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So.. it's been a while since I blogged about this. First time I said I wanted to quit my job and the last one I talked about chasing my dreams: be a professional Magic: The Gathering Player.
Today, I resigned my job. I just talked with my CEO and we'll start the process. I'll have to wait til they get other person to fill my position and then I'll have to train him/her. But when i finish the trainning, I'll be free.
Anyway, I've been pondering about going all in on Magic Online or have a part job wich would allow me to play constantly but also work as backup plan should i fail... anyway, I found a part job doing front end dev for desktop/mobiles and I wanted to know from you guys... should i just go all in on playing magic, or trying to conciliate my plans with this part time job?
Thanks in advice and sorry for my damn poor english... need to study more.
 
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United States2822 Posts
If you are decent, going infinite on MtGO isn't that hard and only requires a little bit of investment. Drafts -> Block Constructed dailies are always a good way to stay relevant, and it becomes a good stepping stone into Standard when the rotation happens in a few months. MTGO PTQs are always good, too. There's definitely room to do a few drafts a day while still maintaining a part-time job - there's no reason to go completely all-in right now.
Best of luck to you!
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A pretty huge career move. Like pretty much every eSport this is a massive gamble, but I think there is a pretty strong foundation on which you can survive if you play your cards right.
Jokes aside, really good luck to you. While i don't personally know you, someone following their passion above and beyond a path that leads to security is something that is to be admired to the highest degree. Here's hoping you find everything you want.
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On May 22 2013 00:22 scintilliaSD wrote:
If you are decent, going infinite on MtGO isn't that hard and only requires a little bit of investment. Drafts -> Block Constructed dailies are always a good way to stay relevant, and it becomes a good stepping stone into Standard when the rotation happens in a few months. MTGO PTQs are always good, too. There's definitely room to do a few drafts a day while still maintaining a part-time job - there's no reason to go completely all-in right now.
Best of luck to you!
Well, my last results playing standard were five 4-0 in nine dailys... then i just dumped the majority of my tickets playing release events and now i'm stuck with a bunch of dgm packets waiting their value to go up haha. I think I'm good enough to make a living playing, but I also agree that there's no reason to go all-in.
MTGO PTQs are really good, I just wish they did give air travel expenses like PTQs irl do 
On May 22 2013 00:24 TemujinGK wrote:
A pretty huge career move. Like pretty much every eSport this is a massive gamble, but I think there is a pretty strong foundation on which you can survive if you play your cards right.
Jokes aside, really good luck to you. While i don't personally know you, someone following their passion above and beyond a path that leads to security is something that is to be admired to the highest degree. Here's hoping you find everything you want.
Thanks man! And good joke haha
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United States2822 Posts
On May 22 2013 00:32 Gleen wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 00:22 scintilliaSD wrote:
If you are decent, going infinite on MtGO isn't that hard and only requires a little bit of investment. Drafts -> Block Constructed dailies are always a good way to stay relevant, and it becomes a good stepping stone into Standard when the rotation happens in a few months. MTGO PTQs are always good, too. There's definitely room to do a few drafts a day while still maintaining a part-time job - there's no reason to go completely all-in right now.
Best of luck to you! Well, my last results playing standard were five 4-0 in nine dailys... then i just dumped the majority of my tickets playing release events and now i'm stuck with a bunch of dgm packets waiting their value to go up haha. I think I'm good enough to make a living playing, but I also agree that there's no reason to go all-in. MTGO PTQs are really good, I just wish they did give air travel expenses like PTQs irl do Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 00:24 TemujinGK wrote:
A pretty huge career move. Like pretty much every eSport this is a massive gamble, but I think there is a pretty strong foundation on which you can survive if you play your cards right.
Jokes aside, really good luck to you. While i don't personally know you, someone following their passion above and beyond a path that leads to security is something that is to be admired to the highest degree. Here's hoping you find everything you want. Thanks man! And good joke haha
Sit on those packs and wait for the Voice of Resurgence price spike to trickle through MtGO I guess. (I'm not too familiar with the MtGO economy, so I don't know how much it's worth now.)
