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

Michael Kundegraber has been playing since 2000, back when rules consisted of semi-educated guesses and were always changed depending on whose parents’ kitchen table MtG was played at. Lately, he’s had some top results with a second place finish at Grand Prix Turin 2018 and a follow-up Top 16 performance at his first Pro Tour later that year. Michael lives in Vienna, Austria. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Michael Kundegraber when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep318 First Set Planeshift Favorite Set Mirrodin Favorite Card Tahngarth, Talruum Hero Early Challenge Understanding the game at first was hard. Archetype matchups and other big-picture topics eluded Michael. He improved by playing matchups of the best decks with friends. Worst Magic Moment Playing for the top 4 at Austrian Nationals, Michael approached the match-up too confidently and played cautiously (even though he was favored to win). He lost and learned that you need to have a coping strategy. Find what works for you. Proudest Magic Moment Getting 2nd at Grand Prix Turin 2018. Biggest Mistake Players Make Overthinking. Players sometimes try to wrap their mind around too much of the game at once. Break down the situation into smaller chunks and address them separately. Parting Guidance Keep having fun while playing Magic. Magic Resource CFB, SCG, Magic Podcasts, Jim Davis Stream Connect With Michael Kundegraber Michael 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  

Zach Allen is a member of Team RIW from Farmington Hills, Michigan. He Co-hosts the podcast Turn One Thoughtseize and has 2 Grand Prix top 8s, a Pro Tour top 16, and 1 SCG top 8 in his record. He's a dedicated control player and Snapcaster Mage enthusiast. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Zach Allen when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep317 First Set Urza Block Favorite Set Khans of Tarkir Favorite Card Snapcaster Mage Early Challenge Not being able to beat the best guy at his local store. This constant, ever-present challenge pushed Zach to improve. Worst Magic Moment Getting 9th at PPTQ's 6 times in a row. Zach learned that the results of tournaments are not indicative of your actual skill. Proudest Magic Moment Making top 16 of Pro Tour Guilds of Ravnica. What Have You Learned From Magic Making the play that sets you up for a win later. Make the best decision at the time with the information you have, but make a decision. Biggest Mistake Players Make Getting out of the moment. Players need to focus on just the game in front of them.  Parting Guidance The people in Magic are what's most important. Relationships and friends are priceless. Magic Resource CFB, SCG, Cool Stuff Inc. Connect With Zach Allen Twitter:@A22en 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  

Andrew Elenbogen has 3.5 Grand Prix top 8s. He recently won Pro Tour Guilds of Ravnica and still doesn't believe it. Andrew is a return guest to the show and lives in Ann Arbor, MI. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Andrew Elenbogen when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep316 Catching Up Andrew plays about 15 Grand Prix a year! Reflection Andrew notices that in the last year he's played better than he ever has. He's stayed dedicated and has practiced extensively for each Grand Prix. MTGO Preparation When playing on Magic Online, Andrew plays in Leagues and sets. He uses Leagues as a way to get a broad view of the metagame. He'll develop a question and uses teammates and sets to answer specific questions. Pro Tour Preparation Andrew has cultivated a network of friends that he's able to reach out to and practice with. Parting Guidance Thank You! Andrew wants to say thank you to the Magic community. Connect With Andrew Elenbogen Twitter:@Ajelenbogen ‏ 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  

Kasper Nielsen has 2 Grand Prix top 8s and 1 Pro Tour top 8. He's also won 5 Prereleases. Kasper is from Denmark and is a returning guest to the podcast. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Kasper Nielsen when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep315 Kasper has been doing well in Magic and he attributes many things to that. He joined Hareruya Hopes and also has a more balanced life. Pro Tour Preparation Kasper started playing Limited as soon as Guilds of Ravnica came out. He learned a lot in those first few weeks. He decided to let "the machines" solve Standard while he developed a Limited strategy. What Have You Learned From The Pro Tour Kasper felt he made good choices this Pro Tour. His advice is to enjoy your preparation. Parting Guidance  It is important to focus and work hard at Magic, but if it becomes an obsession rather than a passion then beware and maybe take a step back. Guidance Part 2 Have fun no matter where you are or what your goods are. Magic Resource Article about Dustin Wade Roberson Connect With Kasper Nielsen Twitter:@ks_nielsen 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  

Zac Turgeon is a New England MTG grinder, who has top 8ed 1 Grand Prix and won an SCG Legacy Classic. He also enjoys cooking, music, writing and hopes to one day open an Ice Cream Shop. Zac lives in Dracut MA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Zac Turgeon when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep314 First Set Ice Age Favorite Set Khans of Tarkir Favorite Card Trinisphere Early Challenge Not sure what he was good at. Zac started to critically analyze his own games to learn what he was good at. Worst Magic Moment Zac struggled for an entire Standard season. He realized he was misevaluating the meta and kept losing to cards he thought was bad. Proudest Magic Moment Making top 8 for the first time at Grand Prix New Jersey. What Have You Learned From Magic Zac has learned to try and be very accepting of others. Biggest Mistake Players Make Not being critical enough of your own games. Players sometimes think they're favored when they're not.  Parting Guidance Be kind to people. You feel better and the people around you feel better. It eventually circles back and keeps growing. Magic Resource SCG, CFB, TCG Players, Twitch.tv Connect With Zac Turgeon Twitter:@The_Amazing_Zac ‏ 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  

  William Courson has been to 5 Grand Prix and has made top 64 twice, top 8 once and 1st place once when he became the champion of Grand Prix Detroit. He also has multiple top 64 finishes at SCG open events and has made day 2 of every invitational he's attended. William lives in Jacksonville, FL. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from William Courson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep313 First Set M11 Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Cabal Therapy Early Challenge William had to overcome his own arrogance. He eventually realized he wasn't the best and he learned to take input from others. Worst Magic Moment Playing for a top 8 position at an SCG open event and William lost after his opponent mulligan to 4 cards. Will learned mulligan more. Proudest Magic Moment Winning GP Detroit 2018 with his teammates. What Have You Learned From Magic Conceal your information as long as possible. This also helps in certain life situations (like Sales). Biggest Mistake Players Make Players commit to lines that play them into a hole. Give yourself another draw step whenever your back against the wall. Parting Guidance Get sleep! Before events make sure you sleep. And eats good breakfast! Magic Resource Friends within Magic community. Connect With William Courson Twitter:@Willcourson94 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  

Eli Kassis returns to MTG Pro Tutor for the 3rd time as he keeps growing his accomplishments and notoriety. Eli now has 6 Grand Prix top 8s and is the Champion of Grand Prix New Jersey 2018. He has won an SCG Invitational and has 2 Pro Tour top 32’s. Eli lives in Vestal, NY and is a member of team Face to Face Games. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eli Kassis when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep312 Eli Kassis comes back to MTG Pro Tutor for the 3rd time. He was episode 101 and 206 and now is back on episode 312. Key To Success Teams have been Eli's key to success. Have a thirst for knowledge to find unique lines of play. Tips To Minimize/Spot Cheating Look at their eyes when they're shuffling your deck. Note how long they are shuffling. Ask for them to end with a cut. Always shuffle their deck and end cut. Parting Guidance Pivot and look to others to manage tilt. There's a lot that can be learned from the experiences of others. Connect With Eli Kassis Twitter:@Eli_Kassis 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  

