I've always said good luck and offered a handshake before a match, and say "good game" and offer my hand regardless if I win or lose, even if I get destroyed. I usually tell them good luck in the next round too, if they win or lose, and I mean it genuinely-if I lose, I atleast hope the guy who beat me does well.
However, apparently in Magic etiquette, saying GG is impolite and rude for whatever reason...
What is the polite way to act after a game of magic, just sit there and say nothing?
I do notice that sometimes after I win, my opponent gets really butthurt and it's akward. I try to be polite, but they just sit there in silence and butthurt. Should I just sit there akwardly too and wait for them to leave? It's really weird.
I play basketball and used to play competitive sports growing up. Saying "good game" to your opponent and the end of a game was just a normal and basic thing. Even if the guy I'm guarding lights me up and shuts me down offensively, I tell him good game after the game and go for a fist bump. When I say GG in magic, it's not meant as a passive aggressive attack or anything, I just try to show basic decency and politeness and good sportsmanship.
What is universally considered the right way to act after a game of Magic? Am I expected to baby people who get emotional from losing a game of magic, and not say good game to them because it might set them off?
How do you act when your opponent is visibly upset? Do you just get up and leave without saying anything? That seems so awkward. Isn't leaving and saying nothing more impolite and rude than saying good game to your opponent?
Depends how the game panned out. If it was actually a "Good game", I feel like saying good game is totally acceptable. Good games consist of some back and forth and both players making active decisions during the game.
If it was a 1 sided crush fest, I try to be a bit more compassionate, and would appreciate the same from the opponent I just got crushed from. "Yeah, you were stuck on 2 lands, that really sucked." "Yeah, I drew perfect, I got lucky", etc. Saying "Good game" to a 2 lander game is just insulting.
I say "Good luck", generally before and after games of magic, just depends on the setting and how well I know my opponent.
There are no concise rules guiding human interaction.
I think some people ask questions like this because they are looking for permission to ignore the context and the humanity of their opponent in favor of saying something wrote and insincere. Others genuinely want to "do the right thing."
Unfortunately for both groups, there is no "right thing." Consider the idea that you can make someone enjoy losing when winning is important to them by saying some proscribed and insincere standardized phrase, given that you have done what they wanted to do and as a direct result, they can't. Now consider that you are expecting them to behave in a certain way, and that your actions have required them to sublimate their own feelings to play a part in your victory; to make you feel better about their feeling worse.
Having said that, it's not your job (indeed it'd be extremely arrogant even to consider it your purview) to make someone feel anything. Certainly you can be rude or pleasant, and for a myriad of reasons it's better to be pleasant, but ultimately your opponents feelings are their responsibility, as are the feelings and opinions of those who may comment on your behavior post-match.
If I were to try to avoid having people think badly of my behavior, I'd be polite and up-beat when losing, and I would let my opponent set the pace and camber of interaction when I win. If they are reticent, politely but without unnecessary patter facilitate clean-up and match resolution and then leave. If they are talkative, be up-beat and positive. In any case, avoid saying things that are untrue, unkind, or unnecessary. These are the three kinds of things that may cause trouble in discourse. If you avoid them, then although people may feel or think badly, you have not done anything to unduly precipitate those thoughts or feelings.
In any case, avoid saying things that are untrue, unkind, or unnecessary. These are the three kinds of things that may cause trouble in discourse. If you avoid them, then although people may feel or think badly, you have not done anything to unduly precipitate those thoughts or feelings.
Ah, the three sieves of Socrates. Saying "Good game" after playing someone in a game, whether I win or lose, is true, kind and necessary in my world view. Thank you for the moral discourse!
I agree with Pablo. If I crush my opponent, then I'll say "good luck in the next round". If I win due to my opponent getting mana-screwed or they mulligan to four then I would never say "good game" because it very clearly and obviously wasn't. It's patronizing at best and completely disingenuous and disrespectful at worst. I like to win, but I don't like to completely ruin someone else's day. Especially at FNM where plenty of newer players tend to get their first taste of non-kitchen table competition.
"Good game" if it actually was for both of us. "Good luck in the next round" if it was a blowout on my end. If someone crushes me and then says "good game" I'll shake their hand and pack up my stuff. I don't respond to something like that.