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United States24782 Posts
What is the MTG esports scene like? I just started playing magic, and while I have no plans to go pro or anything, I'm just curious how high this ladder goes...
I'm currently trying to complete the m13 set online so I can redeem it :3
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I played quite a bit of magic casually (I think we all did at some point). Always wanted get into pro scene but since no FNM near me or other stuff just let it go.
Really want get back into magic depending on plans after graduation.
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Congrats, I love it when people quit a dead-end job to follow their passion.
Kudos and best of luck to you, sir!
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the balls on this one! good luck man!
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On May 22 2013 00:53 micronesia wrote:
What is the MTG esports scene like? I just started playing magic, and while I have no plans to go pro or anything, I'm just curious how high this ladder goes...
I'm currently trying to complete the m13 set online so I can redeem it :3
You mean to climb the ladder and be among the best of the game? If yes.. its freaking HUGE. Every year many people win a PTQ and get to play into the pro circuit but don't stay in the scene... it's hard but it's so rewarding... if not, could you please be more specific? I assume you're relating with esports but i don't know at what level you're refering... occasional streamer? the community?
On May 22 2013 00:37 scintilliaSD wrote:
Sit on those packs and wait for the Voice of Resurgence price spike to trickle through MtGO I guess. (I'm not too familiar with the MtGO economy, so I don't know how much it's worth now.)
Right now if i'm correct bots are paying like 30 tickets each voice... haha
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On May 22 2013 02:19 Gleen wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 00:53 micronesia wrote:
What is the MTG esports scene like? I just started playing magic, and while I have no plans to go pro or anything, I'm just curious how high this ladder goes...
I'm currently trying to complete the m13 set online so I can redeem it :3 You mean to climb the ladder and be among the best of the game? If yes.. its freaking HUGE. Every year many people win a PTQ and get to play into the pro circuit but don't stay in the scene... it's hard but it's so rewarding... if not, could you please be more specific? I assume you're relating with esports but i don't know at what level you're refering... occasional streamer? the community? Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 00:37 scintilliaSD wrote:
Sit on those packs and wait for the Voice of Resurgence price spike to trickle through MtGO I guess. (I'm not too familiar with the MtGO economy, so I don't know how much it's worth now.) Right now if i'm correct bots are paying like 30 tickets each voice... haha
the cheapest was 40 when i looked lol
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United States24782 Posts
On May 22 2013 02:19 Gleen wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 00:53 micronesia wrote:
What is the MTG esports scene like? I just started playing magic, and while I have no plans to go pro or anything, I'm just curious how high this ladder goes...
I'm currently trying to complete the m13 set online so I can redeem it :3 You mean to climb the ladder and be among the best of the game? If yes.. its freaking HUGE. Every year many people win a PTQ and get to play into the pro circuit but don't stay in the scene... it's hard but it's so rewarding... if not, could you please be more specific? I assume you're relating with esports but i don't know at what level you're refering... occasional streamer? the community?
No, you answered my question. I just meant how competitive is it, how much money is there to be won, etc.
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On May 22 2013 02:52 micronesia wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 02:19 Gleen wrote:On May 22 2013 00:53 micronesia wrote:
What is the MTG esports scene like? I just started playing magic, and while I have no plans to go pro or anything, I'm just curious how high this ladder goes...
I'm currently trying to complete the m13 set online so I can redeem it :3 You mean to climb the ladder and be among the best of the game? If yes.. its freaking HUGE. Every year many people win a PTQ and get to play into the pro circuit but don't stay in the scene... it's hard but it's so rewarding... if not, could you please be more specific? I assume you're relating with esports but i don't know at what level you're refering... occasional streamer? the community? No, you answered my question. I just meant how competitive is it, how much money is there to be won, etc.
Oh yeah... for prizes and stuff you can look at that info...