Kellen Pastore is a 3 time Grand Prix Top 8 Competitor, a full-time grad student, and a noted enthusiast of linear aggro decks. Kellen lives in MAPLE GLEN, Pennsylvania. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Kellen Pastore when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep311 First Set Carrion Ants Favorite Set Zendikar Favorite Card Bellows Lizard Early Challenge Getting used to the inconsistency of Magic because Kellen came from a game that was more consistent. Worst Gaming Moment Before Kellen got into Magic, he lost a miniature game and really lost his cool. Since then, he has gotten better at regulating his emotions by reminding himself that his opponent is trying, just like he is. Proudest Magic Moment When Kaladesh was released, Kellen created a Red-Black Zombie deck that ended up impacting the metagame at that time. What Have You Learned From Magic Meeting and making friends. Biggest Mistakes of Players Ever committing into sweepers. Playing too many creatures when the opponent has a board wipe. Tournament Preparation Kellen practiced a lot with his deck leading up to events. He looks to make sure that his deck holds up against the top decks. Parting Guidance Never play a deck you don't like to play. Magic Resource Misplaced Ginger (twitch.tv) for Standard; MTG Goldfish Connect With Kellen Pastore @TheOddEngineer ‏ 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  

Giordano Fagiolo is a rising star in competitive Magic and made it to the finals at his first Grand Prix ever! (GP Bruxelles 2018) Giordano lives in Albano Laziale, Rome, Italy. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Giordano Fagiolo when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep310 Favorite Set Battle for Zendikar Favorite Card Insult // Injury Early Challenge At a Standard and PPTQ, Giordano felt upset and nervous, but when he sat down to play it all went away. Worst Magic Moment Giordano lost in a final at a PPTQ and learned you can't win every time. Proudest Magic Moment Making it to the final match of his first Grand Prix ever. What Have You Learned From Magic Thinking ahead. Planning. Worst Mistake He Makes Playing fewer lands than they should. Giordano takes a deck and replaces the worst card wit a land. Tournament Preparation Giordano picked his deck the day before the GP. He found an article by Brad Nelson and changed 1 card. Parting Guidance Ask Brad Nelson. Magic Resource SCG Premium, CFB, Playing with teammates/friends in person. Connect With Giordano Fagiolo Gordano 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  

Max Margolis has been playing Magic competitively for 22 years. He has multiple Grand Prix day 2s with close cash finishes. Richmond 2018 was his first deep run to attempt to qualify for the Pro Tour. He barely missed qualifying for Cleveland by one win - but he did get 19th place. His biggest finish was at GP Denver where his team got top 4. He's had multiple top 8s in PPTQs and IQs. He's primarily a midrange player who has been playing since Urza's block was legal in Extended. Max lives in Maryland, USA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Max Margolis when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep309 First Set Fallen Empires Favorite Set Ravnica: City of Guilds Favorite Card Pernicious Deed Early Challenge Max faced tilt early on and learned how to manage wins and losses. Worst Magic Moment Wanting to quit Magic because of bullying in the community. Proudest Magic Moment At Grand Prix Denver, Max and his team made it to the top 4. Best Format Modern Parting Guidance Never judge a book by its cover. Magic Resource "Have a Plan" episode on Limited Resources. Connect With Max Margolis Twitter:@maximummagic87 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  

Luis Salvatto is currently tied in the Player of Year race (with Seth Manfield) and is the Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan champion. He has 7 Grand Prix top 8s which include 2 wins and was also the Sunday Super Series champion in 2014. Luis lives in Argentina. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Luis Salvatto when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep308 Luis is a past guest of the show and you can find his origin story in episode 119. World Travel Luis spent 50 days traveling around the world. He spent 7 weeks in 7 different places. His secret was to travel Light. He had a modern deck and some clothes. That's pretty much it. Pro Tour RIX Luis friend approached him and suggested he play Lantern Control. After asking other friends what they think he went for it. After a rocky start, Luis got his steam and went all the way to take the championship. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players don't play to win. They play to survive. Also, players don't bluff enough. Parting Guidance The best part of Magic is the people you play the game with. Surround yourself with good friends and soar. Connect With Luis Salvatto Twitter:@LuisSalvatto ‏ 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  

Quinton Lip made top 8 at GP Hong Kong 2018. Quinton lives in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Quinton Lip when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep307 First Set Morning Tide Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Snapcaster Mage Early Challenge Quinton qualified for UK Nationals and quickly learned that he struggled with the draft. He went home and started drafting on Magic Online. Worst Magic Moment At Malaysia Nationals, Quinton made it to the finals and lost. He learned it doesn't matter what got you to the top 8, you have to play well all the way.  He also learned you need to have fun playing Magic. Proudest Magic Moment Qualifying for the Pro Tour Kyoto through the RPTQ System. What Have You Learned From Magic Hard work pays off. Preparation For Modern Quinton expected creature heavy aggro decks based on the results of previous events. So he tested and found a deck that was well positioned. The key is to study the format and test. Biggest Mistake Players Make Going into autopilot. When players go into autopilot, they don't think about the game or the lines of play. Parting Guidance Magic is a hobby, so have fun. The more fun you have the better you'll do at competitive. Connect With Quinton Lip Quinton 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  

Arseniy Egorov is a Level 2 judge who got 8th place at Grand Prix Orlando 2018. Arseniy lives in Moscow, Russia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Arseniy Egorov when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep306 First Set Scars of Mirrodin Favorite Set Kamigawa (block) Favorite Card Shahrazad Early Challenge Finding and playing in really competitive tournaments. Arseniy is from a small city that didn't have a big game store. Arseniy started traveling to bigger cities to get into more competitive tournaments. Worst Magic Moment Arseniy made day 2 at GP Madrid but didn't sleep in and missed the main event!  He learned to tell his friends he made day 2 and to set more alarms. Proudest Magic Moment As a judge, Arseniy is proud he got accepted to judge Japanese GPs. As a player, Arseniy made top 8 at GP Orlando. Advice From A Judge As a judge, Arseniy has been lots of situations.  His advice to players is to explain your situation and don't be afraid to appeal. Always be respectful though. ;) Parting Guidance Play Magic and use it to travel and learn new cultures. Connect With Arseniy Egorov Twitter:@cid_randall ‏ 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

Ricardo Sanchez has been playing since 2006 and has been competitive since 2013. Pro Tour Atlanta 2018 will be his 4th Pro Tour. His best result was making Top 4 at GP Lille 2014 playing Legacy. For him, the best thing about MTG is traveling around the world and meeting so many awesome people. Ricardo lives in Madrid, Spain. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ricardo Sanchez when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep305 First Set Time Spiral Favorite Set Shadows Over Innistrad Favorite Card Tireless Tracker Early Challenge Traveling to events. Ricardo's Mom was very careful about letting him go. But as she met his friends and realized he could get a lot of good life experiences, she let him go. Worst Magic Moment When Ricardo started going to Grand Prix, he went to 9 in a year and didn't make day 2 a single one. He learned he doesn't have to go to every event. Proudest Magic Moment Top 4 of GP Lille 2018. What Have You Learned From Magic How to travel. Event Preparation MTG Goldfish and see what's doing well in the format. Ricardo will then practice with a few decks to see how they play out with him as the pilot. Biggest Mistake Players Make Before you say "keep" and decide to keep your hand, you should have a plan on what you're going to do.  Parting Guidance Enjoy Magic. There's something enjoyable in each phase of Magic. Find it and have fun. Remember Magic is a game. Magic Resource Mana Traders, MTG Goldfish, CFB, SCG, MTG Mint Card, Book: Playing to Win Connect With Ricardo Sanchez Twitter:@_mRichi_  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  

