A call to any/all MTG players who frequent these forums

Standard is the format that interests me the most.  Second would be block constructed, this might be an interesting way to grow the pool of players interested in tournaments (since they could start with their league decks and work from there).

I'd probably also play in 2HG and team based events assuming we had enough people for it to be viable.

Mostly I'd like to see more constructed play with Standard decks.  Block is played a fair bit because of the league, but we don't see a lot of changes to peoples decks in the league (except for Seth, he is trying new stuff out all the time).

I'm not sure how to best advertise.  We could post on a few of the bigger magic related forums in their event sections.  Getting word out that there would be events on Saturday at Greenfield games would be good (most other stores run their events -- Mostly FNM type events -- during the week).  The best way to get players is for anybody who still has contact with former players to let them know that the magic scene is picking up.  While Fridays are rough for Zack, I think that more frequent FNM might be a good way to build interest in constructed play.  Then again maybe I'm over estimating the interest in FNM simply because I really enjoy the casual Standard play it provides.

Vintage, Legacy, and Extended are all a little rough for me financially.  If extended was to take off at the store I could imagine myself putting a deck or two together for the format (it isn't really that much more expensive than Standard and the cards tend to keep their value a lot longer). 

So we have a vote for some Standard (Type 2) tournaments.

I do like the idea of possibly running some Block Constructed tournaments.  Something I think that would be fun to at least bring in some of the newer crowd would be to run an event just for them.  Maybe a block constructed tournament for players who have never participated in a tournament before.  I will have to let that idea stew in my head for a bit to see how the idea sounds more.

I do have to agree that the vintage/legacy/extended environmments are a little rough for some many as they may not have the top notch cards from sets going even further back, but some people do have cards they like from the older sets.  I'm going to push the idea of the vintage/legacy/extended to the back burner for the time being and focus primarily on the Standard, Block Constructed, and Limited formats for the time being.

The only other thing I would like to see is if drafting is what people are inclined to participate in, that in some cases we limit the attendance to 8 players.  It is how normal drafts are run and it works out perfectly as far as number of players/rounds go.  When you start adding more than 8 players it makes pairings confusing and you could be playing someone who you may not have seen any cards of, which is a disadvantage to both players.  I really like the redrafting at the end of these tournaments for a couple of reasons.  First it makes players think about the cards they are taking and gets them considering deck building.  Secondly it keeps everyone from getting the hose when it comes to getting their fair share of rares/uncommons.  It promotes thought and good sportsmanship instead of a greed motivated atmosphere. 

Something I am thinking is maybe doing some kind of rotating schedule.  One week do some form of constructed, the next do a draft, etc.  Nothing has been finalized as of yet though.

I don't know how much you spoke with Ethan and I don't think he frequents the forums, so here's what he told me:

He'd like to see some of the very same things; more frequent Standard and Block tournaments without doing away entirely with drafts. He also suggested a format of perhaps alternating weeks each month, something like: Draft, Block, Draft, Standard and if there's a fifth Saturday that month, another Draft.

For my own two cents, I like those ideas about rotating, with a twist to keep it easy to schedule & keep track of: such as the first Saturday always being the same and rotating the same way each month. It will keep it a little easier for people to remember what to bring that day. I also am personally daunted by opening my wallet to extended & beyond. Somewhat, it will happen naturally as many of us building collections anew, see them rotate out of the more current formats.

As far as redrafting, I was afraid at first, that it would cause the event to run far too long, but it really hasn't. And keeping the draft groups small, like first 8, and then another 6-8 play an additional, separate tournament if we get the people, would keep things within a reasonable time too. Under such a system, I could take reservations and allow early registrants to get going right on time. That's like fantasy land for me; which would, of course, translate to defferential treatment in regard to any available promo cards!

FNM, I realize there's a lot of draw to migrate elsewhere on that night, but the first Friday of the month seems to be good so far, and I like being able to give out those unique cards at least once a month. But really, I just want to facilitate what players want.

Sounds like a bunch of really good ideas to me.  I like the idea of a block constructed tournament for inexperienced players (and as a general tournament format).  We could even do a deck clinic before the event.  Introducing new players to organized play can be rough and that sounds like a nice way to go about it.  While it might be a little expensive, a preconstructed deck tournament might work out as well.

At the FNM up at comic boom they had a few newer players.  It was interesting that despite everybody playing in the same event that it was still pretty new player friendly.  However, the way it stands up there don't expect to place unless you are freakishly good / lucky.  While kinda pie in the sky maybe we could try and run constructed a bit like Zack mentioned with the drafts.  If we had enough players run a new player event and an experienced player event.  It might demotivate 'sharks' since the prize would be cut in half, but it would help spread the prizes around, limit the number of rounds, and generally improve everybody's experience.  Running two 'pods' doesn't really increase the workload for the organizer that much.  It only really works if we have 16+ people and roughly half are less experienced players.  Another options would be having a fellowship prize or a rookie of the night prize.

