N.Y.S.E. Open II - Power Eight, Workshops & Bazaars Vintage Event - 6/21-22

[Prospero]

It's back.


What:


N.Y.S.E. Open II
15 proxy, non-sanctioned Vintage tournament.

The top eight will be drafting power nine based on final standings in the event!  This means that you'll have a chance to draft the following cards if you make top eight:

1st-8th:

Unlimited Black Lotus
Unlimited Ancestral Recall
Unlimited Time Walk
Unlimited Mox Sapphire
Unlimited Mox Jet
Unlimited Mox Ruby
Unlimited Mox Emerald
Unlimited Mox Pearl

But the prize support doesn't end there:

9th-12th:

Mishra's Workshop

13th-16th:

Bazaar of Baghdad

In addition to that, and keeping with the tradition of last year's event, there will be a Karn, Silver Golem, altered by Poxy14 given out to the victor!  



This makes no mention of the sweet trophy that will go to first!


When:


Saturday, June 21st
10 am registration, 11 am start


Where:


Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
3434 Hempstead Turnpike
Levittown, N.Y.
11756


Team Event:


Some of the most fun that I've ever had at events has been when I've participated in team events.  Playing with your friends is always awesome.  In the spirit of that, there will be a team event for the main event!  

The entry is free.  There will be a trophy, engraved to note your team victory at the N.Y.S.E. Open II.  Points will be calculated by the total number of match points that a team receives.  

For example, if a team has three players who finish with the following records:

5-2-1
4-3
4-3

That team would receive three points for each win (for a total of 39 points off the wins), with an additional point received for the draw (for a grand total of 40 points).  Losses have no point value.

Best of luck to all my teams!


Qualifiers:


If you're a T/O, and you want to run a qualifier to the N.Y.S.E Open, reach out to me via PM and we can discuss details.

There will be qualifiers in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania region.  Comic Book Depot and Mark's Comics will both be running N.Y.S.E. Open Qualifier tournaments in New York, and I have been contacted by tournament organizers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania regarding events in both states.  Once dates have been confirmed, they will be announced in this thread.


N.Y.S.E. Open II Qualifiers:


1.  The Comic Book Depot, 3/2:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46128.0

2.  MVP Sports and Games, 3/22:

https://www.facebook.com/events/526816597434051/

3.  The Comic Book Depot, 3/30:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46165.0
    
4.  The Comic Book Depot, 4/13:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46250.0

5.  Pandemonium Books and Games, 4/19:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46155.0

6.  MVP Sports and Games, 4/26:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46128.0

7.  The Player's Guild, 5/17:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46254.msg641569;boardseen#new

8.  The Comic Book Depot, 5/18:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46314.0

9.  MVP Sports and Games, 5/24:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46129.0

10.  Top Deck Games, 5/31:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46368.0

11.  The Player's Guild, 6/7:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=46259.msg641563#new

As more qualifiers are scheduled, more will be announced in this thread.  To reiterate, there will be more announcements for events in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania!


Pre-Registration & On-Site Registration:


The setup on registration is going to be different this year.  The entry for the event is $100 to all pre-registrants.  Pre-registration will be open later this week, and will be payable by PayPal to CardTitan.com.  Pre-registration is non-refundable.  

Players who pre-register for the event will also be entered into a random drawing for a second altered Karn, done by Poxy 14.  Pre-registration will be open until 6/15.  Entry fee for the day of the event is $120.

I heartily encourage pre-registration, once you're sure you can make the event.  I don't want to see anyone paying $120 for entry who didn't have to, but many costs are taken on under the assumption that players who say they're going to be at an event attend the event.  

If you pre-register for the event and you win a qualifier tournament you can take the free entry by taking a cash prize of $100 at the site of your victory.  

In order to pre-register for the event, go here:

http://www.cardtitan.com/catalog/nyse_open_ii/4623

Once there, please choose IN STORE PICKUP as the option for shipping!  If you choose anything other than that, Top Deck Games will be charged an unnecessary fee.


