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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: November, 2016
Nov 29, 2016

Zachary Kiihne is a 19 year old Computer Science major at Umass Amherst. Grand Prix Providence 2016 was his first Grand Prix Top 8. Previously he had top 64ed two GPs and top 8ed the last RPTQ. This is his first time breaking through to the Pro Tour. Zachary lives in Amherst MA.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Zachary Kiihne when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep152

First Set

Eventide

Favorite Set

Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Archangel Avacyn, Pyromancer Ascension

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The challenge of stay focused and then the reward of winning.

Early Challenge

Side boarding and multi-gaming in constructed.

Level Up Moment

It was summer before college when Zach became top 8’d in a limited PPTQ. In the semi-finals, he lost due to getting warnings. He learned that cold streaks end.

Worst Magic Moment

Shuffled in a card to his deck and lost because of game rule violations. Zach learned to slow down and clean up his play.

Proudest Magic Moment

Grand Prix Providence, 5TH  place

Underplayed Card in Standard

Westvale Abbey in W/U Flash

Mentors

Noah Walker

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Zach has learned that he likes to focus and he likes to compete.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

People don’t break down why they lose. Think about what you could have done differently whether or not your opponent got lucky.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Zach made the decision to play whatever deck went 9-1 at the Pro Tour.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck box, Paper, Pencil, Water

Improvement Suggestions

Look back and evaluate each match and each game.

Magic Resource

CFB, SCG, SCG Premium

Connect With Zachary Kiihne

Twitter:@ZKiihne

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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Nov 25, 2016

Andreas Ganz has filled his life with many Magic-related activities. When he’s not playing Grand Prixs he works at a local Magic store, manages content for Blackborder.com and does some trading of his own. He has top 8ed 2 Grand Prixs and won 1! Andreas lives in Zurich, Switzerland.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Andreas Ganz when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep151

First Set

Ice Age

Favorite Set

Mirrodin & Full block Ravnica

Favorite Card

Polymorph

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Magic is constantly evolving.

Early Challenge

Andreas thought he had "figured it out". However, when he started playing against top players he realized how much he had to learn.

Worst Magic Moment

Playing for top 8 at GP Vienna, Andreas was playing mono black and made a terrible chump block that cost him the game.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8ing a Grand Prix for the first time. (Charlotte 2016)

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Andreas learned that if you don't give up you can achieve your goals.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Players get to a point where they think they are good when they still have much to learn.

You should always try to learn from others.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Read content about what's going on in your format. Remember that people want to play new cards and try what's popular. Choose the deck that is well positioned based on that knowledge.

Mentors

Kai Budde, Ben Stark

Advice To Past Self

Be patient. Results will come as you focus on your game.

Underplayed Cards

All the modules

Guidance

Enjoy the game. If you don't, take a break.

Magic Resource

MTG Goldfish

Cockatrice

Blackborder.com

Connect With Andreas Ganz

Twitter: @Pfluegmeischter

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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Nov 22, 2016

 

Alex Mitas is a college student from Albuquerque, NM, and an up-and-coming Magic player with a penchant for playing control decks, experience on the pro tour and, most recently, a grand prix top 8 competitor.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Alex Mitas when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep150

First Set

Lorwyn

Favorite Set

Lorwyn, Innistrad

Favorite Card

Sphinx's Revelation

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Flavor, story, art, but above all - the competition.

Early Challenge

Alex played too impulsively.

Level Up Moment

Discovering Twich.tv and watching videos of other Magic players.

Worst Magic Moment

At Grand Prix San Antonio years ago, Alex went 0-3 and dropped. He felt awful because he had drove a long way, spent money on the event and practiced really hard. He learned to be more open-minded about his mistakes.

Proudest Magic Moment

First time Alex qualified for the Pro Tour. Alex felt like it was all worth it.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Alex has learned he has a capacity for patience.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Mulligan decisions. Newbies don't mulligan enough. More advanced players (on the cusp of being really good) mulligan too much.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

"Sit down and do the work." Get a team together.

Mentors

Andrew Cuneo

Guidance

Play Magic because it's fun. Not for the sunk costs.

Advice to Yourself 5 Years Ago

"Be more open-minded."

Best Format

Limited

Underplayed Limited Card

Panharmonicon

Beginner Limited Advice

Keep almost every hand with 2-5 lands.

