Hello everyone! Trying something radical today – the blog entry’s title will only be the Judge of the Week’s name! Is that too crazy for you? Too bad, it’s a revolution!

Today’s Judge of the Week is Kevin Tinsley, from Aurora, Illinois, USA. Kevin was recently celebrated his 5-year anniversary as a judge. He passed his Level 2 test in July 2008. (I’ll let you figure out what year he certified.) Here’s why he became a Magic judge:

“I have a friend that was a rules nut who wanted to get into it. Thats what planted the idea in my head. We had been carpooling to a number of events together until one tournament I asked about it and found myself on staff for Planar Chaos prerelease.”

That must have been a difficult prerelease, since it contained so many abilities. I wonder how many questions Kevin had to answer about “What does [this ability] do?”

Occupation: Hospitality Management Student

Favourite card: Survival of the Fittest

Least favourite card: Phyrexian Negator

Favourite format: Legacy

Commander general: Progenitus

Best tournament result: 11th at his last PTQ

Random fact about him: People who know him get alarmed when he’s not playing green

Tell us your favourite judge story:
We had a player who was coming to a bunch of larger events who we think was on drugs of some kind, or if he wasn’t he should have been. After correcting his decklist for the second time to match what we think he was playing that day (his deck contained over 130 cards) I asked him “Do you have any other questions we can help you with?” He responded “I think I know all the rules. I’ve been playing this game since the 80’s.” I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing, and the other judge listening in had to leave in disbelief, both of the player and of the fact that I had somehow managed to keep a straight face.

Tell us an embarrassing story that you’re not afraid of everyone knowing.
I horribly blew my first judge call. AND when the player appealed, I honestly didn’t know what that meant because I jumped into judging from being a casual player.

What motivates you to continue being a judge?
I love the problem solving. Every judge call is a problem that I show up to fix. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment being able to provide those answers to people, and I take that feeling with me after the event is over. I don’t bring self-confidence to judging. Judging brings self-confidence to my life.

What is your favourite non-judging moment that happened with other judges?
Myself and a gaggle of other judges were walking back to our hotel from dinner during Worlds ’08 in Memphis. It was in the mid 50’s (12-13°C for all the non-Americans 🙂) and very windy. We were walking into that wind with then-judge manager John Carter in front. Suddenly he exclaimed “Wait a minute, why am I in front? Protect your leader!”

What’s the best part about your local Magic community?
We have a good mix of players who are super new to the game all the way up to people who get coverage matches at major events.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I cruise forums under the name Leftconsin. No, I’m not left-handed, and I am not from Wisconsin. I do not apologize for how confusing that may be.

Please leave questions/comments for Kevin below, and as always, nominate a judge today!