Qualifier Victors:

1.  Pat Albergo
2.  Tom Dixon
3.  Mike Ruggiero
4.  Raffaele Forino
5.  Mickey Mahr
6.  Andrew Farias
7.  Michael Savage
8.  Keith Seals
9.  Will Magrann
10.  Greg Fenton

Pre-Registration List:

1.  Justin Kohler  
2.  Craig Masley
3.  Isaac Foote
4.  Michael Eckert
5.  Adrian Becker
6.  Calvin Hodges
7.  Josh Butker
8.  Matt Murray
9.  Josh Meckes
10.  Daniel Chang
11.  Matt Bevenour
12.  Anthony Nania
13.  Frederick Fronzaglio
14.  Anthony Michaels
15.  Roland Chang
16.  Joel Lim
17.  Brett Attmore
18.  Hrishikesh Sidhartha
19.  Thomas Vandermeulen
20.  David Ata
21.  David Gans
22.  John Fisher
23.  Mike Moy
24.  John Jones
25.  Allan Tran
26.  Trevor Hayden
27.  Michael Lynch
28.  Ryan Fisher
29.  Jesse Prouler
30.  Brian Kelly
31.  Ben Kowal
32.  Jason Jaco
33.  John Grudzina
34.  Michael Strothman
35.  Christopher Hanson
36.  AJ Grasso
37.  William Sees
38.  Adam Cannava
39.  Ryan Glackin
40.  Justin Navickas
41.  Chris LaIacona
42.  Paul Mastriano
43.  Daniel Mason
44.  Matthew Szabo
45.  Vasu Balakrishnan
46.  Tom Daliapes
47.  James Kohler
48.  Samantha Reichert
49.  Vincent Forino
50.  Mike Brotzman
51.  Jake Gans
52.  Ryan Seeley
53.  Mike Sorrentino
54.  Nicholas DiJohn
55.  Shawn Griffiths
56.  Rob Edwards
57.  Brian Durkin
58.  Brian Schlossberg
59.  David Zhang


Proxies:


Most everyone on these forums knows what a proxy is.  A proxy, for the N.Y.S.E. Open, will be defined as the following:

A Magic the Gathering card with the full name, card type (instant, sorcery, land, artifact, creature, enchantment, planeswalker), full mana cost and text clearly displayed.  This can be done in one of two ways:

1.  Using a Sharpie, not pen or pencil, to fill in the required text on a card where it can clearly be read. (Revised lands are excellent for this, new commons and uncommons aren't usually, as they're darker, and far tougher to read.)

2.  Using acetone to remove certain text from a card that's close to the intended proxy (i.e. Lotus Bloom, with certain words removed to proxy a Black Lotus, Ancestral Visions with certain words removed to proxy an Ancestral Recall).  

Take pride in your proxies! Your opponents should know (at all times) what your proxies are, because they're clearly defined.  Using 15 Swamps to make your proxies is a bad idea, as it's going to create confusion.  If you're proxying Moxen, please, use a Land from each appropriate color to make a proxy for that Mox (i.e., a Mox Sapphire is on an Island, a Mox Jet is on a Swamp, a Mox Pearl is on a Plains...).  Beyond that, please use your best judgment when creating your proxies - we know what will, and what won't, be easily recognizable.  

Your opponents should not ever be at a disadvantage because you don't own the cards.  There is nothing wrong with using proxies as you slowly pick up the cards that you need to play Vintage, but please consider your opponents while you're making them, as we're out to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

If you're worried that your proxies may not pass muster, please speak to the head judge of the event before the event starts.  Leave enough time to create new proxies, if necessary.

Using paper printouts of card faces, and gluing them to cards, is not acceptable!  This alters the thickness of the cards, making the cards marked, for all intents and purposes.  Please don't do this, as the judges will be instructed to consider these as marked cards, and enforce punishment according to a DCI Competitive REL event!


Site Security:


Theft is always a concern, even if theft has never been a problem at one of my events before.  Last year, I felt that the security was exactly what was needed.  As with last year, we will have a secured entry area that will only be open to players in the event and staff.  Wristbands will be used to associate players with their corresponding bags.  

You will not be able to leave with someone else's bag, and you will not be afforded entry to the play space unless you are playing in the event.  God help you if you're caught stealing.


Artist Appearances:


We are lucky enough to have one of the great Magic artists on Long Island, and Jeff Menges will be making an appearance.  On top of that, we are lucky enough to be able to add another great Magic artist to the schedule, as Richard Kane Ferguson will be coming to the event!  

For a list of Jeff's work:

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&artist=%5B%22Jeff%20A.%20Menges%22%5D

For a list of RKF's work:

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&artist=%5B%22Richard%20Kane%20Ferguson%22%5D


This year is special, as both Jeff and Richard are going to have hardcover and softcover copies of The Gathering book for sale.  This is a wonderful commemorative of the art and artists in the early days of Magic.  



Jeff and Richard will have proofs, prints and more at the N.Y.S.E. Open!  This is an excellent opportunity to purchase a hardcover copy of The Gathering, have some great artists leave their mark with sketches and signatures and help support the people who made Magic magic.