Resources

ChannelFireball

StarCityGames

Twitch.tv

Connect With Alex Mitas

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

Become a Prodigy Sign Up

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Nov 18, 2016

 

Jason Preston is the co-founder of Dent, a conference and a community of entrepreneurially minded creatives who seek to put a dent in the universe through great leadership and personal mastery. He's known as "Spade" in Counter-Strike, and recently picked up Magic. Jason lives in Seattle WA with his wife and two kids.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jason Preston when he shared his story on MTG Pro Tutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep149

First Set

Revised

Favorite Set

Kaladesh

Favorite Card

Thing In The Ice

Personal Mastery

There is a difference between having a set mindset and having a growth mindset. With a growth mindset you can unlock certain aspects of yourself that were previously thought to be written in the genetic code.

Deliberate Practice

The best way to improve. It most be specific, measurable and real time.

Hiring and Firing

Just like we have to evaluate the value of cards and decide which ones stays in our deck and which ones go, we likewise exercise this skill in the workplace when deciding what aspects of our culture or which team members stay or get cut.

Adaptive Leadership

Diagnose the system, come up with interventions (experiments to try), implement, check results, repeat.

Leadership vs. Authority

There is formal authority and informal authority. Who says what and who jumps because of it.

Resources

Books:

Connect With Jason Preston

Twitter: @jasonp

Like What You Hear?

If you like the show, head on over to iTunes and leave an honest Rating & Review.

Let me know what you like and what I can do better so I can make the show the best it can be and continue bringing you valuable content.

I read every single one and look forward to your feedback.

5 Star Rating

Nov 15, 2016

Joey Manner is the owner of The Only Game In Town and has been on and off the Pro tour. He recently took a hiatus from Magic to focus on the shop but with the help of some very talented players he managed to top 8 Pro Tour Kaladesh with a deck no one saw coming (Blue White flash). Joey lives in New Jersey.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Joey Manner when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep148

First Set

Shards of Alara / Zendikar

Favorite Set

Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Gideon Jura

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Joey loves gaming and Magic just clicked.

Early Challenge

Joey identified himself as a control player and really struggled with combat math. He forced himself to play creature-based decks.

Level Up Moment

Joey was playing Magic Mon-Fri and on Sat and Sunday he was going to PTQS and competing at top events.

Worst Magic Moment

Losing in top 4 of first PTQ. (In the day when only first place got the invite.)

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at Pro Tour Kaladesh

Best Format

Standard

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

I've learned how to make friends.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not mulliganing aggressively enough.

If you could have a conversation with yourself 5 years ago, what would you say

Play more magic. Don't show up unprepared.

Shortcomings

Deck building skills - specifically mana bases.

Underplayed Card

Bruna and Gisela

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck box, Deck, Paper

Mentors

Christian Calcano

Magic Resource

Magic Online Beta Client
The Only Game In Town
MTG The Source
MTGCoverage

Guidance

Get your reps in Play Magic to get better at Magic.

Connect With Joey Manner

Twitter: @togitnj

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

Nov 11, 2016

Gabrielius Kaklauskas has been honing his craft and can claim 2 World Magic Cup appearances and 1 Pro Tour appearance as well as making day 2 for the first time at GP Warsaw 2016 where he walked away the Champion! Gabrielius lives in Lithuania.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Gabrielius Kaklauskas when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep147

First Set

Champions of Kamigawa

Favorite Set

The are all so unique

Favorite Card

Spell Queller

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The competitive natural. Less time to get really good

Early Challenge

Speed. Gabrielius played too fast early on. By playing more Gabrielius become more familiar with lines of play.

Mentors

Owen Turtenwald
Odin

Worst Magic Moment

Going to a World Magic Cup with high expectations. He did well before and was not focused on the current match.

Proudest Magic Moment

Grand Prix Warsaw 2016

Best Format

Draft

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Just play and have fun. Remove all expectations.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not reading the cards. Players assume they know and scan over important details. Make sure you read the cards and know what they do.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Asking players how to sideboard against them.

Shortcomings

Focus. Stay hydrated.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Book, Dice, Deck

If you could have a conversation with yourself 5 years ago, what would you say

Buy some Tarmogoyf. Keep reading, keep playing.

Magic Resource

CFB
SCG
TCG

Advice to New Players

Determine how much you can spend and decide the format.

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

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Nov 8, 2016

Christian Cespedes is a Chilean Magic: The Gathering player. He's the 2010 Chilean National Champion and made top 8 at Grand Prix Santiago 2016. He’s an avid Magic Online grinder and lives in Via Del Mar, Chile.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Christian Cespedes when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep146

First Set

Champions of Kamigawa

Favorite Set

Time Spiral

Favorite Card

Polymorph

Early Challenge

Learning the rules. Christian overcome this by playing a lot and making a lot of mistakes.

