Subject: like a professional 1103 Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1998 08:03:27 -0800 (PST) From: Ray Myers To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com I also think that Cathy wrote a very good article. It is one that needs to be addressed both for the growth of the game and the sanity of those of us that play. I think for most players, the big problem lies in that when their deck is beaten twice out of three times, it is saying that their ability as a Magic player is not as good as the one that beat him/her. To act with kindness towards your opponent is to openly admit this. Many players see it this way indirectly. Those are the ones that always have some excuse why their deck failed. All of us, as Magic players, have to learn to swallow our pride and realize that ANYTHING can happen during a match. I had to learn this the hard way when I was playing a boy that was so young you couldn't add correctly half the time at a Pro Tour Qualifier. He hammered me with a deck that I know he didn't build. I had to explain to him what his cards were and what they did. He barely knew basic timing mechanics. Yet, he beat me, and I took it with a smile on my face. My main concern is that for newer players. I am hooked on the game and have no plans of quitting, even when playing schmucks that only want to bitch. However, new people are so easily swayed into getting hooked and getting out. I think that one of the two factors that determines this is how other players treat newbies. If a new player is meant to feel stupid, then chances are they will feel overwhelmed and just quit. After all this game doesn't not give most of us popularity or any of the other choice trophies such as sports, for instance, do. It costs money, time and effort to become a half-way formidible player. Newbies may find that after exposure to players who yell, whine, cheat, etc, it is not worth their time to pursue this hobby and quit. This is what I have determined is going to kill the game eventually. Those of us that are in the game for the long haul, unprofessional behavior just becomes annoying to the point that a "good time is NOT had by all". Complaining about my decktype, your draw, your playing ability, my desire to follow the rules is not what I call fun. Cathy's point about announcing turn events is one that I think should be printed in the rulebooks. While I don't think it is necessary to elaborate on every turn sequence in a casual game, telling your opponent that you are DONE is a big deal! I think if I have one bitch about the playing styles of some players , its that they NEVER tell you when they are done with their turn. It becomes a nagfest. I get sick of asking, "Are you finished?", because after awhile you can't help but say it in a snippy way. Another trend that seems to be growing is not keeping track of your life total or my personal favorite: keeping track in your head. In competitive enviroments, I keep track of my opponents life total, merely as a secondary source of information, not as a the primary source! These, as Cathy hit on, are real ways of acting unprofessional. I usually only get to play cards once a week, and my card night turned into a headache because some kid wanted to utilize these practices. I think every player needs to use the tried and true rule: Treat others as you would like (or expect) to be treated. If you would like your opponent to not tell you he/she is done, then by all means do it as well. If you would really love it if someone bitches about you using counterspells, then totally ridicule the next blue mage you run in to! Sometimes I think all the person needs is for everyone to say, "Look, you are acting like a real dick, why don't you calm the hell down." Anyone how finds real enjoyment out of being the asshole, needs to find another game. Monopoly seems to attract alot of tantrum-throwing jerks....maybe that is your calling. Ray Myers _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com