Francesco Giorgio is an Italian Magic player living in England and a member of Team Axion Now. He's at his best with 40 card decks, but also enjoying the Standard format. His achievements include 2 Limited Grand Prix Top 8s and Top 8 at the 2014 World Magic Cup.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Francesco Giorgio when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep204
7th Edition
Khans of Tarkir
Birthing pod
At first, Francesco didn't like the "best decks". Now, he understands that others have done well and he can draw on their knowledge.
Losing the finals of a GP due to a terrible mistake. He didn't read all the cards.
Top 8 at 2014 World Magic Cup.
Francesco learned to analyze his mistakes regardless of the outcome.
Constructed. Focus more on tournament preparation.
Draft often. (Daily if possible.)
Francesco loves travelling.
In Limited, players don't block enough.
Practice and discussion. For Limited, each player ranks every card and players discuss the differences.
Look back at every game and reflect, regardless of the results.
Team Axiom Now, MTG Goldfish, www.mtgprotutor.com/giveaways200
Twitter:@Sniesk
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
Dario Veneri is a 24 year old Clerk from Zurich, Switzerland who started playing Magic about 4 years ago. He’s been to a bit more than a dozen GPs and made his first top 8 at Grand Prix Bologna 2017.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Dario Veneri when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep203
Return to Ravnica
Amonkhet
Hero of bladehold
Dario struggled with variance at first. To overcome this, Dario focused on the new and just play the next game.
At a World Magic Qualifier, Dario got ahead of himself and didn't focus on the next game.
Top 8 at Grand Prix Bologna and getting his first Pro Tour invite.
Variance is everywhere and being mindful of it in Magic has brought it up to Dario in other areas and has helped him.
Go with friends. Interact with them between rounds. DON'T COMPLAIN and discuss crucial decision times from your game. Also, eat right. Plan it ahead and be mindful.
Players tend to splash too much in Limited. They sacrifice their mana base for a low impact pay off.
Dario created a network of experienced players he likes and respects. He played a lot of Magic Online and attended as many Prerelease as he could. He discussed cards extensively with friends.
Focus on the next game and don't let variance get you down.
Twitter:@Josslyn_Avalon
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
Matthew Pope started playing Magic during Scars of Mirrodin and his first Launch Party was Magic 2012. Innistrad was the first pre-release he attended (and ran) at his local game. He was taught by a friend in college (the last 2 years of high school) and has come a long way with 1 Grand Prix Top 8 which was a 2nd place finish at Grand Prix Barcelona 2017. Matthew lives in the United Kingdom.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matthew Pope when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep202
Scars of Mirrodin
Innistrad
Geist of Saint Traft
Mulligan decisions. Matt noticed that even as he got better at mulligan decisions, he would revert back in high stakes games.
Matt attended a PPTQ and went 4-0-1. He wins the quarter finals and plays the best player in the room in the semi-finals. In game 3, Matt chokes and he missed the RPTQ invite. It was so close and the burn was real. Matt didn't attack based on a bluff from his opponent. Matt learned to play around what he should and ignore what he can't play around.
Top 8 at Grand Prix Barcelona 2017.
Playing around cards when it doesn't matter/wont make a difference.
Also, deck selection without enough time to get good at it.
Don't let circumstance affect your fundamentals. Mulligan decisions are huge, so practice, practice, practice and don't forget what you've learned.
Twitter:@immagicmatt
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
Jack Dobbin is a long-time grinder from the United States Midwest with a couple Pro Tour appearances and one GP top 8. He's living, learning and loving all things Magic: The Gathering.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jack Dobbin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep201
Legions
Theros (for the draft environment)
Cruel ultimatum
Being stubborn. Jack would draft a good card and then get fixated on it. He would force an archetype and learned not to.
When Wizards switched off of the ELO system, Jack's qualification chances plummeted because he doesn't play that often. He learned to enjoy Magic at its roots.
Qualifying for the Pro Tour and calling his wife to say they are taking a trip.
Making decisions with incomplete information.
Don't play cards that lead you to being 2 for 1'd. Draft two colors.
Keep at it. Do what you're doing and take advantage of when variance breaks your way.
Keep your emotions in check. Don't tilt.
You can have a good time while losing.
Giving away information and playing slow. Play faster!
Remember to have fun.
Jack can be found in the MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group.
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
Brian Andersen E is a 25 year old Magic enthusiast from California, but he’s lived everywhere. He’s played magic in both Asia and the USA at the basic LGS level. He’s an investor a partner at Paragon City Games and generally a loud mouth. Brian lives in Draper, Utah.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Brian Andersen E when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep200
Tempest
Odyssey
Kamahl, Pit fighter
Be deliberate about the feel you want players to experience.
