That was me on both of those incidents >_<. I punted a few important games due to play errors on my part because of my unfamiliarity with Smokestack. The last time I used them was in when I used to play 5c Stax back when Trinisphere was new. After quitting for 4-5 years I came back and mostly played MUD Domination. Below is the list I played, its mostly the list from 2 posts up with a couple changes (I'm sure the creator thinks I'm a huge noob for making the changes I did).

3 Karn, Silver Golem
4 Lodestone Golem

4 Chalice of the Void
3 Crucible of Worlds
3 Null Rod
4 Serum Powder
3 Smokestack
4 Sphere of Resistance
4 Tangle Wire
3 Thorn of Amethyst

1 Black Lotus
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mana Vault
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Pearl
1 Sol Ring

4 Ancient Tomb
3 Ghost Quarter
4 Mishra’s Workshop
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Wasteland

Sideboard:
1 Crucible of Worlds
2 Duplicant
4 Leyline of Sanctity
4 Leyline of the Void
1 Null Rod
2 Razormane Masticore
1 ? Don't have my list with me, was fiddling with it at lunch before the tourney

As for the changes:
First off I don't like Trinisphere when using multiple sphere effects, too often it is dead (I would however use it if I was only running Sphere and not Thorn). I wish I knew how to do the math to figure out what are the chances of drawing it along with a combination of mana sources equaling 3 or more mana in your opening hand...I just can't imagine it is a high enough percentage to warrant its inclusion. A switch I will make in the future if I play a variant of this is again is to swap the Ghost Quarters for Rishadan Ports since they are more flexible. I omitted 1 Crucible from the main due to not wanting to get flooded with multiple Crucibles game 1 against random decks (I didnt know EVERYONE would be playing MUD) and 1 Smokestack because 3 had always served me fine back when I used to play with it. Problem with that line of thinking is the deck was completely different from past decks I had used it in which were early MUD lists and pre 2005 stax. Black Lotus was added as a 61st card because of the chance for explosiveness early and at worst it can power activated abilities/help power out spells through spheres later; it also only dilutes the chances of drawing something else that is a 3 or 4 of to less than a half a percent less.

I know the the Null Rods are not synergistic with all the artifact mana but I still felt that they would provide enough of a mana lock to really hose the opponent with Wire, Stack, and Spheres, and 8 strips. Keep in mind all of these decisions were made while I was at lunch, all theorizing and no playtesting. Due to work I hadn't really played Vintage in months since the only day I was able to make tournaments was Legacy day. All I knew was that MUD with Null Rod was going to rape MUD Domination if I didnt win the die roll, drop Metalworker on the first turn, have a decent hand, AND have the opponent not have Null Rod in his first 8 cards.

Hey I'm the other Mike that plays MUD at Asgards, probably can guess my last name from my TMD screen name (my handle here is the same as on their forums). Unfortunately I wasn't able to go to the event, not sure if I would have played MUD or Two Card Monte. I sent an email to the event organizer asking for top 8 lists so I could post them here but haven't heard back since they told me would see if they could gather the lists.

Ashnods Altar is solid, I bought a few Antiquities ones a couple months ago.  As I haven't run Smokestack in MUD in awhile, but I do run a full set of Metalworkers along with 3 Staffs and I'm trying to fit in a pair of Crucibles. The thing I dont like about Spawning Pit is the activation cost, Altar is free to activate and the extra mana it generates can help getting Staff going if you don't have a Metalworker. Also, I don't see why people are cutting City of Traitors...its been golden for me and I haven't even ran Crucible main in months.

Ha I was thought the same thing so I called them and asked. They dont actually have the power yet, they have purchased it from other dealers but dont have it in their possession yet. I was told it should be in "good" condition but I didnt ask about what they considered good since the person I was speaking too didnt seem like a play/collecter but rather an event manager. My guess is that good means "not beat to shit" and they are taking kind a hit on that hoping to generate enough interest to turn a profit on the side event.

I am not involved with the event but I heard about this and wanted to pass on the news since there are rarely any Vintage events in Texas that give out power as prizes. The tourney is a Sunday side event for Grand Prix Houston 4/2/2010 - 4/4/2010].
 
 
Vintage for Power
(4 Power Tickets)
Vintage Format - $25 entry
10 Proxies allowed (see below)
10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. start
Tournament Structure – Swiss plus cut to Top 8
1st Place – Ancestral Recall OR 3 Boxes of Zendikar
2nd Place – Bazaar of Baghdad OR 2 Boxes of Zendikar
3rd/4th Place –Mana Drain OR 1 Box of Zendikar
5th – 8th Place – Force of Will
If more than 64 players, additional prizes will be awarded


Location:
Hilton Americas – Houston
1600 Lamar, Houston, TX 77010

Venue Parking:
Self Parking:  $16.00
Valet Parking:  $28.00



Edit, just found out proxy requirements:

We will be using the Basic Land method along with Oracle text. If you happen to have a printout for wording on a more arcane card, that would probably help. You could simply write the name on the Basic Land, then have the printed text with you to show an opponent. Definitely, we are not going to use photocopied versions.

