N.Y.S.E. Challenge II (Official)

[A.-1.]

Nick when do you think your going to get the pictures up?

I also think we'll get a lot more of those casual Vintage players wanting to play next time if it's for a Lotus.  To answer Nick's question, something like an Emerald is valuable, but the response I got from a few casual players was along the lines of "Why would I want an Emerald?"  Everyone wants a Sapphire or a Lotus, but the other ones aren't as exciting to people who don't fully understand the power of these cards in the format.

I'm all for getting as many people as possible to come out to play T1. If that means playing for UL power, then that's great. If that means playing for black-bordered power, then that's great too. My only concern is that there is the possibility that you and Mike Smith could be offering the same piece of power in the same month. I don't know if that would hurt attendance or if you and Mike could work things out, but I wouldn't mind trying to win a Recall or a Walk in back-to-back weeks.

[korgano]

prospero thanks for the decklist, and forcethewill I can now see that that list has a lot of flaws 

[Nomad]

I'm all for getting as many people as possible to come out to play T1. If that means playing for UL power, then that's great. If that means playing for black-bordered power, then that's great too. My only concern is that there is the possibility that you and Mike Smith could be offering the same piece of power in the same month. I don't know if that would hurt attendance or if you and Mike could work things out, but I wouldn't mind trying to win a Recall or a Walk in back-to-back weeks.

I don't think I really believe the community as a whole really cares what the prizes are (I never care, although I'll admit to being a little different - I think there's almost no chance of me showing to anyone's Lotus tournament - but I don't see a difference in turnout for my tournaments based on the prizes I've stated).  Pretty much boils down to the perception that they're basically fair and that they're desirable.  A Sapphire is a lot more cash for the TO, and really, it probably sounds better if you're giving away 2 moxes rather than mox + Drain for second, even if latter mox is a sapphire and previous 2 are emerald/pearl.  Plus you can be sure the last round won't actually get played out in that case, and hence can go for a beer earlier.

Prizes were basically fair here, you took in nearly a grand, gave out a $400 mox, a $100 drain, $100 worth of DTs and $100 worth of FoW.  And a Mana Crypt.  And most importantly 4 Sorrow's Path.  Near 75% payout in a store that needs to stay open is fine.

[Prospero]

Nick when do you think your going to get the pictures up?

I hope to have the pictures up by Friday.  I ran the tournament while in the process of moving out of my apartment, so I'm still trying to unpack boxes.  I got the tournament report up as quickly as I could, but hope everyone won't mind being a little patient here with regards to the pictures.

Nick when do you think your going to get the pictures up?

I also think we'll get a lot more of those casual Vintage players wanting to play next time if it's for a Lotus.  To answer Nick's question, something like an Emerald is valuable, but the response I got from a few casual players was along the lines of "Why would I want an Emerald?"  Everyone wants a Sapphire or a Lotus, but the other ones aren't as exciting to people who don't fully understand the power of these cards in the format.

I'm all for getting as many people as possible to come out to play T1. If that means playing for UL power, then that's great. If that means playing for black-bordered power, then that's great too. My only concern is that there is the possibility that you and Mike Smith could be offering the same piece of power in the same month. I don't know if that would hurt attendance or if you and Mike could work things out, but I wouldn't mind trying to win a Recall or a Walk in back-to-back weeks.

I want to talk to Mike on Saturday.  I have absolutely no intentions of competing with Blue Bell, or any other local area T/O's for dates for events.  I want to build a solid player base for my events and the only way that I'm going to be able to do that is by keeping everyone interested and making sure that it's convenient.  If I fail at either of those two things the events will fail as well.

Hello everyone, I am new to the vintage scene and play ichorid.... I have been playing dredge since it was leagal in standard.  I am trying to find locations with good atmosphere and players/support and was wondering where this tournament was held.  I am willing to drive a few hundred miles probably to play for some power (even with no chance to win).  Thanks for the assistance.    *Jeremiah

Never say that you have no chance to win for starters.  I don't think anybody would have picked Ron as the victor before the tournament started, but he was.  Everybody has a shot - you have to do your best to maximize your percentages.