Pro Tours: Pro Tour Prizes for 2013 Season
Grand Prix: Grand Prix Prizes
And then, there is the Pro Players Club advantages:
+ Show Spoiler +
2013-2014 Pro Tour Players Club Benefits and Limitations (May 20, 2013 through August 3, 2014)
Benefits apply only to the 2013-2014 Professional Points season (May 20, 2013 through August 3, 2014).
Silver Level
Member receives two byes at all Grand Prix tournaments
Member is invited to the Pro Tour immediately following the Pro Tour Qualifier Season in which he or she is promoted to Silver level. In the event that member already has an invitation to that Pro Tour, the invitation will be deferred to the next Pro Tour that Professional Season, and so on. Invitations will not be deferred beyond the end of the Professional Season in which the member earned the invitation.
Member is invited to the first Pro Tour of a new Professional Points Season. In the event that member already has an invitation to that Pro Tour, the invitation will be deferred to the next Pro Tour that Professional Season, and so on. Invitations will not be deferred beyond the current Professional Season in which the member earned the invitation.
Member is invited to his or her country's World Magic Cup Qualifiers
Member receives 10 QPs for each Magic Online Championship Series season
Gold Level
Member receives three byes at all Grand Prix tournaments
Member is invited to his or her country's World Magic Cup Qualifiers
Member is invited to all Pro Tours. Players will not receive their invitations until the Thursday prior to each Pro Tour.
Member receives a $500.00 USD appearance fee whenever he or she competes in a Pro Tour
Member receives 15 QPs for each Magic Online Championship Series season
Platinum Level
Member receives three byes at all Grand Prix tournaments
Member is invited to World Magic Cup Qualifiers in his or her country
Member is invited to all Pro Tours.
Member receives a $3,000.00 USD appearance fee whenever he or she competes in a Pro Tour
Member receives expenses-paid air travel ticket and hotel accommodations at all Pro Tours during the current season*
Member receives a $1,000.00 USD appearance fee if he or she competes in the World Magic Cup.
Member receives a $250.00 USD appearance fee whenever he or she competes in a Grand Prix
Member receives a complementary sleep-in special at all Grand Prix (where available)
Member receives 20 QPs for each Magic Online Championship Series season
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United States24782 Posts
From what you've shared, it seems difficult to go pro and make any real money. Maybe I'm just misinterpreting the information you shared.
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Yeah... but what I'm looking for is to make a living from playing magic... quoted from my previous blog here is what I have to do:
Griding on MOL, i can play at least 12 Dailys/ a day. A daily is a tournament with 4 rounds that cost 6 tickets to play (the game coin, 1 ticket = 1 dollar). Players with a record of 4-0 win 11 booster packs and players with a record of 3-1 win 9 packs.
Each pack can be sold for 3.x tickets . Since here in Brazil not so many people has an international credit card to buy tickets, the secondary market is very active. So each ticket can be sold for BRL $2.10 (roughly USD $1).
That said, if I play 12 dailys, and 4-0 50% of them, my daily winnings will be:
cost => 12 * 6 tickets = 72 tickets
earnings => (6 * 11 packs) = 66 packs * 3 tickets each = 198 tickets
profit => 198 - 72 = 126 tickets (=~$126 USD) * $2.10 BRL =~ $264,60 BRL a day
That is, excluding possibles 3-1 records.
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United States24782 Posts
When you sell lots of boosters for tickets, is there a way to extract those tickets as money? The only way I know of is to redeem complete sets, which I don't think is what you are talking about.
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Here in Brazil we sell tickets to other players who don't have an international credit card, that way we make money... I've heard that some american stores buy tickets too but i'm not sure.
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What happens when MTGO decides to fix the issue with buying these things in brazil and you can no longer sell them.
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On May 22 2013 03:38 Capped wrote:
What happens when MTGO decides to fix the issue with buying these things in brazil and you can no longer sell them.
Secondary market can't be "fixed". Dealers and stores profit from selling singles... i don't see how that can be stopped, since it would doom the game.
