Comments on: Finally, a Tournament With Scaling Prizes

By: Ryan Overturf

Ryan Overturf — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 10:03:43 +0000

In reply to phyrexiantrader. While it's not a good method, it does seem like the most (only?) viable one.

By: Kurt Fruth

Kurt Fruth — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:41:45 +0000

In reply to Casey.

What do you think is more likely?

A: We can’t scale because it might violate gambling laws.

B: We don’t scale because we wouldn’t make as much money that way.

It could be a combination of the two, but I guarantee it’s likely 95% B and 5% A at most.

By: phyrexiantrader

phyrexiantrader — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:58:42 +0000

in Europe, organizers are responsible for the pay out. Some of them are known to be very very late in payment (and lack of communication).

About the life total difference. This way of defining a winner is an official one. If draw is not an option for the organization, than winner is defined by highest life total.
We should not care about the deck you play. You should make sure you finish your games on time!

By: Casey

Casey — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 04:42:31 +0000

In reply to Kurt Fruth. Not sure how it is a bs excuse? I would imagine that Magic walks a insanely fine line on gambling laws with things like the open series and GPs. Like so thin that they pray every day it doesn't get challenged.

By: Suh

Suh — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 01:10:33 +0000

Wizards does have scaling at GPS now (last 6 months) but they only scale from 65th to 100th and the again from 101st and beyond.

Nothing changes in top 64, which is where this new one shines…possibly.

By: Kurt Fruth

Kurt Fruth — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:39:17 +0000

They use the BS excuse ‘we can’t scale because then it’s like gambling’ to withhold more prize money based on attendance.

By: Casey

Casey — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:31:16 +0000

GPs for the past 6~ months have started scaling actually. GPNJ had a LOT more money than any prior GP. Also no mention of this being a new TCGPlayer alternative group?

By: Clone77

Clone77 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:50:47 +0000

I tend to agree that the innovations aren’t groundbreaking per se, but I would say that the author nicely touched on the point that the innovations are highly desirable. Also, though not explicitly stated, I feel like the innovations of the tournament are really crafted from a Player’s perspective as opposed to a “big business” perspective. I am definitely going to Cardmageddon to check it out, previously having only traveled as far as Phoenix from Tucson for a GP.

By: hax0r4l1f3

hax0r4l1f3 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:59:00 +0000

Although it isn’t directly advertised on the website, the cool thing about this tournament is that you can take breaks, letting you actually eat food or go to the bathroom.

By: beaneau

beaneau — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:58:07 +0000

While this is a great start, it is merely a cute innovation, and nothing groundbreaking. Why not simply grow incrementally for every 100 players? Why not designate a certain amount from each entry fee to go directly to the prize pool and then disperse it appropriately depending on the # of entries in the manner of a poker tournament?

My LGS, and probably many others, do just that for FNM. The pack or store credit payout is larger with more people. $5 entry fee equals 1.5 packs per entry towards the prize pool.

The above comment about the grand prix makes sense, wizards pays out what it wants to pay out, and the entry fee helps cover the overhead for the TO. Surprised WIzards doesn’t get any of it, but the TO probably pays them to host it.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:38:52 +0000

I’m fairly certain WotC covers all prize support at GPs, so the amount of money a TO does or doesn’t make when running them is immaterial to the prize structure.

By: iamnik77

iamnik77 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:38:38 +0000

Many of us have heard said before, “Magic is not poker”. Compared to poker, Magic offers little financial incentive for one’s accomplishments. There are no MTG tournaments with $500, $1000, or $5000 entry fees. But what if there were? In poker, the rewards available are proportionate to what players are willing to wager. I wonder if a market could be cultivated for high stakes Magic. More scaling prize tournaments, whether high stakes or not, would be a much welcomed trend in my opinion.