Became Angry Yesterday
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Feb. 13, 2015, 11:22 p.m. by JakeHarlow
Thursday night magic. My opponent is shuffling my deck. I notice he's being rather rough. I tell him to be careful. "It's fine," he responds. He returns my deck. Fully 9 of my sleeves are split. These are KMC Hyper-Mats. I show him the damage he's just done. He shrugs. "I wasn't intentionally damaging them."
Are you fucking serious?? I know that competitive Magic will see you seated across from curmudgeons from time to time, but this was outrageous. What is the appropriate response here?
(for those wondering, I defeated him 2-0 and went on to get 2nd place in the tournament)
Honestly unless it's some big tournament (i.e. a PTQQ or more prestigious) I really see no major need to shuffle my opponent's deck unless I REALLY didn't like how they shuffled it, but that's just me. Part of that is to avoid f***ing up their sleeves. usually I just do a random cut or 2 and hand it back to them. But I digress.
I agree I'd be pretty pissed, hell I get pissed when I split my own sleeves shuffling. point is though given the venue I think your opponent was a bit over the top. I'd have probably do what you did and tell him to cool it a bit regardless if he "wasn't intentionally damaging them" I'd probably tell him if he split any more he'd owe me new sleeves or something.
February 13, 2015 11:35 p.m.
You are allowed to request a judge shuffle your deck instead of your opponent. If you ever think your cards are in danger from your opponent shuffling them, the best thing to do is call a judge.
On a personal note, I'm right there with you. I cringe a little when an opponent shuffles my deck and if they split my sleeves open, I'd be furious.
February 13, 2015 11:47 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #5
@ ducttapedeckbox and dan8080:
Yeah, this guy is a regular grinder of competitive events around the Jacksonville area. He is known to be of the douchier side of the Spike spectrum. I didn't ask him to replace my sleeves, and I don't imagine he'd have complied anyhow. There are plenty of people out there with no respect for the possessions of others, I guess.
I told him that he was being incredibly rough and careless, and that "there's a right way and a wrong way to shuffle." He muttered, "Yeah, I guess I acknowledge that," or something to that effect. He offered no reparations. I told him that if it happened again, the event coordinator would become involved. He just griped and told me to "chill." I'm an adult, so I refrained from any further action. If I see that kid again, I'm going to have a judge shuffle my deck. I won't allow him to damage my property again.
February 13, 2015 11:53 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #6
We could just sell his soul to the Canadian Devil. Trust me, Canadian Devil is the worst.
All joking aside I commend you for your calm demeanor. I don't think I would have that restraint since I despise people abusing my property.
February 14, 2015 12:02 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #8
We should deliver him unto the powers of the Canadian Abbyss. I think that's appropriate. But seriously, I was furious. He will never touch my property again. I'm extremely meticulous about my cards. If this had been in the Bronx, the kid would have gotten his ass kicked, and that isn't a dramatization.
@ RisenQueen:
Thanks, I know precisely how you feel. I hate it when people get their unwashed hands on my shiny new sleeves. I hate it even worse when they shuffle the cards seemingly without a care that the deck costs more than $250. The only reason I ever have to change sleeves is because of wear and tear incurred by others. If I were the only person using them, they'd still be in near-pack fresh condition.
February 14, 2015 12:20 a.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #9
@ JakeHarlow I'll make the preparations. We're going to need a hockey stick, a two four of Molson Canadian and a lacrosse field and about 40 gallons of maple syrup. Oh and a piece of red and white chalk exactly 13 centimeters.
February 14, 2015 12:44 a.m.
ZooGambler says... #10
@CanadianShinobi and a rehearsal of how to say Sorry.
February 14, 2015 1:44 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #11
dan8080 I often like to trust my opponent and do a 60 card cut.
Shuffling someone else's deck is always something you need to be very careful when doing. A guy at my LGS has a foiled and pimped out Jeskai control deck, and I'm pretty sure he'd destroy your car if you damaged anything of his.
When I shuffle my opponents deck, I do it slowly and carefully, because I know I hate it when other people damage, or screw with, my stuff.
February 14, 2015 2:49 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #12
Some people have jack shit for manners, unfortunately.
February 14, 2015 2:58 a.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #13
I hate these types of things! WHy can't some people just show a little respect for your possessions?!?
I never really shuffle my opponent's deck unless, like dan8080 said, I really don't like the way they shuffled or they obviously cheated in which case I call a judge. I find that a 3-way cut is usually adequate.
February 14, 2015 3:15 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #14
Usually, I just do a quick cut. I keep my eyes on opponents when they shuffle. If they're doing something fishy, I don't bother shuffling myself. I defer directly to a judge. Somebody who's willing to cheat when shuffling will likely be equally willing to draw extra cards or do other illegal things. Better to alert a judge early to keep an eye on probable perpetrators.
February 14, 2015 4:02 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #15
Some giant handed, loud speaking guy did this to one of my decks, then said "Hey your sleeves are split." I just stared at him. Yeah mate, you did it.
February 14, 2015 4:23 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #16
I never shuffle anyone else's deck, it's poor form.
February 14, 2015 4:24 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #17
"There are plenty of people out there with no respect for the possessions of others, I guess."
That's true. A 'friend' of mine was happily smashing a skateboard against a wall that he borrowed from a mutual friend, I asked him what he thought he was doing, he shrugged and replied it wasn't his.
February 14, 2015 4:30 a.m.
Seraphicate says... #18
I usually tell them to knock it off with the crappy shuffling. If I find any split sleeves after that, I'd split a good number of them by doing horrible riffles and vertically mash shuffling (I've killed a couple dragon shields this way :D)
February 14, 2015 5:18 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #19
Suddenly, the next time he plays Standard every single opponent he plays fights him with a deck of mountains and infinite copies of Vexing Devil. Turn 1 Vexing Devil into Turn 2 double Vexing Devil. EVERY. SINGLE. OPPONENT.
His poor mind wouldn't even understand the devils mysterious and evil work!
Anyways, I personally cringe when I see my deck getting shuffled in the manner of a deck of plasying cards. You know the one, the two-pile split thing that makes the ripping noise. I feel compelled even then to politely ask "Don't do that or my Phytotitan will manifest itself out of that deck into the real world and sit on you"
February 14, 2015 5:21 a.m.
Didgeridooda says... #20
I would be angry too. Depending on how angry would be what i did.
Maybe grab his deck and shuffle it. Putting the bottom corner of half into the open side of the other half, and jam that shit home.
February 14, 2015 12:16 p.m.
Didgeridooda says... #21
That is after I told him he bought the sleeves. If he did not agree with that solution, I would do the hell shuffle.
February 14, 2015 12:17 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #22
It's just unbelievable to me, the behavior of some people. I know it's just card sleeves but the lack of decorum is still appalling.
ducttapedeckbox says... #2
I would make the store owner aware of the situation and see that the individual both replaces your sleeves and is put on a 'suspension' from the store for a few events. If he a regular or known for being rough with cards?
At the least I'd confront him - calmly and politely - and ask for him to replace your sleeves. He might've just been having a rough night and lost control. Talking to him is probably a good first step, and resort to my thoughts above if it doesn't work.
February 13, 2015 11:30 p.m.