Anya is playing against Natalie on day 1 of a Grand Prix. In game 2 of the match Anya activates her ‘s first ability, discarding a card and saying “create a zombie.” She searches the Hour of Devastation Bundle box she is using for her deck box for a zombie token, and can’t find one […]
One Probe, Two Spells, Red Land, Blue Cards
During a Legacy Open run at Competitive REL, Amon casts paying 2 life and targeting Nikki, who responds with . Amon casts targeting the Brainstorm. Nikki responds by casting , returning his to his hand leaving his board empty. As Nikki is resolving Brainstorm, Amon says “Go,” so Nikki untaps and draws for his turn. […]
“Meat and eggs. We eat!” – Borborygmos
Peyton and Penelope are playing in your PPTQ. During round 3 they finished their match early, and went and got lunch from the Chinese restaraunt next door. They returned to their table and ate their lunch. You just announced pairings for round 4, and notice that they left their to-go boxes at the table they […]
Strictly Surgical Sideboarding
During a deck check at a Modern PPTQ, you notice that Percy has an extra card in one of the sleeves of his sideboard. The sideboard contains two copies of , and the extra card is a third copy of . It is faced backwards behind another sideboard card. Other than that, his deck is […]
Nobody Expects a Missed Inquisition
You are the Head Judge for a Modern PPTQ. On her first turn, Andrea plays a Swamp, then casts . Naomi reveals her hand: three , two , and two . Andrea writes down every card in Naomi’s hand, and when finished, says “pass the turn.” Naomi picks up her hand, draws a card for […]
Sins of Our Past
You are a floor judge for Day 2 of a Modern Grand Prix. Adrian plays his second land, then casts . Natalie lets Thalia resolve, and at the end of Adrian’s turn, casts , targeting Thalia, by tapping her only land. Adrian shrugs and moves Thalia to the graveyard. Natalie untaps, draws for turn, then […]
Mismanaged Mimicry Memory
Albert and Nadege are playing in a standard PPTQ. They call you over to the table, and Nadege explains that Albert played on his previous turn, which was turn two. Nadege played a land on her turn and passed, and now Albert has played and Nadege has let it resolve. Albert went to put a […]
Wrapped Away
You are a floor judge watching Allie and Nemo play in a sealed PPTQ. Allie is attacking Nemo with her . Before the combat damage step, Nemo casts targeting the and says, “Exile the Guardian before damage.” Allie moves her Labyrinth Guardian card on top of her other exiled cards and then looks at her […]
The Second Sting Hurts the Most
Alan and Nathan are playing in a Kaladesh/AEther Revolt Limited PPTQ. Alan casts a , then attacks with an that has a +1/+1 counter on it. Nathan controls his own , but chooses not to block with it. During his second main phase, Alan casts a second . Alan looks at this hand for a […]
It’s Time to Drain the _________
You are the Head Judge of your local Standard PPTQ. You have collected all the decklists and round 1 has begun. While ensuring that all of the lists are present, you notice that one player has a blank line with a number next to it on his decklist. He is playing Black/White control, and has […]