Eric Froehlich has an impressive 17 Grand Prix top 8s and 11 Pro Tour top 16s including 5 finishes in the top 8! He's a member of the Magic Hall of Fame class of 2015. Eric is from Las Vegas, NV.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eric Froehlich when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep278
First Set
Revised
Favorite Set
Invasion
Favorite Card
Shivan Dragon
Dedication
Pursue what makes you happy.
Early Challenge
Eric struggled with being too cocky as a kid. He was really good, he knew it and let everyone knew it. He realized this and through good examples, he matured and got better.
Worst Magic Moment
Playing Caw blade at Pro Tour Paris and finishing 9th after losing 2 win-and-ins.
Proudest Magic Moment
Inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame.
What Have You Learned From Magic
Being able to stay cool and collected under stress. Eric took a lot of Magic skills to poker.
On Sportsmanship
Eric recognizes that good sportsmanship includes how you act and treat other people. He reached out to others to learn how they deal with losses and slowly Eric got better at seeing the game from the other side.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Players don't do enough to maximize their win percentage. Stay focused. Actively think every turn.
Parting Guidance
Follow your heart. Have fun and Magic can be as much of your life as you want it to be.
Magic Resource
Connect With Eric Froehlich
Twitter:@efropoker
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
Brian Braun-Duin is the 2016 World Champion, has 1 Pro Tour top 16 and 11 Grand Prix Top 8s, with 2 Grand Prix wins. He also writes articles at TCGplayer.com. Brian lives in Roanoke, Virginia.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Brian Braun-Duin when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep277
2016 World Champion Recap
Brian shifted to playing the best deck for an event instead of a pet deck.
How to Determine the Best Deck
Look at results from tournaments and Magic online events as a starter.
Sportsmanship
Treat your opponent with respect and handle yourself with class.
Advice
Relationships and people are more important than Magic. Take time to think about what others might think about you and the situation.
Lose With Class
Look at the big picture. If you consider the one game of Magic to be the end-all be-all then it will be hard to swallow. By having a big picture perspective, you'll realize it's not the only match that matters.
Graceful Winner
Feel free to celebrate but be mindful you don't "rub it in".
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Tunnel Vision. Some players have a plan and execute that plan no matter what often to their detriment.
Parting Guidance
Have fun!
Magic Resource
Being Right Instead of Being Correct; On Kindness
Connect With Brian Braun-Duin
Twitter:@BraunDuinIt
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
Ben Ragan began playing Magic with Magic 2010 after quitting competitive chess in middle school. He top 8ed GP Toronto and has multiple SCG Tour Open Top 8s, as well as a heartbreaking ninth-place finish at an SCG Invitational.He has a minor addiction to casting Collected Company in Modern and firmly believes that Magic is about maximizing your options. When he isn't competing, you can find him re-watching Game of Thrones or cook Italian food. Ben lives in Greenville.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ben Ragan when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep276
First Set
Zendikar
Favorite Set
Zendikar
Favorite Card
Collected Company
Early Challenge
Ben struggled with not playing fast enough and having no idea what his opponents were doing.
Worst Magic Moment
When Ben was 13, he won a match at an event and his opponent was rude to him. Ben lost his cool and got angry too. He has since learned to not let others opinion bother him.
Proudest Magic Moment
Top 8 at GP Toronto and getting respect from his friends.
What Have You Learned From Magic
Even when you're unhappy with some part of life, you can find happiness.
Advice To New Players
Read everything you can about Magic.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Not playing sideboard games. Players don't practice with their sideboard.
Tournament Preparation
Ben studies the meta and reads articles on the decks he wants to play. Then, he practices a ton. Ben did 20 Leagues leading up to the Grand Prix.
Parting Guidance
Find a group of people you can go to events with people who can grow with you.
Magic Resource
SCG, CFB, Ari Lax articles, Jim Davis stream, TCG Player
Connect With Ben Ragan
Twitter:@castingcoco
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
Josh Taylor is a long time Magic: The Gathering grinder and is a feared Limited aficionado in the North East. Some of his notable finishes include Top 8 of Grand Prix New Jersey, 3rd and 9th at SCG invitationals, Multiple old school PTQ wins, and 40th at Pro Tour Atlanta 2014. Josh lives in Henryville, PA.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Josh Taylor when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep275
First Set
Invasion
Favorite Set
Tempest block / Urza's block
Favorite Card
Bronze Sable
Early Challenge
Josh didn't know what he was bad at and couldn't improve. During a Ravnica event, Josh had an eye-opening experience that helped him see he had a lot to learn.
Worst Magic Moment
Josh went 1-4 at his first Pro Tour and decided to take a break from Magic. Looking back he realized he didn't prepare enough and was cocky.
Proudest Magic Moment
Top 8 at Grand Prix New Jersey 2018.
What Have You Learned From Magic
No one is perfect at Magic. Even the best players make mistakes. Keep a level head and don't let mistake overwhelm you.
Advice For New Players
Play every event round by round, game by game. Have a support group you can turn to.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Players don't control their emotions and give away how the game is going for them.
How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event
Playing a ton of sealed events and paying attention to the commons and uncommons that he lost to.
Parting Guidance
Enjoy the highs of Magic and don't beat yourself up during the lows.
Magic Resource
Read articles and watch videos, SCG, CFB
Connect With Josh Taylor
Josh 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
Sponsors
Galan Falakfarsa has been grinding competitive Magic for about 6 years. His first exciting finish was in 2012 with an SCG Open top 8. Since then he's made top 8 at several PTQs and PPTQs and played in a couple RPTQs. His GP Santa Clara finish was his biggest so far & he's very stoked to play in Pro Tour Magic 25 in Aug. Galan is from Davis, CA.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Galan Falakfarsa when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep274
First Set
Mirrodin
Favorite Set
Innistrad
Favorite Card
Kolaghan's Command
Early Challenge
Galan didn't feel like he was very good. He would miss obviously good lines of play. Galan learned from older players and slowed down his play.
Worst Magic Moment
At a Modern event, Galan played a Splinter Twin mirror match and made some huge misplays. He fell prey to making the common play instead of the less common one that would have helped him win.
Proudest Magic Moment
Top 4 at GP Santa Clara.
What Have You Learned From Magic
Decision-making. Magic is all about making the best decision on limited information.
Advice To New Players
Find players you know are better than you and play with them as much as possible.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Players make not playing lands. A lot of the time people hold lands trying to bluff when they would be better off with the land on the board.
Parting Guidance
It's very helpful to play Magic with better players. Become their friends and seek their honest feedback.
Magic Resource
MTG Top 8 (compare deck function)
Connect With Galan Falakfarsa
Galan 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
Sponsors