Marcus Hensing is an up and coming Magic star from Copenhagen, Denmark who has recently made his first Grand Prix top 8 in London 2016.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Marcus Hensing when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep143
First Set
4th Edition
Favorite Set
Innistrad
Favorite Card
Gifts Ungiven
Underplayed Card
Hunt the Weak
Early Challenge
"I'm a red mage at heart and I like attacking." Marcus had to learn that even though he wanted to attack, some times he had to take the defensive side. Learning to switch between aggressor and defense is an early skill Marcus worked on.
Level Up Moment
During the return to Ravnica block era, Marcus had two enchantments to deal with a lethal creature. However, he made a mistake by missing a key card in the graveyard.
How to Learn from Mistakes
In the middle of a tournament, don't go on tilt. After the tournament consider the mistake and what caused it. Did you not fully consider the board state or failed to track information? Look for general lessons.
Worst Magic Moment
At his first Gran Prix Marcus built a WG deck with no removal spells. He could have splashed a removal in his pool but didn't consider it. Marcus learned to take another look at his pool before submitting to see if there are cards (like removal) that are worth splashing.
Proudest Magic Moment
Top 8 of Grand Prix London 2016
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Marcus learned critical decision making, when to trust his instincts and when to think things through.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Attacking without having a proper game plan.
Advice
Focus on combat
Magic Resource
Limited Resources
Next Level Podcast
Guidance
Have a game plan. Why are you making that play ?
Connect With Marcus Hensing
Twitter: @Lobster667
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
Peer Richelsen is a long time Legacy player and the principal organizer of the Bordifies Eternal Series. He is also the founder of Bordifies.com, a premium perfect-fit sleeve with solid borders for customizing and unifying magic cards. Peer lives in Kiel Germany.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Peer Richelsen when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep142
First Set
New Phyrexia
Favorite Set
Khans of Tarkir/Innistrad
Favorite Card
Knight of the Reliquary
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Peer is very creative and likes to challenge himself to innovate. He loves customizing and building decks.
Early Challenge
Calculating outs. Peer had to shift his thinking to "How do I win in the next three turns?"
Worst Magic Moment
Lost to Triskaidekaphobia in Legacy. Peer's opponent had a surprise card that he lost too and it felt bad losing to a "goofy" card.
Proudest Magic Moment
Danish Legacy Masters - Peer made top 4. He fought through an opponent who cast 3 Liliana of the Veil. It was rough but Peer did it and felt he leveled up and played above his level.
Choosing a Legacy deck
Consistency wins the most, so find a deck with a lot of tutors or a deck with very similar cards.
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Peer increased his competitiveness and developed a desire to push his boundaries and improve.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Not knowing your role. Players misread the board.
Guidance
You grow into the entrepreneurial spirit. If you have an idea just try it out. You'll learn a lot.
Magic Resource
Connect With Peer Richelsen
Twitter: @Peer_Rich
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
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Cash Turner has been playing Magic off and on for twenty years. He made Top 16 at Grand Prix Las Vegas in 2015 and Top 8 at Grand Prix Atlanta. Hes just a back room scallywag of ChannelFireball with a squad of ChannelFireball locals who have the heart and grit but not the spotlight. Hes blessed to be surrounded by low tier secret gods.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Cash Turner when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep141
First Set
Mirage
Favorite Set
Return to Ravnica
Favorite Card
Fireblast
Underrated Card
Bastion Mastodon
Early Challenge
Cash was very opinionated and arrogant. He recognizes now that he didn't learn all he could.
Worst Magic Moment
Cash made a terrible attack against Ben Stark at GP Vegas 2015 and missed making Top 8. Learn to focus on what's important. Don't get distracted by big creatures or planeswalkers.
Proudest Magic Moment
Through clever body language Cash defeated an opponent at GP Albuquerque when he had an inferior deck.
Best Format
Limited - Sealed
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Always wanted to figure out life. Magic has taught Cash about who he could be and how he doesn't want to be. He never wants to be a angry jerk.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Play the game how you want to play. Don't copy the styles of others.
