173: Focus on Your Decisions and What You Can Control with Adam Ragsdale

Adam Ragsdale is a former MTGO grinder and content producer turned current occasional traveler. He has 2 Grand Prix Top 8s, both in the last calendar year. Adam lives in Toronto.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Adam Ragsdale when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep173

First Set

Torment

Favorite Set

Mirrodin

Favorite Card

[draft]Arc-slogger[/draft]

What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?

Adam loves solving the puzzle using all the pieces of Magic.

Early Challenge

Time management. Playing too fast and too slow at different times.

Breakthrough Moment

First PPTQ win in 2006. Know the meta. Check the 5-0 lists from Magic Online and ask questions.

Worst Magic Moment

ProTour-Charleston circa 2006. Lost 4 times, got a bye and dropped.
You can’t let one tournament make you feel like you’re not good enough.

Proudest Magic Moment

GP Pittsburgh top 8.
If there is a “best” thing to be doing, do that thing. Play that deck.

Best Format

Standard

Deepest Thing You’ve Learned About Yourself

Adam tends to operate on instinct so he needs to prepare a lot.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Not playing the best deck. Not understanding the match up on a conceptual level.

What Have You Learned from Magic

Everything has a range of outcomes. Prepare as best as you can to guide to the most positive outcome.

Tournament Day Tips

Get a good amount of sleep and eat well. Book flights to get arrive at a decent time.

Improvement Suggestions

When you’re playing in a tournament, focus on your decisions and what you can control.

Connect With Adam Ragsdale

Twitter:@aWinnarIsYou

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Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com