How was your SCG Syracuse experiance?

[Outlaw]

It all began with my direct team not being able to make SCG Syracuse, but me being so dedicated still wanted to go.  I found the answer to my problem, the one and only BrassMan, o yeah thats right.  Our journey was double what it was suppose to be, and in the end Syracuse for me was completely savage.  

I have to admit, Syracuse was just plain awesome.  Being able to congregate with all of the type 1 players I've met over the time I started playing was great.  On top of things, having someone actually know the name Outlaw, and know who I was amazed me and made me feel welcomed.  For all of you that may have seen me, I am the mexican looking (not actually mexican) kid with a white hat (this is all at the time of the tourney) with shades on and a gigantic black hooded sweatshirt on the entire time.  Justin Timoney despite them actually writing me in as Joshua Timoney...

The end of the tourney was great, Denny's at like midnight for the win.  I want to thank everyone that went, and the wicked old dude that brought us our food, it was what type 1 magic is all about.  It was great meeting people like BigChuck, PTW, Kevin Cron and everyone else.  Having Marc  actually remember my name and shake my hand when he had to leave at like 3 AM was amazing.  Kevin being perhaps the tallest magic player sporting nightmare wear I've ever seen is definitely winning material, we should talk on that sometime!   Driving with Walking Sponge, Brassman and Samite healer is hotness, if anyone comes in relative distance of Brassman poke him in the earlobe, he loves it.

So I just want to know, how was everyone else's experiance?  What could have made it better for you?


-=Outlaw


(Kowal btw, Mrs. Outlaw did say for next tourney there will be cookies)

[BigChuck]

For me, the Syracuse experience was two seperate entities. On one hand, we had the trip up, the haning out with everyone before and after, and all the fun shit that went along with that. That kicked ass. Being able to get twenty or so people to Dennys, despite the bad weather, and many having a ton of driving to do was the highlight of the weekend. Definitely worth the ride.

Unfortunately, the actual running of the tournament left a lot to be desired.  To begin with, I thought it was odd that the tournament required you to have a DCI card. I was later told that under REL 3 enforcement, it wants the card to be able to look back at prior offenses, but it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense, as anyone could have just gotten a new card with no link to a prior offense. The tournament started late, which is typical of most large T1 tournaments, but there were a bunch of issues with pairings, round timing, announcements, and especially, seating.  The pairings were originally posted in three places, but at some point during the tournament, they decided that they would only post them in two of the three, so a bunch of people got game, or even match losses because there was no pairings announcement, and they were waiting for them to be posted in the place they previously were.  As far as announcements went, there was no PA or microphone system, so any announcements were just the Head Judge yelling(bear in mind, the tournament was split in two different rooms, so it isn't exactly adequate), and on that note, he could have been a little less obnoxious, and the judging staff in general got a ton of rulings incorrect.

Seating to begin round one was atrocious. They essentially tried to jam everyone in the back room, so as to have room in the front for their other events, but there was about a foot between tables, and everyone was left rubbing elbows.  

In my mind, Altered States is not the place to continue to run type one tournaments. I understand they have a good sized venue and all, but I believe renting a hall would work out infinitely better.  This is the second Syracuse tournament I've gone to their, and this is the second one I came away from with a bad taste in my mouth. Last time, they kicked everyone out, except those who were playing in the top eight, and this time, they locked their doors at ten or so, and wouldn't let people back in.  They need to accept their responsibility of running/allowing the tournament to take place their, and not try and force everyone out. If you want to run the tournament and profit off it, you need to be willing to make a few sacrifices.  I know I'm not the only one who is going to think twice before going back there.

Edit: I also wanted to compliment the Star City staff(specifically Pete and Ted) for being generally friendly, despite having to drive up their due to flight cancelations, and working non-stop throughout the day.  It helped that you guys were doing everything you could, despite the problems with Altered.

[CHA1N5]

Big Chuck has pretty much summed up my feelings as well:  overall, this TO seems very "immature".  They place a high priority on telling players not to swear or cheat (yes, the HJ actually announced, "Do not cheat.") and an unacceptably low priority on actually getting the tournament to function properly.  I would go so far as to say that they greatly influenced the T8 with their actions.  

The judging was poor as well.  I was actually told by a judge (in the Top8!) that I could not sacrifice an enchantment to Smokestack.    I ended up speaking to a few of the judges over the course of the event and they were nice fellas... I just believe them to be a bit inexperienced in judging T1.  Want another for-instance?: During mine and Jeff's sudden death turns (in the T8!), the judge watching our game actually said (of me, to Jeff): "I bet he won't be tapping that City of Brass any time soon!"  