In any case, avoid saying things that are untrue, unkind, or unnecessary. These are the three kinds of things that may cause trouble in discourse. If you avoid them, then although people may feel or think badly, you have not done anything to unduly precipitate those thoughts or feelings.
Ah, the three sieves of Socrates. Saying "Good game" after playing someone in a game, whether I win or lose, is true, kind and necessary in my world view. Thank you for the moral discourse!
Hypothetical scenario--you're in game 3 with an opponent and they mulligan to four and scoop after not seeing a 2nd land in a reasonable amount of time. Do you say "good game"? (hypothetical scenario for you, but this actually happened to me)
Just act like a decent human being. I know that Magic players are generally stereotyped as being a socially awkward bunch, but surely you can muster basic respect no matter how a match plays out. If I'm just getting crushed, I tend to joke it off and move on. If I think someone played an awesome game, I'll tell them that. If I think they screwed up, I keep it to myself unless they ask for my advice.
If I win because my opponent got screwed, I tend to say "Sorry man. You got screwed on that one." They know it. I know it. Acknowledging it is just my way of saying "We didn't really get to play, you shouldn't take that game as indication of anything other than bad luck." If I lose because I got screwed, I tend to not say anything, as there is nothing I can say that won't sound like I'm making excuses or taking away from their victory.
Just be a good sport either way. A lot of players could take a few lesson on losing with grace and, likewise, winning with humility. If I lose a match, I'm the first one to extend the hand and smile. If I win a match, I tend to let my reaction roll with whatever my opponent is feeling. If they look seriously angry, I'm not going to try and cheer them up or say something trite. If they don't offer the handshake while scooping up their stuff, I'll always offer one before I leave the table and wish them luck with the rest of the tournament.
Just act like a decent human being. I know that Magic players are generally stereotyped as being a socially awkward bunch, but surely you can muster basic respect no matter how a match plays out. If I'm just getting crushed, I tend to joke it off and move on. If I think someone played an awesome game, I'll tell them that. If I think they screwed up, I keep it to myself unless they ask for my advice.
If I win because my opponent got screwed, I tend to say "Sorry man. You got screwed on that one." They know it. I know it. Acknowledging it is just my way of saying "We didn't really get to play, you shouldn't take that game as indication of anything other than bad luck." If I lose because I got screwed, I tend to not say anything, as there is nothing I can say that won't sound like I'm making excuses or taking away from their victory.
Just be a good sport either way. A lot of players could take a few lesson on losing with grace and, likewise, winning with humility. If I lose a match, I'm the first one to extend the hand and smile. If I win a match, I tend to let my reaction roll with whatever my opponent is feeling. If they look seriously angry, I'm not going to try and cheer them up or say something trite. If they don't offer the handshake while scooping up their stuff, I'll always offer one before I leave the table and wish them luck with the rest of the tournament.
This is it right here. Yes, it may take some effort on your part, but that's what human interaction is.
I never say good game myself. Even if it was a close game and went back and forth, I will not say good game. You never know how the opponent will take that. I have had close games in which I drew 8 land to 4 spells. The games seemed close, but in reality I drew twice as many lands as spells in a deck that has 21 lands. I can never be too happy about that. I always say "good luck in your next match" however because I genuinely want them to do well (for my tiebreakers ). Sometimes I make a comment about how I got lucky with so and so or they got unlucky with so and so, but I think this is actually unnecessary for the most part.
Also, everyone has a bad day. After losing in the top 8 of our Store Invitational to the same player who beat me in the Swiss, I got verbally upset at myself after drawing all of my Monastery Swiftspear the first 4 turns, without drawing a single land. Although it was a bit awkward, I still said good luck next round. I hope he realized that I was not upset at him, but just upset with my own shuffling. Everyone has their days and how one acts when losing really shows the true character of the player. That's something that I have to work on. (While I usually do well, occasionally I just am really upset to be failing so badly at shuffling in a game that is decided by it.)
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I agree with Pablo. If I crush my opponent, then I'll say "good luck in the next round". If I win due to my opponent getting mana-screwed or they mulligan to four then I would never say "good game" because it very clearly and obviously wasn't. It's patronizing at best and completely disingenuous and disrespectful at worst. I like to win, but I don't like to completely ruin someone else's day. Especially at FNM where plenty of newer players tend to get their first taste of non-kitchen table competition.
