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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: May, 2016
May 31, 2016

Shaun Penrod is the host of the top rated Magic: The Gathering podcast, MTG Pro Tutor. The Professor runs the #1 MTG related YouTube channel, Tolarian Community College, and is the first repeat guest on MTG Pro Tutor. (Even though technically he's the host of this episode.) ;)

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Shaun Penrod when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep100

100 GIVE AWAY!!

Visit www.mtgprotutor.com/episode100

First Set

Tempest block

Favorite Set

Future Sight / Innistrad

Favorite Card

Akroma's Memorial
Avacyn, Angel of Hope

Level Up Moment

Reading an article by Michael J. Flores about casting instants on your own turn.

Best Format

Standard

Connect With Shaun Penrod

Twitter: @ShaunPenrod

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

100 GIVE AWAY!!

Visit www.mtgprotutor.com/episode100

May 27, 2016

Michael Majors is a Professional Magic player who lives in Roanoke VA and works at StarCityGames. He has 3 Grand Prix Top 8’s, including a win at GP San Diego in 2015, and has 2 Pro Tour Top 16s. He’s part of the Vintage Super Series duo Merriam and Majors.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Michael Majors when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep99

First Set

Mercadian Masques

Favorite Set

Time Spiral

Favorite Card

Eight-and-a-Half-Tails

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Winning is always nice but the friends he's made has kept Michael around.

Early Challenge

Identifying what in each game is important.

Worst Magic Moment

2015 was a rough year for Michael. He missed Platinum by a few points in 2014 and this affected Michael for most of the next season. Finally, at GP San Diego, he let go of caring and got first place. This reinvigorated him and he's done great since.

Proudest Magic Moment

When Michael finally made Platinum Pro.

Best Format

Standard

If you're new to Standard make one deck and stick with it to get it down, making adjustments as you go to meet your meta.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not using time wisely.

While your opponent is taking their turn, you can be thinking and planning.

Also, map your turn all the through. Don't just make the very next play, think of the full sequence.

Card Evaluation Tips

Compare new cards to older, similar cards to start determining how good they are.

How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event

Play a lot on Magic Online.

Play in person twice a week for several hours each session.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck

Pen

Paper

Water

Snacks

Improvement Suggestions

If you are loving an aspect of Magic then don't change that. If you want to become more competitive then build one deck and practice.

Magic Resource

Star City Games

Connect With Michael Majors

Twitter: @MichaelJMajors

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

May 24, 2016

Scott Lipp has 2 Grand Prix top 8's, and came in 16th at Grand Prix Vegas (BIGGEST GP EVER), He made top 4 at the Junior Super Series Worlds in 1999. He’s a father, a store owner, and lives in Kansas City.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Scott Lipp when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep98

First Set

Arabian Nights

Favorite Set

8th Ed. / Invasion block

Favorite Card

Chaos Orb

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Loves seeing new players come into his store and fall in love with Magic.

Early Challenge

Scott played too quickly. He had to learn patience.

Level Up Moment

When Scott started playing cards that he enjoyed instead of the cards/decks that were simply "the best".

Worst Moment

Having a really bum birthday weekend at GP Atlantic City

Proudest Magic Moment

Getting back on the Pro Tour train.

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Learning how to manage friendships.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Making the most obvious play.

Tapping mana wrong.

Not sequencing lands and cards correctly.

KNOW your deck, know your match up and use this knowledge to manage your plays and play around the right cards.

Improvement Suggestions

Go watch Twitch and read articles.

Treat opponents with respect.

Magic Resource

Twitch.tv

Connect With Scott Lipp

Twitter: @Spanky_KC

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

May 20, 2016

Louis Deltour is a 24 year old, French, Silver Pro, who started playing Magic in Odyssey and got competitive in Future Sight. He’s played in 10 Pro Tours and has 4 Grand Prix top 8's as well as a French Nationals top 8 in his record.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Louis Deltour when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep97

First Set

Odyssey

Favorite Set

Future Sight

Favorite Card

Mistbind Clique

Early Challenge

Showing up late, registering the wrong deck, miscounting combat math.

Louis struggled with really basic aspects in the beginning. You don't have to show up at a tournament with the wrong deck to learn like he did. Decide now to prepare ahead of time and show up with the right gear at the right time.

Lowest Magic Moment

Louis got really angry at a World Magic Cup Qualifier when he got beat by 2 cards.

After he cleared his head he realized that you can't get too emotional.

Proudest Magic Moment

Grand Prix London 2011

Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself

Louis loves being around people.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Playing bad decks.

Too many people resist following the way of Siege Rhino.

If it's the best card or the best deck, you should probably play it.

He also sees a lot of mistakes around mulligans.

If your hand needs more than one thing, you should mulligan.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck box

paper

pen

dice

sunglasses

Tylenol

Improvement Suggestions

Get friends and borrow cards. :)

Connect With Louis Deltour

Twitter: @LWIDELTOUW

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

May 17, 2016

Michael Simon is a longtime Grand Prix grinder who went 8-1 in his first Grand Prix. He then played 15 Grand Prix in a single year. Michael has two Grand Prix Top 8s - Modern (Chicago 2012) and Limited (Albuquerque 2016) - but first Qualified for the Pro Tour with a 10th place at Pittsburgh 2015. Micahel always wears an Izzet shirt.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Michael Simon when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep96

First Set

Revised

Favorite Set

Time Spiral

Favorite Card

Words of Wind

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Magic is never solved. This keeps Michael coming back for more.

Lowest Magic Moment

There was a period of 3 years when Michael didn't qualify for the Pro Tour and made him doubt his ability.

