How To Be Better At Magic: Fixer Upper

I hear this all the time from friends.

“How do I get better at this game?”

I try to look back in their eyes and respond, but more often, they’re glancing down at their cards in frustration. Instead of accepting that they made the wrong lines of play, they just make more excuses.

“If I had this card, I would’ve beaten you!”

“If I only I had better cards.”

“I can’t beat you. I’m just going to lose again.”

“I’m getting Tacos!”

Naturally, these are all excuses. Instead of accepting that they haven’t grown or refuse to adapt to new situations, they overvalue the cards that they own. This is one of the common mistakes most casual Magic players make when they’re trying to transition from playing with friends, to a FNM environment. To quote Bruce Lee, “The More we value things, the less we value ourselves.” How this relates to playing Magic is simple.

Players focus on their cards too often, but they don’t focus on themselves.

Let it Go

In order to become better at this card game or anything other challenges in your life, you need to accept the problem. You need to let go of your ego and accept that you have faults. Many faults, flaws and probably a manipulative liar after the crown too. You’re human after all, but you can manage these in your life. As long as you’re willing to accept them as a flaw and want change, you most likely will. However, if you only want change, then it’s never going to happen.

Ego plays a large part in personal growth. It limits our actions and most likely, constructed criticism. No matter how good you are among your friends at your dorm or school, there’s always someone out there better than you. So instead of seeking challenges, your ego indirectly wants you to be in a confined comfort zone. You’re only as good as the company you keep. If you keep playing the same people over and over again, you’re not really growing, especially if you keep winning.

You need to let your ego go. You can’t ride on that mighty horse that you top-16’d a Star City Games event 3-years ago, much less won a side event with only 8 people participating. Don’t be that 40-year-old child-star living off of royalty checks every Christmas.

Just let it go.

It’s an Open Door

After you left your ego behind, you’ll be free to do things you’ll never be able to before. So before that, we need to look at your flaws as a player. What I’m about to share has nothing to do with religion or some crazy fad, like jogging during the 80s. It’s about creating balance in yourself first. They’re comprised of 3 things:

Mind

Body

Spirit

Again, nothing to do with religion, but this is an easy way to break down and recognize bad habits. Feel free to make your own list as we go over this. Highly recommended that you do.

The Mind - This section has to do with your knowledge of the rules, your alertness for triggers, and even reading the cards you have in your hand. The Mind is more about mental awareness of the game at any given time. In this section, we want to recognize any flaws you have which would be for example:

Do you keep missing upkeep triggers?

Do you forget about tapping the right lands so you can bluff with the remaining ones?

Are you zoning out mid-game or thinking about Games of Thrones again (we all do)?

When drafting, are you actually making the right choices or just getting cards that are worth money?

Are you paying attention to your opponent’s triggers, much less if they’re cheating? Directly or indirectly?

Being in control of your mental mindset will help you focus on the important thing that are currently happening, rather than waiting for mistakes.

The Body - This is more about body language, being healthy, and above all, respectful towards everyone around you. The Body is about being aware of your body, as much as being aware of the game. You need to strike the balance with your dedication to a card game, as much as being respectful to your body. Examples would include:

Is your body language giving your opponent indirect tells that you just drew another land or a Giant Growth?

Are you bad at reading bluffs?

Did you bring water to the event? Not soda or an energy drink. Water.

When was the last time you ran a mile, much less a walk in the park?

Did you actually skip taking a shower so you play an EDH game or two before the actual FNM?

Bluffing is a huge part of the game, especially at higher levels. Your body language will be a large deciding factor against players that have this knowledge, so always be mindful of what your body is saying. What you don’t say, says a lot.

Hydration is important since it allows your brain to do what it needs to do. Always carry bottled water to an event, much less anywhere you go. Having access to water and food anytime keeps you going and nothing is worst than feeling fatigued after a few games.

It’s nice to have access to a refrigerator at home, but that’s not usually an option at an FNM or a large event, unless you wanna pay $5 for a small bag of chips from a vendor. Just keep in mind that doesn’t mean you should gorge on heavy meals, such as a double cheese burger or a buffet between rounds. Keep it small and snack-sized, but never to the point of feeling full.

Maintaining your physical health is just as important as your mental health. Daily exercise and sunlight gives you so many health benefits that you’d be crazy to pass up on. Don’t make excuses when you find time in the day to take a walk or even a quick jog around the neighborhood.

Finally, keep hygienic to respect the people around you. It’s fine that you dress like a 13-year-old man-child, but don’t smell like a toddler too. Dress and smell like your age. Everyone around you will appreciate it.



The Spirit - Again, not about religion, but this is about your competitive spirit and controlling your ego. The Spirit is more about your attitude towards yourself and your opponent. Bruce Lee said it best, “Defeat is not defeat unless accepted as a reality-in your own mind.” Examples would include:

When you lose a game, do you make the excuse, “It’s just a game”?

Do you lock yourself into the mindset that you can’t beat certain players?

Do you show off for the sake of attention without respecting your opponent?

Do you show respect at all?

Are you saying the right things when you win or lose?

If you’re a female Magic player, you’ve probably heard this excuse once or twice from a male opponent. It’s either excuse:

A) You got lucky I didn’t draw (x) or (y) cards!

B) Must be nice to have a boyfriend that buys me cards.

C) Whatever, it’s just a game…

So, what they’re telling us is that they just spent $50 on an entry fee, $1,000.00+ USD on their Modern deck, and another few hundred dollars on hotel,lodging, and food just so they can say it’s only game?

Having the right attitude is important. Whether you’re trying to transition from the kitchen table to FNM or even to an actual Magic The Gathering Event. The whole point to a large scale tournament is to challenge yourself. You can never get better at anything unless you challenge your mind, body and spirit.

It’s the experience you should take with you, learn and remember by, even in defeat. Regardless of gender, race, religion, or even their taste in vintage fingerless gloves, show respect in either victory or defeat.

For the First Time in Forever

After identifying and writing out all your faults and flaws, it’s time to fix them. It won’t be an overnight thing, but at least you’ve made yourself perfectly aware of your weaknesses. Let some of your close friends know too, so they can help you learn and adjust from your mistakes.

Identifying that you have personal faults before a stack of cardboard is the first step to actually becoming better at the game. It’s important to not only maintain your mental focus, but also physical focus as well. If you can challenge and overcome yourself, your overall attitude and respect for yourself should also change as well.

Strike that balance for your mind, body and spirit!

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Have a magical day!