[Announcement] THE MANA LEAK OPEN 1, Stratford, Ct., September 3, 2006

[iamfishman]

What: TMLOpen 1(The Mana Leak Open 1)

When: Sunday, Septemeber 3, 2006

Where: Gamingetc Tournament Center and SuperStore
555 Lordship Boulevard (Exit 30 off I95)
Stratford CT 06615
1-800-380-1115 (until permanent lines are hooked up next week, though 800 will always work)

Lodgings: If any are interested in Lodgings, please mention it in a reply to this thread.  I may be able to establish a special room rate at a nearby hotel.

Time: Registration: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Tourney Starts PROMPTLY at 11:00 am(To avoid a prolonged tournament, this will be strictly enforced.  Latecomers will be subject to a round 1 loss.)

Cost: $20 Entry Fee
Format: Legacy
Proxies: $2 per proxy(5 proxies maximum)
The decision to include proxies was a tough one.  Eventually, I would like to get rid of them in these events.  It was with much research and deliberation that I decided these tournaments stand the best chance of growing if we can use proxies to get people interested (and buying cards they would proxy) for Legacy, so that we can still have a huge turnout, even without proxies.  That said, with the cost of $2 per proxy, only 5 maximum, and the separate no proxy prize structure(see below)**, I think I have provided many benefits to those who play with no proxies.
Cut: Cut to top 8.
Dopeness Factor: The number of even integers between 4000 and 7000 that have four different digits.
Prizes: Because this is my first time doing this and I have no rough estimate for attendance, I have set up a few contingencies of prize support.  I have tried to be generous with the prize support, but I know this might still not YET be on par with TMD Open. Keep in mind that the first Waterbury only had 30 something people, and at one time had 16.  If we have more than 70 participants I will continue to increase the prize support accordingly.

Prize Support based on 25-40 Participants
1st Prize – Choice of:
-100 Booster Packs of any type 2 set the store carries
-Imperial Seal + 20 booster packs
-Timetwister + 50 boosters packs
-Library of Alexandria + 50 booster packs
-Library of Alexandria and Timetwister
-10 dual lands of your choice*
-$200 in cash.

2nd Prize – Choice of:
- 50 Booster Packs from any type 2 sets the store carries
- Timetwister
- Library of Alexandria
- 5 dual lands of your choice*
- $100 in cash

3rd Prize – Choice of:
- 30 Booster Packs from any type 2 sets the store carries
- 3 dual lands of your choice*
- 3 Resets
- $60 in cash

4th Prize – Choice of:
- 20 Booster Packs from any type 2 sets the store carries
- 2 dual lands of your choice*
- 2 Resets(If 3rd place player does not want them)
- $40 in cash

5th – 8th Prize – $35 store gift certificate
9th Prize – 5 Booster Packs from any type 2 set the store carries

Prize Support based on 41-70 Participants
1st Prize – Choice of:
-170 Booster Packs of any type 2 set the store carries
-Imperial Seal + 110 booster packs
-Timetwister + 120 boosters packs
-Library of Alexandria + 120 boosters packs
-Library of Alexandria + Timetwister + 70 booster packs
- Unlimited Mox of choice + 10 booster packs
-17 dual lands of your choice*
-$335 in cash.

2nd Prize – Choice of:
- 85 Booster Packs from any type 2 sets the store carries
- Timetwister + 35 booster packs
- Library of Alexandria + 35 booster packs
- 8 dual lands of your choice*
- $165 in cash

3rd Prize – Choice of:
- 50 Booster Packs from any type 2 sets the store carries
- Library of Alexandria
- Timetwister
- 5 dual lands of your choice*
- 3 Resets + 25 booster packs
- $100 in cash

4th Prize – Choice of:
- 35 Booster Packs from any type 2 sets the store carries
- 3 dual lands of your choice*
- 3 Resets(If 3rd place player does not want them)
- $65 in cash

5th – 8th Prize – $35 store gift certificate + 9 boosters of your choice

9th Prize – 9 Booster Packs from any type 2 set the store carries
10th – 16th Prize – Ravnica Block Draft Set

Additional prizes no matter how many players we have:
Last Place Prize – Prize TBD
Farthest travelled participant: FREE ADMISSION TO MAIN EVENT
Round by Round Rafflee – Prizes TBD

If we have 75 or more people, at the end of round 5 we will be taking sign ups for a FREE tournament for a playset of Force of Wills. The tournament will require you to use the same deck used in the main event(to make life infinitely freakin' easier) and to ensure speedy signups and send off.

Magic Trivia(FREE and with PRIZES) will be held for all interested participants after the top 8 starts.

* I don’t have an infinite number of dual lands, so, if the everyone wants the same dual land and I run out of a certain kind, I will still get it for you(either by buying it from the store or off Ebay and having the seller send it directly to you).

** Additionally, the top 8 finishers with no proxies(whether you top 8 or not) will receive the following prize support in addition to any other prizes you may win:
1st with no proxies: $40 cash
2nd with no proxies: $20 cash
3rd – 4th with no proxies: $10 cash
5th – 8th with no proxies: $5 cash

[Anusien]

I wonder if I can get a crew to drive up.  This is the most incredible thing I've ever seen, even if it's not sanctioned.

