Arnaud Soumet is a French Magic player who has played in several Pro Tours and was on the French World Magic Cup team in 2015 when they took 3rd place. He is a business consultant who lives in Paris.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Arnaud Soumet when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep91
First Set
Onslaught
Favorite Set
Origins
Favorite Card
Westvale Abbey
Ormendahl, Profane Prince
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Arnaud likes to win and loves the friends he has made.
Level Up Moment
Joined a team and started practicing regularly.
Worst Magic Moment
Losing early at a Grand Prix and not flying out until the next day is the worst. In the moment, Arnaud feels bad but eventually he'll tour the city or hang out with friends and do side events.
Proudest Magic Moment
Making it to 3rd place with the French team at the World Magic Cup 2015.
Best Format
Constructed
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Arnaud has recognized that he needs to practice a lot to do things that seem to come naturally to others. He's clever but needs to practice a lot.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Sideboarding too reactively against scary cards. You don't want to put yourself on the back foot. Sideboard cards that address your opponent AND advance your game plan.
Gaddock Teeg is a good example. It turns off your opponent's spells and is a body that can attack as well. Try to apply more pressure instead of focusing on dealing with a specific threat.
How To Choose a Deck
Look at deck win percentages from the Pro Tour, read articles about those decks, pick one, and jam sessions until you know the deck inside and out.
As you play, take a few minutes after each game to record the key cards in the match up.
What's in Your Tournament Bag
Deck
Water
Paper
Pen
Food
Improvement Suggestions
new to Magic? Grab a friend, make som proxies, and play play play.
Magic Resource
MTG Coverage - Compiles footage from all major events regardless of what channel they were on.
As you go through games stop and think what you would do.
Connect With Arnaud Soumet
Twitter: @ArnaudSoumet
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
Jared Sylva is a Level 3 judge with the Grand Prix Head Judge role and is the Organized Play Department Manager for StarCityGames.com. Jared lives in Roanoke VA.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jared Sylva when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep90
First Set
Revised
Favorite Set
Onslaught (because of Morph)
Favorite Card
Wirewood Savage
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
The mental challenge and the game of optimizing resources.
Early Challenge
Jared got too fixated on an idea and tried to build decks around mechanics or specific cards, even if it wasn't good.
Most Negative Moment
Having to Disqualify someone for offering to roll a die for the win when the player had NO idea that was illegal. The rules are very clear and have to be enforced and it was hard to DQ this player.
Proudest Magic Moment
Seeing many friends advance in the judge community, specifically Jason Reedy when he was recognized for being on his way to becoming a Level 3 judge after running side events like a boss.
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Knowing that he has a reputation for arrogance, Jared recognizes that some people like him as a leader and others don't. He's learned how to be a leader to those assigned to follow him, as supposed to those who choose to follow him.
Improvement Suggestions
Making Magic: The Gathering accessible to all kinds of people is a huge focus and Jared puts out a call to the whole community to make it an equally enjoyable experience for all ages, races, genders and sexual orientations. It's up to all of us.
Magic Resource
Magic: The Gathering website - list of Regional Coordinators who can put you in touch with someone local to you if you want to become a judge.
Judge.Wizards.com - Judge practice exams
Connect With Jared Sylva
Twitter: @JaredSylva
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
Erin Campbell is the creator of two successful Magic: The Gathering podcasts, The Deck Tease and The Girlfriend Bracket, and is currently a co host of the Magic Mics Podcast. She was a 2014 Community Cup team member and day 2’d her first Grand Prix in March 2016. She has her sights set on Wisconsin State Champion. Erin lives in Milwaukee, WI.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Erin Campbell when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep89
Ice Age
Tempest
Ad Nauseam
The human interaction. She didn't get as much of this playing video games and appreciated the Magic community for its human interactions.
Erin used to play decks she hated because they were "good decks". Now she understands that she can play decks she likes. She knows now she doesn't have to go to every event. She can play the decks she likes at the events she wants and that's okay.
An AMA on Reddit.
Take away: The less you say after "I'm sorry" the better.
Representing the community at the 2014 Community Cup.
Modern
"I am not my results."
Erin learned to separate her match results from her self-worth. You can lose at Magic and that doesn't mean you are a terrible person.
Also, learning when good enough is good enough.
Buying into the white noise.
There is SO much content out there that people sometimes forget to form their own opinions about cards and decks. Take in the content you want but don't get lost in the white noise.
Don't play Rest in Peace. ;)
Magic Mics Podcast - Current news in the Magic world
Twitter: @OriginalOestrus
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
Magic Story is the audio presentation of Uncharted Realms, the weekly Daily MTG column that tells the lore behind Magic: The Gathering.
Please visit www.magicthestory.com to learn how you can support the show.
Maitland Cameron came 3rd at Australian nationals in 2011, a year after he started playing Magic! Since then he’s come in 4th at Grand Prix Sydney 2014, 2nd at Grand Prix Auckland 2015 and 2nd at Grand Prix Melbourne in 2016. Maitland lives in Melbourne Australia.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Maitland Cameron when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep88
Rise of Eldrazi
Innistrad
The Gitrog Monster
The community.
Maitland resigned himself to the outcome of a game before it was even done.
To overcome that he started recognizing when he would have those thoughts, acknowledge them, and then actively push those thoughts out and focus on winning the game.
When Maitland was shown how to play around cards he experienced a level up moment.
People are the most important aspect of Magic.
Limited (Draft)
Ask opponents what they drafted and show them what you drafted. Ask questions. Make sure you are asking people who it isn't their first time.