Blue Bell events are also worth checking out.  If you check out the tournament calender you'll see events listed there on this Saturday and on the 12th.  

I'm all for getting as many people as possible to come out to play T1. If that means playing for UL power, then that's great. If that means playing for black-bordered power, then that's great too. My only concern is that there is the possibility that you and Mike Smith could be offering the same piece of power in the same month. I don't know if that would hurt attendance or if you and Mike could work things out, but I wouldn't mind trying to win a Recall or a Walk in back-to-back weeks.

I don't think I really believe the community as a whole really cares what the prizes are (I never care, although I'll admit to being a little different - I think there's almost no chance of me showing to anyone's Lotus tournament - but I don't see a difference in turnout for my tournaments based on the prizes I've stated).  Pretty much boils down to the perception that they're basically fair and that they're desirable.  A Sapphire is a lot more cash for the TO, and really, it probably sounds better if you're giving away 2 moxes rather than mox + Drain for second, even if latter mox is a sapphire and previous 2 are emerald/pearl.  Plus you can be sure the last round won't actually get played out in that case, and hence can go for a beer earlier.

Prizes were basically fair here, you took in nearly a grand, gave out a $400 mox, a $100 drain, $100 worth of DTs and $100 worth of FoW.  And a Mana Crypt.  And most importantly 4 Sorrow's Path.  Near 75% payout in a store that needs to stay open is fine.

I'd imagine that we'd have a fair showing even if I ran the events for Emeralds and Pearls until the end of time.  Still, I'd like to create as much of a draw as possible and it seems infinitely easier to do so with better Unlimited power.  I'm going to do my best to only ever run events for Sapphires, Jets, Walks, Recalls and Lotii.  We'll see how that goes.  

I mentally committed to going to Blue Bell on 9/5 before I knew what the prize was.  As long as it was a piece of power, I was going.  I will never play in my own events, so maybe I'm less picky than others are because I know that I don't have the option of playing as often as many of the other locals do.  

I'm also really looking forward to the next Nick Coss event.

[Blackening]

I'd imagine that we'd have a fair showing even if I ran the events for Emeralds and Pearls until the end of time.  Still, I'd like to create as much of a draw as possible and it seems infinitely easier to do so with better Unlimited power.  I'm going to do my best to only ever run events for Sapphires, Jets, Walks, Recalls and Lotii.  We'll see how that goes. 

I wouldn't sweat it too much, especially if you want to get newer players. The attraction of possibly getting one of the fabled power 9, even for a Pearl or Emerald, or hell, even a Timetwister, should be enough incentive for players to invest into a decent deck, proxy it up, and try their hand at the field. I do understand the need to keep more experienced players to keep coming, but from what I've seen, nearly 40 players to show up and play for a low mox is nothing to scoff at as far as your fanbase goes. Just keep offering decent prize and they'll show up. Let's not forget, the fact that a no-name jackass like me showed up and won should show that anything can happen. And even though I have a decent collection of cards, the Emerald and Drain would've costed me too much cardboard, and was way out of my wallet range as a poor college student, so it makes me even more appreciative of winning it, and hopefully show other hopefuls that the underdogs can sometimes get there.

[Blackening]

So, where's our pics, Nick?

[Almanomada]

Nick when do you think your going to get the pictures up?

Never say that you have no chance to win for starters.  I don't think anybody would have picked Ron as the victor before the tournament started, but he was.  Everybody has a shot - you have to do your best to maximize your percentages.

Thanks.  I know that you can win regardless of deck played with and against.  My defining moment was losing to Darwin Castle in  2002 Nationals off a player error game 2 where i had complete control of game with mono black control and had easily won game 1.  I went there not really thinking to win but to get bettr as a player and it was my first major event and loads of fun.  I ended up 5-7 for the weekend and realized at that point -- rookie mistakes aside - that i can play with the best and win.  I am just going to make sure to get sleep prior to the tournament.  I won regionals with black creature control and built my creatureless version the night before the tournament.   Since i love vintage and legacy so much, I tend to try to play mono black discard or something crazy that ruins combo-- goblins even on occasion.  I appreciate your confidence boosting as that is what many magic players need.

