Hello, everyone! Today’s Judge of the Week has the special honour of being our first publicly-nominated judge… W. Matt Williams, L2 from Tampa, Florida! Affectionately known as Billy Willy, Matt was nominated by George FitzGerald, and here’s why:

“While many judges had a hand in helping me become the judge that I am today (Justin Turner and Ben McDole primary among that group), Matt has always been there for me when I needed a different perspective. He has a calm personality and that often gave me someone that I could relate to on a personal level better. He has always been there with an outstretched hand to help me when I needed it and give me an ear to hear me out. On top of that, Matt has always been a very hard worker at every event I’ve been at with him. He is a superior judge and someone that I’ve looked up to as a judge I wanted to be like; calm, confident, and competent.”

Occupation: Mortgage Officer

Favorite card: Chrome Mox. It was the first “expensive” playset that I acquired.
Least Favorite card: Cheatyface. Come on! Who likes a cheater?
Favorite format: I’ve only gotten to do it once, but 2HG draft is awesome!
Commander General: 1a) Whoever the General is for the deck that I’m borrowing or 1b) Vendilion Clique
Favorite Non-Magic game: I’m a big fan of any game that can be played while drinking a good beer. So I’ll have to say darts.
Random fact about yourself: I was born with a condition known as hammer toes.

You were nominated by George FitzGerald because of your special characteristics and for the advice you give. How do these attributes help you at your daily work as a Judge?
First, I want to thank George. He has been doing a great job in the Sarasota area and with efforts like his I am able to stay motivated. I have been very fortunate to get to travel to GPs on a fairly regular basis and I love being able to share my experiences with my local community. When I am at events I want to work hard to make sure that the players see that we are trying to make sure they are having a great experience no matter how well they are playing that day. Trying to stay calm and have confidence in each situation can be a challenge at times, but the rewards of being able to help others makes me enjoy judging.

What motivates you to continue being a judge?
I kind of look at the judge community as a way to make myself a better person. There are many ways to learn about who I am and how I can be a better person. There is a very satisfying feeling when you can share lessons learned with others so they can hopefully avoid mistakes that I’ve made. If they can’t avoid them, then they know you can relate to them. The friends I’ve made from around the world.

What’s the best part about your local Magic community?
I love how we are just a great group of guys who love having fun together. We are the first to give each other a hard time or play pranks on each other. However, we are also the first to help each other out in a pinch.

Tell us your favorite judge story.
There are so many stories that I could choose as my favorite. Everything from time a player bought pizza for an entire event to finishing an event in judge hotel because the event hall had closed could be it. However, I think the my favorite story has to be something kind of simple. During a limited GP with Mirrodin Besieged, I was called to a table where the active player had a Cryptoplasm in play and had chose to copy his opponent’s Consecrated Sphinx. The players needed help with the triggers. I happened to have some basic land and used Plains and Islands to represent the players triggers. It sounds like overkill, but the players were trying to move to specific spots on the stack and the visualization was helpful for them as well as myself. During the resolution of all these triggers, the story had spread to the far side of the event all and several players were hustling to the match to see the craziness that had happened. It had ended with both players having approximately 15 cards in hand. The crowd that had gathered was disappointed during the next upkeep when the Cyptoplasm was destroyed by a Pistus Strike.

What is your favorite non-judging moment that happened with other judges?
It isn’t a single moment, but two words: Judge Dinner. If at all possible, make sure to hang out with other judges when you aren’t actively judging. Those moments have been priceless.

If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Robin Williams. I’m pretty sure he’d be a blast to hang out with and would have some amazing stories.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to thank everyone that I’ve met while judging. Everyone that I’ve met has in some way made me the person and judge that I am today. I try to take something away from every encounter.

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

1. I have a Foil Silver-Inlaid Dagger in my wallet at all times.
2. I have judged a tournament that finished in a different location than it started.
3. I have two dogs named Simba and Nala.

Thanks to “Billy Willy” for all the excellent work he does for the FL Magic community! Leave your questions, comments, and guesses in the comments down below! Don’t forget to nominate a judge while you’re here!

And the answer to last week’s Two Truths and a Lie…
David actually judged at 10 GPs in 2011, not 9! What an accomplishment!