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United States2822 Posts
There are vendors in the US that buy MTGO product, but it's usually packs, not tickets, since tickets are a non-factor to purchase for anyone in the US pretty much.
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
For the love of jesus, make sure you "start" this venture with a part time job atleast. Start with a 3 day a week job and 4 days a week playing MTGO.
Then when you start making money from MTGO, then you can think about quitting your part time job, but don't go into this blind and hoping. Chasing money is bad! Never work in any type of thing like this (Poker/Esports)
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On May 22 2013 03:41 Gleen wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 03:38 Capped wrote:
What happens when MTGO decides to fix the issue with buying these things in brazil and you can no longer sell them. Secondary market can't be "fixed". Dealers and stores profit from selling singles... i don't see how that can be stopped, since it would doom the game.
The US has a legit way of buying tickets whenever they like right?
They have no 2ndry market. Or at least not a lucrative one.
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doesnt the value of cards/tickets drop as more and more become available (ie over time)?
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On May 22 2013 04:44 Capped wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 03:41 Gleen wrote:On May 22 2013 03:38 Capped wrote:
What happens when MTGO decides to fix the issue with buying these things in brazil and you can no longer sell them. Secondary market can't be "fixed". Dealers and stores profit from selling singles... i don't see how that can be stopped, since it would doom the game. The US has a legit way of buying tickets whenever they like right? They have no 2ndry market. Or at least not a lucrative one.
Yeah, but my target is selling for brazilians and other people who don't have an internation card / can't buy from EUA... besides, to US i can sell singles/boosters.
On May 22 2013 04:47 FFGenerations wrote:
doesnt the value of cards/tickets drop as more and more become available (ie over time)?
For cards, depends on the rarity... multiformat staples like Geist of St. Traft don't drop like... EVER. Tickets on US are 1 dollar no matter what, but since in Brazil we have inflation/deflation... the value can float from BRL1.80 up to BRL2.30... more like get the dollar - real rating and subtract some cents to make it fair lol...
Packs on the other hand, tend to enter the market with a low price and then it goes up (a RTR pack now sells for 4 tickets and a DGM one - the more recent set - sells for 2.45 tickets)
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My point is if this becomes available to brazilians just like in the US, your scheme goes bust pretty quickly.
Dont get me wrong i wish you all the luck in the world, but if MTGO announce a way for BR to buy tickets tomorrow, your out of a job and a way to live lol.
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On May 22 2013 05:19 Capped wrote:
My point is if this becomes available to brazilians just like in the US, your scheme goes bust pretty quickly.
Dont get me wrong i wish you all the luck in the world, but if MTGO announce a way for BR to buy tickets tomorrow, your out of a job and a way to live lol.
Not really, as I said, I can always sell singles cards and boosters, and even so, it's not like wizards will sell tickets for $1 BRL... it's more likely they do it for like $2.50BRL wich I can sell then by $2.10 or even $1.90 and still profit.
Off course it'll be harder but is not like I should insta quit my scheme I understand your point thou.
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This sounds like straight up gambling. Didn't know the scene was like this.
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On May 22 2013 03:15 Gleen wrote:Yeah... but what I'm looking for is to make a living from playing magic... quoted from my previous blog here is what I have to do: Show nested quote +
Griding on MOL, i can play at least 12 Dailys/ a day. A daily is a tournament with 4 rounds that cost 6 tickets to play (the game coin, 1 ticket = 1 dollar). Players with a record of 4-0 win 11 booster packs and players with a record of 3-1 win 9 packs.
Each pack can be sold for 3.x tickets . Since here in Brazil not so many people has an international credit card to buy tickets, the secondary market is very active. So each ticket can be sold for BRL $2.10 (roughly USD $1).