That said:  the SCG staff are gentlemen and scholars, all.  I like the personal touches that they have brought to their coverage, with talking to many of the players and getting comments, etc.  I enjoyed participating in the coverage as it pertained to my specific matches, as well.

Apparently, SCG will be beefing up the judging staff with their own people (Matt V?) for the next Syracuse event, which will help.  A bit more professionalism and attention to detail on the logistical side of things would greatly improve the Altered States tournament experience.

[Shock Wave]

Big Chuck has pretty much summed up my feelings as well:  overall, this TO seems very "immature".  They place a high priority on telling players not to swear or cheat (yes, the HJ actually announced, "Do not cheat.") and an unacceptably low priority on actually getting the tournament to function properly.  I would go so far as to say that they greatly influenced the T8 with their actions.  

The judging was poor as well.  I was actually told by a judge (in the Top8!) that I could not sacrifice an enchantment to Smokestack.    I ended up speaking to a few of the judges over the course of the event and they were nice fellas... I just believe them to be a bit inexperienced in judging T1.  Want another for-instance?: During mine and Jeff's sudden death turns (in the T8!), the judge watching our game actually said (of me, to Jeff): "I bet he won't be tapping that City of Brass any time soon!"  

That said:  the SCG staff are gentlemen and scholars, all.  I like the personal touches that they have brought to their coverage, with talking to many of the players and getting comments, etc.  I enjoyed participating in the coverage as it pertained to my specific matches, as well.

Apparently, SCG will be beefing up the judging staff with their own people (Matt V?) for the next Syracuse event, which will help.  A bit more professionalism and attention to detail on the logistical side of things would greatly improve the Altered States tournament experience.

I entirely agree. The judging was atrocious, and the organization of the event was overall extremely poor. We were discussing the Smokestack comment and several other ridiculous rulings on the way home. Amongst some of our favourites:

- Sacrificing Black Lotus is an activated ability
- You can only cast 1 spell with Yawgmoth's Will from your graveyard

Those were the real highlights, but there was other nonsense that occurred as well. I would strongly recommend NOT having any further events at that particular venue. I've twice played at Altered States (TMD Champs #1, and now this event) and on both occasions, the events were orchestrated extremely poorly. Where the responsibility for this lies is irrelevant, but unfortunately that venue is blacklisted for future events in my books.

[Kowal]

I've done three tournaments at the venue.  Each left a bad taste in my mouth.

Not that I wouldn't go back.  It would just require either massive changes from Altered States (and I mean massive) or Pete just ignoring them completely and bringing in his own staff and equipment.

Besides the technical problems with the tournament though, the socializing experience was great.  It was fun to see Short Bus, Meandeck, the Canadians, kl0wn, and Hadley all in the same room for the first time since GenCon.  You guys are the reason I can't quit this silly game and make thousands of dollars in the process.  Bastards.  

[Matt]

Technically Black Lotus IS an activated ability. It's an activated mana ability (as compared with triggered mana abilities like Wild Growth).

But like all mana abilities it cannot be responded to.

[Shock Wave]

Technically Black Lotus IS an activated ability. It's an activated mana ability (as compared with triggered mana abilities like Wild Growth).

But like all mana abilities it cannot be responded to.

The fact that it can't be responded to is the issue I was alluding to. I was implying that the ability is not treated as a standard activated ability.

[Samite Healer]

Technically Black Lotus IS an activated ability. It's an activated mana ability (as compared with triggered mana abilities like Wild Growth).

But like all mana abilities it cannot be responded to.

I was actually sitting next to The Method and his opponent when this happened, and heard one of the judges say that Black Lotus was a TRIGGERED ability.  They had NO IDEA what they were doing (except Dan Richardson).

[kl0wn]

I'd join the chorus and say something derrogatory, but I was too busy LOSING. There's not really much to complain about when you're chilling at the bottom tables.

It was pretty entertaining to point out the optimal plays to my opponents whilst they were beating me though. It gives me a smug feeling of superiority to let people know that despite the fact that they're stomping me into the ground and I haven't played in like six months, I'm still better than them. That, and I can play their deck better from across the table. Boy howdy, it's like letting squirrels loose in my pants.

That said, good to see the kids again. Wish I could have stayed later, but I was running on a half hour of sleep and everyone I came up with scrubbed out, so I was getting a little antsy about getting left behind.

[Razvan]

First, as far as the tournament and the people there goes, including the SCG staff, it was awesome.

Problems, eh?

Lam was told that he would be disqualified if he asked again if they could start the match. I am not sure if it was a joke or not, since the judge didn't smile afterwards, but that was a bit unnerving.

