know the matchup but you'll be surprised when you play the other side.

Parting Guidance

Know your Constructed deck inside and out.

Magic Resource

Magic Online, CFB, Record your drafts

Connect With Javier Dominguez

Twitter:@Thalaiet ‏

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

245: Take Something Away From Every Game with Pete Ward Oct 20, 2017

Show notes

Pete Ward made 2nd place twice at World Magic Cup Qualifiers and has made 1st place once. He went 10-6 at Pro Tour Aether Revolt and most recently got 3rd place at English Nationals 2017. Pete lives in Bath, England.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Pete Ward when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep245

First Set

Return to Ravnica

Favorite Set

Origins

Favorite Card

Nantuko Husk

Early Challenge

Pete struggled with confidence at first. He wouldn't think he had a chance if he played against a good player. By constantly playing, Pete got more comfortable.

Worst Magic Moment

Pete recognizes times when his motivation to play is lower. However, by having people who he knows want to see him play keeps him going.

Proudest Magic Moment

Winning the WMCQ and playing on the English Worlds Team.

Magic Milestones

Playing for the World Magic Cup Team.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players don't learn from every game. There's always something you could have done better.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Pete plays a lot of Magic Online and gets really comfortable with the format.

Parting Guidance

Take something away from every game.

Connect With Pete Ward

Twitter:@Killablastlol

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

244: GP Champion Andrew Baeckstrom Shares How Enjoying Getting Better and Focusing on Understanding Will Change Your Magic Career Oct 17, 2017

Show notes

Andrew Baeckstrom is a member of team Channel Fireball Fire and was on the US National Team in 2014. He's made Silver for the last 3 years and has 3 Grand Prix top 8s to his name including a win at GP Providence 2017. Andrew lives in Denver, Colorado.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Andrew Baeckstrom when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep244

First Set

Prophecy

Favorite Set

Dragons of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Rancor

Early Challenge

Andrew struggled with the mindset that because everyone had been practicing for a long time that he had to come up with some crazy brew that no one was prepared for. He played really bad decks until his friend Gaby snapped him out of it.

Worst Magic Moment

At Pro Tour Journey into Nyx, Andrew punted and lost his chance for top 8.

Proudest Magic Moment

Qualifying for his first Pro Tour.

What Have You Learned From Magic

The journey from player to a game designer.

Magic Milestones

Winning a single match at a draft. First top 8 at a PTQ. At his second GP, Andrew made top 4. Winning World Magic Cup Qualifier 2014.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not looking for opportunities to learn from other players. Magic is a 'big ego' sport and that gets in the way of their improving.

Parting Guidance

Make sure you're having fun.

Connect With Andrew Baeckstrom

Twitter:@abaeckst

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

243: Be Passionate About Magic and Always Be Learning with Leon Van der Linden Oct 13, 2017

Show notes

Leon Van der Linden played for the Dutch World Magic Cup Team in 2016 and has 1 Grand Prix Top 8 where he was a finalist at GP Turin 2017. Leon lives in the Netherlands.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Leon Van der Linden when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep243

First Set

Return to Ravnica

Favorite Set

Hour of Devastation

Favorite Card

Gideon, Ally of Zendikar

Early Challenge

Getting a single win at an FNM. Leon started looking online and talking to people who are better than him. Being a student of Magic has served him well.

Worst Magic Moment

Leon made a lot of top 8's in the PPTQs system but never closed the tournament. Even if you're losing you're still learning. Now, Leon is bronze and doesn't have to so PPTQs anymore.

Proudest Magic Moment

Qualifying for the World Magic Cup in 2016.

What Have You Learned From Magic

Always be polite. Wish your opponent good luck.

Magic Milestones

Going to his first Grand Prix and making day 2. Making day 2 again, showed Leon he can do this.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not taking side boarding seriously.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Leon chooses to play Mardu vehicles because he had experience with the deck.

Parting Guidance

Be passionate about Magic.

Connect With Leon Van der Linden

Leon 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

Sponsors

242: Growing On Twitch and Growing in Life with Sam Rubin Oct 10, 2017

Show notes

Sam Rubin has one of the largest Magic: The Gathering Twitch channels and has over 8 thousand followers and 2 Star City Game Top 8's. He travels to various tournaments around the world as he strives to get on the Pro Tour. Sam is from Manchester, Connecticut.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Sam Rubin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep242

First Set

Return to Ravnica

Favorite Set

Gatecrash / Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Wojek Halberdiers

Early Challenge

Sam's friends didn't go to play competitively. From game one, Sam knew he wanted to go big. Since his friends didn't want to play at that level, Sam turned to MTGO and played a lot on that platform.

Worst Magic Moment

Sam played at a team event and did very well. The team wanted to go to another event in Seattle but delayed in booking the flight until it was too late. He let his team down and felt terrible. He learned so much from this experience.

Proudest Magic Moment

After Hour of Devastation comes out, Sam had over 800 live viewers. This was huge for him.

Magic Milestones

Getting his first check after a Magic event. Getting 100 viewers on Twitch.

Magic Mentors

Phil at Get Some Gaming, Travis Woo

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players can prepare better. The more you put in, the more you get out.

Parting Guidance

Whatever you want in life, you have to work for it. You get out what you put in.

Connect With Sam Rubin

Twitter:@Samball49 ‏

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

241: Play More Limited :) with Matthew Nickolai Oct 06, 2017

Show notes

Matthew Nickolai has 1 Grand Prix top 8 at GP Toronto 2017 and was a Junior Super Series Super Star. You may recognize him from his twitch stream @ twitch.tv/mattame. Matt lives in Waterford, Michigan.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matthew Nickolai when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep241

First Set

Mercadian Masques / Invasion

Favorite Set

Ravnica City of Guilds

Favorite Card

Dark Confidant

Early Challenge

Playing his own thing until he saw others playing really good decks. He copied those decks and started doing really well. He learned to embrace the works of others.

Worst Magic Moment

Matt made it to the finals of a big event and would have gone to Nationals if he won. He lost and took a break from Magic. Taking a break isn't always bad.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at GP Toronto 2017.

Ixalan Thoughts

Savage Stomp - green powerhouse Snapping Sailback Charging Monstrosaur

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players put cards on their Limited deck that is sub-optimal. Watch others who are better than you and practice a bunch.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

For Limited events, it is very important to be early on evaluating cards. Knowing what's good when others don't take practice but it is worth it.

Parting Guidance

Play more Limited. ;)

Connect With Matthew Nickolai

Twitter:@MatthewNickolai ‏

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

240: Never Ever Give Up with Christian Hauck Oct 03, 2017

Show notes

Christian Hauck has 3 Grand Prix Top 8`s, the most recent being the Standard GP Turin 2017. Christian lives in Mutterstadt Germany.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Christian Hauck when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep240

First Set

German Limited Edition

Favorite Set

Alpha/Beta

Favorite Card

Knight of the Reliquary

Early Challenge

Christian played really well and made day 2 at his first GP. But even though he played well and got a good result it wasn't enough. This early challenge was also his lowest point. He learned to embrace variance.

Proudest Magic Moment

Making top 8 at a National tournament for the first time.

What Have You Learned From Magic

Make the best of any situation you're freed with.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players keep too many hands. You need to be more willing to toss an OK seven-card hand for the chance of a great six-carder.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Christian reviewed the decks that did well in the most recent event and then studied the metagame.

Parting Guidance

Keep trying. Never give up even when you lose.

Magic Resource

MTG Goldfish, CFB