Tournament Preperation
General forum
Posted on July 23, 2015, 8:04 p.m. by Wabbbit
How do you guys go about preparing for a tournament? Be it a large event, competing for large cash prizes, or just your local FNM, how do you go about it? What supplies to you bring? Do you play with the deck you're entering before the tournament? Share your stories and thoughts!
Junk is right. Deck box, extra sleeves, binder, dice, life pad(s), pens, decks you need + EDH (there's always time for commander =3!), and some spare moolah in case you see a sweet new card behind the counter that you NEED for the EDH deck or cube.
July 23, 2015 9:07 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #4
I used to test a lot but now I never do. I consider TNM and FNM my playtesting for weekend tourneys these days. Back when I started playing again I used to test 3-4 days a week and would always have the Standard gauntlet sleeved up.
For competitive:
1) Deck is fully put together and decklist is filled out by 12a.m. the night before.
2) Eat breakfast. Drink water, bring a days worth.
3) Scout the people filling out their decklists and verifying their 75 at the tournament.
4) Go outside in between rounds, walk around and stimulate your body. Do not sit inside breathing that stank air.
5) Leave the trade binder at home. Being light weight is preferable because if you're winning you should expect to spend a good deal of time standing around. Your back will thank you.
For FNM:
1) Get off work, eat dinner, pack some weed, grab backpack.
2) Register
3) Play, smoke, bull shit, play, smoke, eat a Fat Boy, etc.
July 23, 2015 9:09 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #5
for larger local events, I go to bed at normal time, wake up. Do my normal routine. Drink coffee, read MTG stuff in the net and get dressed.
Here is where I do weird shit:
I wear the EXACT same slacks that I wear at every MTG tournament. They're not lucky pants, but I have to keep it consistent.
If its modern or legacy, I wear my Jund shirt (It has a badass pic on it with skull and fire and shit and says "Jund 'em out")
If its standard, I wear a random band t shirt.
I pack my bag. Water, deck (only the one I plan on playing), deck list for easier registration, random healthy snacks, life pad, pen and some dice.
I MUST HAVE MY FUCKING HAT! I have this Thrasher skateboard mag hat. It was my first purchase when I got my first job. Its old as fuck. But every time I wear it, cool shit is abound.
I check my bag like 4 times for everything. (I have forgotten a deck before)
Then I roll.
I get Dunkin Donuts coffee on the way.
I register, and scout.
July 23, 2015 10:28 p.m.
Smoke before you play. You might end up delving 6 for Dig Through Time on their end step when you have five untapped lands, but it's worth it when you get lucky and find Anticipate.
July 23, 2015 10:57 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #8
Life pad because A: Die can roll off of what they were, and B: you can go back and fix an error with a lifepad.
July 23, 2015 11:31 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #9
I just play at FNM. I use a die and/or my phone (MTG Familiar <3). A notepad/lifepad would be better, but it's usually noticeable when the die rolls and I always make sure to keep track of both life totals in my head. The die is there for reassurance. I'm often too stupid to charge my phone before going, so MTG Familiar is reserved for TCG price lookups.
If I'm looking to trade that night, my backpack includes my good binder, bulk binder, dice bag, playmat, and of course, a duct tape deck box with my deck or draft sleeves.
If I'm not looking to trade, my backpack includes just my playmat and larger deck box which holds four of the following: EDH deck, Modern deck, die bag, Standard deck, draft sleeves. Draft sleeves usually replace Modern or EDH deck.
July 23, 2015 11:54 p.m.
Dalektable says... #10
I just play FNM. I don't eat before tournaments, but I bring lots of water and have a coffee before i go. I throw a playmate, my binder, my deck for the night as well as a couple of EDH decks and dice into a backpack and roll out. Where I play regularly has a coffee shop connected, so around round two after i finish up my match I run and grab a coffee next door at the coffee shop. After FNM, I always go and get Taco Bell and hate myself after eating it. Good times.
Servo_Token says... #2
I bring only the decks that I intend to play with, be it a legacy and modern deck, my one standard deck and an EDH deck for FNM, or whatever.
Other things in my bag: My trade binder, notebook for life, 3 pens, a chessex die cube, and some rogue life pads that I use for scratch paper. Don't bring anything else with you to a large tournament, you're just stuck carrying it around all day. FNM, bring whatever you like.
The day before a large tournament, I go to bed like 2 hours earlier because I usually have to get up at like 6:30 as opposed to the 8-9 that I usually do. Make a decent breakfast that includes some sort of meat and / or protien, and pack a PB&J sandwich + Water bottle for later.
When at the tournament venue, I make sure the only thing I do is fill out my deck list, then I scan the room to see what some of the other players are piloting. I also enjoy watching all of the people freak out because of how unprepared they are.
July 23, 2015 8:10 p.m.