The World Magic Cup Approaches (Patreon)

Welcome to the Patreon. I appreciate all of you for signing up, and I'm excited to deliver for you.

A couple of weeks ago, professional Magic player and Pro Tour legend Matej Zatlkaj contacted me through Twitter.  He had just watched my video on Thoughtseize and proposed we collaborate on a project.

Recently, Big Z qualified for the World Magic Cup, joining Pro Tour winner Ivan Floch and representing Team Slovakia come November. 

Matej has been around the scene for a long time, and he has pointed out to me the huge shift from Nationals (the tournament and structure prior to the introduction of the WMC in 2012) to the World Magic Cup, and all of its ramifications. Although the new system pits the game's best countries against one another in spectacular fashion, Nationals had one thing that WMC qualifiers do not: prestige. 

This week, I'll delve into researching the history of this tournament and provide a unique insight from one of its long time players.  In the meantime, please enjoy one of the most disheartening moments in Kibler's career (which ended up being the best Magic gif that year) that took place at the World Magic Cup's inauguration in 2012.