Podcast – JudgeCast: Recent Episodes
Podcast – JudgeCast
Uh…what happened this week? Bryan, Charles, and Marcus talk about the recent commander bans and the community response that became so reprehensible it culminated in the RC ceding ownership of the format to Wizards in order to protect themselves.
Oh, and there were some policy updates to Missed Trigger and such. That’s what you are really here for. You can get that commander chatter on countless youtube videos, but you can only get a thoughtful discussion regarding the MTR shortcut and how it applies to Cavern of Souls but not Arena of Glory right here!
Toby’s Blog – https://blogs.magicjudges.org/telliott/2024/09/26/policy-update-for-duskmourn/
Wizard’s Announcement regarding Commander: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/on-the-future-of-commander
On this episode, follow Bryan, Charles, and Marcos as they run, Scooby Doo style through multiple Rooms in the House of Horror release notes! The Eerie vibes of the house, combined with their ability to Manifest Dread makes us all question our hero’s chances of Survival, especially when you factor in the Impending doom that awaits them behind every locked door.
Also, there’s a very weird math problem, plus a question about infinite copying of abilities around a VERY creepy ventriloquist dummy. Sort of brings me back to those Goosebumps days…
Link to the Reddit Post about unprovable math equations: https://www.reddit.com/r/BadMtgCombos/comments/1feps3y/deal_infinite_damage_for_4gru_as_long_as_the_twin/
Video that inspired the Marvin talk: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ATTw4G1gKys
Bryan, Charles, and Marcos were at SCGCon Tampa this past weekend working Magic events. However, there were THREE other TCGs at the SCGCon; Lorcana, Star Wars: Unlimited, and Flesh and Blood. We took the opportunity to speak to three head judges for the three games this weekend. Join us as we gain a little insight into other games, and their judge programs.
Ben Harris – Lorcana
Seth Arar – Star Wars
Dan Collins – Flesh and Blood
Discord Link for the Start Wars Judge Discord: https://discord.gg/HtkJUcHT6a
Bryan, Charles, and Marcos all have SCGCon Tampa this weekend, so we need a small episode with little prep. Or thats what we THOUGHT. Join us as we take turns stepping on and off the soapbox for topics like: the recent bannings, excessive charging for store championships, Wizards giving Judges the finger AGAIN, the new Spotlight Series of Tournaments, and the importance of Online Judge Communities.
Unfortunately the cEDH drama hadn’t fully exploded when we recorded or that would have been a topic too.
Judges are not immune to twitter drama. We get sucked in the same way players do when there is a post about a potentially bad judge call. In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos talk about how judges respond when we hear about an issue on social media, and how we go about trying to figure out what really happened, and how we attempt to reconcile the player version of the story with what we know about policy. We also discuss why judges typically don’t make comments about contentious calls. It’s a very meta episode.
Join Bryan, Charles, and Marcos as we forage over the mechanics of the newest set, as well make a valiant effort to review some cards that you might have questions about at your prerelease or local commander game. We spring off into a tangent about a punk band, and have an otter ridiculous Mickey Mouse impersonations (Steamboat Willy version), and discuss the proper ways to gift a fish.
Oh, frogive me, did I mention this set was Bloomburrow?
The Proper Way to Gift a Fish – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E
Preview of Emmet Otter’s Jug band Christmas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFJ2jxIe4CQ
Join Bryan, Charles, and Marcos this week as they talk about the system Magic uses to determine which player can act when, what they can do, and how the game advances to the next part. This is a fundamental MTG topic, so if you are looking to become a judge, an existing judge looking to brush up, or an old-timer just listening to hear them say things you already know, this is the episode for you!
Is it a reference to a Celine Dion Song, or a little-known skit from The State. How about both? Both is good.
Join Bryan, Charles, and Marcos as we talk about the Judging at Regular Policy document. This document governs judging at Regular Rules Enforcement Level (REL), which covers the vast majority of events. Everything from 8-player Wednesday night drafts to 200-player Myster Booster Sealed events at MagicCons, the JAR tells us how to handle common problems that can occur in games. The JAR is also part of any L1 exam you might be considering. We go over the philosophy, and the various categories of issues, making sure you know everything you need to know.
