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slyboogie
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States3423 Posts
May 29 2012 23:58 GMT
#3401
I always took it as a truism that Pile Shuffling was not truly random. I don't even have a truly legitimate source to confirm, I figured it was common knowledge. This is the closest I could come up with.

Wizards' Site
"We dug coal together." Boyd Crowder, Justified
Durp
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Canada3117 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-05-30 00:18:20
May 30 2012 00:17 GMT
#3402
I've always pile shuffled if I played out well over half my lands in a game, or if I've boarded/deboarded. Or, in short, I almost never pile shuffle before game 3, and rarely do after a quick game 1 (I'll just toss my board in randomly, shuffle several times and go)

I don't mind the pile shuffle after a long game or a draw that appears horribly stacked (5 out of 6 draws are lands after keeping hand). I really, really hate people that pile shuffle when they mulligan. Almost table flipping hatred.
SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!
hkf
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Australia354 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-05-30 01:07:15
May 30 2012 01:06 GMT
#3403
On May 30 2012 08:58 slyboogie wrote:
I always took it as a truism that Pile Shuffling was not truly random. I don't even have a truly legitimate source to confirm, I figured it was common knowledge. This is the closest I could come up with.

Wizards' Site

You can pile shuffle once, and simply cut then present. You will NEVER ever be penalised for insufficient randomisation (and if you are penalised, appeal to HJ, if they have half a clue about penalty guidelines your penalty will be rescinded).

If you try to manipulate your deck with pile shuffles and simply cut + present you will be penalised for deck manipulation, however (if there is clear evidence of this).

My personal habit (from years ago when I actually played paper mtg semi seriously (gps and such)): 2x piles of 7 + 5 riffles.
ParanoiaDHerO
Profile Joined July 2009
United States183 Posts
May 30 2012 01:20 GMT
#3404
Now I have to worry about how I shuffle my cards, thanks guys! :D

But really, thanks for all the extra info Judicator.
bumatlarge
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States4567 Posts
May 30 2012 01:21 GMT
#3405
A 52 card deck takes a minimum of 12 riffle shuffles to completely randomize. Pile shuffling can be manipulated and should really only be used to count your cards. Obviously, when people do it I won't care, and everyone I play with at my store I trust to a certain degree, but just pile shuffling has a set outcome regardless of how many times you do it. Even riffling a small number gives you a shot at manipulating.

Be safe and do one pile shuffle to count, and then close to 12 quick riffles. Your cards and sleeves will be fine as long as you keep the 2 piles parallel and then tilted slightly towards each other at the top corners. It;s not about the rules, it's about common sense and complaints against you won't hold any water.
Together but separate, like oatmeal
bobbob
Profile Joined December 2009
United States368 Posts
May 30 2012 01:39 GMT
#3406
My thoughts is that pile shuffling is better at setting up randomization for riffles, so after a long game I will pile and then riffle. When I put a 40 card draft deck together I usually go for 8 piles to count, 7 in a random way, then riffle shuffle a few times before presenting.
wunsun
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada622 Posts
May 30 2012 02:31 GMT
#3407
If you are pile shuffling (after setting up so that your mana is at the top of the deck), and do nothing else, then it not random. If you were to draw, tt will have a certain amount of spells, followed by a certain amount of lands, followed by a certain amount of spells, than lands, etc.

However, if you pile shuffle, and then mash a couple times or rifle, than it should be random. However, I don't rifle my cards, as I believe (whether it be true or not) that it damages the cards.

Then since sometimes, I mess up my shuffle and spot a card while I am shuffling, I cut my deck when I present it to him.
Judicator
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States7270 Posts
May 30 2012 03:13 GMT
#3408
So again, why are you (anyone) pile shuffling again?
Get it by your hands...
dignity
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Canada908 Posts
May 30 2012 03:46 GMT
#3409
Pile shuffling will either set up your deck or clump up your deck. You mind as well just riffle shuffle a few times.
hkf
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Australia354 Posts
May 30 2012 04:26 GMT
#3410
On May 30 2012 12:13 Judicator wrote:
So again, why are you (anyone) pile shuffling again?

Stalling
Anti-stacking (I generally pile villain's decks if time permits (quick sb decisions, game3, etc))
Because it's fun
Force of habit

any of the above I suppose.
Falconblade
Profile Joined December 2011
United States1035 Posts
May 30 2012 04:32 GMT
#3411
I love Magic! I co-founded a club for it at college. I mostly only do limited though, I don't have the time or money for standard.
DEN1ED
Profile Joined December 2009
United States1087 Posts
May 30 2012 05:54 GMT
#3412
I always pile shuffle when playing seriously. Mostly it's to count my deck though. I do piles of 6 so I know my deck is 60 cards and I didn't drop one by accident or SB in/out 1 too many cards.
Cixah
Profile Joined July 2010
United States11285 Posts
May 30 2012 08:06 GMT
#3413
I always riffle 6 after sideboard, pile, then riffle again. You have 3 minutes to randomize. Use them. For whatever reason pile shuffling lets me collect my thoughts for the next game, things I need to remember, what is he bringing in, what did he play, what did he do wrong and can I get him to do it again.