[Prospero]

So, where's our pics, Nick?

Sorry, pictures have been a problem as I'm probably the most computer illiterate person you know.  I'm having someone help me out with it and they'll be up by the end of tonight.

Nick when do you think your going to get the pictures up?

Never say that you have no chance to win for starters.  I don't think anybody would have picked Ron as the victor before the tournament started, but he was.  Everybody has a shot - you have to do your best to maximize your percentages.

Thanks.  I know that you can win regardless of deck played with and against.  My defining moment was losing to Darwin Castle in  2002 Nationals off a player error game 2 where i had complete control of game with mono black control and had easily won game 1.  I went there not really thinking to win but to get bettr as a player and it was my first major event and loads of fun.  I ended up 5-7 for the weekend and realized at that point -- rookie mistakes aside - that i can play with the best and win.  I am just going to make sure to get sleep prior to the tournament.  I won regionals with black creature control and built my creatureless version the night before the tournament.   Since i love vintage and legacy so much, I tend to try to play mono black discard or something crazy that ruins combo-- goblins even on occasion.  I appreciate your confidence boosting as that is what many magic players need.

I've yet to play any big name players.  Then again, I suppose I'd have to go back to playing Standard and Limited competitively in order to do so.

If you've gotten so far as to qualify for an event like Nationals I'd hazard the guess that you have a pretty good fundamental understanding of the game, enough to do well at a Vintage event.  You should try to make the trip out to the next event that I'm running...

[Almanomada]

I basically try to have decks made for every format so no matter what may be ran at a shop, I will generally have something competitive to play.  Currently I am in the process of finding a place to live (in the Army) and right now its between Columbus Ohio (my home state) Texas, and Maryland.  If I can get to Maryland then i will be able to trip down there on weekends for events which is the place i am gunning for.  My second choice is ohio cause of family and of course it is a hub pf magic being a couple hours from detroit, indianapolis and like 8 hours from PA area events.  Texas is my default base right now and I just want to get away from there when i return stateside.  I look forward to one day playing in one of your events for sure. 

[Prospero]

Pictures are up:

http://img196.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img0376i.jpg

[Blackening]

Wow, I'm not photogenic at all. So glad I just started my diet.

Jimmy is sexy as always, though.

[StrongIslandRob]

Nice theres a pic of me behind my fav. magic player lol nick run moor events please i need to do better and get my 9th place prize

[Nomad]

I love the way the Phillies appear right above the first place prize in the winner's picture.  Where they belong.  And where are the Yankees?  Nowhere.  Except in a really bad off colour pic of Nick.

[personalbackfire]

Wow, I'm not photogenic at all.

Ya I was thinking the same about myself haha.

Thanks for posting the pics Nick!

[Prospero]

I love the way the Phillies appear right above the first place prize in the winner's picture.  Where they belong.  And where are the Yankees?  Nowhere.  Except in a really bad off colour pic of Nick.

Oh man, Simon, you're on the verge of starting a religious war.  The Phillies franchise passed 10,000 total losses a few years back.  And they've won it all exactly two times, even though they're one of the oldest franchises in MLB.  I like the Phillies.  I like Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, but good God, they're not the Yankees...

And let's not forget that even though you guys comprised 40% of the top 8 you didn't take it all down.  A New Yorker did that.

[A.-1.]

Go Braves ?!?
Nah, I know we've been pretty mediocre as of late.

Yankees (as much as I hate to admit are probably the best team) end up on top, Phillies make it there (but won't win it all) and the Braves get their hopes up only to get dream crushed. Yup that about sums up how this MLB season will go... oh wait this was a magic thread...

Anyway thanks for posting the pics Nick. I hope to make it the Lotus tourney.

[Almanomada]

Didnt the Yankees droplike a trillion dollars on a few players during the recession?  I hope they lose.  Even if they are playing the best baseball out there right now, I think karma is going to crush them before the end of the season.  Or Karma will end their season.  I loved the braves during the Tom Glavine era.

[Gekoratel]

Thanks for posting the pics, I look forward to the Lotus event whenever it is.

[Sporkcore]

I didn't think it was possible, but the pics of me that you took make me look even sexier!