If you are studying to become an L1, or just need a refresher, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Did you know there are a lot of rules regarding ending the game? There sure are! Join Bryan, Charles, and Marcos as we go into the rules around ending the game. There’s a surprising amount of rules around this seemingly simple task. And not just the Comprehensive rules, we talk about Tournament rules and Infraction procedures. There’s even a “blink and you’ll miss it” shout out to the old Platinum Angel/Sudden Death scenario. I won’t spoil the answer; you’ll have to listen. Or Google. I guess you could google it. If you wanted to be lame.
Modern Horizons 3 has a LOT of mechanics, and a LOT of cards. So for this release notes episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos decided to try something a little different. We each chose our 6 favorite cards from the set to talk about, along with covering a selection of mechanics that may need an in depth refresher for your MH3 Prerelease events this weekend.
We highlight some Nightmares, say Umbra Armor until the words lose all meaning, and have fun with some of the most absurd and interesting names of cards in the set. Join us for this fun look through some super powerful and complex cards from MH3.
PS: Bryan challenged Marcos to try to edit a funny bit – and oh does he deliver. So, like your favorite Marvel movie, this episode also has a post credits scene. Stick around through the very end – just like you do every episode. Right? RIGHT??
Prompt: Write a 2 paragraph description of a Podcast episode JudgeCast where the hosts Bryan, Charles, and Marcos talk about AI in MTG Judging, and then ask ChatGPT a bunch of policy/rules questions and then discuss how well it did.
Response: In a recent episode of JudgeCast, hosts Bryan, Charles, and Marcos delve into the intriguing intersection of artificial intelligence and Magic: The Gathering (MTG) judging. The trio begins by exploring how AI can potentially assist judges in managing tournaments, interpreting complex rules, and ensuring fair play. They discuss both the benefits and limitations of AI in this context, highlighting how machine learning algorithms could streamline the adjudication process and reduce human error. [Bryan: Lol, no we didnt, and no you don’t] However, they also caution about the current technological constraints and the essential role of human judgment in interpreting the nuanced aspects of the game.
To put AI to the test, the hosts invite ChatGPT to answer a series of challenging [Bryan: Simple] MTG policy and rules questions. The questions range from handling obscure [Bryan: Common] card interactions to resolving intricate [Bryan: Simple] gameplay scenarios. After each question, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos analyze ChatGPT’s responses, comparing them to official rulings and their own experiences. They find that while ChatGPT demonstrates impressive knowledge and can provide accurate answers in many [Bryan: Slow your roll there, Chatty] cases, it occasionally [Bryan: Frequently] falters on more complex or context-dependent issues. The episode concludes with a lively discussion on the future potential of AI in MTG judging, acknowledging that while AI can be a powerful tool, it is unlikely to fully replace the expertise and intuition of experienced human judges anytime soon.
In this episode Bryan and Marcos go over the April Policy updates. But that’s not enough for a full episode, so we bring in three other smaller topics.
– The Judge contradiction of “I want to be staffed because of what I know, not who I know” vs the sense of entitlement when all the TOs know you.
– When new information is gained with respect to Reversing decisions.
– Open Book vs Closed Book testing.
Bryan, Charles, and Marcos work an event together. We talk about our time at SCGCon: Atlanta, and then we do micro interviews with many of the judges working the event.
Who are you? Why do you keep judging? Do you have a PG rated story you could share?
Big thanks to all the judges that took time out of their shift to talk to us, and big thanks to Star City Games for allowing our shenanigans during their event.
If you want to share a story, join our discord at https://discord.gg/hQd48guKFR
Join Bryan, Charles, and Marcos as we tour this western planet of hats and discuss the new mechanics such as Plot, crime, Saddle, and Spree. We go over nearly 50 cards to help you get ready for your prerelease. The only thing missing is a in depth discussion regarding the different between the Cattleman, the Gambler, the Pinched Front, and the Gus. Which now that I think about it, thats at least worth 50 cents on patreon..
