Andrew Brown is a dedicated control player who loves sleeving islands and punishing forests. He won GP Denver 2015 and is on the map for up coming Pro Tours. He manages Hi De Ho Comics in Santa Monica CA where Magic is his life.
First Set
Champions of Kamigawa
Favorite Set
Rise of the Eldrazi
Favorite Card
Jorubai Murklurker
What makes Magic fun for you?
It's not just a hobby. It's a career and a way of life.
Early Challenge
Beat the guy who ran the events at his local game store when Andrew first started.
Level Up Moment
Realizing that tier 1 decks are tier 1 for a reason. Piloting a good deck instead of making up your own allows you to capture all the effort put into the deck by others.
Proudest Magic Moment
Winning GP Denver 2015
Best Format
Limited - Draft
Current Standard Deck
Blue Black control
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Big mistake at big tournaments: Some players focus on the bad beat stories and generate negativity; this does nothing for you. BE POSITIVE!
Small mistakes at small tournaments: People focus on the money aspect of Magic at the local store too much. When you show up to play at an FNM focus on playing.
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 Lampur 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 stream lined than in 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
Connect with Jon
Twitter: @Jonnymagic00
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 Lampur 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 Limted 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.
Connect with Jon Finkel
Twitter: @Jonnymagic00
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.
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 teammate as well as taking the two weeks before a Pro Tour off to play test 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
Connect with Patrick
Twitter: @thepchapin
Interview Links
Welcome to the MTG Pro Tutor podcast!
I'm Shaun Penrod and I am excited to share this journey with you. Here's what you'll get out of the podcast.
Each week two of Magic: The Gathering's best players will be highlighted. The episodes are released on Tuesday and Friday, so be sure to subscribe to the show so you don't ever miss one.
I ask similar questions to each guest so you can get different perspectives on the same topic. I also look for things that are unique about each guest and dive in on those a little more.
We'll talk about their history with the game as well as actionable tips you can use the next time you sit down to play.
Learn from the mistakes and successes of our community's most notable players and enjoy the stories they have to share.
Visit www.mtgprotutor.com/shownotes for links to all the episodes.
Cheers!
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.
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
![clans_abzan[1]](http://www.mtgprotutor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/clans_abzan1-150x150.jpg)
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.
Connect with Patrick
Twitter: @thepchapin