Asgard Games in Houston is hosting a 15 Proxy Vintage tournament on Saturday January 16 at 4PM.

Entry Fee: The tournament fee is $5 with an allowance of 10 proxys, fees will increase by $1 per proxy up to a limit of 15 proxies.

Proxies:  Slips of paper in the sleeve that are print-outs are required. You should know of any errata.

Prizes: The pot of entry fees goes out as store credit. This is split between first and second place for smaller turnouts and top 4 for larger turnouts

5016 Kirby Dr Houston, TX 77098

Sorry I wasn't able to back to y'all sooner. The missing cards in Will's list are:
1 Rack and Ruin
1 Voltaic Key

As for future tournament dates, there was one this past Saturday and there should be a Vintage tournament once a month in the future. I believe there were only eight people but 4 regulars including myself weren't able to go due to other obligations. All Vintage events will be on Saturdays since Legacy events are on Sundays and they consistantly get 16+ to go to those. I'll make sure to post announcements when I find out future dates

Tournament 3: 11/21/09
1st: David Ho - Dragon Oath
2nd: Mike Graham - MUD Domination (grahaminator)
3rd: Mike Penick - MUD (madmanmike25)
4th: Will Pagani - Tezzeret

Top 4:
Mike Graham (MUD Domination) defeated Will Pagani (Tezzeret)
David Ho (Oath) defeated Mike Penick (MUD)

Finals:
David Ho (Oath) defeated Mike Graham (MUD Domination)


Participants (10)
Brian - Steel City Vault
David - Oath
Jeff - TPS
Justin - Painter
Little Chris - UR Dreadstill?
Mike G - MUD Domination
Mike P - MUD
Sam - 5c STAX
Trevor - Fish
Will - Tezzeret


Top 4:
Mike Graham (MUD Domination) defeated Will Pagani (Tezzeret)
David Ho (Oath) defeated Mike Penick (MUD)

Finals:
David Ho (Oath) defeated Mike Graham (MUD Domination)


Participants (10)
Brian - Steel City Vault
David - Oath
Jeff - TPS
Justin - Painter
Little Chris - UR Dreadstill
Mike G - MUD Domination
Mike P - MUD
Sam - 5c STAX
Trevor - Fish
Will - Tezzeret


Top 4 decklists:
David Ho - Dragon Oath

creature [3]
2 Hellkite Overlord
1 Iona, Shield Of Emeria

instant [18]
1 Ancestral Recall
2 Ancient Grudge
1 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
4 Impulse
1 Lim-dul's Vault
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Rebuild
2 Spell Pierce
1 Vampiric Tutor

sorcery [9]
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Duress
1 Merchant Scroll
1 Ponder
3 Thoughtseize
1 Time Walk
1 Yawgmoth's Will

enchantent [4]
4 Oath Of Druids

artifact [9]
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Time Vault
1 Voltaic Key

land [17]
3 Flooded Strand
4 Forbidden Orchard
2 Scalding Tarn
1 Strip Mine
2 Tropical Island
3 Underground Sea
1 Volcanic Island
1 Wasteland

Sideboard:
1 Firespout
1 Karrthus, Tyrant Of Jund
1 Krosan Grip
4 Leyline Of The Void
1 Oxidize
1 Pithing Needle
1 Ravenous Trap
2 Red Elemental Blast
1 Spell Pierce
1 Tormod's Crypt
1 Wasteland


Mike Graham - MUD Domination

creature [13]
2 Arcbound Ravager
3 Karn, Silver Golem
4 Metalworker
4 Triskelion

artifact [29]
1 Black Lotus
4 Chalice of the Void
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mana Vault
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Sol Ring
4 Sphere of Resistance
3 Staff of Domination
4 Tangle Wire
4 Thorn of Amethyst
1 Trinisphere

land [18]
4 Ancient Tomb
2 City of Traitors
2 Mishra's Factory
4 Mishra's Workshop
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Wasteland
60 cards

Sideboard:
2 Crucible of Worlds
4 Damping Matrix
2 Duplicant
3 Jester´s Cap
4 Razormane Masticore


Mike Penick - MUD

creature [14]
4 Juggernaut
2 Karn, Silver Golem
1 Masticore
4 Metalworker
3 Triskelion

artifact [30]
4 Chalice of the Void
1 Black Lotus
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mana Vault
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
2 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Smoke Stack
1 Sol Ring
4 Sphere of Resistance
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
4 Tangle Wire
1 Trinisphere

land [16]
4 Ancient Tomb
2 City of Traitors
4 Mishra's Workshop
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Wasteland

