JudgeCast

We're back with another e-mail episode! We cover a variety of rules topics and touch on a couple of policy questions as well. How does converge work with clones? How much information is too much on the back of a match slip? Who is our most prolific e-mailer? Can we ever be wrong in an answer? These questions and more are answered on this very special episode!

As promised, we discuss the new level redefinition in this episode. We cover why the changes were made and what it means for each level of judge. We also make weird wrestling references? Blog Announcing the Reasoning: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/blog/2016/04/11/the-new-new-world-order/ Explanations of current level requirements: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/o/judge-levels-redefinition/ AMA on the...

New set, new IPG, new infractions! We go in depth on Hidden Card Error and how it looks now. It's much more clear and generally we're all a lot happier with it, and you will be too after you listen to us! We also cover a brand new infraction - Mulligan Procedure Error. And throw in some other odds and ends like minor changes to GRV, D/DLP, and the MTR. Links from the show: Article about policy cha...

CJ Shrader Creature — Human 1/2, UG Defender At the beginning of each upkeep, if CJ isn't available to record, transform into Matt Williams. Matt Williams Creature — Human 2/1 (White/Red) Haste, Indestructible, Vigilance Matt Williams must attack each combat if able. At the beginning of your upkeep, put a hustle counter on Matt Williams. This turn, there is an additional combat step for each hustl...

Ok maybe that show title is a stretch. What's this? An episode a week after our previous episode? It's some kind of miracle! On this episode, we have a stacked crew of W. Matt Williams, Jared Sylva, and Riki Hayashi on all to talk about their experiences in planning, judging, and playing in GP DC (The largest team sealed event to date) over this past weekend. Also this video for some reason: https...

Skulk into a comfy chair and listen to this episode! We investigate the new Shadows over Innistrad Mechanics. Reading this is basically a promise to listen, so you have to now. You don't want to be a double-faced liar about it. You'd have to be delirious or struck by some form of madness to not listen to us. SOI Mechanics Article: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-i...

On this episode, we talk about appeals in depth! What is an appeal? As the floor judge, what you should you do when you get appealed (And some tips on how to avoid it)?. As the head judge, what should you do when a floor judge comes to you with an appeal (Or doing the appeals dance)? And even as a player, what are your responsibilities before you appeal? We also cover the fact that Wave 5 Exemplar...

Another episode in a long and sordid history of forcing Bryan Prillaman's name into the title. On this episode, we cover the Exemplar program in depth with its convenient leader, Bryan Prillaman! We talk about the history of the program and where it is today. We also spend some time discussing what a recommendation should look like, what makes a bad one, and what makes a good one. We also learn th...

Warning: Explicit language in this one As promised, we dedicate this episode entirely to Bryan and CJ's judge suspension. We cover what happened, discuss why we didn't report anything, and where we are today. If you're more interested in fancy book-learnin', then this episode is not for you. That's why #138A is released at the exact same time! Give it a listen.

A new IPG is out, and with it some new changes! The most major is Hidden Card Error, which we cover in detail here. What is it? When to apply it? And examples galore abound! There are also some small tweaks to GRV and D/DLP, and we cover those as well. Toby released two articles on the changes: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/telliott/2016/01/18/ogw-policy-changes/ http://blogs.magicjudges.org/tellio...

Another set, another set of release notes. It's our oath to you to have these episodes. In this one, we cover the more interesting tidbits of the Oath of the Gatewatch Release Notes! Looking for in-depth coverage on the new mechanics? TOO BAD. That's in the previous episode. But want to hear thoughts on specific cards! Oh we got you covered. Release Notes: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/arch...

a.k.a. "The non-suspension stuff starts at 32:10" Bryan and CJ got player suspensions for 3 months oh no! We spend some time talking about what that means, what happened (as much as we can say right now) and what the future is going to look like. However, if you don't care about any of that then just jump to 32:10 and we'll talk about the new mechanics in Oath of the Gatewatch! Current JudgeApps p...

