Comments on: Insider: Zero to Draft – Tough Decisions

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:34:51 +0000

In reply to QED2. I would have taken the 2nd Gray Merchant as well. Depending on your opponents' colors and the competitiveness of your store, the Temple might have even wheeled back to you.

By: QED2

QED2 — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 16:35:25 +0000

I would have taken the Merchant. This early in the draft, you want to cut and cut hard. I would’ve taken Merchant over any $5 or maybe $6 card.

This decision also depends on your prize payout, actually. If you need to spike the event to win prizes (say the payout is 12 packs to first place and nothing to everyone else), the Merchant is worth far more equity than the Temple. If the payout is very flat (3/2/2/2/1/1/1) then you slam Temple.

By: jjness83

jjness83 — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 14:09:32 +0000

I feel like with a draft, a money rare pick needs to be worth more to you than the potential prizes. If you were in an 8-4, you know you need to win 2 rounds to get 6 packs (or 4 if you’re unlucky and the opponent won’t accept the split). If you’re in a 4-3-2-2 (why?!) then you need to win 1 round to get 2 packs (~7.5 tix to a bot).

Real life prizes are obviously different: you can trade a pack at whatever dollar value your store sells them at.

So you get a guaranteed $3 buylist card, or you bet on your playskills and try to win more packs.

It’s easy to say slam the 2nd Gray Merchant and shut off enough black that while you lose the Gorgon, your left doesn’t move into the color at all. I just know personally that while many people say mono-black is strong in draft, I for the life of me cannot figure out how to draft a mono-black deck and every attempt I’ve made has left me with a control deck that requires me to summon every last bit of skill in me to win a game, let alone a match. So you’re right, I’d take the money rare too.

Guaranteed value vs Expected Value (EV): something to consider when “going infinite”.

By: Carl

Carl — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:25:36 +0000

I normally prefer the “keep what you draft” approach, but we’ve got a store in my city that has the most unorthodox draft payout that I’ve ever heard. I feel it totally discourages new players from participating:

Rare Redraft AND pack prizes for top finishers!

The biggest “winner takes all” draft there is. Get the best cards in the packs… then get more packs!

By: tmezzo

tmezzo — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:00:11 +0000

Redrafts are a dangerous beast. Usually only experienced players draft that form of tournament. What my local playgroup has established on non-draft days is a redraft with a pot. This is an event where people can pacdeck and pay a bit for prizes. After the draft store credit is distributed and there is a redraft. Anyone who wants to keep their card can put $5 store credit into the “pot.” Players who get picks in the redraft can pick a card or $5 credit. This way there’s a middle ground where players are safe when they open marquee cards and players are satisfied passing money for the strength of their deck.