Custom Playmats:


Greg Fenton's unique playmats were quite the hit last year, and they'll be back.  Here are a few examples of past work that Greg has done:










Snacks & Meals:


As with last year, there will be food on site.  Burgers, fries, chicken fingers, etc. will all be available.  

I wanted to have something extra though, and so I reached out to a good friend about coming down.  Here is some of what she has done in the past:










Jackie will be bringing cookies, brownies and other sweets.


Magic Original Art:


Josh Krause will have a table at the event where he will be selling pieces of original Magic art, sketches, and more.  If you'd like more information regarding what Josh will be bringing to the event, please reach out to him here:

http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=672


Friday Night Vintage:


As with last year, the N.Y.S.E. Open isn't meant to be a solitary event, but a weekend of Vintage.  And there is no better way to start off a weekend of Vintage than to have Friday Night Vintage at Mark's Comics & Collectibles.  


What:


$10 entry, 15 proxy, non-sanctioned Vintage tournament for store credit on Friday night, with 6 pm registration and 6:30 start.  The prize support will scale with attendance.


Where:


Mark's Comics and Collectibles
291 North Central Ave
Valley Stream, N.Y.
(516) 872-5919

And if you haven't had enough Vintage after Saturday, there will be still more:


Sunday Vintage at Depot:


To cap off the N.Y.S.E. Open weekend, we have a Mox tournament at Comic Book Depot:


Where:


The Comic Book Depot
2847 Jerusalem Avenue
Wantagh, NY 11793-2016
(516) 221-9337


When:


Sunday, 6/22
11 am registration, 12 pm start


What:


$25, 15 proxy, non-sanctioned Vintage tournament


Prize Structure:


1st - Unlimited Mox (guaranteed at 18 players)
2nd - $50 credit (at 20 players)
3rd/4th - $25 credit (at 22 players)

An additional $25 in credit will be added to the prize pool with every entrant.


Miscellaneous:


There is a rather considerable amount of effort that goes into a weekend like this.  We have two artists on site, custom baked goods, good (affordable) food, custom playmats, Magic original art, the best Vintage dealer in the U.S. and more.  Please thank Jeff Menges, Richard Kane Ferguson, Nick Coss, Greg Fenton, Jackie Gran, Brian Paskoff and Mike Noss when you see them there; I couldn't do this event without all of their help.

Questions, comments, concerns?  Reach out to me via personal message on TMD and I'll address all I can.

In the meantime though, I hope to see you all at the event in June!

[Samoht]

I'm in. I'll definitely preregister if I don't manage to snipe a qualifier along the way.

[KrauserKrauser]

Already approved with the better half and I'm taking a good look at what pieces to bring along to find new homes.

[Greg]

It shall be!

[Soly]

I'll be the first to commit to flying there.  Asking off now.

[Twaun007]

I'll be the first to commit to flying there.  Asking off now.

Something tells me you won't be driving there

I'm free this weekend so all I have to do is get confirmation from the boss, aka the lady.

Wop Gnuk!

[mr.grim]

I am in!

[Smmenen]

Yay!  I'm in.

[brianpk80]

I will be there.  I recommend the event to anyone thinking about it from Canada or overseas as well since it was big and worthwhile last year and surely will be again. 

[Prospero]

Three qualifiers have been added to the schedule, with more to come. 

I'm very glad to see the early interest in the event!  If you would like to be pre-registered for the event, please explicitly say so and I'll add you to the list.  As a reminder, if you've pre-registered for the event and you win an N.Y.S.E. Open II qualifier, you will win the free entry by having the $100 refunded.

[Explosive Engineer]

I will be there! 

Brian

[ErtaiAdept]

I will be doing everything in my power to make this.  After narrowly missing the top 16 at the last one I need redemption.

[Smmenen]

NYCers: Which new york airport is most convenient for flying into this?  From google maps it seems like JFK is the choice.

Also, has there been any effort to set up video coverage for this event? 

[Prospero]

NYCers: Which new york airport is most convenient for flying into this?  From google maps it seems like JFK is the choice.

Also, has there been any effort to set up video coverage for this event?  

Kennedy is more convenient than La Guardia, though you're going to end up dealing with NYC traffic in all likelihood, regardless which airport you fly into.  MacArthur is an option, I guess, but it's not one that people generally choose.

No research has been done, and no efforts have been made, for video coverage as of yet.  I understand that people want video coverage, but I'm going to basically need this to fall into my lap in order for this to happen.  The price of everything has gone up, yet again, and it means that there is less to go around for things like this.  

Last year I was able to pick up a Lotus for $1,000.  This year I doubt that I'll be able to do that.  I expect all the prize support to run me more.  