"Good game" if it actually was for both of us. "Good luck in the next round" if it was a blowout on my end. If someone crushes me and then says "good game" I'll shake their hand and pack up my stuff. I don't respond to something like that.
In any case, avoid saying things that are untrue, unkind, or unnecessary. These are the three kinds of things that may cause trouble in discourse. If you avoid them, then although people may feel or think badly, you have not done anything to unduly precipitate those thoughts or feelings.
Ah, the three sieves of Socrates. Saying "Good game" after playing someone in a game, whether I win or lose, is true, kind and necessary in my world view. Thank you for the moral discourse!
Hypothetical scenario--you're in game 3 with an opponent and they mulligan to four and scoop after not seeing a 2nd land in a reasonable amount of time. Do you say "good game"? (hypothetical scenario for you, but this actually happened to me)
You are interpreting basic common sportsmanship in a very personal and negative way. If someone loses to bad draws or mana screw, they should accept that it happens because it's part of the game and always has been and always will be. If you go in to a big tournament, you should know in advance that you will always lose at least 1-2 games from mana screw/bad draws. Don't throw a little tantrum and take it out on your opponent when it happens. Are you saying that someone telling you good game and offering to shake your hand when you lose would "ruin your day"?
In chess, people shake hands before and after the game, even if someone messes up and blunders, shaking hands and saying good game is common courtesy and there is nothing demeaning or patronizing about it, unless you choose to interpret it that way.
In your hypothetical situation, yes I'd still shake hands and say "good game", then I would say they got mana screwed and it was bad luck and it sucks. If their deck was cool and fun to play against, I'll tell them that it was, whether they won or lost. Is small talk at FNM with a person you just played a game of magic with considered "bad magic etiquette" now too? I play magic to win but also to have fun. Should I turn off my personality and start walking on eggshells incase my opponent starts throwing a little whingy tantrum after I beat them?
You are interpreting basic common sportsmanship in a very personal and negative way.
The thing is, not everyone knows or follows the common-sportsmanship interpretation. There are two ways that people could interpret the phrase "good game":
1. Standard phrase used to indicate appreciation of the opportunity to play, with no specific meaning otherwise.
2. Literal interpretation: The game was interesting or proceeded in a satisfactory manner.
There is definitely a trend in some circles where the second interpretation is more common. I've also seen a lot of cases (particularly online) where people say "GG" only when they're winning. At a ballpark estimate, when playing random games on MTGO, 80% of the time I see someone else say "GG" it's synonymous with "I'm going to swing for lethal now/This is the spell that kills you/etc." (Off topic, but it's always satisfying to pull out an answer in those cases!) This usage is common enough that there is a real chance that "good game" spoken by the winner could be interpreted this way, which in turn sounds like rubbing it in if the game was particularly lopsided. This is why I don't use the phrase in person unless (a) I lost and it was a reasonably close game or (b) the game was interesting and the opponent was clearly having fun.
Why does it matter to you if someone says "good luck in the next round" vs. "good game"? The former is a phrase that can be applied in all scenarios--the latter is more subjective.
You are interpreting basic common sportsmanship in a very personal and negative way.
The thing is, not everyone knows or follows the common-sportsmanship interpretation. There are two ways that people could interpret the phrase "good game":
1. Standard phrase used to indicate appreciation of the opportunity to play, with no specific meaning otherwise.
2. Literal interpretation: The game was interesting or proceeded in a satisfactory manner.
There is definitely a trend in some circles where the second interpretation is more common. I've also seen a lot of cases (particularly online) where people say "GG" only when they're winning. At a ballpark estimate, when playing random games on MTGO, 80% of the time I see someone else say "GG" it's synonymous with "I'm going to swing for lethal now/This is the spell that kills you/etc." (Off topic, but it's always satisfying to pull out an answer in those cases!) This usage is common enough that there is a real chance that "good game" spoken by the winner could be interpreted this way, which in turn sounds like rubbing it in if the game was particularly lopsided. This is why I don't use the phrase in person unless (a) I lost and it was a reasonably close game or (b) the game was interesting and the opponent was clearly having fun.