Jessica Estephan is the first woman to win a Grand Prix and made Magic: The Gathering history when her team took first at Grand Prix Sydney 2018. She's a podcaster who loves creating content and she enjoys most competitive formats, with a preference for standard and modern. Though she does have a soft spot for a well-powered cube. Jessica lives in Sydney, Australia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jessica Estephan when she shared her story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep304 First Set Born of the Gods Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Back to Basics Early Challenge Not understanding what it meant to be competitive. The Australian scene is very different than the States and it was hard for Jess to get started. Worst Magic Moment Jessica learned by observation that you "needed" to be a rules lawyer to succeed. She realized that that's not the case. Proudest Magic Moment Winning Grand Prix Sydney 2018 (Team Unified Modern). What Have You Learned From Magic Jessica now plays poker on a serious. Grand Prix Preparation The thing that helped the most was having a good team chemistry. Biggest Mistake Players Make Newbie mistakes include sleeving your deck wrong.  Parting Guidance Spend your Magic time having fun and creating positive memories for yourself and others. Magic Resource Limited Resources, CFB, SCG, YouTube, The V Clique Podcast Connect With Jessica Estephan Twitter:@jesstephan 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  

Josh Collier is headed off to his first Pro Tour after qualifying through the RPTQ system. Fun fact, he's a proud owner of a foil pauper cube. Josh lives in Davenport, Iowa. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Josh Collier when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep303 First Set Gatecrash Favorite Set Kaladesh Favorite Card Ongoing Investigation Early Challenge Josh picked one standard deck and would play it the whole season. He learned that in standard, what worked for him, was playing the best deck. Worst Magic Moment At an Eternal Masters sealed event, Josh was playing in the finals and missed a line of play. He learned to know the rules better. Proudest Magic Moment Qualifying for his first Pro Tour via an RPTQ. What Have You Learned From Magic Be persistent. Results take time. Deck Selection Josh reviewed the best decks and chose one similar to a play style he knew from a previous season. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players put cards in the sideboard or in their decks and they don't know why. Parting Guidance Conscious beating. Magic Resource Constructive Criticism, LR Cast, GAM Podcast Connect With Josh Collier Twitter:@agent_of_blight  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  

Nils Gutierrez has been playing competitive Magic since he was 16. He's made top 16 at 2 Grand Prix and just made his first top 8 when he got 6th place at GP Brussels 2018. Nils lives in Maià de Montcal, Spain. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Nils Gutierrez when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep302 First Set Lorwyn Favorite Set Khans of Tarkir Favorite Card Cabal Therapy Early Challenge Nils' first GP was hard because he wasn't used to 9 rounds in one day and he didn't have anyone to give him advice. Worst Magic Moments Missing day 2 over and over again after making top 16 of a Grand Prix for the first time. Nils felt like he didn't have what it takes. He kept going to local events as well as competitive. Proudest Magic Moment Qualified for Pro Tour 25, Nils was on a team that did really well at an RPTQ. What Have You Learned From Magic Nils has learned critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Best Format Standard Tips To Get Better Play Magic Online. It helps you improve because the players online are really good. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players over sideboard. They'll bring in too many cards and ruin their decks' core plan. Parting Guidance When going to a Grand Prix look at the metagame first and choose your deck accordingly. Magic Resource Magic Online Connect With Nils Gutierrez Nils 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  

Gabriel Joglar is the Champion of Grand Prix Orlando 2018! Gabriel lives in Houston TX. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Gabriel Joglar when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep301 First Set M13 Favorite Set Return to Ravnica Favorite Card Thragtusk Early Challenge Gabriel always felt the need to brew. He struggled with the balance between wanting to plan his own crazy stuff and proven competitive. Worst Magic Moment Gabriel had a string of losses at big events that was tough. Proudest Magic Moment Winning GP Orlando 2018 / Going to his first Pro Tour in Japan. What Have You Learned From Magic Magic has helped Gabriel handle losses. Biggest Mistake Players Make Controlling tilt. Handling your mistakes is hard but necessary. Parting Guidance Handle your salt. It's okay to be upset when you lose or don't do well, but its how you choose to act that matters. Magic Resource SCG, CFB, MTG Goldfish Connect With Gabriel Joglar Twitter:@GabrielJoglar ‏ 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  

Greg Sokol is an MTG streamer and tutor, he's an MTGO PTQ winner (Dominaria sealed), got 5th place at Grand Prix Orlando 2018, and is self-taught from grinding on MTGO. (rating as low as 12-1300!) Greg lives in Mexico City, Mexico. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Greg Sokol when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep300 First Set Judgment Favorite Set Dominaria/Khans of Tarkir Favorite Card Wellwisher Early Challenge Greg didn't have a game store close by so he played a lot on MTGO. Greg also struggled with understanding and coping with variance. Worst Magic Moment Greg was playing a win-and-in for top 8 and his opponent was clearly not as good as he was. When his opponent won, Greg was really upset. From that, Greg learned to remember that Magic is a game. Proudest Magic Moment Finally qualifying for the Pro Tour. Greg was traveling and took time to do an online event and made it to the end and qualified. Biggest Mistake Players Make Knowing when to think is the biggest skill you can have in Magic. Grand Prix Preparation The thing that helped the most was having a friend to play with and doubling down on wanting a specific match up to be amazing. Parting Guidance Magic is a game. Enjoy it and treat your opponent with respect. Connect With Greg Sokol Twitter:@GMANSokol 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

Kyle Cooper made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Orlando 2018 and is excited to share with others who are on the path to the Pro Tour. Kyle lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Kyle Cooper when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep299 First Set Innistrad Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Sensei's Divining Top Early Challenge Doing well at FNMs. But Kyle stuck with Magic when he started planning more during the week he started to get better. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8ing his first Grand Prix. What Have You Learned From Magic Patience. Kyle recognizes he plays fast and Magic has helped him learn patience with others. Also, he learned to respect. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players foreshadow what they are going to do. Think before you play so you don't give away information. Parting Guidance Do what you want with Magic. Magic fits many styles. Competitive, casual, EDH, whatever. Just play what and how you want. Connect With Kyle Cooper Kyle 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  