Go through this list when you have a chance:

http://sales.starcitygames.com/buylist/

Granted, this is for NM/M cards, but consider that Star City is buying the following cards at the following prices:

Unlimited Black Lotus - $1,750
Unlimited Mox Sapphire - $700
Unlimited Mox Jet - $550
Unlimited Mox Ruby - $550
Unlimited Mox Emerald - $550
Unlimited Mox Pearl - $550
Unlimited Ancestral Recall - $700
Unlimited Time Walk - $700
Mishra's Workshop - $350
Bazaar of Baghdad - $250

I have to compete with buyers like this when I buy cards for this event.  If I was giving out NM/M cards I'd be paying $8,450 for just that.  Then factor in that I'm paying for an artist, security, judges and the venue.  $100 entries seem incredible, but the margins on an event like this are actually minuscule.  If we had last year's attendance at this year's prices, I'd get crushed.  

As great as video coverage would be, I need someone else to take ownership of this, as I don't have the technical knowledge (or equipment) to set this up, and I can't afford to spend the $400-$500 that it was going to run me for this last year.

[Soly]

Is there a venue that would lower overhead that could handle 100 people?  I'm thinking maybe a Gamestore that would co-promote this with you at no cost, but with the ability to vend?

[Prospero]

Is there a venue that would lower overhead that could handle 100 people?  I'm thinking maybe a Gamestore that would co-promote this with you at no cost, but with the ability to vend?

The sacrifice involved there is distance; while there is a store on the Island that is capable of doing this, it's more than an hour east of our current location. 

I won't discuss the price of the venue, but it is affordable for Nassau County.  When Gray Matter ran pre-releases on Long Island, they'd typically pay more than $1,000 for a venue for the day.  We are paying less than that.  It's a small fortune for a hotel in Nassau County for the day, which is a product of its proximity to N.Y.C. and the median income in the area.  Space is valuable out here.  Don't even get me started on home prices.

On top of that, moving the event to Suffolk County will make the day worse for the dealer on site (as he'll have competition), and that's not something that I want to do.  Nick Coss does an unbelievable amount of work to support Vintage and I would like to see him have a good day.  Dealing at events like this is what helps keep Vintage running.   

It's really a decision as to whether it's worth moving the tournament to Suffolk County in order to have video coverage.  Even then, I'm not guaranteed to be able to afford the coverage, as the store will still have to be paid for the day and I don't know if I'm going to be able to cover the cost of the coverage with the difference in what the venues run. 

Like I said, if someone locally wanted to take ownership and charge a nominal amount in order to do the work, I'd be game, but this is a lot of work that I'm not familiar with and would rather not take on.  It takes a lot of time to get an event like this off the ground (I'm dealing with more than a dozen different people right now, all involved with specific parts of the event) and I don't want to add more detail and complications to this. 

I am going to do everything that I can to make this event the most ridiculous event that it can be.  The general consensus was overwhelmingly positive for last year's event and I want to make this event better than last year. 

[Soly]

Can we get someone to volunteer to do TEXT coverage maybe?

NOT IT!  I'm flying to play, not type!

[Prospero]

Can we get someone to volunteer to do TEXT coverage maybe?

NOT IT!  I'm flying to play, not type!

Womba set up a Twitter account for the NYSE series back in 2009, I have to find it (and the login information), but I'd be up for posting tidbits there as the day progresses.  I've got a camera and can post pictures of the event in the tournament report.

[Soly]

I'll make sure to write a report on my progress, no matter how shitty I do, and submit it to Eternal Central.  If someone can take pics, I'll do some legwork on making a nice Report for EC as well.

[Will]

I can try to get into the habit of tweeting out my progress and will try to take pictures throughout the day. I probably need to be reminded to do this though, otherwise I will spend my time in between matches durdling.

[Smmenen]

As a competitor, I would be more than willing to sacrifice prize pool or even extras if that means quality video coverage.  

Video coverage is not simply standard for practice for virtually all major tournaments these days, it's vital to raising the profile of marquis events.  

Vintage gets so little visibility these days, that video coverage offers rare glimpse of a format at its highest level.  As such, video here is not only fantastic marketing for the format, drawing new players and heightened interest, but also raises the profile of this event, making each year bigger than before by driving interest.

Even a minimal approach, with just a stationary overhead webcam, would be of great value.  The team serious opens and the NC tournaments have done this.  This was an notable piece of feedback from last years event, and I'm disappointed that planning for this did not apparently proactively investigate possibilities for improved coverage (you said no research on this was done).  I suspect that many players would be similarly willing to pay or sacrifice extras for coverage.  Coverage makes these tournaments immortal.

