JudgeCast

On this JudgeCast SPECIAL, CJ tried something different: To capture the usual judge chats that happen after a GP and have them recorded for all of posterity. The problem? Those chats are made in a moving car, and the sound quality was not good. As such, we decided to release this one as a bonus episode outside of our normal every-two-week schedule! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the soothing road...

We take an episode to talk about all the judge levels, up to and including levels 1, 4, and even 2! Yep, all 5 of the levels are here. We talk about the roles and responsibilities of each level, what's expected of someone in that level, and how someone becomes that level. For an even deeper dive into the Level 3 process, see episode 73. We also cover a bunch of news (HoF! Exemplar! And sadder thin...

On this very special episode, we have Toby Elliott (one of the many head judges of GP Vegas, L5, and all around swell guy) on to give us a debrief of GP Vegas. We talk about some of the planning that went in from a head judge perspective, some of the problem cards from the event, and even talk about a ruling Toby had that he'd never had before. We also read a few policy-based e-mails, and one sing...

On this episode, we have special guest David Greene on (Of Judge's Corner fame!) to help us cover most of the abilities and many of the cards in Modern Masters. We put a little bit of extra focus on these cards at Competitive REL to help you get prepared for GP Vegas! Modern Masters 2015 Release Notes: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/modern-masters-2015-edition-release-notes-2...

We have special guest and very-long-time-judge David Hibbs on to discuss the Judge Hall of Fame and the history of the judge program in general. We cover some of Hibbs's favorites from the first ballot, talk about the early days of the program, take a quiz from the original Arena exams, and even discuss the old chestnut Failure to Agree on Reality. Hibbs's blog: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/timedi...

We dedicate this episode to e-mails! We get caught up on a bunch, covering such topics as: What to do when a judge is wrong, rules questions with Dragonlord Silumgar, what is rotting in Jess's fridge, assorted additional rules questions, and whether or not you can register in two different events. Plus much more! We also take a few minutes to talk about the brand new Magic Judge Hall of Fame! Know...

The definitive episode on missed triggers! How to recognize them, how to tell whether or not one was missed, and what to do after you know one was missed. CJ was sick so we have special guest and former host Riki Hayashi on to fill in. We also break our usual policy of not discussing the "hot-button" issues of the week and spend some time talking about the Patrick Chapin upgraded GRV ruling at the...

We have our very own April Fool on, L3 and RC Justin Turner, to talk about how to talk to a TO when you're new in town. We cover such topics like how to show you add value to the TO, how to ingrain yourself as the judge for that TO's store, compensation, and what to do if they store already has a judge. These are the types of things that apply to more than just judging at the store level! We also...

Part 2 of our episodes on the Dragons of Tarkir release notes! We cover the rulings on some individual cards, with some behind-the-scenes looks thanks to our returning guest Matt Tabak! Release Notes: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/dragons-tarkir-release-notes-2015-03-18 Fblthp Walking the Planes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF7l4gkOekY

On this super-special episode we have Magic Rules Manager and all around tall dude Matt Tabak on to talk about the Dragons of Tarkir release notes! We've split the notes into two episodes. In this one, you'll find a discussion of Matt's career at Wizards of the Coast, some forced Gummi Bear references, and we go over the new mechanics in Dragons of Tarkir. Release notes: http://magic.wizards.com/e...

Part 3 of our mega-series on all the formats legal in FNM! In this episode, we focus on the limited formats that can be played in FNM: Solomon, Winston, Rotisserie, Cube, Back, Pick a Pack, and Reject Rare draft. And of course we cover e-mails from around the globe! Steve Argyle's Playmat Art: http://steveargyle.tumblr.com/post/113178634660/judges-2015-when-i-talk-about-my-own-art-im

We go off-script and cover Zones in detail! Learn exciting facts about the "battlezone," the exile zone, objects moving between zones, and listen to us bravely try to come up with scenarios for some of these ridiculous rules. We also read some e-mails from listeners just like you!

Alternate proposed titles: "Backing up is hard to do," "We got your backup," "Baby got backup," "Backup to the future," and "The Way Backup Machine." Also the words "Back that sass up" were said at one point. On this episode, we have former host and Dawsons Creek fan Riki Hayashi on to cover the great umbrella that is Game Rule Violation in detail! We also take a deep dive into rewinds: How to per...

