Subject: nixing pro magic? was re:mad hatter/texas semi-pro Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 03:24:21 EDT From: "john yossarian" To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com to: the mad hatter re: your recent dojo article forgive me if i mischaracterize you, but your article leaves me with the impression that you are a greedy, manipulative man who relies on the popularity of the game of magic to fill his pockets through his store and tournaments, and not a player who has ever done extremely well at competitive tournaments as a player. certainly, you wish to promote an environment in which there are many cards sold (including at your store) and many tournaments played (including ones you profit by.) i think your "concern" for magic players was most strikingly shown by that the fact that the 1996 texas regionals were held in the admittedly player-inconvient city of Lubbock simply because it was convenient for you, the organizer who lived there. i would agree with some of your statements regarding the loss of players at tournaments. however, the players you consistently characterize as "serious" are those players who i would characterize as "accomplished" and "winners", whereas those players you consistently characterize as "fun-loving", i would characterize as "novices", "students", and yes, often "losers" in competitive magic. every sport has its "losers" who continue to play. perhaps a player has spent 10 years in the nba without winning a championship. he plays year after year for the love of the game, and the smaller prizes (his salary) that he receives. some- body has to lose in a competitive game. you say that these "novices" have left the tournament scene because it is no longer fun, and every winner is a rude jerk who raises their ego at the expense of their novice opponent's ego. the more obvious reason these people don't attend is because they believe they aren't good enough to win. the entry fee is not worth it when they are sure they will lose because they lack confidence in their abilities. i found it ironic that your article was posted on the dojo, where players attempt to pass wisdom and experience to the novices, so that they might become better magic players. why do you think that pro players would risk their "free money" by posting "killer decks anybody can play", in essence giving their edge away. BECAUSE, they are convinced of their skills as magic players; they know that it takes more than a netdeck to be a winner; it takes skill and practice. i think you know this: you suggest tournaments where there is a ratings cap of 1700 or 1800, so that the entrants won't have to fear the GOOD players. as a side note about that, i think that this would just result in a new hierarchy of 1650s who dominate every <1700 tournament and so on. i do think however, that your suggestions of alternative format tournaments for novices are worthwhile. perhaps people like you will create them, so that they can be enjoyed by such players. this does not, however, require the elimination of professional tournaments for skilled players, which will continue hopefully as long as magic remains the great and popular game it is. as you say: "Magic is alive, vibrant, and doing well." i agree :) john yossarian five_string@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com