Patrick Chapin, “The Innovator,” is a Hall of Famer, Pro Tour Champion, and 5-time PT Top 8 competitor. Author of Next Level Magic and Next Level Deckbuilding, his articles can be found on StarCityGames.com and podcast at TopLevelPodcast.com. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Patrick Chapin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep298 01: Patrick Chapin Shares Tips for Improving Yourself and says Don't Try to Convince others You're the Best   First Set  The Dark Favorite Set  Innistrad (Best designed) /  Khans of Tarkir block Favorite Card Jace, the Mind Sculptor What makes Magic fun for you? First and foremost the people. The constant iteration. Early Challenge Trying to convince people that he was actually good. Level Up Moment Realizing that trying to convince people that he was actually good was not as useful as focusing on humbly improving himself. Proudest Magic Moment Inducted into the Hall of Fame. Winning Pro Tour Journey Into Nyx. Best Format Standard Current Standard Deck Biggest Mistake Players Make Focusing their energy on convincing people they are good instead of focusing on finding the truth about how they play. Look for mistakes in every match. Free Resources! www.nextlevelmagic.com www.starcitygames.com www.toplevelpodcast.com   02: Patrick Chapin Shares Card Evaluation   Evaluation Tips Look at every card and ask: "Why was this card printed? Who is it for? HOW can I use this card?" Limited Tips Sealed is often slower but more powerful (compared to draft) because you have six booster packs instead of three. This leads to bomb centric decks. Focus on the key cards you passed, not every card in the pack. Team Building Use message groups and in-person meetings to collaborate with your team. You will only improve to the level of the best player in your group. Bring your group up and/or find more talent if you're the best in your group. Play Testing Constant communication with the teammate as well as taking the two weeks before a Pro Tour off to playtest with the team has been a working formula for Patrick. Improvement Identify what you want to improve first: your collection, win ratio, deck building skills, etc... and focus just on that Magic Resource   Next Level Magic Next Level Deck Building   Interview Links www.starcitygames.com www.toplevelmagic.com     105: Patrick Chapin Returns! Your Questions Answered - 1 Year of MTG Pro Tutor   Sideboarding Sideboards are there to tweak and tune your strategy. Know what your strategy is. Look at similar strategies and make your sideboard similar. Right now, sweepers are very popular - Languish and Planar Outburst. Building Local Interest If you have casual players that you would like to take to the next level, organize regular draft nights. Break off into teams after the draft portion so people can help each other build decks. If you have new players who don't know the rules, introduce them to a Duels of the Planeswalkers and see if they stick around and want more after a few weeks. Missing Triggers Create a shortcut system for your brain. Also, when playtesting, NO TAKE BACKS!! Practice how you want to play at events. Track your mistakes and do a push up for each one you do. Going to Grand Prix and Other Big Events Grand Prixs are like gaming conventions. JUST GO and enjoy it! You will never feel ready if you don't go. If you are nervous about the main event then just show up and walk around, play in some side events, visit artists and vendors and soak it all in. When you participate in the main event, play all the rounds. You paid to play Magic and get experience. Utilize all the time you have. Play all the rounds even if you're knocked out early. Playing against different decks and opponents you don't know is invaluable. Home Brew vs. Net Deck By playing your own brew all the time you are missing out on learning what's working now and why it's working. By net decking all the time you will always be a week or so behind. Mix it up. Net deck 25% of the time and build your own deck 25% of the time. The other 50% is up to you to go where the wind blows. See what's working at large but try out your own ideas too. Read: Information Cascades in Magic on StarCityGames Make Sure It's Fun Don't force yourself to play Magic (or play more Magic) just because you feel like that's what you SHOULD be doing, Make sure it stays fun. Pay Attention to Opponent Every time your opponent makes a play, especially if it's not obvious why ask yourself "Why did they do that?" Have a notebook and write down, after the match, what your opponent did so you can talk about it with others later. BONUS: Write down all the mistakes you made (win or lose) and what you learned and SHARE THAT LIST! Don't let your brain hide your errors from you. Get used to facing them and talking about them. The MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group is the perfect place to post your list because of the healthy, uplifting community there who is ready to help. Mulligan Decisions Nowadays you can keep slightly lighter mana hands because you can scry. Consider what your opponent is playing and have a plan based on the cards in your hand. If there is no viable plan, then mulligan. If you don't know what your opponent is playing, assume they are on an aggressive strategy. How does your hand line up in that match? Coping with Counterspells If you tilt when playing a control mage then watch someone play a control deck and ask questions. Learn when they are vulnerable so you know when to strike. Dealing With Ulamog Hand disruption is the best way to deal with Ulamog. Infinite Obliteration is the prime answer. Biggest Mistake Players lie to themselves. You can only control what you can control. People shift the blame to things they can't control and then use that to hide from the real problem. Which is that they are making mistakes and need to address it. Improvement Suggestions Focus on what really matters right now. Magic Resource Information Cascades in Magic on StarCityGames Eternal Patrick is working alongside other great Magic players at Direwolf Digital to release a new game called Eternal. Check it out when it goes into open Beta soon. Connect With Patrick Chapin Twitter: @thepchapin 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  

Jon Finkel’s prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname “Jonny Magic” long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he’s widely considered the greatest player of all time by winning PT Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and Top 8’ing PT Avacyn Restored and PT Dark Ascension in 2012. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jon Finkel when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep297   Jon Finkel's Desperate Ravings on Boosting Your Skill as a Magic Player Jon Finkel's prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname "Jonny Magic" long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he's widely considered the greatest player of all time by winning PT Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and Top 8'ing PT Avacyn Restored and PT Dark Ascension in 2012. First Set  Antiquities (1994)   Favorite Set  Innistrad (2011) - "Was the pinnacle of Limited set design."   Favorite Card Desperate Ravings What makes Magic fun for you? The depth of the game and the ability to add on to the basic framework through the expansions is what keeps Jon engaged. Early Challenge Not running enough lands in control decks and not playing 60 card decks. Level Up Moment Realizing that playing other decks outside your comfort zone can lead to growth and improvement as a player, not to mention better results. Proudest Magic Moment Making first Pro Tour Top 8 at Chicago in 1997 Best Format Draft Biggest Mistake Players Make Not being open to playing the best deck. Not playing Magic with the intention to improve. You need to be conscious of what you play and how you play so you can improve.     Jon Finkel on How To Build a Team and Pick the Best Card Jon Finkel's prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname "Jonny Magic" long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he's widely considered the greatest player of all time by winning PT Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and Top 8'ing PT Avacyn Restored and PT Dark Ascension in 2012. Evaluation Tips Rather than opening up the spoiler every week to see what's new, Jon gets the best grasp on a new set simple by drafting it. Limited Tips In Sealed you'll get powerful bombs that you really want to play but your deck will be less streamlined than in the draft. If there are two good black cards don't take a slightly worse red card because you "don't want to fight for black". Just pick the best card. Team Building Having a team is critical to improving. Find the best players you can but make sure you get along with them personally because you'll be spending a lot of time with them. Improvement Take advantage of draft simulators. Rebuild packs with friends so you can draft. Beg, borrow and use proxies if you're on a budget and need to test deck ideas. Be critical of your plays so you can improve Interview Links MTG Salvation Spoilers Connect with Jon Twitter: @Jonnymagic00 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  

Aleksa Telarov has an impressive Magic record with 5 Grand Prix top 8's (including 1 win), a World Magic Cup top 8, 3rd place at the 2014 MOCS, is a 9 time National Champion and has finished 12th place at a Pro Tour! Aleksa lives in Serbia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Aleksa Telarov when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep296 Year In Review Aleksa was on the show back on episode 192. He returns to the podcast after some impressive results. This year he's been through some downs and fought through them to stick with Magic. Pro Tour Dominaria Aleksa walks through his Pro Tour Dominaria experience in detail and breaks down what happened and what he learned. Parting Guidance Don't get mad playing Magic. Remember it's a game and enjoy it. Connect With Aleksa Telarov Twitter:@AleksaTelarov 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  

Nick Waugh recently made his first Top 8 at Grand Prix Barcelona 2018 playing Boros Burn. Nick lives in Godalming, United Kingdom. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Nick Waugh when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep295 First Set 7th Edition Favorite Set 7th Edition Favorite Card Eidolon of the Great Revel Early Challenge Making the best use of time. There's a ton of things you can do and Nick struggled with making time for Magic. Now, he only focuses on the format of his next event. Learning Moment The first time you step out of your comfort zone, you're going to lose a lot. So make the most of it. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8 at Grand Prix Barcelona, 2018. What Have You Learned From Magic Discipline. Hard work paying off. Grand Prix Preparation Nick is a Burn player and knew he was going to play his Boros Burn deck. To prepare though he updated his sideboard guide. Biggest Mistake Players Make Getting things you can't control to get the better of you. (e.g. Playing against a more experienced player. You have no control over how much Magic your opponent has played.) Parting Guidance Focus on your current game. Don't let things you can't control affect you.  Magic Resource Red Deck Winning Connect With Nick Waugh Twitter:@Nickyeahman ‏ 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  

Laszlo Poroszkai is from the North-Eastern part of Hungary, a small city without an LGS. He first started playing around 2000 and stopped when Counterspell was not reprinted. He came back in Zendikar and has been to a lot of Grand Prix since then. He's semi-competitive but mostly plays for fun (and counterspell). Laszlo lives in Onga, Hungry. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Laszlo Poroszkai when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep294 First Set Planar Shift Favorite Set Planar Shift Favorite Card Counterspell Early Challenge Laszlo thought he was a good player but realized he had a lot to learn. At first, he blamed luck but then he saw the problem was him. He got better by making friends and traveling and playing with them. How to Improve With No LGS Play with local friends, even if you play casual games like Commander. Also, use MTGO! It's a huge advantage to play with people all over the world. All you need is an internet connection.  Proudest Magic Moment Making top 8 at GP Barcelona. What Have You Learned From Magic Laszlo has made a lot of friends through Magic. Problem-solving skills. How to Make Day 2 of a GP Know the meta. Know the decks and their sideboard plans. Play MTGO so you can play against a lot of decks. Biggest Mistake Players Make Risk management. It contributes to every aspect of Magic. Mulligans, attacking, tapping out, etc... Risk management is everywhere. Parting Guidance Never give up on an event! Connect With Laszlo Poroszkai Laszlo 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