I pile in 8s. You know you're at 60 when the top 4 piles end up with the last 4 cards.
Hug The Goat! Hug the Goat! Hug the Goat!
hkf
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Australia354 Posts
May 30 2012 09:58 GMT
#3414
On May 30 2012 17:06 Cixah wrote: You have 3 minutes to randomize..

False, you have 3 minutes to complete all post/pregame procedures including sideboarding.
wunsun
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada622 Posts
May 30 2012 13:25 GMT
#3415
I'm not sure why I pile shuffle. I found that pile shuffling makes it less likely for me to have land pockets. Now, I'm not sure, but it seems like I hit less pockets of only land for a couple turns, or spells. I used to not pile shuffle, and only did the.... not sure what it's called, but I always hit land pockets.

Someone told me to pile shuffle, which I did, and hit less pockets. I think what happened, is that now I just overall spend more time shuffling and randomizing my cards.
Judicator
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States7270 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-05-30 14:31:22
May 30 2012 14:21 GMT
#3416
On May 30 2012 22:25 wunsun wrote:
I'm not sure why I pile shuffle. I found that pile shuffling makes it less likely for me to have land pockets. Now, I'm not sure, but it seems like I hit less pockets of only land for a couple turns, or spells. I used to not pile shuffle, and only did the.... not sure what it's called, but I always hit land pockets.

Someone told me to pile shuffle, which I did, and hit less pockets. I think what happened, is that now I just overall spend more time shuffling and randomizing my cards.


Confirmation bias is fun. Again, there's very little merit to pile shuffling that normal shuffling can't already do (nobody in this thread has provided anything but anecdotal evidence) provided you do enough iterations, considering how quickly you can do the latter versus the former, so what is the point?

I use to pile too, I got mana-screwed/flooded. I stopped piling, still get mana-screwed/flooded. <= I have never seen anyone state this regarding this debate, it's hilarious because anything to the contrary implies you are stacking your deck one way or the other. Yet people say that their draws have gotten better when switching styles, usually with some conviction suggesting a (statisically) significant difference. Cool, you are now a cheater by your own admission.

Also, the whole piling to count cards to me is a sign showing a lapse in concentration; I perfectly understand why people do it, but you're already admitting to yourself that you don't have a grasp on the situation imo. I have taken game loses at T8s for PTQs for the stupidest shit, like having wrong numbers of cards than what is registered, like having extra non-deck cards in the deck box used for the PTQ deck. Pile shuffling treats the symptoms not the cause which is a pretty shitty way to approach the game if you take MTG (semi-)seriously (anything above the FMN level).

Mike Flores wrote an article on card shuffling (and cheating) a long time ago on his blog here.

Edit:

I will say this though, I have consciously tried to pile shuffle (enough to get a warning) to tilt certain players in games 2 and 3. Especially if they know they lost a game due to their own misplay.

Edit 2:

Next deck building goal will be trying to find space to stuff Restoration Angel into the Esper builds.
Get it by your hands...
DEN1ED
Profile Joined December 2009
United States1087 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-05-30 21:46:36
May 30 2012 17:43 GMT
#3417
On May 30 2012 23:21 Judicator wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 30 2012 22:25 wunsun wrote:
I'm not sure why I pile shuffle. I found that pile shuffling makes it less likely for me to have land pockets. Now, I'm not sure, but it seems like I hit less pockets of only land for a couple turns, or spells. I used to not pile shuffle, and only did the.... not sure what it's called, but I always hit land pockets.

Someone told me to pile shuffle, which I did, and hit less pockets. I think what happened, is that now I just overall spend more time shuffling and randomizing my cards.

Also, the whole piling to count cards to me is a sign showing a lapse in concentration; I perfectly understand why people do it, but you're already admitting to yourself that you don't have a grasp on the situation imo. I have taken game loses at T8s for PTQs for the stupidest shit, like having wrong numbers of cards than what is registered, like having extra non-deck cards in the deck box used for the PTQ deck. Pile shuffling treats the symptoms not the cause which is a pretty shitty way to approach the game if you take MTG (semi-)seriously (anything above the FMN level).
.


This is completely wrong. How is pile shuffling a sign of lack of concentration. Not pile shuffling and not checking your deck count would be silly and a lack of concentration to me. Do you not check your decklist before events to make sure it is correct? It is the same thing. I check my list over 3 times at least and then usually have a friend look it over to make sure it is correct before handing it in. I also count my sideboard multiple times after SBing to make sure it is 15 and then pile shuffle to make sure my deck is 60 since I could have dropped a card on the floor or something. As a result I have never lost a game to stupid shit like you say you have.

note: this is when playing at a PTQ or higher level events. I don't do this at FNMs since it is usually very casual and I am just playing for fun.