If people don't understand basic common sportsmanship and social cues, that is on them. It is not up to me to walk on eggshells, change my personality, and baby people in case they might take a polite social nicety that I give them personally in a negative way.
I don't have to walk on eggshells and baby people in other aspects of my life, in other competitive things I do, so why should I do it while playing magic?
You are interpreting basic common sportsmanship in a very personal and negative way.
The thing is, not everyone knows or follows the common-sportsmanship interpretation. There are two ways that people could interpret the phrase "good game":
1. Standard phrase used to indicate appreciation of the opportunity to play, with no specific meaning otherwise.
2. Literal interpretation: The game was interesting or proceeded in a satisfactory manner.
There is definitely a trend in some circles where the second interpretation is more common. I've also seen a lot of cases (particularly online) where people say "GG" only when they're winning. At a ballpark estimate, when playing random games on MTGO, 80% of the time I see someone else say "GG" it's synonymous with "I'm going to swing for lethal now/This is the spell that kills you/etc." (Off topic, but it's always satisfying to pull out an answer in those cases!) This usage is common enough that there is a real chance that "good game" spoken by the winner could be interpreted this way, which in turn sounds like rubbing it in if the game was particularly lopsided. This is why I don't use the phrase in person unless (a) I lost and it was a reasonably close game or (b) the game was interesting and the opponent was clearly having fun.
If people don't understand basic common sportsmanship and social cues, that is on them. It is not up to me to walk on eggshells, change my personality, and baby people in case they might take a polite social nicety that I give them personally in a negative way.
I don't have to walk on eggshells and baby people in other aspects of my life, in other competitive things I do, so why should I do it while playing magic?
Yeah, well, that's like, your opinion, man.
This has nothing to do with "babying" an opponent. You were asking us what we say after a match and and why we say it. You seem offended that there are people who disagree with your view on the phrase. Just play the game the way you always have been. Neither method is inherently wrong (good game vs. good luck...)--it's just a matter of personal preference.
I think people need to stop being so PC sensitive. Say good match/game whatever after your game, just be friendly and you'll be fine.
This isn't people being "too PC" about something. It's people who have had bad experiences from opponents flipping out at them over saying "good game".
This is a problem that doesn't exist in sports, etc. This is purely something that salty people have decided they are going to get mad about. As Patrick Chapin and others said in that same Twitter conversation, good game is "Thanks for not trying to cheat me and not being a jerk". It's not supposed to be some statement on how close the game was or anything like that. Because some losers will always be sore losers. First it's "not a good game" because of mana flood/screw. Then it's "not a good game" because they didn't draw the specific cards they wanted or you drew too well or your deck was essentially a counter to there's. On and on, you name it. And do you really want close games anyway? If I make a great meta call and just stomp the field, I prefer that to almost losing every game. The idea is that you played by the rules and you were sportsmanlike throughout.
Before the game I say "May you mulligan" jokingly if it's someone I've played before. Otherwise I'll shake my opponent's hand and introduce myself.
After the game I'll only say "good game" if it was just that - a good, close game. Otherwise I'll thank my opponent for the games and ask to trade or whatever. I almost always make small talk before and after a game, including strategy and deck discussion.
I like to leave the table with a smile and hope my opponent does the same, regardless who wins. I think taking offense to "good luck" or "good game" is strange.
Don't underestimate how someone may see something different than yourself. Someone may take "good game" as "the game we just played in was competitive." They may even misread your facial expressions. They may take this as some rubbing it in after the match. That would enflame many a people.
But in the end, I don't think that a Pro should condone not saying "good game." This looks bad and just gives people more of an excuse to take everything personally and be too sensitive. It's a game! Sure the payout can be quite a bit at times, but you have to remember that it is a game with variance. Just like what I said before. It's how someone acts when they are losing that shows how professional that person is.
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i always let my oponent do the first movement or say the first thing because i don't know want to say the wrong thing but i usually say "that was close" or "i was just lucky"
I think people need to stop being so PC sensitive. Say good match/game whatever after your game, just be friendly and you'll be fine.
This isn't people being "too PC" about something. It's people who have had bad experiences from opponents flipping out at them over saying "good game".