Worst Magic Moment

Featured match at a Grand Prix. Playing a top 8 win-and-in. Christian felt the pressure and made mistakes. He lost.

Proudest Magic Moment

2010 Chilean National Champion

Best Format

Limited

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Patience. Learning how to be patient. 

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Tapping mana wrong. Information is a gift. Guard it.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Took 2 vacation days and played Leagues on Magic Online.

Working on

Working on improving Pro Tour record.

Underplayed Card

Gearseeker Serpent

Advice to New Limited

Stick to two colors. 

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Dice, Paper, Pen

Daily Ritual

Read something about magic.

If you could have a conversation with yourself 5 years ago, what would you say

Learn English

Magic Resource

SCG
CFB
TCG
MTG Mint Card

Advice to New Players

Be careful with trading. Learn how to play first.

Guidance

Enjoy the game and have fun.

Connect With Christian Cespedes

Twitter: @capitano_cl

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

Nov 4, 2016

Ian Bozley is a local hero from Glen Burnie, Maryland who has 2 Grand Prix Top 8s (one in 2015 in Charlotte and the second in 2016 in Providence). He’s the (unofficial) team leader of Team MTGFirst.com, a member of Brown Magic, an alleged "friend" of Jeff Carr, and the owner of the coolest playmat in Magic!

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ian Bozley when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep145

First Set

Mirrodin Besieged

Favorite Set

Innistrad / Theros

Favorite Card

Kitchen Finks

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

The people make Magic what it is. Going on trips with friends is the best.

Early Challenge

Planning the first three turns of the game. "Mana efficiency is the most important part of Magic."

Level Up Moment

Going through a tournament Ian felt like he was seeing lanes that he hadn't seen before. 

Worst Magic Moment

2014 - GP Charlotte - Gatecrash Sealed 
Played very poorly in round 8 & 9 and lost. Ian won Round 10 to stay on day 2 and then lost every round after that. Ian had to evaluate what he really wanted from Magic. 

Proudest Magic Moment

GP Charlotte - 2015 - Modern; Playing Abzan Company. Ian made it to the Pro Tour for the first time. 

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

"I was incredibly sore loser." Ian has gotten much better as he understood Magic has winners and losers every game and his number comes up sometimes. 

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Poor sequencing is a problem for many players. Also, going into auto pilot. 

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Understand your range in Magic. Don't play decks that don't resonate with you. Practice consistently. Try different decks. Build on past experiences. 

Mentors

Owen Turtenwald, Reid Duke, Andrew Tenjum

Guidance

Players think they are above a deck. This limits your range and growth potential. 

Magic Resource

MTGFirst.com

Connect With Ian Bozley

Twitter: @Bozzles

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

Nov 1, 2016

Ricky Chin played in his first Grand Prix and Pro Tour Qualifier at the end of 2014. Since then, he has qualified for his first Pro Tour, which he also top8'd. He’s a Gold level pro and a proud member of Team East West Bowl. Ricky lives in Quebec.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ricky Chin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep144

First Set

Prophecy

Favorite Set

Mirrodin

Favorite Card

Arcbound Ravager

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Friends make Magic fun for Ricky

Early Challenge

Learning to play around cards. Thinking about what cards your opponent could have and how your deck interacts with that deck. Play games and take notes while you play.

Level Up Moment

Ricky always felt he was good at the game and by consistently playing his improved.

Worst Magic Moment

Losing a lot at PT Madrid 2016 was super rough. Ricky didn't make day 2. He made a mistake and lost a game. He learned to focus on this game right now. He thought too far ahead and lost because he wasn't focused.

Proudest Magic Moment

Top 8 at his first Pro Tour. (Milwaukee 2015)

Best Format

Modern or Limited

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

"with time and practice I can do anything."

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Playing too fast. Oftentimes, players don't think and rush through a turn without considering life totals, graveyards, board state etc. .

Shortcoming

"The way I approach a tournament. I need to work on staying in the zone."
Ricky asks himself questions to refocus on the game.

If you could have a conversation with yourself 5 years ago, what would you say

Start being competitive sooner and buy a lot of Underground Sea

Advice for New Modern Players

Find a deck you like and play a lot with.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Cards, clothes, playmat, laptop

Daily Ritual

Play a little everyday.

Mentor

Pascal Maynard

Magic Resource

MTGO and friends

Guidance

Play Magic and enjoy your time.

Connect With Ricky Chin

Twitter: @Slithice87

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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