Bryan, Charles, and Marcos venture once again into the Unknown. But why? Is it an Unfulfilled quest? Is it an Undercover task to Unseat some evil? Join us for an Undeniably special treat. You won’t want to miss this one, the clock is ticking!
“Hey Judge, Can I offer my opponent any extra cash for the RC invite?
In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos discuss the rules around bribery; what it is, isn’t, what’s legal, what isn’t, and how to handle some common questions that you might run into at your RCQ. If you are a player, this episode will help you stay out of trouble, but it won’t teach you the most common question of: “Ok, so I understand I can’t bribe my opponent, but how can I offer them something for the win.” That’s kinda the same thing.
In this episode, the JudgeCast hosts welcome David Hibbs and Joe (TxJoe) Klophic, to talk about the Hunter Burton Memorial Open (HBMO). The HBMO is an annual Dallas based tournament designed to raise awareness of the impact suicide can have on our lives, and the importance of having a place you are welcome.
David and Joe were the HJ and TO, respectively, for the HBMO this year as it celebrated its 10th year. We talk about how this event is different from other events, its inspiration, and its history. And despite being a charity event, many judges offer to volunteer their time to make this a memorable event for the players.
Previous Episodes with Guests:
https://judgecast.com/archives/833 – Judging Hibbstory
https://judgecast.com/archives/1777 – Forging Ahead with Judge Foundry
https://hunterburtonmemorialopen.com/
Suicide Prevention Hotline – 988
Completely unrelated to any twitter drama you might have read about, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos talk about the types of information in Magic. We talk about what types of information you have to tell your opponent, what questions you have to answer, and what types of things do you have to be truthful about and what you can even lie about. Lying? Not in my competitive card game with money on the line!
During the winter break, we asked listeners for their “Judge New Years Resolutions”. One of our listeners said they wanted to work on confidence. In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos bring on L2 from Tennessee, Madison Henry to talk confidence. We talk about things that can rattle your confidence, tips and tricks to build confidence, and we even get personal and share stories about times we specifically lacked confidence, and how we dealt with it.
Links:
JudgeCast Discord: https://discord.gg/hQd48guKFR
In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Mark talk about the rules and policies around Marked Cards. Do you ever wonder what the criteria for an upgrade is? How to protect yourself as a player? What to look for as a judge? Are all foils inherently marked? Join us as we take a guided tour through all these questions and more.
Links:
JudgeCast Discord: https://discord.gg/hQd48guKFR
In this episode Bryan, Charles, and Marcos celebrate Festivus, JudgeCast-Style. We have our own Festivus dinner (questions from our discord), the airing of grievances, feats of strength, and finally acknowledgement of the Festivus miracle that we are still judging at all.
Links:
JudgeCast Discord: https://discord.gg/hQd48guKFR
In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos talk about reviews. We go over the history of reviews within the various judge programs of the past, their requirements in the future. We also talk about the importance of reviews, and a few tips on how to write a good one, and pitfalls to avoid. We even write a few review snippets on the fly.
You can also leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice. wink
Links:
JudgeCast Discord: https://discord.gg/hQd48guKFR
Bryan, Charles, and Marcos respect the oxford comma. We also discuss the new mechanics for Wilds of Eldraine. Want to know how Adventure cards work? We can help. Want to know what happens if you triple a triple, we have the answers. Want to know what all the seven different role enchantments do? You are on your own. But we do talk about the generic rules behind them.