EDIT: Still trying to figure out what to play for the WMCQ coming up. I'm probably going to end up playing my RUG delver list but I might try naya pod too. I hate UW delver.
bobbob
Profile Joined December 2009
United States368 Posts
May 30 2012 19:33 GMT
#3418
It's like saying that you lack concentration when you don't memorize what they have when you Gitaxian Probe. Yeah, I can probably manage it, but I might as well write it down if it's serious. There's almost no downside aside from time, right?
Durp
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Canada3117 Posts
May 30 2012 21:57 GMT
#3419
On May 30 2012 23:21 Judicator wrote:
Next deck building goal will be trying to find space to stuff Restoration Angel into the Esper builds.

I run two in my venser blink deck. It seems like it has such potential (blinking blade splicer or stonehorn dignitary) seems so strong.

I'm not sure how you'd get it into any other esper deck or any non-blink deck for that matter, though I'd love to see it get some love there
SOOOOOooooOOOOooooOOOOoo Many BANELINGS!!
Judicator
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States7270 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-05-30 22:06:25
May 30 2012 21:59 GMT
#3420
On May 31 2012 02:43 DEN1ED wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 30 2012 23:21 Judicator wrote:
On May 30 2012 22:25 wunsun wrote:
I'm not sure why I pile shuffle. I found that pile shuffling makes it less likely for me to have land pockets. Now, I'm not sure, but it seems like I hit less pockets of only land for a couple turns, or spells. I used to not pile shuffle, and only did the.... not sure what it's called, but I always hit land pockets.

Someone told me to pile shuffle, which I did, and hit less pockets. I think what happened, is that now I just overall spend more time shuffling and randomizing my cards.

Also, the whole piling to count cards to me is a sign showing a lapse in concentration; I perfectly understand why people do it, but you're already admitting to yourself that you don't have a grasp on the situation imo. I have taken game loses at T8s for PTQs for the stupidest shit, like having wrong numbers of cards than what is registered, like having extra non-deck cards in the deck box used for the PTQ deck. Pile shuffling treats the symptoms not the cause which is a pretty shitty way to approach the game if you take MTG (semi-)seriously (anything above the FMN level).
.


This is completely wrong. How is pile shuffling a sign of lack of concentration. Not pile shuffling and not checking your deck count would be silly and a lack of concentration to me. Do you not check your decklist before events to make sure it is correct? It is the same thing. I check my list over 3 times at least and then usually have a friend look it over to make sure it is correct before handing it in. I also count my sideboard multiple times after SBing to make sure it is 15 and then pile shuffle to make sure my deck is 60 since I could have dropped a card on the floor or something. As a result I have never lost a game to stupid shit like you say you have.

note: this is when playing at a PTQ or higher level events. I don't do this at FNMs since it is usually very casual and I am just playing for fun.


EDIT: Still trying to figure out what to play for the WMCQ coming up. I'm probably going to end up playing my RUG delver list but I might try naya pod too. I hate UW delver.


If you are pile shuffling because you lost track of the number of cards you boarded in and out, and want to count your cards by pile shuffling, that is a lapse in concentration. My point is that you are depending on other people in a tournament to make sure you didn't do dumb things is a bad way of working out these kinks. You losing a card and failing to present the original 60 in between rounds is still your problem, you fix it by being diligent. Trying to fix these issues after the fact is completely pointless because it hardly discourages you from rectifying the situation/problems until it happens at which point the problem could be very well unresolvable. More often than not, you are thinking, its ok I'll catch any mistakes I made because of these things I do which is utterly pointless.

I agree with you about checking the lists before the actual tournament start. Once the matches start though, you really shouldn't be worried about what you might have forgotten and if you already had good play habits, you wouldn't be at risk anyways. The problem with people using piling for counting and other "fail safes" to maintain the integrity of their decks is the very notion that the problem already happened, you have done 0 things to prevent said things from happening again since every measure you take is after-the-fact. Right now, when I play in PTQs and what not, I have 0 worries about my deck and sideboarding simply because of good habits.

Edit:

This is not the same as writing down cards in an opponent's hand. Sideboarding should be a 1 to 1 trade and there should not be any confusion regardless of the methods you used to board; if you are confused, you aren't paying any attention.

Edit:

I want to fit Fettergeist and Restoration Angel in, I don't think it'll be in a true Esper build as there are 0 cards in black that makes me want to play Esper if I decide on the Restoration Angel line. Basically the idea is that a 3/4 is impossible to beat for Ramp decks which is now UW's worst match up (Delver can't actually beat you comfortably). I take a look sometime this week to figure out if UW-Angel is worth it.
Get it by your hands...
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