Dani Anderson is an Engineering Ph.D. student from Glasgow, Scotland who is building his Magic resume with finishes such as winning the PTQ at GP Liverpool and making it into the Top 16 at Pro Tour Dominaria. Dani lives in Glasgow, Scotland. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Dani Anderson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep293 First Set Gatecrash Favorite Set Battle for Zendikar Favorite Card Unlicensed Disintegration Early Challenge Mulligan decisions were tough early on because Dani came from a different card game. Worst Magic Moment Dani went 0-5 at his first Pro Tour. It felt bad to have to tell his friends that he was out. But what helped him through was knowing he had another event coming up. Proudest Magic Moment Top 16 at Pro Tour Dominaria. Tournament Preparation Dani chooses his deck 1 week before a big event.  This gives him time to playtest and tweak. What Have You Learned From Magic How to learn and how to justify decisions. Best Format Standard Biggest Mistake Players Make Players are too results-oriented. Parting Guidance Magic is still a game. Enjoy it as such. Magic Resource SCG, CFB, Twitter, connecting with a local group Connect With Dani Anderson Twitter:@Danderson92 ‏ 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  

Goncalo Pinto is stacking up his record with 1 Grand Prix top 8, 1 Nationals top 8, and a Pro Tour top 8 at Pro Tour Dominaria. Goncalo lives in Barreiro Portugal. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Goncalo Pinto when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep292 First Set Stronghold Favorite Set Ravnica City of Guilds Favorite Card Ninja of the Deep Hours Early Challenge Goncalo had early successes but then got crushed a lot. He eventually started playing MTGO and got better. Worst Magic Moment Going to 9 Pro Tours and only making day 2 at 1 of them. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8'ng a Grand Prix and making top 8 at a Pro Tour 2 weeks later. Current Draft State Red is working well for Goncalo because everyone thinks the format is slow. Biggest Mistake Players Make Not playing enough with your deck. Parting Guidance If you want to improve play on Skype and share screens. Ask questions and discuss the game. Magic Resource SCG, CFB, Twitch.tv Connect With Goncalo Pinto Twitter:@u_mad_bro_MTGO ‏ 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  

You're in for a treat today as we get to sit down with the MTG Pro Tutor Admins. Get to know the stories behind the friendly faces that take part in making the Pro Tutor community the uplifting, helpful place we all love. Luke Kimmel lives in Dallas, TX, Dan Bodtke lives in Kansas City, MO, and Aaron Scott lives in Bellefonte, PA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Luke Kimmel, Dan Bodtke, and Aaron Scott when they shared their story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep291 Luke Kimmel First Set Dark Ascension Favorite Set Avacyn Restored Favorite Card Nevermaker Panharmonicon Dan Bodtke First Set Future Sight Favorite Set Khans of Tarkir Favorite Card Liliana of the Veil Aaron Scott First Set Shadows of Innistrad Favorite Set Amonkhet/Theros Favorite Card Felidar Guardian Scion of the Ur-Dragon Worst Magic Moment Win and in for a top 8 and Dan forgot to pay a cost and lost a game. Aaron is still in his low spot and is struggling right now with how to deal with consistent losses. Luke had to learn about 'good' decks the hard way. (By losing a lot.) Proudest Magic Moment Luke built his own deck and took it to a tournament where it turned some heads. Dan building a deck on his own and doing well at a tournament. He also loves showing off his collection. Aaron won a win-a-box event by playing to the top and then splitting in the final. Biggest Mistake Players Make Giving away too much information. Sideboarding and over boarding. Blood Moon. Connect With MTG Pro Tutor Admins Twitter:@rishaDan_port ‏ 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  

Janus Andersen recently broke through and made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Birmingham 2018 (Legacy). Janus lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Janus Andersen when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep290 First Set Ice Age Favorite Set Legends (for its look and feel) Favorite Card Kess, Dissident Mage Early Challenge Janus is a brewer at heart but since Legacy (his primary format) is so defined he had to find a balance. Worst Magic Moment As a brewer, Janus has felt the pain of working hard on a deck and it bombing. Proudest Magic Moment Making top 8 at a Grand Prix and going 7-0 on day 2. Deck Selection Janus took a deck he knew worked and tweaked it to beat the top 2 decks. Take note of what you wished you had / what you need for the match-up. Make your fine tune adjustment based on feedback from matches. Biggest Mistake Players Make Blindly following what everyone else does and not challenging the status quo of decks. And being too cautious. Parting Guidance Try new cards and ignore the naysayers. Magic Resource Reddit, MTG The Source, Sparring with friends, Who's The Beat Down article, Tappedout.net Connect With Janus Andersen Twitter:@YouCanCallMe_J ‏ 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  

Matt Brown has a few Grand Prix cashes, has appeared on the Pro Tour once before and now has his first Grand Prix top 8. Matt lives in England. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Brown when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep289 First Set Innistrad Favorite Set Return to Ravnica Favorite Card Cloudfin Raptor Early Challenge Getting crushed at his first several PTQs. Matt kept going because he was having fun. Worst Magic Moment At a Modern RPTQ, Matt felt really prepared. He took a plane to Scotland and then did terribly. Matt felt horrible and wanted to quit but realized that by removing the pressure, he was able to play and have fun.  Proudest Magic Moment Top 8 at GP Birmingham (Standard). What Have You Learned From Magic People skills. Biggest Mistake Players Make Newer players make a lot of small mistakes. Control your body language. Daily Habit Watching Magic Stream every day. Parting Guidance Enjoy yourself. The more you play, the better you'll get but you must have fun. Magic Resource Twitch, SCG, CFB Connect With Matt Brown Twitter:@MattBrown_MTG ‏ 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  

Luke Southworth has one old PTQ win, a handful of Grand Prix cashes and just made Top 8 of Grand Prix Birmingham 2018. Luke is from Preston, England. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Luke Southworth when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep288 First Set Mercadian Masques Favorite Set Apocalypse Favorite Card Electrolyze Early Challenge Understanding card advantage and board advantage. Worst Magic Moment Luke lost in the final of a WMCQ. That was really hard near-miss. Luke learned to 'expect the unexpected' as much as possible. Proudest Magic Moment Qualifying for the Pro Tour for the first time. It was very validating as a player to finally have the pay off for all his hard work. What Have You Learned From Magic Luke honed his critical thinking skills through Magic. Also, socializing with new people. Biggest Mistake Players Make Getting too emotionally invested in the game. You can't tie your self-worth to your Magic results. Magic is high variance and you need to be okay with that. Grand Prix Preparation Luke took a deck he found on a stream to his standard GP. He played Magic Online and studied the format. It was a new format so testing things out was key. Parting Guidance Have fun, be nice. Connect With Luke Southworth Twitter:@LukeSouthworth ‏ 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  