[Caboose]

If anyone is driving from the midwest, please let me know. I will help split the cost of gas.

[freakish777]

Dopeness Factor: The number of even integers between 4000 and 7000 that have four different digits.

728 is quite the giant dopeness factor.  Again, if I'm back in the NE, I'll definitely be attending this.

[SonataOfTheCathedral]

Ray, try to squeek in a Type one side event, it might be a decent idea and would get around 30 people.

[ptbnl]

i really like the proxy idea. it's good for those who want to use rare cards like reset, and it's fair to those who already own the cards bc they get more prize for the buck. also, giving people better card access would probably improve the quality of the decks. if i were running this tourney, i'd make it $1 per proxy with 8 max.

really, the whole sanctioned thing is overrated to me. i couldn't care less. i'd rather have good competition and cool prizes. alot of vintage tourneys are proxy and i don't think people think less of them.

[Machinus]

Ray, this is AWESOME. I will be begging players in NC to attend.

[BreathWeapon]

Looks like a fun tournament, tho' I think it is sort of pointless to have a seperate pay out for non-proxie people, the people using proxies are paying for them, which contributes to the prize support for any one who wins with out proxies regardless, your way is effectively double billing them, which is bleh. Besides, the only cards people need to proxy are Reset, Time Vault and maybe Grim Tutor.

You had may as well just make it unlimited proxies, because at 2$ each, players will moderate themselves with how many they play, you will make a ton more money, and you will guarantee the best possible decks in the field. Who loses out of that deal? No one!

[That0neguy]

As far as the proxies are concerned, I would keep it at the 5 proxy maximum and definitely eventually get rid of it.  I personally hate playing against proxies, and I know a lot of people that also hate them.  I put up with the proxies in T1, because the choice is either play with them or don't play at all.  Plus as much as I hate them I don't want to go and buy workshops and bazaars if I don't need to.  In legacy the decks cost nowhere near this much, so there really is no reason why someone wouldn't be able to spend money to play competitively.

But I can't make it anyways from Minnesota, so this shouldn't weigh to heavily on your dissision.

Another option to make the proxies less annoying is to have higher standards dor them similar to the SCG requirments for proxies not on basic lands.

[iamfishman]

Looks like a fun tournament, tho' I think it is sort of pointless to have a seperate pay out for non-proxie people, the people using proxies are paying for them, which contributes to the prize support for any one who wins with out proxies regardless, your way is effectively double billing them, which is bleh. Besides, the only cards people need to proxy are Reset, Time Vault and maybe Grim Tutor.

You had may as well just make it unlimited proxies, because at 2$ each, players will moderate themselves with how many they play, you will make a ton more money, and you will guarantee the best possible decks in the field. Who loses out of that deal? No one!

As far as the proxies are concerned, I would keep it at the 5 proxy maximum and definitely eventually get rid of it.  I personally hate playing against proxies, and I know a lot of people that also hate them.  I put up with the proxies in T1, because the choice is either play with them or don't play at all.  Plus as much as I hate them I don't want to go and buy workshops and bazaars if I don't need to.  In legacy the decks cost nowhere near this much, so there really is no reason why someone wouldn't be able to spend money to play competitively.

But I can't make it anyways from Minnesota, so this shouldn't weigh to heavily on your dissision.

Another option to make the proxies less annoying is to have higher standards dor them similar to the SCG requirments for proxies not on basic lands.

You guys do a good job of stating both sides of the argument.  While I would eventually like to make these events 0 proxies...I feel at the time it is neccesary to have some proxies to allow for people without resets, duals, etc and opprtunity to break into the format.  We need to break some eggs to make an omelet(sp?).

That said, I wish to reward those who play with no proxies by giving extra prizes and no additional cost to buy proxies.

[iamfishman]

Zip code is 06615, not what I had.

Original post has been edited.

Also:
Proxy rules (in accordance with rules set forth by SCG) can be found here
http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=29470.0

Proxies will be checked at the time of registration and players will be expected to have all significant information about the card written on it.

Additionally, if you have a card(like Chains of Mephistopheles) with alot of text or oracle different from the printed card, feel free to print out the oracle wording and bring it with you to your matches. If you have said slip of paper, you can write "see rules text" on your proxy and show it to your opponent whenever the card is played during your match. This obviously will not be counted negatively as "bringing outside notes to a match."

[iamfishman]

So I checked out the site today and it looks AWESOME!  Plenty of space, immaculately clean, nice new tables and chairs, everything you could ask for.

Also, as far as travelling goes:

1.) I found the train station in the middle of town.  It is about a 2 mile drive from the site.
2.) There is a Ramada right next door to the tournament site.  I don't know if they have the best rate available, however, next to the site is very convienant.
3.) Hope the Labor Day weekend makes doing a Sunday tournament more of an option.  Perhaps in the future we could look at the possibility of a Saturday if it makes sense.  No promises yet though.

[herbig]

This event is going to be awesome!  I like the idea of a Vintage side event, although with the second Legacy tournament and trivia and such it might be a little hectic.

[herbig]

This tournament is tomorrow!  If you haven't thought about going yet, now would be a good time to hop into a car, truck, bus, plane, or train and head on down to Stratford, CT.  See everyone there!