This is a problem that doesn't exist in sports, etc. This is purely something that salty people have decided they are going to get mad about. As Patrick Chapin and others said in that same Twitter conversation, good game is "Thanks for not trying to cheat me and not being a jerk". It's not supposed to be some statement on how close the game was or anything like that. Because some losers will always be sore losers. First it's "not a good game" because of mana flood/screw. Then it's "not a good game" because they didn't draw the specific cards they wanted or you drew too well or your deck was essentially a counter to there's. On and on, you name it. And do you really want close games anyway? If I make a great meta call and just stomp the field, I prefer that to almost losing every game. The idea is that you played by the rules and you were sportsmanlike throughout.
If someone is flipping out over being told Good Game, then the problem isn't with the person who says "good game" but rather with the spoiled brat who is angry over a traditional phrase of good sportsmanship. Why shame and punish the person who is in the right, over the actions of the brat?
The words aren't important. The feelings behind them are. Shining people on with "good game" is a common thing. The words can be innocuous, but you can't tell me that people playing football or soccer or baseball might not start a brawl over a couple of innocent words dripping in sarcasm or derision. At least Magic players don't go around throwing punches for the most part.
In the end, I don't care what my opponent thinks at an event unless we actually had a mutually good time playing the game. And that's easy to tell - hearty laughs from the both of us, etc. I stick with the standard, "Good luck with the next round" win or lose, unless I'm playing someone I know. Then I don't mind saying Good Game because we have a history of not being dicks to each other.
The self righteousness attached to these words is archaic anyways. Anyone whose played FPS for any length of time knows this.
I think people need to stop being so PC sensitive. Say good match/game whatever after your game, just be friendly and you'll be fine.
This isn't people being "too PC" about something. It's people who have had bad experiences from opponents flipping out at them over saying "good game".
This is a problem that doesn't exist in sports, etc. This is purely something that salty people have decided they are going to get mad about. As Patrick Chapin and others said in that same Twitter conversation, good game is "Thanks for not trying to cheat me and not being a jerk". It's not supposed to be some statement on how close the game was or anything like that. Because some losers will always be sore losers. First it's "not a good game" because of mana flood/screw. Then it's "not a good game" because they didn't draw the specific cards they wanted or you drew too well or your deck was essentially a counter to there's. On and on, you name it. And do you really want close games anyway? If I make a great meta call and just stomp the field, I prefer that to almost losing every game. The idea is that you played by the rules and you were sportsmanlike throughout.
If someone is flipping out over being told Good Game, then the problem isn't with the person who says "good game" but rather with the spoiled brat who is angry over a traditional phrase of good sportsmanship. Why shame and punish the person who is in the right, over the actions of the brat?
The polite thing to do is to offer your hand and say "good game". If your opponent whines about it not being a good game, that's their problem, not yours. They're the one being impolite, not you. Sportsmanship is sportsmanship, regardless of what game is being played.
Don't underestimate how someone may see something different than yourself. Someone may take "good game" as "the game we just played in was competitive." They may even misread your facial expressions. They may take this as some rubbing it in after the match. That would enflame many a people.
This might be true. But you can't expect people to change how they interact with people and walk on eggshells while playing magic because 1 in 50 people isn't capable of understanding basic social cues and common courtesy.
The words aren't important. The feelings behind them are. Shining people on with "good game" is a common thing. The words can be innocuous, but you can't tell me that people playing football or soccer or baseball might not start a brawl over a couple of innocent words dripping in sarcasm or derision. At least Magic players don't go around throwing punches for the most part.
That never happens though, or atleast very rarely does. Because when most people say good game, they understand it is simple basic courtesy, and doesn't mean any more than it means. Flipping out over someone telling you "good game" is the same as flipping out after some one says "hello" to you. Magic players instead of throwing punches tend to throw little passive aggressive bratty tantrums.
Many worship the group the pros walk on, and pros telling these people that "good game" is bad is only going to add to the flames lol.
There is very little "self righteousness" involved with the phrase "good game". If you are assuming self righteousness when you hear those words, then the problem is you, homie.
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However, apparently in Magic etiquette, saying GG is impolite and rude for whatever reason...
What is the polite way to act after a game of magic, just sit there and say nothing?
