BEFORE
Play a comfortable deck and situate your sideboard.
- During any given time the standard metagame supports
viable deck
choices and usually one you will prefer. Pick the deck you
prefer and
make a sideboard that does what you want it to do.
Small talk your opponent, watch for individual subtleties.
- As the match begins, look at your opponent. Does he/she
seem nervous, angry, or fidgeting. This may say something about the person’s
last match results or nervousness about the event. DO NOT BE AFRAID
TO CAPATALIZE IN LARGE EVENT SITUATIONS.
Continue to eat well, rest, and prepare mentally.
- Everyone has read a zillion articles telling us all to
rest and prepare before large events. Do the same during the event every chance you
get.
Use counter-intuitive paraphernalia
- Playing RDW? Sleeve it up in sleeves that portray classic
control card images. Playing UB Control? Bring your primeval titan
playmate. Opponents may guess incorrectly about the deck you are
playing, and mulligan/choose differently on draw/play options. During the
first game, UB would love to see you mulligan away a hand.
Know your strongest and weakest matchup
- This will help you navigate matchups as soon as you see
your opponents colors. If the mirror match is tough, play it differently. Do
unexpected things, and think outside the box.
DURING
Learn to manage the time clock efficiently and take notes
when possible.
- Don’t stare at your draw from an EOT think twice. Yes it
WAS that card. Move along. If you’re enduring a tough game in match, with
bad draws, scoop em up and go to game 3. Sometimes this is the right
thing to do.
Don’t be afraid to mulligan.
- If a hand doesn’t look good, or is off color, mulligan
away. You don’t have to lose with 7 bad cards when you can emerge victorious
with 6 better cards.
Watch opponent during all draws.
- Where does the opponent place cards into the hand? Do they
look exasperated or throw their hand down and pass the turn? Once
again, CAPITALIZE. These frustrated types that wear their emotions
on their sleeve can be easy wins when they become rattled.
Know when you are the aggressor.
- Learn all about tempo. Know when to tap out and get
aggressive. Sometimes the smallest thing such as a missed land drop is
your cue to turn the tide.
Never “go easy” on an unfortunate opponent.
- Don’t feel sorry for them. Finish quickly, aggressively,
and save time focus for other tasks.
AFTER
Check items that you brought to the table, fill out report
sheet with both players present.
- Also count your deck. Make sure the opponent didn’t
LITERALLY surgically extract your swords. Large events can be a magnet
for people looking to pull dishonest stunts.
De-Sideboard NOW!
- A game loss because you forgot to un-sideboard. Don’t be
guilty of it at a large event. If you do it post match, and check
prematch it should NEVER happen.
If Time permits, watch feature matches.
- These are the better players usually. Watch their every
move. They didn’t make it there by sheer luck.
Alleviate, rehydrate, and snack well.
-Notice the rest and eating thing in all three phases? That’s
because these practices are the foundation for playing good magic.
Take time to chat with team members/friends.
- Locate near postings, gain insight and prepare for the
next player!
All in all keep some of these simple things in mind. Enjoy
yourself! Most people play their best when relaxed and playing under no pressure! Enjoy!!!
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