Shortcoming
Memorize draft picks.
Daily Rituals
Rejecting the modern draw of constant entertainment. You can't get grit w/o a little bit of boring along the way.
Guidance
Everything is in the fringes. Be polite.
Pro Player You Look Up To
Paul Cheon
Cash's Squad
Magic Resource
Cash plays a lot and doesn't read as much.
Follow Greg Hatch
Connect With Cash Turner
Twitter:@PontifX
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
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Thien Nguyen is a 26 year old engineer living Boston. Hes known as a Titanshift Innovator and has made top 8 at GP Pittsburgh 2015 and GP Atlanta 2016. Hes a Silver Level Pro looking to move on up.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Thien Nguyen when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep140
First Set
7th Edition
Favorite Set
Eldritch Moon
Favorite Card
Primeval Titan
Early Challenge
Thien struggled with feeling intimidated. He started looking at better players like Ari Lax and getting feedback from them.
Worst Magic Moment
1st Limited PTQ. Thien was very arrogant. He felt he played very well and got to the point where he felt like he deserved to win. He made it to the finals and lost game one. In game 2 his opponent missed triggers and got a game loss. In game 3 the wheels come off and Thien lost hard. He was very down but through reflection he realized he wasn't ready for the Pro Tour.
Proudest Magic Moment
GP Pittsburgh - Playing against Willy Edel.
Thien's luck turned and he was able to make top 8.
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Thien learned he wants to be as happy as possible in life and Magic brings him a lot of joy.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
During combat the most mistakes are made. People make attacks they really shouldn't and Thien will quadruple block to catch them off guard.
How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event
For sealed events, play as many pre releases as possible. Memorize combat tricks, know which cords are "may" and which ones you have to execute.
Guidance
Friends in Magic are invaluable. Bouncing ideas of others is critical.
Magic Resource
Friends
MTGO
Connect With Thien Nguyen
Twitter: @thinenagooyen
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
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Ben Rubin is a Pro Tour old timer who started when he was 15 yrs old. He has 4 Pro Tour top 8s, about 8 Grand Prix top 8s, and has won 2 masters. Hes a member of the Hall of Fame and got there by winning and losing a lot of matches.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ben Rubin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep139
First Set
Revised
Favorite Set
Mirrodin Block
Favorite Card
Traverse the Ulvenwald
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Network with really smart people.
Early Challenge
Really wanted to break the format and wouldn't listen to others input.
Level Up Moment
In High School, Ben was very strong relative to the field.
Who have been your mentors
William Jensen
Jon Finkel
Patrick Chapin
Worst Magic Moment
Playing in a Masters competition. Normally Ben left basic mana up to play around wasteland. Ben drew a Pyroblast and couldn't play it because of his hobbit.
Proudest Magic Moment
Very proud of team at Grand Prix Louisville. Accomplishing something great with a team is great.
Best Format
Doesn't have one but enjoys toning decks.
Activities that help you in Magic
Play a lot of Magic.
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Ben has an affinity for competition.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Not having a long view. People get so hurry up on this game instead of understanding the overall picture.
How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event
Building pools leading up to a team sealed event and really discussing choices.
What are your shortcomings
Getting into the new method of preparation.
Magic Resource
Reviewing deck lists
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Brandon Pascal is a professional Magic: the Gathering grinder who has qualified for the Pro Tour three different ways! He won a Regional PTQ for Pro Tour Atlanta, a MTGO PTQ for Pro Tour Sydney and top 8'ed Grand Prix Indy for Pro Tour Hawaii.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Brandon Pascal when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep138
First Set
Kamigawa
Favorite Set
Scars of Mirrodin
Favorite Card
Blade Splicer
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
The competition and the people.
Early Challenge
Changing deck types. Brandon was set on his elf deck but eventually had to move on.
Level Up Moment
Last year (2015). Brandon gained a new perspective.