I do notice that sometimes after I win, my opponent gets really butthurt and it's akward. I try to be polite, but they just sit there in silence and butthurt. Should I just sit there akwardly too and wait for them to leave? It's really weird.
I play basketball and used to play competitive sports growing up. Saying "good game" to your opponent and the end of a game was just a normal and basic thing. Even if the guy I'm guarding lights me up and shuts me down offensively, I tell him good game after the game and go for a fist bump. When I say GG in magic, it's not meant as a passive aggressive attack or anything, I just try to show basic decency and politeness and good sportsmanship.
What is universally considered the right way to act after a game of Magic? Am I expected to baby people who get emotional from losing a game of magic, and not say good game to them because it might set them off?
How do you act when your opponent is visibly upset? Do you just get up and leave without saying anything? That seems so awkward. Isn't leaving and saying nothing more impolite and rude than saying good game to your opponent?
If it was a 1 sided crush fest, I try to be a bit more compassionate, and would appreciate the same from the opponent I just got crushed from. "Yeah, you were stuck on 2 lands, that really sucked." "Yeah, I drew perfect, I got lucky", etc. Saying "Good game" to a 2 lander game is just insulting.
I say "Good luck", generally before and after games of magic, just depends on the setting and how well I know my opponent.
I think some people ask questions like this because they are looking for permission to ignore the context and the humanity of their opponent in favor of saying something wrote and insincere. Others genuinely want to "do the right thing."
Unfortunately for both groups, there is no "right thing." Consider the idea that you can make someone enjoy losing when winning is important to them by saying some proscribed and insincere standardized phrase, given that you have done what they wanted to do and as a direct result, they can't. Now consider that you are expecting them to behave in a certain way, and that your actions have required them to sublimate their own feelings to play a part in your victory; to make you feel better about their feeling worse.
Having said that, it's not your job (indeed it'd be extremely arrogant even to consider it your purview) to make someone feel anything. Certainly you can be rude or pleasant, and for a myriad of reasons it's better to be pleasant, but ultimately your opponents feelings are their responsibility, as are the feelings and opinions of those who may comment on your behavior post-match.
If I were to try to avoid having people think badly of my behavior, I'd be polite and up-beat when losing, and I would let my opponent set the pace and camber of interaction when I win. If they are reticent, politely but without unnecessary patter facilitate clean-up and match resolution and then leave. If they are talkative, be up-beat and positive. In any case, avoid saying things that are untrue, unkind, or unnecessary. These are the three kinds of things that may cause trouble in discourse. If you avoid them, then although people may feel or think badly, you have not done anything to unduly precipitate those thoughts or feelings.
Ah, the three sieves of Socrates. Saying "Good game" after playing someone in a game, whether I win or lose, is true, kind and necessary in my world view. Thank you for the moral discourse!
"Good game" if it actually was for both of us. "Good luck in the next round" if it was a blowout on my end. If someone crushes me and then says "good game" I'll shake their hand and pack up my stuff. I don't respond to something like that.
Hypothetical scenario--you're in game 3 with an opponent and they mulligan to four and scoop after not seeing a 2nd land in a reasonable amount of time. Do you say "good game"? (hypothetical scenario for you, but this actually happened to me)
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If I win because my opponent got screwed, I tend to say "Sorry man. You got screwed on that one." They know it. I know it. Acknowledging it is just my way of saying "We didn't really get to play, you shouldn't take that game as indication of anything other than bad luck." If I lose because I got screwed, I tend to not say anything, as there is nothing I can say that won't sound like I'm making excuses or taking away from their victory.
Just be a good sport either way. A lot of players could take a few lesson on losing with grace and, likewise, winning with humility. If I lose a match, I'm the first one to extend the hand and smile. If I win a match, I tend to let my reaction roll with whatever my opponent is feeling. If they look seriously angry, I'm not going to try and cheer them up or say something trite. If they don't offer the handshake while scooping up their stuff, I'll always offer one before I leave the table and wish them luck with the rest of the tournament.
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This is it right here. Yes, it may take some effort on your part, but that's what human interaction is.
