Welcome back to another Judge of the Week! This week we are bringing you a friendly yet professional face all the way from São Paulo, Brazil! Say ‘Hello!’ to Eder Carvalho!
Name: Eder Carvalh
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Level: Level 2
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Judge start date: November 2011
Occupation: Business Owner
Favorite card: Delver of Secrets
Least favorite card: Thoughtseize
Favorite format: Pre-releases
Commander General: Grand Arbiter Agustin IV
Favorite non-Magic Game: Anything on the Battle.net except WoW
Best tournament result: I only lost 1 round on the single GP I ever played (but missed day 2 on 5-1-3 and 18 points didn’t cut it back then)
Random fact about yourself: I have a board game in my backpack for emergency situations
Why do you judge?
It started pretty normal, with an interest on rules and card interactions, but after working some events, I was blown away by the community and the other aspects of the game (and even things outside the game), but right now I judge because it’s something I like to do. I can help my community and region with my knowledge and I get to hang out with awesome friends in black doing awesome stuff.
Tell us your favorite judge story.
At my first European GP, I was asked by another judge for advice with a ruling, after that I shadowed him and he fixed the situation with a backup. When I asked him if we should have first consulted with a L3 for the backup, he presented himself as a L3, that showed me that no matter your position it never hurts to ask for a second opinion when you can.
What are some tips you have for other judges?
HAVE FUN! But expanding on that, having fun and a positive attitude goes a long way towards improving your and others judging experience, even on small things such as giving a smile anytime you attend a call, or just cheer up a judge on that last round of the GP, if you can have fun and help others have fun it will yield much better results at the end.
What is your favorite non-judging moment that happened with other judges (or after event story)?
A couple years ago on a pre-conference party, I had the pleasure of watching a game of The Resistance: Avalon(a deception game) between our RC and two lawyers. It was the funniest 1 hour argument/struggle of my life.
What challenges have you faced or are you facing to become a better judge, and how have you worked to overcome them?
Trying to be a friendly judge comes with an additional set of challenges to deal with, because sometimes you have to act in a professional manner (for example, when giving a ruling at their table). That was a problem I had for some time with friends trying to talk with me and distracting me from the tournament, or when giving rulings and they try to use the friend-card (which makes for a bad situation for me and the opponent). It took time and a good amount of talking with my friends, but now they understand the difference and understand that while still friendly, I will have to act in a professional manner.
Who have been some of your biggest mentors in the Judge Program, and what did they teach you?
I will highlight 3 person during different stages of my judge career:
During my early days, Henrique Amigo was not only my certifier, but the one who taught me all the basics (sometimes the hard way: just throwing me at the tournament).
When I became a L2, Leonardo Martins helped me with my first big tournaments, and how to pursue international tournaments.
Nowadays, I have been talking a lot with Vinicius Quaiato with questions that goes above just judging a tournament and that has been of great help to learn new things about myself and my objectives as a judge.
What positive aspects has the Judge Program contributed to your everyday life?
Personal skills 100%, I used to be more shy and not going out a lot, but now after 5+ years as a judge I can say that being a judge has helped me a lot both on my personal and working life. It has been a very positive experience.
What’s the best part about your local Magic community?
My local community has a bunch of very passionate players, and through the years I have witnessed many times players going above and beyond to help another player, even on non-Magic stuff. It’s safe to say that if you like magic you are very welcome at our community.
What is your favorite non-Magic hobby?
Board games, online MOBA and Escape rooms in no particular order, but if you call me, I’m up to it anytime.
How did you get involved in Magic in the first place?
As a player: I went to a friend’s house, found a box with a bunch of old cards, next day I was at a store playing FNM, instantly hooked.
As a judge: I was always interest in card interactions so I did the test and judged a tournament, instantly hooked.
If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Urza, I think he probably has all the answers.
If you were a Planeswalker what would be your ultimate?
You get an emblem with: “Spells your opponents casts cost 1 more to play. Creatures can’t attack you or a planeswalker you control unless they pay 1 for each creature”
What was the proudest moment of your judge life?
Being chosen to HJ one of the last old PTQ in Brazil, it was the culmination of a long time of work and studies and when I was chosen it showed that they had the confidence in me to do a good job.
What character in Magic (real or fictional) represents you the best, and why?
I have always ressonated with Venser, learning through some mistakes and eventually finding his purpose
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to take the chance to thank everyone I have met on this judge journey, you guys are the biggest reason this program is awesome, and I will keep trying to repay that awesomeness doing the best I can so we can all have a great time during events.
And if any of you judges ever come to São Paulo (maybe the GP), feel free to call me so I can show you people around 😉
Two Truths and a Lie
Two of the following statements are true and one is false. Figure out which!
- Back in 2003, i was top 50 worldwide on another game done by Richard Garfield (Astral Tournament)
- I hold the record time on 8 different escape rooms in Brasil
- I have a pet turtle called “Meandering Towershell”
If there is a judge who is also doing something exemplary, please nominate a judge TODAY!