New Host, who dis? Join Bryan, Charles, and… Marcos Sanchez, a level 2 that recently made the [poor] decision to move to Florida [at the start of hurricane season], to talk about a different kind of new start. In this … Continue reading →
In this episode Bryan and Charles have on Matt Williams (aka Billy Willy) to talk about what goes into Head Judge Announcements. Do you want to know what to include in your Prerelease Announcements? What about your RCQ? How about … Continue reading →
This is SPARTA! Wait, no. This is…our 300th Episode! While my favorite topic to talk about is myself, we put the breaks on that celebration to invite on a few other judges active providing content for the masses. We talk … Continue reading →
Have you ever wondered about the planning that goes on before an event? Join Bryan, Charles, and special guest Jared Sylva from Star City Games to discuss Event Management with a focus on SCG Con Baltimore. For information on upcoming … Continue reading →
Bryan and Charles welcome back Marcos Sanchez to talk about interesting cards from the newest Straight to Modern set to come out of Wizards. Join us as we take a tour of the Shire, take a shortcut to mushrooms before … Continue reading →
In this episode Bryan and Charles discuss several smaller “bite size topics” while we gear up for the LoTR Prerelease episode. We go over:
- What is a Called Draft and should I do one at my RCQ
- Answering Judge Questions Outside of an Event
- Giving Too Much Negative Feedback
- MagicKids by Weirdcards in the Partnership Education track of Judge Academy
Join Bryan and Charles with special guest Vona to talk about 2HG. And not just the rules, on no, dear listener, we talk about special considerations in running 2HG events, from the logistics to the pack distribution to increased time in investigations. Give it a listen, and you might learn a bit about why we dont do Comp Rel 2HG events anymore.
In a bout of unintended irony, Bryan and Charles spend an hour talking about how important it is to be brief in your cover letters. We talk about what you should/should not include and how certain choices may/may not help your chances of being accepted.
Want to know how battles work? what about transforming tokens? How about Copy effects and Backup. We got you covered. If you also want to know the lore of Segovia and listen to Bryan yell at clouds, we have you covered there too.
Its a Release Notes episode. We talk nonsense.
Judging is a Customer Service gig. However, customer service at small events and large events can look very different. In this episode Bryan and Charles are joined by L2 Marcos Sanchez to talk about what things you can do at large events to up your customer service game.
In this episode Bryan and Charles talk about one of the more subjective infractions in the IPG; Slow Play. We talk about its definition, it’s subjectivity, why it can’t have an objective definition and how to deal with players that might get upset you give them Slow Play. We even talk about Chess Clocks. No, really. Thats been a suggestion.
And, to play into the theme, this episode gets a Warning for being a day late.
In this episode Bryan and Charles talk to @BonafideVonafyd about their recent experiences at MagicCon Philly, including but not limited to: wearing good shoes, dinosaurs with hand-rails, breaks, how so many concurrent event were managed, and a myriad of non-standard events.
In this episode, Brian and Charles go over the few rules updated with All Will Be One and then we delve into a smorgasbord of recent reddit threads that have caught our eye while we wait for MagicCon Philly.
Topic 1 – Hold Priority: https://www.reddit.com/r/EDH/comments/10xqd6x/players_that_hold_priority_for_a_whole_phase/
Topic 2: Card quality/differences in general: https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/10zxfem/lots_of_art_with_these_weird_wiggly_lines_is_this/
Topic 3: Placeholders as Proxies?:
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/10q3g57/are_mdfc_placeholder_cards_proxies/
Topic 4: How to prepare for your first Magic convention
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/10zvzo6/how_to_prepare_for_first_magic_convention/
Topic 4: Card art with a side of dong
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/10pcvne/wizards_what_the_hell/
Potentially NSFW
Topic 5: Magic is expensive, yo.
https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/10y2u7w/frustrated_magic_the_gathering_fans_say_hasbro/
Topic 6: Weird Judge Call
https://old.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/10w5c0j/scg_indy_judge_call_tldr_there_are_scumbags/
In this episode, Bryan and Charles go over the mechanics and notiable cards from Phyrexia: All Will Be One. Toxic, Compleated, Oil Counters, and that one mechanic that has an exclamation point. Also at the end of the episode we talk about a workaround in EventLink for running a Sealed RCQ.
