Inexplicable top 8 at Bloomington 12/6 - vroman

[vroman]

I'm sad to say did not get the mox, but the circumstances were still noteworthy for their strangeness if nothing else.
http://unpopularideasclub.blogspot.com/2009/12/winning-streak-ends-in-bloomington.html

[Shean]

I still don't know how you made T8 either.  My only guess is this:

Kurt (Painter deck you played round 1) made the T8, so he helped your tiebreakers.
I ended up 3-2 (9th place) so I helped your tiebreakers.
Your BYE round 3 has no affect on tiebreakers.

In round 5, Willie and the guy you beat in round 4 had an unintentional draw.

I was extremely surprised that Willie and the other guy drew round 5, which meant that they both were going to miss T8.

At any rate, thanks for the report and for making the drive.  I'm definitely going to try to get another tournament here and I'll make sure everyone who came this time knows about it.

[GrandpaBelcher]

Nice report.  Best part was the sideboard strategy against Ichorid.

Also this:

Game 3
I keep 7 on the draw. My hand is geared towards turn 2 and turn 3 Sad Sacks. This doesn't matter because Doug barfs out turn 0 leyline, turn 1 hardcast Helm. Did not buy me dinner.

[vroman]

Lalo's advice is right. It seems 20 people is about the expected attendance of midwest power tournaments. At that rate, an unlimited non-U mox is about the only prize that makes sense for 1st, which allows something like a Drain or a couple duals for second, and then draft sets or fetches down the line. If I were TOing, this is what I would offer, as it: fits the definition of power tournament; is not unduly top heavy for players; and makes break-even income not a challenge.

[LordHomerCat]

I ran that same Dredge plan a week or two ago Rob, but sadly it did not work so well.  I missed the one dredge deck in the room through the swiss, but had to face him in the finals with close to no chance to win.  It is probably not a gambit I will run again.

[M.Solymossy]

I ran that same Dredge plan a week or two ago Rob, but sadly it did not work so well.  I missed the one dredge deck in the room through the swiss, but had to face him in the finals with close to no chance to win.  It is probably not a gambit I will run again.

We both did.  Read MMCG.  I played him in the swiss and the top 8.  Sad times.

[WildWillieWonderboy]

I'm not of the school of thought where you just have someone scoop no matter what. I would have been the one scooping as I was DOB and I don't think it's all that fair to rob someone else just because the guy I sit across from could make it in. I had nothing against him, I can't recall his name, though evidently I could follow the link and figure it out, but there was no great reason to scoop him in. I also didn't want to propagate the notion that Selkie is in any way a real deck by allowing it into the top 8.

Most importantly, I didn't know how the previous round had turned out and I didn't want to jeopardize friend and teammate Mike Bomholt's seat in the top 8. Doing the math was not an option, not to mention a little too slick for a 19-person event where almost half the field makes it in.

[Shean]

Most importantly, I didn't know how the previous round had turned out and I didn't want to jeopardize friend and teammate Mike Bomholt's seat in the top 8. Doing the math was not an option, not to mention a little too slick for a 19-person event where almost half the field makes it in.

This makes sense.  If I were jeopardizing a teammate's seat in T8 by scooping to someone, I wouldn't do it either.

[conboy31]

Nice tournament write up.  I have been playing a fairly similar lists.  It is a lot of fun to play.

I have a question about this:
"I let Leyline hit, and Oath up Iona the following turn, which is slightly risky since I don't have Krosan-Rec failsafe anymore. I am safely left with about 10 cards in library. I Regrowth Time Walk, and draw Academy."

Did you mis-remember these events, it seems you are regrowthing when you do not have yard.

[Shean]

Nice tournament write up.  I have been playing a fairly similar lists.  It is a lot of fun to play.

I have a question about this:
"I let Leyline hit, and Oath up Iona the following turn, which is slightly risky since I don't have Krosan-Rec failsafe anymore. I am safely left with about 10 cards in library. I Regrowth Time Walk, and draw Academy."

Did you mis-remember these events, it seems you are regrowthing when you do not have yard.

My guess is that he already had Time Walk in the yard before Leyline hit.

[conboy31]

Nice tournament write up.  I have been playing a fairly similar lists.  It is a lot of fun to play.

I have a question about this:
"I let Leyline hit, and Oath up Iona the following turn, which is slightly risky since I don't have Krosan-Rec failsafe anymore. I am safely left with about 10 cards in library. I Regrowth Time Walk, and draw Academy."

Did you mis-remember these events, it seems you are regrowthing when you do not have yard.

My guess is that he already had Time Walk in the yard before Leyline hit.

Thatd'd do it.  I kept imagining it getting flipped via oathing (the only 10 cards left suggested a large oath and threw me off).

[vroman]

Yes, I forgot to write out my Gifts pile in response to Leyline, which was [Oath, Regrowth, Time Walk, Echoing Truth]. He gave me Oath+Regrowth.