I'm pretty sure that Ethan and Cole were interested in more type 2 events; two more shadow votes for standard.

I definitely like the idea of starting the Saturday of each month with a draft and then alternating from there.  Gives people an idea what to expect as the weeks come along.  Or perhaps if there is a 5th saturday in the month we could do a Sealed Deck event to keep it fresh.

The concept of redrafting was an odd one to me when I first encountered it.  After trying it out I felt like I wasn't being completely ripped off the people I was playing against.  Keeping the draft tournaments down to a 8-player maximum event will definitely speed up the process of running the events.  Guarantees 3 rounds with a clear winner, and promotes being punctual to the tournaments which I know some folks like to wander in a bit late. 

I like the idea of doing a deck clinic type thing for the more inexperienced players in the store prior to a tournament for these players.  We could probably recruit a few of the more experienced players to offer their advice and opinions to the newer players and give them pointers, works out for everyone!  Could easily keep it to untimed rounds to make sure everyone gets to finish their matches, etc.  Keep it very casual for them.

The concept of being able to run two different tournaments at the same time was definitely a "wishful thinking" idea.  That would assume that we have enough people on a regular basis to support that.  Right now my focus is on just getting more folks in and playing on Saturdays in general before we start considering multiple tournaments on a regular basis.

Hi folks,

I just wanted to pass on my support of MAGIC of all kinds, and make a few comments.

I would be happy to play any type of magic tourney that is being held.  I love the idea of some type of small clinic before a tourney, I would be happy to help out, as I'm sure many others are.  This also might not be a bad idea for limited, if there was interest.  I think in both cases its important to gauge the interest before forcing help on anyone.  It might help if some of the more experienced players came with creative / original / untuned deck creations and could give each other suggestions during the clinic, as an example to the less experienced players who might be a bit reluctant to ask for suggestions about their deck.  A question: is it patronizing (to newer players) or a good idea to keep older players out of a tournement for new players, or to have older players have to run only commons in their deck perhaps?

The one concern I have about the rotation system that has been suggested is that tournements at Greenfield Games have been a fickle thing over the past year.  Its only in the past few months that we've seen regular tournements happening.  I am happy doing any sort of tournement (I do love drafting greatly), but suspect there are a number of drafters who aren't really interested in Standard.  I think we should talk to the people who come to drafts over the coming weekends.  I'd just hate to have the tournements go away.

One other comment: as someone who could be categorized as a "shark", I want to be clear that I am in favor of fairly flat prize structures in tournements.  I think it really helps for new players to get fourth in a tournement and still get a pack or two.  On the same note, I think if there are "box for prizes" promotions at a larger tournement, it would be good to split the box between first and second (or even more).  It might not have the same ring to it, but I think a 36-5-4-3 prize structure might be not be the best thing.  What do others think?

On a final note: yay magic!

On a separate but related note, I am building a "Cube".  The original "Cube" was a collection 450 cards, 1 each of some of the most powerful/cool cards in magic: the power 9, but also cards like balance, savanna lions, dual lands, living death, lightning helix, planeswalkers, etc.  I'm making my cube from my own collection, and I don't think I'm going to use proxies, so it won't have all the expensive cards, but I don't think this matters.  "Boosters" are constructed from the cube and you draft as normal.  This is incredibly fun, because you essentially draft a limited deck with constructed cards, and silly things can happen.  I know this is an unusual format, but it might be something we could do for free on a sunday, or if people were interested, for prizes in place of a draft on Saturday.

Good ideas & thoughts.

Let me throw one more question out there to the small section of the small group that read this. Is Wednesday evening really a time you would be interested in having available for another tournament specific format? Like starting anywhere between five and seven and running until ten. I know Wed. night was first suggested as it sort of fits within the Valley & beyond scene for Magic. I just want to know if this is an actual interest to people.

I would love to see a legacy tourny at some point. I havn't kept up with magic all that well over the years and my best decks are long past extended. most of the local stores do draft/standred which is fine, but I will have a hard time being competitive. I know most people around don't have a lot of old cards/decks, but maybe after some time has passed and peoples currents decks start to phase out of type 2 people would be more interested. I personaly just don't like to keep up with type 2 so this is my bias.

p.s.

I would deffenatly be interested in a mid-week tourny. I have a hard time making it into town on weekends.