That said, if I play 12 dailys, and 4-0 50% of them, my daily winnings will be:
cost => 12 * 6 tickets = 72 tickets
earnings => (6 * 11 packs) = 66 packs * 3 tickets each = 198 tickets
profit => 198 - 72 = 126 tickets (=~$126 USD) * $2.10 BRL =~ $264,60 BRL a day
That is, excluding possibles 3-1 records.
Roughly how many days have you been able to successfully pull this? Just curious.
Props for taking a leap of faith!
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If you have enough bank and know you can secure a job quite easily as a backup I see nothing wrong with going all in.
I mean there's really no point trying to become a professional and having to work if you are going to have to beat professionals who play full time.
That said, I have no clue about your current skill level. Most pros were extremely talented before they went pro, not after, so make sure you really believe you can make it. (I'm talking in general, don't know a lot about the MtG scene)
Let's say you decide to not go ahead with it though. When you get old, you may end up always thinking "what if" in the back of your mind. At least if you fail, you have it out of your system.
I guess its all about balance, there is a very high likelyhood of going broke and losing a lot of money in any of these endeavours. I know when I started poker (a lot more risky than MtG though I guess) I ended up +money, but as I got more and more into it I actually ended up being down $2k after 2 years because I lost focus from playing so many hours and would waste money trying things. Problem was my winnings were very good in the first 1 or 2 hours so I thought I could invest more into it, but I realised I would burn all those winnings within the following hours from losing concentration and then variance would finish off my bankroll.
When doing your calculations, you should keep note that your winrate will not stay constant the more you play. Its not like if you win 2 games in 1 hour, you will win 4 games in 2 hours. Your winrate will always dwindle the longer you play.
Just make sure you set yourself a limit to know when to pull the plug and not destroy your life.
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Good luck.
I have a brother that, while having a full-time job, still does some magic.
He was in the top 30 in the pro-tour in quecbec, but wasn't lucky and finished only 9-7 in san diego last week-end.
As long as you think you can go back to a regular job after, I don't think it hurts too much to chase your dreams, but I feels magic is a bit too volatile to "go pro" without result beforehands. I feel myself as a decent player, but I just don't manage to post the same result as my brother, that manage to consistently post absurd results in limited formats.
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No talk about why you resigned 
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I'm also curious as to what was so bad about your job that made you quit for this
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On May 22 2013 13:17 obesechicken13 wrote:No talk about why you resigned
Check his last blog. He resigned to do this, go pro at MTGO.
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I'd say 90% of the MTG scene is just about having the right cards and the know on the current meta of deckbuilding. In other words, have the money and have the knowledge. The majority of the players I have seen in tournaments weren't very good as far as skill and thinking ahead etc.
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On May 22 2013 13:17 obesechicken13 wrote:No talk about why you resigned
Oh, sorry... both my last blogs deal with my job and my life... I hate my job but I can't quit and I'll chase my dreams!?
I was tired from my work, so I decided for a change... I always loved working with games, but I loved even more playing them. I really love playing Magic and I'm good at it. In fact, as I said before, here in my country I'm pretty sure i only lose to people who spend all they time playing (pros or wanna be pros).
On May 22 2013 17:09 MarlieChurphy wrote:
I'd say 90% of the MTG scene is just about having the right cards and the know on the current meta of deckbuilding. In other words, have the money and have the knowledge. The majority of the players I have seen in tournaments weren't very good as far as skill and thinking ahead etc.
Yeah, the big part of being a good player is knowing what deck to play, how to play with it and know all its matchups. This come with pratice... lots and lots of pratice. I wasn't able to put enough pratice into magic while working in my previous job... i was constantly stressed and couldn't focus on playing. In a tournament, you can always just outplay your oponents if you're decent... but to make Top 8s and win the whole thing... is another thing.
On May 22 2013 11:02 sluggaslamoo wrote:
If you have enough bank and know you can secure a job quite easily as a backup I see nothing wrong with going all in.
I mean there's really no point trying to become a professional and having to work if you are going to have to beat professionals who play full time.
