Alpha Drafts

[Greg]

Is there anyone out there considering participating in this event?  As Gencon draws closer I am putting the details together.  It will definately be one Starter, no boosters.  Looks like we'll get some video coverage too.  I'm at the point where we need commitment from participants.  It won't be an event to just walk up 10 minutes before the start and register.

NV, I have a few questions in regard to your anticipated event.

1. Is this sealed event specifically for Alpha, or is it more along the lines of "Alpha or Beta, it doesn't really matter?"

2. Do you actually have a decent supply of sealed Alpha product to support such an event?

3. How much are you expecting to charge for the entry? Will there be any prizes or is the prize just solely participating in the event?

4. It's been a while since I've seen a sealed starter pack of Alpha opened. I forget, is it possible to get, for instance, two Llanowar Elves, or will every common outside of basic land be unique? Would the "ante" cards be playable? If so, how would that work?

Thanks for any further information.

[NV]

Greg,

Good questions.  The event would involve Alpha and Beta Starters.  Whichever you would bring or purchase.

There is not a large supply left of Alpha/Beta Starters and this is why we need to find out who will be playing and who is interested in purchasing product.

I was not figuring on an entry fee unless there is a cost from Gencon to run the event or get space.  Still in the planning stages but I think the uniqueness of the event will allow us to participate with no extra entry fee. The prize will be the glory of opening a sealed starter

I have never seen two of the same cards (outside of basic lands) opened in a starter.  We aren't playing for ante (unless everyone in the event wants to) so it would be a bummer to open an ante card.  It would just dilute your playables.

-Nick

[Greg]

Thanks, NV.

How much would one of your Alpha or Beta starter packs be sold for to play in this event?

[gkraigher]

To my knowledge, disuse only creates value for goods commonly in everyday use that deteriorate in value during use.

When you shuffle a magic card, it loses value.  I would say your argument is an argument for the other side.  

I am actually disturbed every time someone opens an Alpha/Beta starter or booster.

I gotta say I agree with Steve on this issue.  If there are unopen boxes of alpha/beta out there, they should remain unopen.  Hopefully, those cards will never be touched by human hands.  A grade higher than Gem Mint 10.

Seriously, if you want to do this, go get an Unlimited Box.  What is the difference?  

This is literally like drinking from an unopened bottle of 200 year old Scotch, that has been sitting in a glass bottle for 180 years.  (Scotch only ages well in a wooded cask.)  It's past its prime and you are destroying something of cultural significance for personal vanity.  Magic has lasted 20 years.  What if it lives to be 100?  What if it lives to be older than that?  An unopened box of Alpha should be in a museum if that is the case.  Maybe it should be in a museum already, under a glass case, in a modern wing.  

Would it be fun to open an Alpha Black Lotus and tell everyone you did it?  Sure.  But you did so by cheating, by paying a lot of money, not because you had foresight, not because you were are the right place, in the right mind set, 20 years ago.  The luck has already passed, and the money you spend on this "crusade" is truly meaningless.  A sealed box of Alpha is priceless.  

If you had access to a time machine, would you go back and kill the last dodo bird?  Or would you shoot the person who shot it?  The person whose legacy has already been swept away into oblivion...much like the bird's.  

[AmbivalentDuck]

To my knowledge, disuse only creates value for goods commonly in everyday use that deteriorate in value during use.

Seriously, if you want to do this, go get an Unlimited Box.  What is the difference?

I suggested doing this with repacks since everyone would immediately double-sleeve anyways. Like you said, the only value to cracking sealed boosters is vanity. That said, I do question the culture significance of an unopened box. I suspect that if a minty Beta Lotus were used to win the Vintage World Championships then signed by the winner and labeled and signed by Richard Garfield that it would be worth more than a minty Beta Lotus without said historical value. How many PSA 9-10 Lotuses are out there? How many Lotuses were used to win a World Championship?

Also consider that cards modified and signed by Richard Garfield can be played as modified in some circles. Ie. There's a 3/3 Llanowar Elves in circulation.

[NV]

Yes, vanity has part to do with wanting to open old product but for many who remember the game before it came to be what we know of it today its about nestolgia.  For those worried about destroying historically significant sealed product I tell you not to worry.  I have seen to it that when a museum opens one day it will have plenty to display.

I am currently working on product pricing hoping we have 6-8 people for the Gencon event.

[serracollector]

I have participated in ABU drafts online before for fun, and IMO the best 3 picks are:

Control Magic
Swords to Plowshares
Terror

those 3 handle every win condition sans fireball/drain life that their is.

[MaximumCDawg]

I am working to organize an event at Gencon this year.  We will most likely just use sealed starters.  There has been a good amount of interest from the Magic Librarities crowd.  It's the 20th anniversary of Magic this year and hope this will be a good celebration.  I don't expect many participants but those of us who join will have a lifelong memory.  I'm encouraging people to bring their own sealed product but realize there is not much out there.

What price are we talking here?

[Grand Inquisitor]

Terror

...gets owned by Sengir Vampire and Demonic Hordes (AND LORD OF THE MF PIT)