[Soly]

As a competitor, I would be more than willing to sacrifice prize pool or even extras if that means quality video coverage.  

Video coverage is not simply standard for practice for virtually all major tournaments these days, it's vital to raising the profile of marquis events.  

Instead of giving workshops and bazaars (@ roughly 300 each), why not give $100 dealer credit?

[KrauserKrauser]

Or even, $300 in place of Shops and $150 in place of Bazaars or some variation on that theme.  That way at least you're coming out on top if you place.

Just that small graduation in prizes would cut ~$600 off the top

[ErtaiAdept]

 This was an notable piece of feedback from last years event, and I'm disappointed that planning for this did not apparently proactively investigate possibilities for improved coverage (you said no research on this was done).  I suspect that many players would be similarly willing to pay or sacrifice extras for coverage.  Coverage makes these tournaments immortal.

Smmenen, I understand and agree that this would be a great addition to the event, but you may want to consider rewording this statement.  Prospero much like myself organizes these events in his spare time in order to support the community and your statement above makes it sound like he's doing a great disservice to us all by simply not having enough time or resources to get video coverage of the event.

As a side note, keep in mind that it is often difficult to get people to video/stream unsanctioned events since they tend to bring a lot of stress from Wizards should they see the use of Proxies.  I myself have run into this while trying to get coverage of my own events.

[Smmenen]

This was an notable piece of feedback from last years event, and I'm disappointed that planning for this did not apparently proactively investigate possibilities for improved coverage (you said no research on this was done).  I suspect that many players would be similarly willing to pay or sacrifice extras for coverage.  Coverage makes these tournaments immortal.

Smmenen, I understand and agree that this would be a great addition to the event, but you may want to consider rewording this statement.  Prospero much like myself organizes these events in his spare time in order to support the community and your statement above makes it sound like he's doing a great disservice to us all by simply not having enough time or resources to get video coverage of the event.

Obviously, that's not what I said, nor what I implied.  Please don't put words in my mouth.  Comments like this, which impute meaning that is not present, can create tension or promote ill-will.  That's not helpful.  

Its quite obvious that Prospero has put a tremendous amount of effort into planning this.  I'm just disappointed that despite all of that effort, and the feedback from last year, that he says that "No research has been done, and no efforts have been made, for video coverage as of yet."  My post was written to highlight the positive good that such coverage could play, and suggest that players like myself would be willing to pay extra or sacrifice extras in order to get that coverage.   I'd much prefer video coverage to random giveaways, for example.

If folks would like video coverage, they should speak up or message the TOs in support of this.  

[ErtaiAdept]

 This was an notable piece of feedback from last years event, and I'm disappointed that planning for this did not apparently proactively investigate possibilities for improved coverage (you said no research on this was done).  I suspect that many players would be similarly willing to pay or sacrifice extras for coverage.  Coverage makes these tournaments immortal.

Smmenen, I understand and agree that this would be a great addition to the event, but you may want to consider rewording this statement.  Prospero much like myself organizes these events in his spare time in order to support the community and your statement above makes it sound like he's doing a great disservice to us all by simply not having enough time or resources to get video coverage of the event.

Obviously, that's not what I said, nor what I implied.  Please don't put words in my mouth. 

I'm not putting words in your mouth, but I am pointing out that this is exactly how it sounded to me when I read it, which means others might do the same.  As I assumed you did not intend it this way, I pointed it out so that perhaps a clarification could be made.

As said clarification has now been made, we can return this thread to its proper topic.

[Hrishi]

I will definitely make this one! If I can be of any help in organizing or anything, I'd be willing to help out in my free time as well.

[JACO]

Nick, I will be attending, probably to play and try to win, unless there is a need for video commentary that no one else can handle. I should have an awesome camera by that time, and plan to do some photo and text coverage for EC (no, I don't have appropriate video gear yet, unfortunately).

[Prospero]

Thank you all for your offers.

Jaco, I would like to ensure that this event is good for Eternal Central.  I don't know what that entails just yet, but let's figure out what can be done to help you out in this.

I will look into coverage, but given the myriad things that are being done for this event, it is not a priority.  If it happens, it happens.  The tournament is the priority and I can promise you that this event will be insane. 

[brianpk80]

To offer a different perspective, I'm fine with no video coverage.  I figure I'm going to be there; if there are any matches I want to see, I can watch them firsthand.  I would much prefer the higher prize support (not necessarily because I'm dead set on winning any again but because it raises the event prestige) and no video coverage or a higher entry fee to an extra hour east which would make for an abysmally long early morning drive from Pennsylvania.  It's hard enough to sleep well the night before.