Arnie and Newt are playing a tense match in Round 7 of a Legacy Grand Prix. The battlefield is cluttered with permanents, including Arnie’s and Newt’s . Arnie passes turn, and Newt reaches towards her library, points at her Sylvan Library and asks, “Draw step?” Arnie glances at his hand, then back up to Newt […]
Author: bimmerbot
O.A. Ahoy, Captain!
Nemo and Ahab are playing in the second to last round of a GPT at which you are the only judge. Their game is near its end, with Ahab at 3 life and Nemo at 1. Ahab controls an and will be able to attack for the win on his next turn. During his own […]
Mulch or Fiction
Amy and Nicholas are playing at a Pro Tour Qualifier, and during Amy’s turn she casts revealing the top 5 cards, which are 4 copies of and then a , in that order. Realizing her error immediately, Amy laughs and shows Nicholas a from her hand, which she was thinking about when she revealed the […]
To Proxy, or Not to Proxy? That is the question.
You are the Head Judge of a PTQ that is halfway through round 4. Amleth, a player with a 3-0 record, calls a judge over because one of his cards has become creased in the process of shuffling his deck. The judge brings you to the table, and you notice that his in play has […]
I love me some foils
Albert is a local tournament grinder in his area. He is playing his favorite mono green deck in a local PTQ and is having a great success with it. During Round 6 of the PTQ, Albert’s opponent calls for a Judge. Upon arrival he asks to speak with you away from the table. After walking […]
Um, I think that was your opening hand?
You are on the Deck Checks team at a Grand Prix. You have been assigned a table to perform a deck check on, and you are casually wandering around that area, watching the players at that table shuffle. Suddenly, “JUDGE!” There’s a judge call, and you’re standing less than five feet away, so you decide […]
Game Loss Conundrum
Nathan has just lost game 1 in the 4th round in a PTQ. While sideboarding for game 2, he yells, “Judge!” You walk over and ask, “How may I help?” Nathan explains, “It looks like I played a 54-card deck in game 1.” You ask for more details and he elaborates, “I had sideboarded for […]
Will the Real Judge Please Stand Up?
Amita and Norm are engrossed in the final game of round six in a Competitive REL Sealed event. Top 8 is on the line. Norm casts Launch Party, targeting Amita’s Centaur Token, and sacrifices (to pay for ). Amita looks at her hand, looks at the board, looks back at her hand, sighs, and says […]
Goodness, what big wolf tokens you have…
Austin is playing a very long game against Nora at a GPT, and has no cards in hand. He draws for his turn, then windmill slams , and Nora says, “Man! That’s a good top-deck… Seems bad for me.” Austin says, “Well, it’s not GOOD for you, that’s for sure! Exile your , Beast token […]
I knew I forgot something else….
While playing in (another) local PTQ against a familiar opponent, Alfred controls an , and 2 s, while Mr. Nigma has 3 s and a on the battlefield. As before, Alfred declares all four of his creatures as attacking. Before declaring blockers, Mr. Nigma again casts , then declares his Hamlet Captains as blocking the Angelic Skirmisher and each of the […]