It's time again for another e-mail show! We cover a wide variety of topics from listeners just like you, such as: what is appropriate on a decklist, copy effects, random cards from Portal and 9th edition, blocking order, how to handle game losses during the second game, and so much more! Plus! Stay until the end to hear the Forbidden Question, the question we weren't going to discuss but ended up...

Is triggers are wonderful things! In this episode, we take a deep dive into triggers. You might know how to identify a trigger, but did you know there are different types of triggers? State triggers, zone change triggers, intervening if triggers...the list is endless! Ok it's just like seven or something, but it's a good list. Exemplar Wave 3 Announcement and Updates:  http://blogs.magicjudges.org...

All three hosts were at GP Atlanta! We spend this episode to talk about our experiences, including what our roles were and what we ended up doing throughout the weekend. It was a big GP and a lot of fun, and our experiences range from the main event to every portion of side event. If you've ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look of how a GP is run, this is it. And stay until the end for an abject le...

On this episode, the equivalent of the Avengers for deck checking assembles to share our great bounty of knowledge upon you. We talk about what deck checks are and why we do them (Beyond just the fact that the MTR says to). We also cover our favorite methods for performing a deck check, all the way from the swoop to the check to the return. After that, we discuss the infractions that can come up a...

We decide to cover a topic we did in one of our very first episodes all over again, but this time we bring special guest Justin Turner (L3, RC of the SouthEast) into the mix to help us. Hear some of the most common mistakes judges make, and some of our own stories of our own mistakes (Mostly Turner's). CJ's article on HJ announcements: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/articles/2014/06/24/head-judge-o-...

On this episode, we cover the brand new IPG in all its glory! We take another deep dive into the changes made for DEC, talk about handling scry with mulligans (And a new tournament shortcut built around scry), and a bunch of miscellaneous changes up to and including it now being illegal to bribe a judge! New IPG: http://wpn.wizards.com/sites/wpn/files/attachements/mtg_ipg_02oct15_en.pdf Article on...

In our quarterly tradition, we're back with an episode all about the Battle for Zendikar release notes! We cover every mechanic in depth, and pick out the juiciest looking cards to give you a boost for playing in and judging your prerelease. Want to learn how Awakening a spell might not always be the best move? How about how it interacts with manlands? How colorless is devoid? Converge, what's the...

JudgeCast is excited to introduce Molten Nursery to the world! We spend this special episode discussing the card in-depth, including everything rules-related for the card and our own personal thoughts on all parts of the card, down to the flavor text. Here's the card you'll all skip the episode to see: If you're interested in becoming a judge, please visit http://blogs.magicjudges.org/o/judge-leve...

Ahoy! We take an episode to get caught up on e-mails, and with the help of Nicolette Apraez, L2 from Wiscons (you'll get it soon), we are able to knock out a whopping 12 e-mails in one short, action packed hour! We cover questions from all corners of policy and the rules. Exemplar Blog: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/exemplar/ CJ's cats, as cardified by Josh Carr:

We have L4, 15 year judge, and head of the Conference Sphere Damián Hiller on to talk about conferences. We cover what to expect from attending and presenting at a conference, how the entire conference system works, and how a being a judge for 15 years can make you lose your hair. Conferences blog: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/conferences/ Bryan's seminar on giving seminars: https://www.youtube.co...

We have special guest Riki Hayashi on to talk about cover letters, and applying to events in general on Judge Apps! We talk about how to prepare your profile, and what to include in your applications, and what not to include. We also get weird at the end and learn the secret of why CJ's name is CJ.

Yes I know I used this title on episode 38. YOU COME UP WITH NEARLY 100 TITLES AND KEEP THEM FRESH. Speaking of fresh, we have a brand new IPG out! This one has some big changes, and we go in-depth on the biggest: Drawing Extra Cards is now a warning! We go in deep on what this means with a few examples. We also discuss some of the other miscellaneous changes to the IPG and some small changes to t...

The release notes for Magic Origins are here! Learn about double faced cards, spell mastery, and renown! Want to hear our thoughts on Lorwyn for some reason? Well they are in this episode! How about an extremely unlikely corner case involving two copies of a mythic? People love those, and JudgeCast gives them to you for free! Release notes: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/magi...