That said, I have no clue about your current skill level. Most pros were extremely talented before they went pro, not after, so make sure you really believe you can make it. (I'm talking in general, don't know a lot about the MtG scene)
Let's say you decide to not go ahead with it though. When you get old, you may end up always thinking "what if" in the back of your mind. At least if you fail, you have it out of your system.
I guess its all about balance, there is a very high likelyhood of going broke and losing a lot of money in any of these endeavours. I know when I started poker (a lot more risky than MtG though I guess) I ended up +money, but as I got more and more into it I actually ended up being down $2k after 2 years because I lost focus from playing so many hours and would waste money trying things. Problem was my winnings were very good in the first 1 or 2 hours so I thought I could invest more into it, but I realised I would burn all those winnings within the following hours from losing concentration and then variance would finish off my bankroll.
When doing your calculations, you should keep note that your winrate will not stay constant the more you play. Its not like if you win 2 games in 1 hour, you will win 4 games in 2 hours. Your winrate will always dwindle the longer you play.
Just make sure you set yourself a limit to know when to pull the plug and not destroy your life.
Indeed. In fact, I used to play poker... made around US$600 each month, but as i started to go up in levels the competition got fierce and i realized i would go broke easily...lol
In my calculations I assume that I'll be able to at least win 4 dailys a day, but of course if I start by losing the two first I play... is just better to give up on that day.
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On May 22 2013 19:59 Gleen wrote:Oh, sorry... both my last blogs deal with my job and my life... I hate my job but I can't quit and I'll chase my dreams!?I was tired from my work, so I decided for a change... I always loved working with games, but I loved even more playing them. I really love playing Magic and I'm good at it. In fact, as I said before, here in my country I'm pretty sure i only lose to people who spend all they time playing (pros or wanna be pros).
Oh lol. I've read both those blogs already. That may sound weird. I read lots of blogs.
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On May 22 2013 19:59 Gleen wrote:Show nested quote +On May 22 2013 17:09 MarlieChurphy wrote:
I'd say 90% of the MTG scene is just about having the right cards and the know on the current meta of deckbuilding. In other words, have the money and have the knowledge. The majority of the players I have seen in tournaments weren't very good as far as skill and thinking ahead etc. Yeah, the big part of being a good player is knowing what deck to play, how to play with it and know all its matchups. This come with pratice... lots and lots of pratice. I wasn't able to put enough pratice into magic while working in my previous job... i was constantly stressed and couldn't focus on playing. In a tournament, you can always just outplay your oponents if you're decent... but to make Top 8s and win the whole thing... is another thing.
Just like poker, or anything that involves some percentage of luck, namely games that use it as a large part of the core of the game (drawing from a shuffle or rolling a dice), a lot of luck comes into factor as well. Not only from the cards you draw, but also from the tournament bracket. Some decks are built specifically to beat other decks, if you can manage to avoid those, that will also increase your luck.
Every single poker pro who has ever won a really big tournament always credits luck right off the bat or in the top 3. If there wasn't any luck involved you would always see the top players making final tables or top 10 every time. The same can even apply to less luck based games like starcraft. Some player may just be able to beat a certain player; even though the player they can easily beat, can easily beat everyone else who can easily beat that guy. Or someone may have a bad matchup and just avoid it through an entire tournament or vise versa. And there is also some luck inside each game as well, positional advantages, random chances with scout [mis]information, misclick or something of that sort.
I'm sure you already know all of this, I'm just stressing the point that if you don't succeed, don't beat yourself up about it. Give it a good 6 months to a year of hardcore playing and then rethink it all.
PS- I think my friend still plays drafts and stuff MTGO, I think his name is money_marmer or something like that. He's pretty good. Last time we played a real live tourney he got 2nd for a DCM? or whatever its called qualifier to win all expense paid trip to the national quals. (he only lost because he forgot to poke the guy once or twice).
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I resigned from my job yesterday. Not for an esport or anything, just to go to another full time job. But, it still felt liberating. To just be able to say "I'm out of here" is a great feeling lol.
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EPT