Not having enough experience with their deck. Take the time to play and know your deck ahead of time. Ask a lot of questions.
Control your emotions and look at what you did wrong. Successful players tend to be brewers. Their brains are always churning. Have a good breakfast.
Patience. So many times you want the results now but understand that it will come once your skill is where it needs to be.
Have patience with yourself, your community and your store.
Paragon City Games, twitchtv/paragoncitygames, MTGProtutor.com/giveaway200
Twitter: @JBrandersen
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
David Brucker is a returning Magic Pro who is coming back after a 9-year break. He just added his 6th Grand Prix top 8 to his record and even boasts a Grand Prix win from back in the day. On the Pro Tour, he has 6 top 16 finishes and is looking for a top 8 with his most recent invite. David lives in Munich, Germany.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from David Brucker when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep199
Ice age
Mirrodin
Fact or fiction
Not knowing cards and winning decks. Lack of information was a big deal in the early days.
At his 2nd Nationals, David drank with friends the night before and showed up to the draft hung over. He went 3-0 but then got disqualified because he registered a 37 card deck.
David won the European championship and got a big trophy and $15,000. He and his parents were so proud.
"Breaking" a deck is similar to science. Trying to find the best solution for a format is like finding a solution at work. Also teamwork.
Henniry Ramquist - he was very competitive and taught David to take the game seriously.
Get byes. Attend GPT's, PPTQs and Grand Prix
David is very competitive. He also likes to travel.
Playing your lost card in hand pre-combat.
This gives away so much information.
Think about every game and why you actually lost. Avoid the mindset of blowing outside influences for your losses.
Clothing, deck box
Play a lot. Find the best players in your region and play against them.
David can be found in the MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group.
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 Lombardi still has a Degree in Mechatronics Engineering (he hasn't lost it), and is married and has a 15-month-old son. He has 3 Grand Prix top 8s now including a win at Grand Prix Toronto 2016. He’s still better at Limited than Constructed and is striving to not be 1 point shy of Silver. Robert was first on the MTG Pro Tutor podcast in episode 125.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Robert Lombardi when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep198
Robert played around with all the top decks and found his stride with Mardu vehicles.
You know the meta much better at the local level. Your board at a big event is less targeted.
Robert is co-hosting a spiky podcast about competitive Magic.
Brian Gottlieb is the best built from scratch deck builder.
People ask for feedback but then argue when they get it. Don't do that!
Twitter:@RobertLombardi0
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
Ben Friedman has four Grand Prix top 8s, two Pro Tour top 16s, 5 SCG invitational top 8s, and does it all while rocking a mean cowboy hat! He is a member of the MetaGameGurus on the SCG Tour and the Captain of Mox Box Bowl on the Pro Tour. Ben lives in Baltimore, MD.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ben Friedman when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep197
Odyssey
Ravnica
Snapcaster mage
Understanding how to attack a metagame.
JSS Nationals - first cashing a tournament.
After getting crushed at his first Pro Tour, Ben was really down. He learned he wasn't the hot shot he thought.
Qualifying for his first Pro Tour. Next was when Ben made it to the Pro Tour off of a special invite due to rule changes. This PT invite got him the Gold status that year.
Delayed gratification.
Drink a lot of water, Ben knows that for him fasting makes him more focused.
Build your network and share cards. Networks help you make friends, save money and play Magic.
Ben learned his play style is very value oriented.
Players don't understand side boarding. They don't consider how their side boarding choices change when they are on the play versus the draw.
Think for yourself, learn for yourself and learn how to learn better.
SCG, CFB, TCG Player
Twitter:@40cardfriedman
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
Corey Baumeister is a Gold Level Professional Magic player who has 2 Grand Prix top 8's to his name including a win in New Jersey 2017! He also has 1 top 16 and 2 top 32 finishes at the Pro Tour. Corey lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Corey Baumeister when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep196
Onslaught
Ravnica City of Guild
Ogre savant
Deck design during new sets.
Pro Tour Austin. Corey was playing a win-and-in match for Top 8 of the Pro Tour. Corey misplayed because he didn't know the matchup.
Winning Grand Prix New Jersey 2017.
Recognizing mistakes and adjusting.
Standard
Follow events and see what's winning. Find answers to that deck by scouring legal cards.
Don't be so critical of yourself.
Using luck as a crutch for your losses. It takes a smart player to realize they did something wrong.
Corey played hundreds of games leading up to the Grand Prix. He knew his deck inside and out.
Boogie board, stockpile of cards, dice
If you have the will to chase the dream then don't quit playing.
Knowledgeable friends
Twitter:@CoreyBaumeister
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