Parke: Worlds 2008 Tournament Report

by Jamie Parke

It feels as though it’s been more than a decade since I’ve written my last tournament report, and it’s actually been just as long since I’ve had a finish in a Magic tournament that would justify writing one. (“Japan 99!” as Lan D. Ho would constantly scream at me all weekend long. I got sixth place there, losing to Kai Budde in the quarterfinals.)

I stopped playing Magic competitively for the eight years between Worlds 1999 in Tokyo and the beginning of this year. I spent four years in college and the four years after that learning the ins and outs of work. But after all of that, I was able to find some time this spring to make my way to Grand Prix: Philadelphia. There, I qualified for Pro Tour: Hollywood. I placed 50th in Hollywood and followed that up with a 3rd-place finish at Grand Prix: Indianpolis. At this point, my rating was high enough for me to qualify for the looming monster that was the 2008 Magic World Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, giving me the opportunity to smash it right in the face. Continue reading…

Herberholz: GP Atlanta Tournament Report

by Mark Herberholz

I originally had planned on writing a report for this GP, much like I plan on writing one for every other tournament I go to. Then, like after every other tournament, I come home get distracted by pinkies, poker, and partying. This time, though, I’ve been running bad at poker and needed to take a break before I destroyed my laptop; getting slammed by ruthless three-outers all night will drive you to that. And since I’ve been trying to get a ton of work done rather than party, my break finds me at home at 1 am on a Wednesday night after an MSU basketball game–prime pinkie-patrolling time. But alas here I am, and the only thing of value I can find to do is regale you with my tales from GP Atlanta. Continue reading…