(You know, like the movie) On this episode, we have L4 and charity playmat star Jared Sylva on to discuss investigations! And not just the cheaty-kind too, but what it means to walk up on a table blind and determine what went wrong and how to fix it. We also cover the sparse IPG changes and some minor changes to supplementals. New IPG can always be found at judgecast.com/docs Investigations, the S...

It's manifesting time! Just doesn't have the same ring as morphin' time. Sad. On this episode, we cover the FAQ for Fate Reforged. We cover some specific cards and go over the new rules for Dash, Bolster, and everyone's favorite new boogeyman, Manifest. Fate Reforged Release Notes: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/fate-reforged-release-notes-2015-01-14

This is another part in our series on all the newly legal FNM formats, and how to play them and judge them! In this episode, we're able to cover the relatively-new Tiny Leaders format, Wizard's Tower, Emperor, Star, Archenemy, Planechase, and even throw in Grand Melee for good measure. We hope you never have to judge any of these formats, but if you do, you should be prepared. Links from the show:...

This episode is as casual as they come! The JudgeCasters have special guest Joe Hughto on to simply reminisce about whatever we want. Get a little taste of what happens before and after every show, and what happens at every Judge Dinner. Arguably, standing around with a bunch of judges and talking about is the best part about being a judge! Oh, and we cover the morph policy change BECAUSE WE HAVE...

On this episode, we have frequent guest, L4, former Regional Coordinator, Smooth Voice Champion 6 Years Running, JudgeCast co-creator Sean Catanese on to talk about the new Code of Conduct document. We cover why the document exists, what it says, how to report breaches in code of conduct and what it means if someone were to report a breach against you. Links from the show: The Code of Conduct: htt...

On this very special episode, we finally dedicate an entire episode to the JAR. This is must-have knowledge for L1 hopefuls, and really something every judge needs to know at all levels as the nearly all sanctioned Magic events that ever happen are run at Regular REL. To help us, we have special guest L4 and JAR Boss Kim Warren on to guide us through. Links from the show: The latest version of the...

Is that reference in the title too obtuse? Nah. On this episode, we once again have L3 and/or fantastic guest Eric "Raging" Levine on! As part of our series on formats, we cover Commander in depth. Learn how to play Commander! Learn what happens exactly when your Commander goes to the command zone! Learn what happens when you Oblivion Ring your opponent's creature and then lose the game! Learn a l...

JudgeCast starts a new mega-series, to be picked up at some point in the future. The plan? Cover every format that was announced to be legal for FNM. In this first episode of that series, we cover standard, modern, vintage, block, legacy, draft, and sealed. These may seem basic but you have a standard JudgeCast money-back guarantee you'll learn something along the way. Links from the show: FNM For...

In this episode, the quickest judges this side of the Mississippi cover slow play in depth! When should you give it, how should you give it, why we give it, so on and so forth. If you're a player, this isn't personal! This may also be a valuable episode for you to learn why we are asking you to make a play.  

The Judgers Grimm take this episode to discuss the recent policy updates! We cover changes to Drawing Extra Cards, Improper Draw at Start of Game, GRV, and also go over how to handle morph at Competitive REL events! We also get caught up on some listener e-mails, mostly about the new cards in Khans of Tarkir. Links: Articles on Policy Updates: http://blogs.magicjudges.org/blog/2014/09/23/khans-of-...

The Khans of JudgeCast go over the Khans of Tarkir FAQ! We cover the new mechanics (Except morph, we already did an episode on that and it didn't change), and go over the interesting cards in the Khans FAQ. Links from the show: The FAQ: http://community.wizards.com/comment/51284091 Morph episode: https://judgecast.com/?p=707 Power Rangers / Magic crossover fanfic (It came up ok): https://www.fanfi...

This episode is all about JudgeCast! We have some very special guests (Who could they be?!) on and discuss the past, present, and the future of JudgeCast in all its forms. If you're only in it for the education, this episode might not be for you. Take a couple weeks off, read the CR, take a nap. For the enfranchised fan, this is one of the best episodes ever.