Feeling pressure. This blinds some players. Put yourself in situations as often as you can so you aren't pressured when at big events.
Water
Banana
Life Pad
Pen
GasMTG - Maitland Cameron's blog and podcast
Embrace new players. Be a nice person and a beacon to the community.
Enjoy the game.
Twitter: @Maitlandcameron
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.
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Eduardo Sajgalik is a multinational traveler based in the UK, though he started playing in France. He got his first Pro Point in 2006. He made Top 8 at Pro Tour Return to Ravnica in 2012, has 4 Grand Prix Top 8s under his belt, and has made Top 8 at 4 Nationals. A fun fact about our guest, he has played on 3 National teams: Canada (2008), UK (2011), England (2013).
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eduardo Sajgalik when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep87
Judgment
Time Spiral
Riftwing Cloudskate
Deck Construction
His first two Pro Tours really taught Eduardo that there IS "another level", and he dedicated himself to reach it.
Look at the top 32 decks of recent events.
People are stuck up in their own ideas. If you are not open to new ideas then it stops your improvement. If 20 people are giving you similar feedback, you should probably listen.
Eduardo wants to be social. Magic lets you make long lasting friendships.
Deck
Deck Box
Pad
Pen
Water
Cereal Bar
Banana
Trail Mix
FNM is a perfect experimental format. Try stuff out and have fun.
Look at the top 32 decks of a tournament. Those decks were 1 win away from the top 8. This will give you a better idea of which decks are doing well than just looking at the Top 8 list.
Watch high-level Magic match ups. This will help you internalize the lines of play so they aren't new when they happen to you.
Twitter: @Walaoumpa
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.
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Matt Severa is a software developer from Madison, WI. He is also a silver level pro and a member of Team Ultra Pro. His magic accomplishments include top 8 at GP Detroit in 2003, top 4 at GP Nashville in 2014, and a GP win at Washington D.C. in 2016.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Severa when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep86
Revised
Innistrad set
Vendilion Clique
Social aspect.
Constructed
Matt can go all in and sometimes lets his emotions carry over from game to game. He reminds himself why he's playing. He's there to have fun and regardless of his results he got to hang out with some great people.
People don't step back and look at the bigger picture. Have an overall plan. If you don't know what your deck is trying to do you will lose more often than you should.
Matt attends a draft camp to learn what the limits of the format is. This is how he familiarizes himself with the archetypes in Limited.
Notepad
Pen
Water
Eat right, sleep well, and stay fit.
Twitter: @MattSevera
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.
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Chapman Sim's been playing Magic for over 20 years and is one of the most dedicated players in Asia. Living by the motto of "Play the Game, See the World", he is a travel enthusiast known for his escapades all around the globe. Chapman has 4 Grand Prix top 8s, has 3 World Magic Cup appearances, 2 Nationals Top 8s, and is the 2015 Singapore National Champion.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Chapman Sim when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep85
Revised
Mirrodin
Force of Will
Really good organized play. Plenty of events to meet up with friends and play.
When he was invited to play with team MTG Mint Card.
Chapman's sliver deck was stolen. He was determined to not let the loss get him down and he bounced back and started grinding really hard.
Playing so many Pro Tours in a row without being a Gold Level Pro.
He's learned he's very independent. He schedules all his travel himself and is always where he needs to be when he needs to be there.
Limited
Limited tips: Go to the pre-release of every set. It's a lot of fun and you can prepare by reading the set primer.
Drafting is the hardest format. Manage your curve. Do a draft once or twice a week. Stay consistent and you'll get better.
Meet up with a team a week before and practice.
Playing removal spells too early, especially in Limited. At the GP level, Chapman sees people throwing away their removal when they should wait for something bigger
Pen
Pad
Deck
Twitter: @chapmansim
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.
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Alex Bastecki spent years helping run premier level tournaments as a judge, then in 2015 he decided to focus more on playing, resulting in his first Pro Tour appearance at Pro Tour Magic Origins and a Star City Games Invitational win in Season 3 in New Jersey. Alex lives in Pittsburg.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Alex Bastecki when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep84
Tempest
Time Spiral
Basking Rootwalla
How everything ties together.
Don't look five matches into the future. Keep you mind centered on the present match at hand.
Letting emotions carry over into the next game.
Winning a Regional Pro Tour Qualifier.
Alex was playing with a Japanese card and didn't tell his opponent the full text. His opponent tried to blow it up all over the internet and this almost made Alex leave the game.
Winning the Star City Games Invitational
Legacy
Turning on the intensity needed to win and turning off the stress.
Letting emotions get the best of them. Just because you've mulled down to 5 doesn't mean you've lost. Stay in the moment, don't check out, and play your best.
Strive to become better with every game you play, either casual or competitive.
Article about sharing information mentioned by Alex.
Twitter: @rootwallapunk
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.
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Ralph Betesh has two Grand Prix top 8s, one in Miami 2015 and the second when he slogged through the insiduous Eldrazi menace and emerged as champion of Grand Prix Detroit in March of 2016. Ralph lives in Philidelphia.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ralph Betesh when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep83
M11
Delver of Secrets
Combat math.
"I'm super competitive."
Not seeking feedback. Talk to your opponent and others after each game.
Decks
Box
Sleeves
Go to FNM. Network at your local store.
Magic Online
Watching streams (Twitch)
Twitter: @amthebroseph01
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.
(Here's a 1.5 minute tutorial on how to leave a review if you don't already know. THANK YOU!)