Sideboard:
2 Crucible of Worlds
2 Duplicant
2 Masticore
1 Memory Jar
3 Mishra's Factory
3 Null Rod
2 Staff of Domination


Will Pagani - Tezzeret
creature [6]
4 Dark Confidant
1 Sphinx of the Steel Wind
1 Tezzeret the Seeker

artifact [11]
1 Black Lotus
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mana Vault
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Sol Ring
1 Time Vault

instant [18]
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Brainstorm
1 Echoing Truth
1 Fire/Ice
4 Force of Will
1 Gifts Ungiven
1 Hurkyl's Recall
4 Mana Drain
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Rushing River
1 Spell Pierce
1 Vampiric Tutor

sorcery [6]
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Ponder
1 Merchant Scroll
1 Time Walk
1 Tinker
1 Yagmoth's Will

land [17]
2 Flooded Strand
2 Island
1 Library of Alexandria
2 Scalding Tarn
2 Polluted Delta
1 Swamp
1 Tolarian Academy
3 Underground Sea
3 Volcanic Island

Sideboard:
2 Arcane Lab
2 Ingot Chewer
4 Leyline of the Void
2 Pithing Needle
2 Pyroclasm
3 Rack and Ruin

Below is a partial quote from one of the owners of Asgard Games in reference to the upcoming tournament. His full post can be found here. Hope to see a good turnout next weekend. Note the rules about proxies that I bolded.

Thought it would be useful to post this since Texas is so spread out and it's even hard to find out about tournaments in the same city. Asgard Games in Houston (Midtown) is starting to host monthly Vintage tournaments. Here's a link to my thread in the Tournament Announcement Forum. Store info is included there.

Asgard Games in Houston is hosting a 15 Proxy Vintage tournament on August 29 (their website has not been updated to reflect the update to 15 proxy). At the moment it looks like there will be monthly tournaments, but if we can get a nice consistent turn out hopefully we can increase it to by-monthly or even weekly some time down the road.

Entry Fee: The tournament fee is $5 with an allowance of 10 proxys, fees will increase by $1 per proxy up to a limit of 15 proxys.

Proxies:  Slips of paper in the sleeve that are print-outs are required. You should know of any errata.

Prizes: The pot of entry fees goes out as store credit. 1st place gets 50%, 2nd place gets 25%, 3rd & 4th place get 12.5%


5016 Kirby Dr Houston, TX 77098

Edit: Store updated tournament to 15 proxy.

www.asgardgames.net
Asgard Magic Forums

Hi there, my name is Mike Graham. I've been gamer ever since I remember, first playing Atari 2600 when I was a kid (before the NES came out). During high school some I played Rifts for a few years but mostly just stuck with MtG or FPS and RPG console games. In college I found bdominia (2000-2001) while looking for primers and lurked there. Once themanadrain opened I posted occasionally usually about 4 color control, mask, and workshop strategies as well as making comments on community threads. My handle was "verlorene", this was all before the boards were purged, I think I only have a few posts since then but I decided to recreate an account since I started using this screen name on another forum.

Every few years I play Magic then take long breaks so I've missed quite a few sets over the years...I haven't played but a couple games since 2005. From late 2004 to early 2008 I spent all my free time playing WoW, I did the whole raiding thing and PVP/Arena. I had over 2k rating on my toons but lost interest, the last time I think I really had fun pvping was in premades before TBC. If you were in the Vindication battlegroup or on my server Thunderhorn you may have known me as Belphegor (UD Mage) or Grahaminator (Tauren Druid). I heavily upgraded my computer to play Age of Conan but it was terrible and I didn't renew my initial subscription. Now I occasionally get on my PS3 or play tower defense games on my ITouch/G-Phone. I made this account last year in hopes of posting and going to the San Antonio Vintage mox tourney but a new job kept me busy until I was layed off during Xmas. I'm working again in the Houston area and am looking for Vintage playtesting and tournaments. My office is near 610 and Ella (The Heights) but I live near Sugarland.

Some people may know me from the weekly tournaments at Dragon's Breath Games (which shut down awhile back) during 2004-2005. I played Vintage and Standard (during Mirroden block) tournies every week there. I mostly played 4 color control or STAX in the Vintage events or RG Tempo LD or MWC in the Standard. I plan on playing both Vintage and Legacy at Asgard Games but I haven't been able to make it out to playtest or attend tournaments due to work and rl responsibilities.

Edit: by the way this is my myspace that I dont log into any more in case someone wants to check and see if they know me or if you are randomly bored