Worst Magic Moment
SCG Event. Brandon was one round off of making top 8. In game 3, Brandon misplayed and lost his win and in. He realized his mistake as soon as he passed the tournament.Brandon learned to slow down and think through plays.
Proudest Magic Moment
Regional PTQ. Brandon traveled over an hour for a PPTQ. He barely squeaks a win in the final. Then he drove 4 hours for the RPTQ.
Pro Player You Look Up to
Kevin Jones
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Tapping mana wrong.
What's in Your Tournament Bag
Magic back pack, binder, decks, spare cards
Advice to new players
Don't let price scare you. Trade with people.
Magic Resource
Twitch
"When you watch magic you learn so much more."
CFB
Gathering Magic
SCG
Connect With Brandon Pascal
Twitter: @bmppwns
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Matt Sperling has 6 Grand Prix top 8s and 2 Pro Tour top 8s. He writes a regular column called Sperling's Sick of It and tries to play to win without taking himself too seriously. He considers himself a hobbyist, not a professional, but feels that playing on the Pro Tour is just the best experience available. Matt lives in the Bay Area of Northern California.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Sperling when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep137
First Set
Legends
Favorite Set
Zendikar
Favorite Card
Preacher
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
The friends Matt had made is more important than the game now.
How do you balance having fun and being competitive
"I only play Grand Prix and Pro Tours." You have to devout time to the aspects of your life at the appropriate time.
Aspect of Magic you improved at
Getting attached to one deck. If you can only play one style of deck, look for opportunities to learn.
"Empathy = Thinking about things from both sides of the table"
Pro Player You Admire
Worst Magic Moment
Most recent Pro Tour, Matt was Platinum level but hadn't done well and was shooting for Gold . He missed it by one game.
Proudest Magic Moment
1st Pro Tour Top 8
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Impulse control. Playing fast and making the first good play that comes to mind helped Matt develop intuition. However, Matt has learned to think of other good plays. Not just the 1st one.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Being afraid to make obvious attacks or blocks.
How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event
Follow the intuition of "this card feels really powerful" and "I feel helpless against this card."
What are your shortcomings
Constantly working on impulse control.
Back in 10yrs Ago what advice would you give to yourself
Look for energizing relationships and deck/strategies
Guidance
To produce content for Magic, find something you can be proud of.
Magic Resource
CFB
SCG
TCG Player
Playing w/ friends in similar level
Connect With Matt Sperling
Twitter: @mtg_law_etc
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Immanuel Gerschenson is 23 years old and is studying technical physiques. He has 2 Grand Prix wins and 1 Pro Tour Top 16. Hes made Gold level Pro for the second season in a row and is a member of team EUreka.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Immanuel Gerschenson when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep136
First Set
Kamigawa
Favorite Set
Innistrad
Favorite Card
Jace Beleren
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Traveling around the world with friends.
Early Challenge
Constructed. Early on Immanuel was not good at building decks, but the events he wanted to attend were constructed so he had to practice.
Level Up Moment
Going from Silver to Gold level pro at Pro Tour Vancouver
Worst Magic Moment
GP Ghent went 0-2-1 and dropped. He stopped playing for a few months. Good friends got him to comeback
Proudest Magic Moment
GP Madrid - first Grand Prix win
PT Eldritch Moon - needed 11-5 to stay on the train. Immanuel got 11-4-1.
Effective Playtest
Watch others play and keep track of hard to deal with cards so you can develop a plan.
Best Format
Standard
What card is underplayed in that format
Nahiri The Harbinger
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Not to get as down or angry after a loss. It comes with time and by emulating players you respect.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Players stay in their own playground. Go to events and play with others.
If you could have a conversation with yourself 10 years ago, what would you say
Look up to other players and learn.
What's in Your Tournament Bag
Water, Apples, Deck, Note Pad, Pen, Dice
Improvement Suggestions
Socialize and make friends. Magic is best when shared with others.
Magic Resource
SCG
CFB
MTG Mint Card
MTG Salvation
MTG Goldfish
Connect With Immanuel Gerschenson
Twitter: @igerschenson
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
Sponsors