"Dealing with other Magic Players"

"Bakit nga?"

"Dealing with other Magic Players"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

Playing Magic:The Gathering means that you would meet new people all the time(unless your local community only has 5 people in it). In a country that prides itself with our good manners and hospitality most of the players you would meet are polite and jolly but there are always exceptions.There are some people who would just get under your skin even though they are not really trying. Welcome to the real world where different attitudes and personalities abound. 

There are a lot of characters in the tournament scene if you are only willing to observe. There are the Manic types who seem to be over excited for no reason at all from time to time then you have the dour , stoic types who play games in utter concentration and silence. Part of intimidating a player? probably. For some this is just part of their personality and they take a deviant glee on the inside watching their opponents squirm. Most players are fun and courteous and self-depreciating in our culture but you will run into one or two bad eggs once in awhile and the best advise I could give is to be patient. Yup, patience. Just because someone is sad and miserable doesn't mean that you have to be in the same boat. Keep on being who you are.

"Thanks for wearing the shirt...I wasn't sure there for a minute..."

A friend of mine for example is notorious for being a loud talker during games. This messes up a lot of his opponents concentration but he does not do this on purpose. He is just one of those guys who are really nice and friendly and never shut up. A lot of his team mates might have told him so but that is just that way he is and you just need to mentally toughen yourself so you do not get distracted when you play him. I guess putting him in a situation where he has his back to the wall makes him hush just a little so its best if you approach players like this in this manner. Force them to be serious for just a little time and then have fun with them afterwards.

My brother on the other hand is a big contrast to this friend of mine. My brother is like a Klingon when playing , he is very aggressive and combative. He always has a big scowl on his face when he thinks  , so you are not really sure  if he is angry at the cards that he has or how the game is progressing or if he just doesn't really like you but he also has a tell. If he is in total control of the game you would notice by the fact that he talks more and vapes far less. Watch for it when you play him.  Get past the Klingon Scowl or the angas look. 

Kita mo na?

Another kind of player that I have met is the silent kind. He never makes a sound as he shuffles. He talks very briefly like. They are the kind who don't even blink.

"Done? Play ka sir? Counter yan."

This particular player never lets on anything much like a poker player as well except for the fact that they just really sweat a lot in a serious game that is not going in their favor. The best way to deal with a silent type? Maybe just play and talk to them after the game. Some people enjoy playing the game in utter silence even if the plays merits many whooping sounds. 

With every new player that you meet. Do not always assume how they look will reflect their game.It is only until the first play is made that we could get a glimpse of who they are. The drawing of swords and first blood are always a good gauge of ability even in the game of magic. Just always remember to be yourself and to play the way you know how and be patient because you never know , that person across the table might be your biggest ally in the future.