Proudest Magic Moment

Michael kept a one-land hand on a low mull and won. His opponent was very salty. Later, he went to the store owned by his opponent and then man came out and apologized for how he behaved and gave Michael credit for a good game.

Being accepted by his opponent was very validating for Michael.

Best Format

Modern

If you're new, find a deck with a sideboard that does not require you to know the match up.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Just "playing" your cards without thinking. Think "why do I want to play this card right now?"

Think "why do I want to play this card right now?"

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Pad

Pen

Water

KMC Hyper Matte

Cards

Dice

Improvement Suggestions

What happened in the past is mostly irrelevant; so is the future. Focus on the now.

Don't tell yourself unrealistic advice.

Connect With Michael Simon

Twitter: @mechalink

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

May 13, 2016

Doug Potter has been playing competitive Magic for more than half his life. He’s from Edmonton, Alberta, home of Shaun McLaren and other sick MTG players. After making 9th place on tie breakers at his first GP in 2005 he’s gone on to play in 6 Pro Tours and has 1 Grand Prix T8 at GP Toronto 2016.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Doug Potter when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep95

First Set

4th Edition

Favorite Set

Judgment

Favorite Card

Psychatog

Early Challenge

Elitism - thinking he was better than other players.

Doug had to learn how to respect his opponent's and even lost a few friends before this lesson sunk in.

Proudest Magic Moment

Being there for Alexander Hayne when he won his Pro Tour.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not enough players analyze the mistakes they made in games they won.

By doing this you don't have the negative emotions associated with a loss.

This helps you decompress wins in a healthy way.

Improvement Suggestions

Some players "get it" and others need to "find it" and grind. Where ever you fall in the Magic spectrum you can achieve your goals.

Healthy body, healthy mind. Hydration is important.

Connect With Doug Potter

Twitter: @DougPkr

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

May 10, 2016

 

Ari Lax is a Member of Team Ultra PRO, writes Premium articles for StarCityGames.com, has 8 Grand Prix Top 8s with 1 Win and is the Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir Champion.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Ari Lax when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep94

First Set

Ice Age Arctic Fox

Favorite Set

M13

Favorite Card

Vendilion Clique
Mind's Desire

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Magic is a constant puzzle.

Early Challenge

Not playing the best deck. If it's the best deck and nothing else is beating it then there is nothing wrong with playing it.

Worst Magic Moment

Ari was the "better-than-you" grinder for a while. This led to game losses and frustration that could have been a avoided. He learned that getting upset never helps.

Proudest Magic Moment

Seeing a close friend qualify for the Pro Tour.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Logicking from the end. Players work backward and look for flawed interactions and then match results to those instances when in reality you could have been making the best play with the info you had at the time.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Deck

Mat

Dice

Water

Complaining

Magic Resource

Star City Games

Connect With Ari Lax

Twitter: @armlx

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

May 6, 2016

Stephen Murray is a three-time Scottish National Champion, two-time World Magic Cup Top 8'r, has a couple of Pro Tour top 50's, and is a 2HG Draft and other weird format enthusiast. Stephen lives in Scotland.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Stephen Murray when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep93

First Set

Invasion / Mercadian Masques

Favorite Set

Ravnica: City of Guilds

Favorite Card

Armadillo Cloak

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Easy to get lost in the game if you just picture what's actually happening. And it has a great competitive scene.

Worst Moment

Having his Magic bag stolen.

Proudest Magic Moment

First time becoming National Champion in 2006.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not knowing how to sideboard in advance.

What's in Your Tournament Bag

Water

Light snack

dice

pens

Improvement Suggestions

Play lots of games, even if it's not competitive.

Magic Resource

Channel Fireball

MTG Top 8

Connect With Stephen Murray

Twitter: @JechtMurray

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

May 3, 2016

Autumn Burchett broke onto the Magic scene with an 11th place finish at her first ever Pro Tour, Pro Tour Battle For Zendikar. Now a silver level pro player she is looking to follow up this early achievement with more top finishes. Autumn lives in Bristol.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Autumn Burchett when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor today! Click here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep92

First Set

Return to Ravnica

Favorite Set

Shadows Over Innistrad

Favorite Card

Pack Rat

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

It's always changing.

Early Challenge

Tilting.

You have to be actively aware of tilting in order to combat it and not let it affect your game-play.

Level Up Moment

Borrowed an Affinity deck and won a win-a-Goyf event.

What Autumn learned was when to play around cards and when not play around them. It's a fine line but sometimes you need to commit and force your opponent to have the answer and sometimes you need to play around the answer. 

Autumn played very well at this event and really feel she leveled up her understanding of playing around cards.

Worst Moment

Pro Tour Atlanta.

Autumn neglected basic self-care and it manifested in her results.

She learned that sleep, food, hydration and adequate breaks between rounds are crucial to keeping your mind sharp for a long day of Magic.

Proudest Magic Moment

Pro Tour Battle For Zendikar.

Autumn made 11th place at her first ever Pro Tour!

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not knowing your role.

Identifying whether you are the beatdown player or not is crucial.

This section is a must listen!

Improvement Suggestions

If you are just getting into Magic, watch streams.

That's the cheapest way to improve.

Ozman, Darkest Mage and LSV are all great streamers who explain what they do so you can understand.

Magic Resource

Who's the beatdown? by Michael J. Flores

Eight core principles of "Who's the beatdown?" by Michael J. Flores

Limited Resources 239

Twitch

Ozman

Darkest Mage

LSV

Connect With Autumn Burchett

Twitter: @autumnoftheveil

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

1