Michael Mapson is a fellow Prodigy who made top 8 at Grand Prix Hartford 2018. That's right! You're in for a treat as we have our second listener-turned-guest on the show. Michael is from Phoenixville, PA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Michael Mapson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep287 First Set Time Spiral Favorite Set Lorwyn Favorite Card Goblin Welder Stensia Bloodhall Early Challenge Knowing what to expect from opponents. Michael would get blown out by cards he didn't know existed. He overcame this by playing a lot of Magic and studying decklists. Worst Magic Moment Michael drove to a Legacy event in New York-several hours away-and went 0-7. He lost every match but still had a fun time. Every game is a learning experience. Proudest Magic Moment Team Top 8 at an SCG event. Winning with friends makes everything better. What Have You Learned From Magic PAtience and if you stick with something you'll get better at it. Sportsmanship/Dedication/Respect Be careful of asking for advice after you in. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players get impatient. They make plays just because. If you wait you'll find your cards have more impact. How to Effectively Prepare for a Grand Prix Michael chose his Modern deck well in advance and played at least one league a day for two months. Parting Guidance Be honest with yourself when playing Magic. Magic Resource Mana Traders, LegitMTG.com Connect With Michael Mapson Twitter:@ExpeditionMap ‏ 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  

Joshua Bausch has been playing card games since he was 11, started with Pokemon to Yu-Gi-Oh and now Magic. He's always been competitive and tried to be competitive in all of them with the most success in Magic. He placed 3rd in Nationals 2017 and made Top 8 at Grand Prix Lyon 2018. Joshua lives in Frankfurt, Germany. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Joshua Bausch when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep286 First Set M14 Favorite Set Khans of Tarkir Favorite Card Siege Rhino Early Challenge Making day 2 at a Grand Prix. Joshua made friends and talked about Magic a lot. He played a lot as well. Worst Magic Moment At his second Grand Prix, Joshua missed day two by one match. He misplayed and lost the game. Joshua learned when he's ahead he gots sloppy. So now, he takes a few more seconds to think. Proudest Magic Moment Qualifying for his first Pro Tour. What Have You Learned From Magic How to meet and talk new people. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players get sloppy and make poor plays. They make hasty plays and don't think of all the other options. How to Become Tilt Proof Self-reflection is key. Consider what you did right and what you did wrong. Parting Guidance Talk to Magic players as much as you can. Feel free to reach out to Joshua Magic Resource MTGO, MTG Goldfish, CFB, MTG Elo Project Connect With Joshua Bausch Twitter:@Valorj90 ‏ 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  

Robert Swarowski has 3 Grand Prix top 8s including being the champion of one of the first Grand Prix ever. Robert lives in Las Vegas, NV. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Robert Swarowski when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep285 First Set The Dark Favorite Set Tempest Favorite Card Jackal Pup Early Challenge Robert struggled to maintain focus from match to match. He noticed he always lost the first round of a tournament. To overcome that, he took stock in how he approached Magic and realized that every player is equal. Worst Magic Moment After coming back to Magic, Robert played at a Grand Prix and got crushed. Robert learned that 'rust is real' and if you're coming back you have to practice. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8'ing GP Houston 2018. This put Robert back into competitive Magic. What Have You Learned From Magic How to be competitive and the power of being prepared. It has taken a lot of effort but it pays off. Dedication Robert learned to put your best effort into everything you do. Biggest Mistake Players Make Ignoring the board state and missing triggers, abilities, and onboard tricks. Parting Guidance Gather as much information as possible from as many people as possible is key. Magic Resource MTGO Connect With Robert Swarowski Robert 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  

Daniel Ward has 5 Grand Prix top 8’s including 1 win and made Top 8 of a World Magic Cup Qualifier in 2016. Daniel lives in Catskill, NY. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Daniel Ward when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep284 First Set Ice Age Favorite Set Odyssey Favorite Card The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale Early Challenge Daniel has always been good at sports. When he came into Magic and learned, it was competitive, it was easy to get into the competitive side but hard to put his casual side aside Worst Magic Moment Daniel was proclaimed as 'the worst cheater ever' over an incident that wasn't as bad as people made it sound. But it was on camera and people saw. People make mistakes and Daniel is stronger now because he had to go through it. Proudest Magic Moment Being selected for team Dex Protection. Being recognized as good enough to play with big names meant a lot to Daniel. Parting Guidance Find out why you play Magic. Through that, you'll find fulfillment and enjoyment in the game. Magic Resource MTG Goldfish Connect With Daniel Ward Twitter:@Bigward28 ‏ 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  

Niklas Dahlquist is a Swedish player who has been playing Magic since 1994. He started playing more competitively in the last year and positioned top 4 in this year's Magic Online Championship. He really likes playing Limited and plays every single night (mostly). He recently started streaming on Twitch and can be found at twitch.tv/smashhallon. Niklas lives in Stockholm, Sweden. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Niklas Dahlquist when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep283 First Set Revised Favorite Set Revised Favorite Card All the Dual Lands Worst Magic Moment Having nightmares before the 2018 MOCS. Proudest Magic Moment Top3 of the 2018 MOCS. Biggest Mistake Players Make Over/underestimating their opponent. Specifically for Online, if you lose several times, take a break before you queue again. Sportsmanship Be friendly and treat each player with kindness. Parting Guidance Have fun playing Magic. You get better results when you love the game. Connect With Niklas Dahlquist Twitter:@NiklasDahlquist ‏ 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  

Lars Dam has 2 Pro Tour top 16s; 1 MOCS win and 1 MOCS top 4. He averages 2 drafts per day and is a former pro poker player. Now he enjoys sports betting on soccer. He's married with no children, is 35 years old and lives in Thailand (even though he's Danish). Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Lars Dam when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep282 First Set Ice Age Favorite Set Eldritch Moon Favorite Card Winter Orb Early Challenge Card availability was tough for Lars. By making friends, he expanded his collection. Worst Magic Moment Lars went to a Worlds Competition when he was really rusty and did very poorly. Proudest Magic Moment Getting 9th at Worlds in 2005. What Have You Learned From Magic Patience and you can't always win. Sportsmanship On Magic Online Be careful saying 'gg' when you're winning. Biggest Mistake Players Make When drafting, players value other people's opinion and pick orders too much. Parting Guidance Draft a lot. Limited is the gateway to being a better overall Magic player Connect With Lars Dam Twitter:@_Malavi_ ‏ 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

Matt Kling is the former co-host of the Constructed Criticism podcast and made his first Grand Prix top 8 at Memphis in 2018. Matt lives in West Valley, Utah. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Kling when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep281 First Set Rise of the Eldrazi Favorite Set Worldwake Favorite Card Akroma, Angel of Wrath Early Challenge Not being as good as you think you are. Matt overcome this by befriending better players. Worst Magic Moment Getting tricked by an old school trick (the pen trick) felt bad. Matt learned to be careful of advice given by an opponent. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8 at GP Memphis Sportsmanship Your opponent is a person who is trying to enjoy the game remember that and treat them kindly. Biggest Mistake Players Make Not admitting they are the one making mistakes. Parting Guidance Own up to your mistakes. When you do that, improvements start to come. Magic Resource MTG Goldfish, MTGO, Mana Traders Connect With Matt Kling Twitter:@thewitchkling ‏ 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

Alexander Kreuz is a former PTQ grinder who has 6 Pro Tour appearances. He took a hiatus from Magic and came back in 2017 to finish 10th at GP Amsterdam and recently got his first Grand Prix top 8. Alexander lives in Koblenz, Germany. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Alexander Kreuz when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep280 First Set 6th Edition Starter Favorite Set Alara Block / Ravnica Block Favorite Card Gifts Ungiven Early Challenge Alex struggled with keeping a good mindset when he was grinding. By playing against players who were better than him, Alex was able to train his mind to handle variation better. Worst Magic Moment Alex lost in the finals of a PTQ. He knew his opponent's deck and knows he could have done better. Proudest Magic Moment Winning his first PTQ top 8 ever, defeating some big-name players. Advice To Players Play MTGO and play at bigger events every chance you get. How Was Your Dedication to Magic Impacted Your Life "I wouldn't be the same person without Magic." Alex learned and grew so much from playing Magic. Sportsmanship Never cheat and don't allow others too. When you lose it's okay to feel disappointed, just don't let it rob your opponent of their victory. Biggest Mistake Players Make Beginners make different mistakes than advanced players. But generally, players don't mulligan very well. Be more aggressive with your mulligan. Parting Guidance If you're actually trying to get better at Magic, find a mentor and watch them play. Make note of everything they do that's different from what you would do. Magic Resource MTGO, Magic online decklists Connect With Alexander Kreuz Alex 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