In this episode Bryan and Charles go over the zones of Magic, as well as all the exceptions to the well-known rule of “objects changing zones are considered new objects”. Turns out, there are a lot of exceptions.
Happy New Year! It’s a time for celebration and resolutions for the new year. In this episode Bryan and Charles are joined by Brook Gardner-Durbin (@TheBG_D) to discuss the factors that go into your decisions for fair compensation at the various levels. Is judging your hobby, career, or side hustle? What is the complexity of the event you are going to be working? What is considered fair? Where do you have the ability to negotiate? As we discuss issues around pay, just a reminder: We are not lawyers or CPAs. We are glorified donkeys pushing a ball around the pasture. Consult your local, state, or federal laws before acting on any of our barnyard braying.
Talking about missed triggers has been all the rage lately in the twitterverse, and Bryan, Charles, and Samma thought we would bring it to your podcast listening device. In this episode, the JudgeCast crew talk about the philosophy behind Missed Triggers, how to identify one, what the opponents’ responsibilities are, and a little bit of a history lesson.
Detrimental Trigger Guide – https://blogs.magicjudges.org/rules/mtg/
Annotated IPG – https://blogs.magicjudges.org/rules/ipg2-1/
Bryan, Charles, and Samma discuss the recent level updates announced by Judge Academy. Samma and Charles also go over their Magic 30 experience, including a behind the scene look at the massive Unfinity Draft. We also stop recording right before Samma admits Bryan was 100% right about [redacted] and Bryan doesn’t even say ‘I told you so’, so he instead puts this comments in the show notes.
Level Update Overview – Level Clarifications and Updates: Overview – 2023 – Judge Academy
Judge Academy Renewal information: Membership Renewal Payments in Fall/Winter 2022 – Judge Academy
Omega Mart (whatever that is) : Omega Mart | Explore Immersive Art | Meow Wolf Las Vegas
Following the BRO Code, Bryan, Charles, and Samma battle their way through new mechanics, new cards, and very bad puns. We discuss Prototype, Meld, Unearth, zone change triggers, 50% off of 50% off coupons. Stick around and you might just … Continue reading →
A Pot-Pour-EE Episode is an episode where we discuss smaller topics that aren’t worth a full episode themselves. In this vaguely apple-cinnamon scented episode Bryan and Charles talk about Game Markers, Solo Deck Checks, Tournament Policy on Notes, and Proxies. … Continue reading →
This Wicker Picker with Sticker Kicker makes me want to grab liquor quicker than a city slicker. In this episode Bryan, Charles, and Samma talk about the latest Un-set from Wizards. Un-sets are no longer goofy fun sets judges can … Continue reading →
Join JudgeCast in welcoming new host, L2 from New Jersey, Charles Featherer! In this episode we talk about things new L1s should know but might not. Things like “Where do the judges hang out online?”, “Where do I get shirts?”, … Continue reading →
In this episode Bryan and Samma discuss the new rules and cards for the upcoming MTG Set Dominaria United. We talk about Sagas, Bee Children, Bryan sneaks in obscure song lyrics from the 80s, and other interesting rules tidbits from … Continue reading →
In this episode Bryan and Samma bring on Meg Rickman to talk about the return of Local Comp Rel play. We discuss how it feels to “get back into it”, the return of local players, how to rebuild connections that … Continue reading →
In this episode Bryan and Samma go over the major mechanics and a selection of cards from the new Commander Legends 2: Quest for Curly’s Gold.
In this episode Bryan and Samma go over the Judge Academy process for becoming an L3. We go over the various steps and badges, and Bryan talks way too much about “the way it used to be”.
In this episode Bryan and Samma talk about the mechanics of New Capenna as well as highlight some of the cards with more interesting rules interactions.
In this episode Bryan and Samma talk about the recently announced changes to Wizards’ Premiere Play and a little bit about what judges can expect. Bryan rants (too much) about his dislike of PPTQs, while Samma waits for him to … Continue reading →