Greetings Judges! This week’s Judge of the Week is Federico Donner, L2 from Montevideo, Uruguay!

Federico was nominated by Francisco Iramain, L2 from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Francisco nominated Federico due to his involvement in the Magic Community of Uruguay as well as for being stylish, so stylish. Federico became a level 1 judge in July 2010 and leveled up in April 2011. He viewed becoming a judge as an amazing way to get back into Magic after he had stopped playing for some years. He describes himself as being very technically driven.

Occupation: Electronical Engineer.  I work in electrical product certification for imports to Uruguay.

Favourite card: Yavimaya Elder, although Field Surgeon is a close, close second.

Least favourite card: Capsize. It’s no fun for anyone.

Favourite format: Chaos Draft and Commander. Yeah, I’m a pretty casual player.

Commander general: Right now my favourite is Teysa, Orzhov Scion but I’ve been flirting with Godo, Bandit Warlord, Jhoira of the Ghitu, Edric, Spymaster of Trest and Rakdos, Lord of Riots.

Favourite non-Magic Game: Guitar Hero: Metallica, but any other of the franchise would do.

Best tournament result: I won a PTQ for PT:Chicago back in 2001. Mercadian Masques Block Sealed playing Rising Waters. Last year I bought the cards and built the deck again.

Random fact about yourself: I don’t mind losing but I’m a rather unpleasant winner. I’m working on it, though.

Tell us your favourite judge story.
My first GP was Pittsburgh last year. On the final round on day 1 some judges and I were watching an X-2 table play extra turns after time was called. If they drew they were both out. On the last turn, a player activated a Djinn of Wishes looking for an answer and instead of revealing the top card he put it in his hand. All of the judges that were watching facepalmed at the same time. HJ John Alderfer delivered one of the finest rulings I have ever seen while giving him the GL. He took his time to explain to the player the different types of infractions, how we deal with each one, how each one affects the game. He arrived so naturally to the game loss that the player almost thanked him for issuing it.

Tell us an embarrassing story that you’re not afraid of everyone knowing.
When I started judging I was far more focused on Competitive REL tournaments than the store, to the point that I didn’t pay too much attention to Judging at Regular REL (JAR) document. On an FNM I gave a Game Loss to a player for forgetting a Plains on his box and presenting a 59 card deck. It was his first tournament and he considered to quit playing competitively because of the horrible customer service. Luckily he didn’t and he didn’t hold any grudges against me. And I gave JAR a read or two.

How has being a judge influenced your non-Magic life?
I travel A LOT. I live rather far from where the Magic happens (pun super intended) so to get to tournaments I have to travel. I have already traveled to 7 countries just for Magic tournaments.

You were nominated by Francisco Iramain because of your involvement in the Uruguay community. What are the challenges you face in your local community that you think may be unique?
I gave a whole presentation on a judge conference about this. I think one of the biggest problems we face as a community is that since product is so expensive in Uruguay, players tend to buy singles so almost all decks in every tournament are Tier 1 decks. Casual players are really punished because of this and tend to drop from the game before actually getting the grip of it. I have the objective to bring a more casual atmosphere to FNMs but its not an easy task.

What motivates you to continue being a judge?
Hands down, it’s the community. The fellowship and support I find within the judge community is completely amazing. Traveling long trips to work 15 hour days on your weekends is something that not everyone would like to do. I think that brings us together. I can say I have friends all around the world.

What’s the biggest rule-breaking play you’ve ever made as a player?

Until recently I had Darkest Hour in my Teysa, Orzhov Scion deck and played it as though it made creatures black in addition to their other colors. So, using Teysa’s first ability I could sacrifice three white creatures to exile one of my opponent’s creatures, and due to Teysa’s second ability, because the sacrificed creatures were *also* black I would get three white-black spirit tokens. Repeat for profit. Luckily the combo didn’t come up too much before I actually read the cards and fixed it. I apologized publicly on Facebook.

If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Penn Jillette. He is my hero.

What would you be doing now if Magic no longer existed?
Wow, tough one. Probably playing another worse game and traveling much, much less.

Two Truths and a Lie
Two of the following statements is true, and one is false. Figure out which!

1. I have 31 decks that were standard, extended or block legal at some point in time, sleeved, labeled and ready to play.
2. Before I got certified I was disqualified for Manipulation of Game Material.
3. In order to make rooming expenses cheaper for a SCG Open I once stayed with 5 Puerto Ricans in a room. Details will not be disclosed.