Bardini Alain has 1 Grand Prix top 8 and has played in 1 Pro Tour. He’s also the 2017 French National Champion after playing in 2 WMCQ last year. He made the semi-finale of the last mocs playoff and 5th position for the leaderboard point. Bardini lives in Toulouse, France.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Bardini Alain when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep239
6th Edition
Khans of Tarkir
Siege Rhino
Bardini started at FNM's and slowly got better and better until he moved from there to PTQs. He focused and ground and got better little by little.
Bardini learned to play a lot.
Bardini went through a period where he lost all the time. Example: At GP Metz 2017, Bardini had a great start on day 1 but went 0-5 on day 2. He was crushed and felt like quitting Magic. He learned to not get ahead of himself mentally.
Becoming the 2017 French National Champion.
Bardini has learned that to get results he needs to practice a lot. This is true for life.
Raphael Levy
Players try to convince others that their cards and decks are good without listening to others (who may be better than them).
Bardini plays a lot on MTGO and uses this tool to get reps in. He explores the best decks and gets a feel for what beats him. As he cycles through the best decks, he finds the one that is good and resonates with his style.
Magic Online, Teams and other players
Twitter:@BardiniAlain
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
Kyle Boggemes a prolific Wizard who has an impressive record of top finishes at Pro Tours and Grand Prix. To date, he has 2 Pro Tour top 16’s, including a 2nd place finish, and 3 Grand Prix top 8’s including one win.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Kyle Boggemes when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep238
Ice age
Invasion
Fact or Fiction
Playing at a very competitive store. Kyle formed friendships with players close to his ages. From there they played and traveled together and started talking to the better players.
2011-the whole year. Kyle had great success in 2010 and all the benefits rolled over to 2011. However, he did horribly all year long. It was tough to have so many people follow him and then not do well.
Winning GP Cincinnati in 2014. It was his first top 8 after coming back and it was a win so it was a big deal.
Kyle has been able to work hard out at something and see tangible results.
Players don't understand side boarding. People over the sideboard. Have a focused game plan in game 1. Then, post-sideboard, you can be more targeted.
For Limited, Kyle plays as many sealed events as he can because he recognizes that's his weakness. He talked a lot with friends about his pool.
Everyone has different goals when playing Magic. What are your goals? Know them and operate within that.
Draftsim.com, GatheringMagic.com
Kyle 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
Sergio Ferrer made top 16 of his first Pro Tour in Kyoto 2017. He’s also made top 64 at GP Barcelona and dominates his local scene as two-time Amonkhet Game Day Champion and the Theros block league champion of his city. Sergio lives in Valencia, Spain.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Sergio Ferrer when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep237
Darksteel
Amonkhet
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Sergio struggled to win a Game Day. Sergio would test a lot on MTGO and with friends. Through constant practiced Sergio improved.
The near misses along the way taught Sergio to enjoy Magic as a game and remove the pressure of doing well.
Pro Tour Kyoto 2017 Top 16.
'If you lose today, you can win tomorrow.'
When players make a mistake they tend to dwell on it and cause a chain reaction of bad decisions. When you make a mistake just tell yourself to move on. Breathe and focus on the situation now.
Practice, practice, practice. Sergio drafted online with a friend a ton! They discussed picks and lines of play.
Practice a lot and discuss games with your friends.
Optimism versus Delusion article on CFB, Show, and Telling of moxes.com, CFB, SCG, Team La Comarca
Twitter:@noesmitipo
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
Theophile Delavy is a Swiss Magic: The Gathering player living in Geneva and has 1 Grand Prix top 8 at GP Metz 2017 - Hours of Devastation Limited.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Theophile Delavy when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep236
Champions of Kamigawa
Champions of Kamigawa
Dark Confidant
The stress of attending his first PTQ. Theo felt pressured to prove to people he belonged at Magic events.
Theo's first PTQ top 8 was a big moment. He followed that up with making day 2 at his first Grand Prix.
At GP Utrecht, Theo was really hoping for a certain archetype to be viable. He was building on past knowledge and learned to consider each new set on its own.
Top 8 at GP Metz.
Theo has learned to just be himself and play how he wants. Not to worry about what others think. In life, he does the same.
Study the spoiler and read set reviews. Pay attention to cards that have large varying opinions.
Being too aggressive when they are winning.
Theo plays Limited with friends twice a week. Through this process, he gets to know the cards and discuss the picks with his friends.
It doesn't matter what people think of you as a Magic player.
Theo 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
Kris McCord is a Magic grinder from Switzerland who currently lives in Auburn Alabama (attending Auburn University). He’s reaching for Silver or better by the end of the 2017/18 season and is off to a good start with one Grand Prix top 8.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Kris McCord when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep235
Champions of Kamigawa
Time Spiral
Cryptic Command
Losing. Kris learned that you can't win every time. He realized he wasn't having fun anywhere and decided to focus on having fun and accepting the variance.
