MTG Pro Tutor - Insights, Tips & Advice from Magic: The Gathering Pros

Jon Finkel’s prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname “Jonny Magic” long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he’s widely considered the greatest player of all time by winning PT Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and Top 8’ing PT Avacyn Restored and PT Dark Ascension in 2012.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Jon Finkel when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep297

Jon Finkel's prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname "Jonny Magic" long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he's widely considered the greatest player of all time by winning PT Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and Top 8'ing PT Avacyn Restored and PT Dark Ascension in 2012.

Antiquities (1994)

Innistrad (2011) - "Was the pinnacle of Limited set design."

Desperate Ravings

The depth of the game and the ability to add on to the basic framework through the expansions is what keeps Jon engaged.

Not running enough lands in control decks and not playing 60 card decks.

Realizing that playing other decks outside your comfort zone can lead to growth and improvement as a player, not to mention better results.

Making first Pro Tour Top 8 at Chicago in 1997

Draft

Not being open to playing the best deck. Not playing Magic with the intention to improve. You need to be conscious of what you play and how you play so you can improve.

Jon Finkel's prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname "Jonny Magic" long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he's widely considered the greatest player of all time by winning PT Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and Top 8'ing PT Avacyn Restored and PT Dark Ascension in 2012.

Rather than opening up the spoiler every week to see what's new, Jon gets the best grasp on a new set simple by drafting it.

In Sealed you'll get powerful bombs that you really want to play but your deck will be less streamlined than in the draft. If there are two good black cards don't take a slightly worse red card because you "don't want to fight for black". Just pick the best card.

Having a team is critical to improving. Find the best players you can but make sure you get along with them personally because you'll be spending a lot of time with them.

Take advantage of draft simulators. Rebuild packs with friends so you can draft. Beg, borrow and use proxies if you're on a budget and need to test deck ideas. Be critical of your plays so you can improve

MTG Salvation Spoilers

Twitter: @Jonnymagic00

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

Daniel Ward has 5 Grand Prix top 8’s including 1 win and made Top 8 of a World Magic Cup Qualifier in 2016. Daniel lives in Catskill, NY.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Daniel Ward when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep284

Ice Age

Odyssey

The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale

Daniel has always been good at sports. When he came into Magic and learned, it was competitive, it was easy to get into the competitive side but hard to put his casual side aside

Daniel was proclaimed as 'the worst cheater ever' over an incident that wasn't as bad as people made it sound. But it was on camera and people saw. People make mistakes and Daniel is stronger now because he had to go through it.

Being selected for team Dex Protection. Being recognized as good enough to play with big names meant a lot to Daniel.

Find out why you play Magic. Through that, you'll find fulfillment and enjoyment in the game.

MTG Goldfish

Twitter:@Bigward28 ‏

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

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

Mirrodin

Innistrad

Kolaghan's Command

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.

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.

Top 4 at GP Santa Clara.

Decision-making. Magic is all about making the best decision on limited information.

Find players you know are better than you and play with them as much as possible.

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.

It's very helpful to play Magic with better players. Become their friends and seek their honest feedback.

MTG Top 8 (compare deck function)

Galan 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

Daniel Mabee is a semi-competitive Magic player from Sacramento, California who has been playing since 2000. He made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Santa Clara.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Daniel Mabee when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep273

Ice Age

Innistrad

Opposition

Dan was intimidated by going to events. Everyone knew each other and he felt like the new kid. Over time the community was a whole has become more welcoming and Dan learned how to make friends. This helped him feel more comfortable at events.

At a Theros Grand Prix in Sacramento Dan practiced a lot. He had high expectations but got smashed 4 rounds in a row. Dan was disappointed but learned it's important to remember that Magic is a game. Don't get attached to a single event.

Grand Prix Santa Clara when Dan made top 8 with his team.

Dan knows you can't change the past. It's easy to obsess over past decisions, but know that you can't change how you got there. You can decide how to act now.

Don't be afraid of going up and talking to people.

Not trusting your own intuition.

Most people struggle believing they can win. Explore your confidence and hold on to it. You have to believe you can win.

SCG, CFB, MTG Salvation, The Source, Twitch

Dan 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

Martin Juza has a record that speaks for itself with an impressive 25 Grand Prix top 8s including 4 wins and 3 Pro Tour top 8s with an additional 3 top 16 finishes! He’s well known in the Magic community as a pillar of good sportsmanship. Martin lives in the Czech Republic.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Martin Juza when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep211

Urza's Destiny

Time Spiral

Counterspell

Every aspect of Magic was new but events, articles and other people helped fill in the gap.

There was a year where Martin didn't make Platinum. He missed one European Grand Prix and it cost him $1,000 bucks.

There was a year where he always made top 8 or top 16. Also, his first Pro Tour top 8 felt really great.

Travel the world and experience different culture.

Martin is working on preparing better for Magic event.

If you're choosing between two cards that are of similar power levels, always pick the cheaper card.

Don't be like Martin ;)

The most important thing in constructed is good side boarding. Having a plan and knowing what to take out and put in is key to success.

Martin practices with Channel Fireball team and they constantly discuss the best deck and evaluate the meta-game.

Martin has experience with other games (Hearthstone and poker) and brings that to Magic.

Read a lot of article, watch games and learn all you can.

Twitter:@Juzam_ ‏

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