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

MTG Pro Tutor is a top rated Magic: The Gathering podcast and here's why: professional Magic players and community notables share their origin stories twice a week (Tue & Fri) and impart actionable tips you can use the next time you sit down to play. Learn from the wealth of experience they've built through hours of practice and playing against hundreds of opponents and start seeing improvements in your own skill right away. Don't you hate feeling like you play and play and don’t improve? Surrounding yourself with better players is the best way to level up and the MTG Pro Tutor podcast is your way of doing that. Subscribe if you want to take your Magic: The Gathering skills to the next level while hearing cool stories and getting actionable advice from the biggest names in the Multiverse.
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Now displaying: October, 2016
Oct 28, 2016

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

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 25, 2016

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

Bordifies.com

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

 

Sponsors

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 21, 2016

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. He’s just a back room scallywag of ChannelFireball with a squad of ChannelFireball locals who have the heart and grit but not the spotlight. He’s 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

 

Sponsors

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 18, 2016

 

Thien Nguyen is a 26 year old engineer living Boston. He’s known as a Titanshift Innovator and has made top 8 at GP Pittsburgh 2015 and GP Atlanta 2016. He’s 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

 

Sponsors

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 14, 2016

 

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. He’s 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

Sponsors

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 11, 2016

 

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

 

Sponsors

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 7, 2016

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

Jon Finkel

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

 

Sponsors

Patreon milestone 2

Oct 4, 2016

Immanuel Gerschenson is 23 years old and is studying technical physiques. He has 2 Grand Prix wins and 1 Pro Tour Top 16. He’s 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

Patreon milestone 2

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