Top 8 of a PTQ when Kris felt favored but choked and took it hard. He decided to play more casually and reconnected with the fun of Magic.
Top 8 at GP Indianapolis 2017 and qualifying for his first Pro Tour through an RPTQ earlier in the year.
Accepting that things don't always pan out as planned. Make the best of every situation given to you.
Kris observed all the top players and learned from them.
Read articles, discuss Magic with friends.
Mulligan decisions.
For Limited, Kris practiced with a team and drafted a lot.
Kris takes a carry on so he doesn't have to check in the bag. Deck box, life pod, pen, dice, water, snacks
Stay positive. Negativity serves o one and has a poor effect on your game. Positive attitudes help you whether many bad situations.
Kris 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
Gregory Michel is a graduate student and competitive Magic player in Minneapolis MN. He mostly plays Limited but also dabbles in Standard and Commander as well. He recently made Top 8 for the first time at a Grand Prix by piloting UW Monument to 7 places at GP Denver!
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Gregory Michel when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep234
Portal
Battle for Zendikar
Munda,Ambush Leader
The first competitive event was a Grand Prix in D.C. 2014. Gregory cashed this event and the next 3 GP's. However, he hit a low and that was the struggle he faced.
Experiencing the stress of putting too much pressure on himself. Greg learned that Magic is a hobby and should be an escape.
GP Omaha where Greg played Multiple Platinum Pros and was one win start of making top 8.
When Greg applies himself to something he likes with a friend he can succeed.
Andrew Elenbogen of Episode 108.
Playing a bunch of formats has improved Greg's Magic instincts.
Self-confidence pops up for Greg. He doesn't think of himself as a great player.
People feel a need to prove they are good. In reality, they should listen to others and learn as much as they could.
Greg found a deck that he liked and took it to events and practiced a lot with friends.
Have fun when you play. Magic is a hobby so have fun.
Twitter:@Magic_Michelp
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
Joao Lelis is a Timmy/Vorthos player who loves eternal formats and had never made a Grand Prix day 2 until he became the Champion of GP Sao Paulo 2017! Joao lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Joao Lelis when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep233
Mirrodin
Kamigawa
Gifts Ungiven
Learning to play many rounds in a single day and playing against people who aren't your friends.
Joao learned the rules very well, so people can't use that against him. He also decided the Magic was a big part of his life and he wanted something more.
After the Shadowmoor set, there were no local players still into Magic. Joao didn't have any one to play with. It was a lonely time for him.
Becoming Champion of GP Sao Paulo 2017.
Joao learned that maximizing your chances to win is the best you can do, whether you win or lose.
Players don't get the full value of their spells and creatures. They don't wait for the best time.
If you're just starting out, go to tournaments. They're fun. You'll learn and grow and maybe get lucky and win.
Joao 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
Steve Hatto is 34 years old and started playing Magic in Mirage. He played off and on like many do until he came back for good in Scars of Mirrodin. His goal was clear at that point - make it to the most prestigious events that Magic had to offer. There was, however, one problem: at his first FNM there were only 3 players… Steve lives in Luxembourg.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Steve Hatto when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep232
Mirage
Urza's Saga
Cryptic Command
Finding players to test with. Steve finished in the top 8 of his first PTQ after coming back. Finding players with similar goals was rough. He focused on being polite and making friends at events.
First GP top 8 in 2015. Steve learned that mindset is huge to traveling up.
Steve accepted that he's pretty terrible at Magic. He also realized that he focused too much on doing well.
Travelling to Pro Tour Nashville, Steve's flight was delayed several times and then canceled. He made the best of it by sneaking into the business hugely.
Luxembourg doubled its player base and went from 1 store to 3.
Approaching situations with the acceptance that you don't always have total control over the outcome.
Forgetting to lay lands. But beyond that people will follow up a mistake with another mistake out of embarrassment.
For Modern, Steve knows his deck and can pick it up and go. This is only possible by practicing a lot in between events.
Figure out what your goals and then see what's missing to get you there. Play Magic a level you enjoy.
Twitter:@SteveHatto
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
Vitor Grassato has a couple Grand Prix top 16s and finished 6th at Grand Prix San Antonio with Jon Stern and Alex Majlaton. He recently got 2nd place at GP Sao Paulo 2017! Vitor lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Vitor Grassato when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep231
Prophecy
Ravnica
Meloku the Clouded Mirror
Vitor constantly wanted to improve and would always talk to players who were better than him.
In 2010, Vitor was coming off one of his better results at the time. But he was young and angry and got in fight with a judge. He got banned for 3 years! After cooling off he talked to the judge and got his banning cut in half. Vitor took this time to change his entire mindset.
Making 6th place with Jon Stern and Alex Majlaton.
If you want results, you need to focus at the maximum level.
Miscalculating win percentages and choosing to draw when you should play.
If you want to reach the Pro Tour, you have to think it's possible and practice.
Twitter:@VitorGrassato
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