Aaron Barich has been playing Magic since he was 5 and is now a regular of competitive Magic. With some aggressive brewing, he has made a name for himself on the SCG Circuit. His Pro Tour grind began at Battle for Zendikar with a highlight of a Top 8 in Grand Prix Memphis 2018. Aaron lives in Gulfport, MS. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Aaron Barich when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep279 First Set Mirrodin Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Ghor-Clan Rampager Boon Satyr Early Challenge Card availability was really tough for Aaron. He took what he had and made it work. Aaron made friends and borrowed cards. Worst Magic Moment Aaron was disqualified for seeking during a draft at his first SCG event. He didn't know how to communicate his thoughts to the judge and feels that would have made a difference. Judges are there to help, they are not your enemy. Proudest Magic Moment SCG open in Dallas-Aaron put together a deck of his own design and won the event. What Have You Learned From Magic How to operate confidently under stress. Aaron also learned social skills and how to interact with people. Sportsmanship Each of your opponents and yourself should enjoy each game. Biggest Mistake Players Make The fear of losing holds back so many players. Many times players let the fear of losing dictate how they play and it makes things worse. Parting Guidance Have fun! Enjoy the game and the process. Magic Resource MTGO, articles Connect With Aaron Barich Twitter:@Runeclaw_Barich ‏  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

Eric Froehlich has an impressive 17 Grand Prix top 8s and 11 Pro Tour top 16s including 5 finishes in the top 8! He's a member of the Magic Hall of Fame class of 2015. Eric is from Las Vegas, NV. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eric Froehlich when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep278 First Set Revised Favorite Set Invasion Favorite Card Shivan Dragon Dedication Pursue what makes you happy. Early Challenge Eric struggled with being too cocky as a kid. He was really good, he knew it and let everyone knew it. He realized this and through good examples, he matured and got better. Worst Magic Moment Playing Caw blade at Pro Tour Paris and finishing 9th after losing 2 win-and-ins. Proudest Magic Moment Inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame. What Have You Learned From Magic Being able to stay cool and collected under stress. Eric took a lot of Magic skills to poker. On Sportsmanship Eric recognizes that good sportsmanship includes how you act and treat other people. He reached out to others to learn how they deal with losses and slowly Eric got better at seeing the game from the other side. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players don't do enough to maximize their win percentage. Stay focused. Actively think every turn. Parting Guidance Follow your heart. Have fun and Magic can be as much of your life as you want it to be. Magic Resource CFB, TCG Player Connect With Eric Froehlich Twitter:@efropoker ‏ 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

Brian Braun-Duin is the 2016 World Champion, has 1 Pro Tour top 16 and 11 Grand Prix Top 8s, with 2 Grand Prix wins. He also writes articles at TCGplayer.com. Brian lives in Roanoke, Virginia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Brian Braun-Duin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep277 2016 World Champion Recap Brian shifted to playing the best deck for an event instead of a pet deck. How to Determine the Best Deck Look at results from tournaments and Magic online events as a starter. Sportsmanship Treat your opponent with respect and handle yourself with class. Advice Relationships and people are more important than Magic. Take time to think about what others might think about you and the situation. Lose With Class Look at the big picture. If you consider the one game of Magic to be the end-all be-all then it will be hard to swallow. By having a big picture perspective, you'll realize it's not the only match that matters. Graceful Winner Feel free to celebrate but be mindful you don't "rub it in". Biggest Mistake Players Make Tunnel Vision. Some players have a plan and execute that plan no matter what often to their detriment. Parting Guidance Have fun! Magic Resource Being Right Instead of Being Correct; On Kindness Connect With Brian Braun-Duin Twitter:@BraunDuinIt ‏ 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

Ben Ragan began playing Magic with Magic 2010 after quitting competitive chess in middle school. He top 8ed GP Toronto and has multiple SCG Tour Open Top 8s, as well as a heartbreaking ninth-place finish at an SCG Invitational.He has a minor addiction to casting Collected Company in Modern and firmly believes that Magic is about maximizing your options. When he isn't competing, you can find him re-watching Game of Thrones or cook Italian food. Ben lives in Greenville. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ben Ragan when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep276 First Set Zendikar Favorite Set Zendikar Favorite Card Collected Company Early Challenge Ben struggled with not playing fast enough and having no idea what his opponents were doing. Worst Magic Moment When Ben was 13, he won a match at an event and his opponent was rude to him. Ben lost his cool and got angry too. He has since learned to not let others opinion bother him. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8 at GP Toronto and getting respect from his friends. What Have You Learned From Magic Even when you're unhappy with some part of life, you can find happiness. Advice To New Players Read everything you can about Magic. Biggest Mistake Players Make Not playing sideboard games. Players don't practice with their sideboard. Tournament Preparation Ben studies the meta and reads articles on the decks he wants to play. Then, he practices a ton. Ben did 20 Leagues leading up to the Grand Prix. Parting Guidance Find a group of people you can go to events with people who can grow with you. Magic Resource SCG, CFB, Ari Lax articles, Jim Davis stream, TCG Player Connect With Ben Ragan Twitter:@castingcoco  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

Josh Taylor is a long time Magic: The Gathering grinder and is a feared Limited aficionado in the North East. Some of his notable finishes include Top 8 of Grand Prix New Jersey, 3rd and 9th at SCG invitationals, Multiple old school PTQ wins, and 40th at Pro Tour Atlanta 2014. Josh lives in Henryville, PA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Josh Taylor when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep275 First Set Invasion Favorite Set Tempest block / Urza's block Favorite Card Bronze Sable Early Challenge Josh didn't know what he was bad at and couldn't improve. During a Ravnica event, Josh had an eye-opening experience that helped him see he had a lot to learn. Worst Magic Moment Josh went 1-4 at his first Pro Tour and decided to take a break from Magic. Looking back he realized he didn't prepare enough and was cocky. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8 at Grand Prix New Jersey 2018. What Have You Learned From Magic No one is perfect at Magic. Even the best players make mistakes. Keep a level head and don't let mistake overwhelm you. Advice For New Players Play every event round by round, game by game. Have a support group you can turn to. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players don't control their emotions and give away how the game is going for them. How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event Playing a ton of sealed events and paying attention to the commons and uncommons that he lost to. Parting Guidance Enjoy the highs of Magic and don't beat yourself up during the lows. Magic Resource Read articles and watch videos, SCG, CFB Connect With Josh Taylor Josh 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  

Galan Falakfarsa has been grinding competitive Magic for about 6 years. His first exciting finish was in 2012 with an SCG Open top 8. Since then he's made top 8 at several PTQs and PPTQs and played in a couple RPTQs. His GP Santa Clara finish was his biggest so far & he's very stoked to play in Pro Tour Magic 25 in Aug. Galan is from Davis, CA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Galan Falakfarsa when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep274 First Set Mirrodin Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Kolaghan's Command Early Challenge Galan didn't feel like he was very good. He would miss obviously good lines of play. Galan learned from older players and slowed down his play. Worst Magic Moment At a Modern event, Galan played a Splinter Twin mirror match and made some huge misplays. He fell prey to making the common play instead of the less common one that would have helped him win. Proudest Magic Moment Top 4 at GP Santa Clara. What Have You Learned From Magic Decision-making. Magic is all about making the best decision on limited information. Advice To New Players Find players you know are better than you and play with them as much as possible. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players make not playing lands. A lot of the time people hold lands trying to bluff when they would be better off with the land on the board. Parting Guidance It's very helpful to play Magic with better players. Become their friends and seek their honest feedback. Magic Resource MTG Top 8 (compare deck function) Connect With Galan Falakfarsa Galan 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