Also, Marc Sims was given a match loss, because of a marked card... which was marked in the sense that it was a bit bent... it was a really crappy condition Mox Ruby... what in the name of hell? It's not like we can get pack-mint moxes, and although proxies can be used, that only raises the ammount of problems.l

The worst part about that, it was his only loss all day (I believe he was 6-1-1), and it easily could have cost him a top-8 spot, since a match-loss (at like 4-0 or 5-0) is really harsh.

The cursing thing was also annoying, and Smmennen and I were trying to guess when we would be disqualified...

Oh, and the fashion show at the beginning was a bit... weird.

Best line:

Random person yelling at the beginning: "How many rounds is this tournament?"
Lam and Rich yelling out: "2 for you!"

Also, randomly:

Me: "Do you guys buy mishra's workshops or timetwisters?"
Ben Bleiweiss: "We don't buy any cards that can be restricted."
Me: "......"

... it ain't gonna get any more restricted...

[Smmenen]

I had a great time but my primary antipathy stems from a policy of the TO that I felt was blatently unjust.  The TO announced that no swear words would be tolerated and that anyone who swears would be removed from the tournament without a warning.  For someone who drove 7 hours and took off a weekened to participate, this was a direct offense.  

The TO should provide a clear warning in their advertisements that they would have this policy.  Because I do not think people should drive 7 hours to play at a store that could eject from from a tournament after paying $30 becuase they said "Shit" as an excited utterance.

That pissed me off SO MUCH.

[DEA]

Me: "Do you guys buy mishra's workshops or timetwisters?"
Ben Bleiweiss: "We don't buy any cards that can be restricted."
Me: "......"

what do you expect? it's bleiweiss
i stopped reading scg because of him

[Zherbus]

Well, SCG having a legitimate fear that Workshop may go under (along with them expecting the profit on Workshop wouldn't be so hot) is why they wouldn't buy it. The whole thing with Timetwister might be marked up to him not really understanding you since you have a pretty thick accent.

[Razvan]

I tried to ennunciate (God, I hope I spelled that word correctly:P) properly though...

Besides, I just listed it because it's funny, nothing against Ben.

[wonkey_donkey]

I tried to ennunciate (God, I hope I spelled that word correctly:P) properly though...

Besides, I just listed it because it's funny, nothing against Ben.

I believe it's "annunciate," actually. Sorry, had to be said .

It is quite funny, albeit probably just a slip.

Tom

[Juggernaut GO]

I'd vote to forget syracuse entirely, expecially that venue... The neighborhood was fuckin dogshit and the bartender at the meatball "warehouse"  was a jerk off.   Kowal didn't see it but he threw a mixer cup at him after he left because the bartender got all uppity after he got the order wrong.  Forgive my profanity as I was not allowed to use any on saturday, I am all pent up.  Also it's nice to be able to run side events, but only do so if you have enough room to hold the existing tournament that brought you all the fucking people, I dont care about maybe drafting unglued later when I'm on a 3X6 table with 5 other people  and cant even shuffle my fucking deck.  One of the judges tried to spread out the tables after round 2 I think but he ended up screwing up the seating even more, some tables had 4 matches and others had 2, not too slick.

[outpost1]

Hi all,

I am fully aware of the complaints being posted on this (and other) Syracuse threads. Please know that I have already taken steps to ensure that the problems that occured this past weekend will never happen again.

I thank all of you for your continued support, and look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago!

[iamfishman]

I want to chime in here and say that I don't want to see blame pointed toward the wrong people.

SCG's end of the tournament was exceptional.  The prize support continues to be guaranteed regardless(sp?) of attendance.  The prices of singles were lower than I ever saw for a major card distributor.  Playable uncommons were usually no more than a few bucks.  Good buys like $3 artifact mutations and $3.50 Ice Age Jester's Caps were great.  Additionally, the coverage was out of this world and totally worth going premium.(The only thing I would have liked was 9-16 place prizes...but I'm partial since I came in 16th.   )

Altered States, however, is in my opinion the organization that was appauling.  The judges were incredibly ignorant(with the exception of Dan Richardson, probabbly because he actually PLAYS type 1), the forcing of us all into the back room was an insult, and the locked doors allowing people not back in showed that Altered States has little desire for the support of their customers.  As far as the timed top 8, with sudden death, I am 100% certain this was imposed by Altered States judges/workers who wished to get all of us "inconvienances" out of their store*.  It is hard to believe that they are still in business with this kind of attitude.

In summation, if you had a bad taste in your mouth after this event, please don't put the blame on SCG.  I am sure Pete is doing whatever it takes to avoid future unfortunate situations(he already has fixed the judging problem).  Overall, my experience was great(despite driving 20 minutes from Canada...adding 4 hours on to our trip) and I will support SCG.  I hope you will too.

*Correct me if I am wrong about this assumption.