Daniel Mabee is a semi-competitive Magic player from Sacramento, California who has been playing since 2000. He made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Santa Clara. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Daniel Mabee when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep273 First Set Ice Age Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Opposition Early Challenge Dan was intimidated by going to events. Everyone knew each other and he felt like the new kid. Over time the community was a whole has become more welcoming and Dan learned how to make friends. This helped him feel more comfortable at events. Worst Magic Moment At a Theros Grand Prix in Sacramento Dan practiced a lot. He had high expectations but got smashed 4 rounds in a row. Dan was disappointed but learned it's important to remember that Magic is a game. Don't  get attached to a single event. Proudest Magic Moment Grand Prix Santa Clara when Dan made top 8 with his team. What Have You Learned From Magic Dan knows you can't change the past. It's easy to obsess over past decisions, but know that you can't change how you got there. You can decide how to act now. Advice to New Players Don't be afraid of going up and talking to people. Biggest Mistake Players Make Not trusting your own intuition. Parting Guidance Most people struggle believing they can win. Explore your confidence and hold on to it. You have to believe you can win. Magic Resource SCG, CFB, MTG Salvation, The Source, Twitch Connect With Daniel Mabee Dan 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

John Martin is a long time MTG grinder who started playing in Scars of Mirridon/Innistrad block. He has 2 PPTQ wins, made top 20 at GP SA, and is the champion of GP Santa Clara. John lives in Austin, Texas. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from John Martin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep272 First Set Onslaught Favorite Set Return to Ravnica Favorite Card Restoration Angel Early Challenge John is very proud of his accomplishments and is competitive. It was tough to realize he wasn't the best in the room. He made a conscious effort to learn from others. Worst Magic Moment Just before GP Santa Clara, John was about to hang up the hat and stop playing Magic. He recommends having others outlets and knowing when to take a step back. Proudest Magic Moment Winning GP Santa Clara with his friends. What Have You Learned From Magic Critical thinking. Magic has helped John think at a higher land. It is also increased his mental capacity. Advice to Early Players There is no shortcut. Don't be results oriented. Just because you do poorly at a tournament doesn't mean you're a bad player. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players don't admit when they've made an in-game mistake. Parting Guidance If you want the Pro Tour, don't quit. Breaks are okay but don't quit. Magic Resource CFB, MTG Goldfish, TCG Player Connect With John Martin Twitter:@hardcastnarco 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

Isaac Sears has worked in the casino industry for a decade and his Magic accomplishments include 1 Grand Prix top 8, 1 team Grand Prix top 4, and a top 75 at Pro Tour DC. He also has 1 SCG top 8, 2 SCG top 16s, and was a semifinalist at the World Magic Cup. Isaac lives in Santa Rosa, CA. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Isaac Sears when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep271 First Set Invasion Favorite Set Mirrodin / Kamigawa Favorite Card Upheaval Balance Early Challenge Dealing with loss and tilting has been hard for Isaac. Worst Magic Moment Isaac was banned for a time early in his career. It was rough because he didn't know the rule that the broke existed. Always call a judge if you're unsure about anything. Proudest Magic Moment Tie between winning a WMCQ and making Top 4 at a team GP in Santa Clara. Advice for Early Players If it's cute it's probably wrong. Beware of interactions that are fleshy but don't actually win. Always play test. Applied to Life Resource Management. Learning how to manage time and other resources in life. Daily Habits Check MTG Top 8, Read everyday Biggest Mistake Players Make Players get too comfortable and forget to check the little things. Be aware of the board state, including the graveyard. Parting Guidance If you're tilting, it's okay to walk away. Magic Resource CFB, Twitch, MTG Top 8 Connect With Isaac Sears Twitter:@vonducky ‏ 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

Jeremy Frye has been playing competitive Magic for 8 years. In that time, he has made 2 Grand Prix top 4s with 1 win, and 1 SCG Open top 8. He has found himself to always need a competitive outlet and Magic has always been first and foremost. Jeremy lives in Austin, TX. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jeremy Frye when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep270 First Set Mirrodin Favorite Set Rise of the Eldrazi Favorite Card Wolfbriar Elemental Early Challenge Acquiring cards. Jeremy had to borrow, barter and work to get what he needed. Worst Magic Moment Jeremy needed one more win to make day 2 at a GP, he didn't consider all the cards, his opponent could have and didn't play around a counterspell. Now, he considers what's the worst his opponent could do.  Proudest Magic Moment First GP Top 8. Jeremy mulled to 4 and still won.  Magic Milestones First GP Day 2, placing high in another format. Tournament Day Tips Eating a good breakfast, getting sleep the night before, and take snacks. Advice To New Players Magic is a game of variance. Don't let it get you down. Personal Growth Jeremy has increased his confidence and social skills through Magic. Biggest Mistake Players Make Tapping mana incorrectly and playing lands in the wrong order. Parting Guidance Don't give up! Connect With Jeremy Frye Twitter:@Ghostsonforever ‏ 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

Jedrek Szmyd is a powerful magician, who is a dedicated blue mage. He made top 8 at Grand Prix Warsaw 2017. Besides MTG, he's also really into basketball and music. Jedrek lives in Poznań, Poland. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jedrek Szmyd when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep269 First Set Onslaught Favorite Set Innistrad Favorite Card Snapcaster Mage Early Challenge Taking down the local "Endboss". Worst Magic Moment GP Warsaw 2012. Jedrek was playing well and felt like he had the game under control. In one turn his opponent turned things around and won. Proudest Magic Moment Top 8 at GP Warsaw 2017. What Have You Learned From Magic Don't be results-oriented. Focus on improving yourself. Biggest Mistake Players Make Players lose their will to fight too early. They give up the game (mentally) too soon. Also, players don't have a plan. Advice To New Players Pick a format to be competitive in and stick with it for a while. Parting Guidance Pick your one format and have a plan every time you play. Connect With Jedrek Szmyd Twitter:@SzmydcasterMage  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

Jacob Hart started playing Magic in 1995 at school and made his first nationals appearance in 1996 making 17th place! He went to his first Pro Tour in Los Angeles 1997. He has 4 Grand Prix top 8s, 3 Nationals top 8s, and 3 Pro Tour top 64s. Jacob lives in Lavington, Australia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jacob Hart when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep268 First Set Revised Favorite Set The Dark/Hour of Devastation Favorite Card Frenetic Efreet Early Challenge Keeping emotions in check. to deal with this, Jacob takes deep breathes before looking at his hand. Worst Magic Moment Jacob did really well at Magic when he was younger. Then when they started doing Planeswalker points, Jacob was in China and fell off the train. He went through a rough patch of years and ha started pulling out of it. Proudest Magic Moment Taking 2st and 2nd with his good friend at Nationals in 1999. Best Format Modern; Jacob play GB Tron; Fight tron with storm and land destination Advice To New Players Value the advice of seasoned players. Biggest Mistake Players Make When players are nervous they tend to rush. It's okay to think through a few options and go all the way through turn and beyond. Parting Guidance Enjoy the game. Do your best but don't take it too seriously. Magic Resource Twitch.tv, Shaun McLaren, Gabriel Nassif Connect With Jacob Hart Jacob 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