I never say good game myself. Even if it was a close game and went back and forth, I will not say good game. You never know how the opponent will take that. I have had close games in which I drew 8 land to 4 spells. The games seemed close, but in reality I drew twice as many lands as spells in a deck that has 21 lands. I can never be too happy about that. I always say "good luck in your next match" however because I genuinely want them to do well (for my tiebreakers ). Sometimes I make a comment about how I got lucky with so and so or they got unlucky with so and so, but I think this is actually unnecessary for the most part.
Also, everyone has a bad day. After losing in the top 8 of our Store Invitational to the same player who beat me in the Swiss, I got verbally upset at myself after drawing all of my Monastery Swiftspear the first 4 turns, without drawing a single land. Although it was a bit awkward, I still said good luck next round. I hope he realized that I was not upset at him, but just upset with my own shuffling. Everyone has their days and how one acts when losing really shows the true character of the player. That's something that I have to work on. (While I usually do well, occasionally I just am really upset to be failing so badly at shuffling in a game that is decided by it.)
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)You are interpreting basic common sportsmanship in a very personal and negative way. If someone loses to bad draws or mana screw, they should accept that it happens because it's part of the game and always has been and always will be. If you go in to a big tournament, you should know in advance that you will always lose at least 1-2 games from mana screw/bad draws. Don't throw a little tantrum and take it out on your opponent when it happens. Are you saying that someone telling you good game and offering to shake your hand when you lose would "ruin your day"?
In chess, people shake hands before and after the game, even if someone messes up and blunders, shaking hands and saying good game is common courtesy and there is nothing demeaning or patronizing about it, unless you choose to interpret it that way.
In your hypothetical situation, yes I'd still shake hands and say "good game", then I would say they got mana screwed and it was bad luck and it sucks. If their deck was cool and fun to play against, I'll tell them that it was, whether they won or lost. Is small talk at FNM with a person you just played a game of magic with considered "bad magic etiquette" now too? I play magic to win but also to have fun. Should I turn off my personality and start walking on eggshells incase my opponent starts throwing a little whingy tantrum after I beat them?
I find it awkward to want someone to have good luck in a competition.
I am very neutral on the my greetings.
Selling some cards I don't want.
Generally less than tcg mid.
1. Standard phrase used to indicate appreciation of the opportunity to play, with no specific meaning otherwise.
2. Literal interpretation: The game was interesting or proceeded in a satisfactory manner.
There is definitely a trend in some circles where the second interpretation is more common. I've also seen a lot of cases (particularly online) where people say "GG" only when they're winning. At a ballpark estimate, when playing random games on MTGO, 80% of the time I see someone else say "GG" it's synonymous with "I'm going to swing for lethal now/This is the spell that kills you/etc." (Off topic, but it's always satisfying to pull out an answer in those cases!) This usage is common enough that there is a real chance that "good game" spoken by the winner could be interpreted this way, which in turn sounds like rubbing it in if the game was particularly lopsided. This is why I don't use the phrase in person unless (a) I lost and it was a reasonably close game or (b) the game was interesting and the opponent was clearly having fun.
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EDH Altered Cards by Galspanic (Seriously, this guy's awesome.)
My Pauper Cube
Tapped-Out Simulator
My Trade Thread
-Decks-
Commander:
GWR Rith, the Awakener RWG
U Kami of the Crescent Moon U (Flagship Deck)
BW Teysa, Orzhov Scion WB
Under Construction:
UBR Crosis, the Purger RBU
Cube:
WUBRGX Pauper XGRBUW
If people don't understand basic common sportsmanship and social cues, that is on them. It is not up to me to walk on eggshells, change my personality, and baby people in case they might take a polite social nicety that I give them personally in a negative way.
I don't have to walk on eggshells and baby people in other aspects of my life, in other competitive things I do, so why should I do it while playing magic?
Yeah, well, that's like, your opinion, man.
This has nothing to do with "babying" an opponent. You were asking us what we say after a match and and why we say it. You seem offended that there are people who disagree with your view on the phrase. Just play the game the way you always have been. Neither method is inherently wrong (good game vs. good luck...)--it's just a matter of personal preference.
Signature courtesy of Rivenor and Miraculous Recovery
EDH Altered Cards by Galspanic (Seriously, this guy's awesome.)
My Pauper Cube
Tapped-Out Simulator
My Trade Thread
-Decks-
Commander:
GWR Rith, the Awakener RWG
U Kami of the Crescent Moon U (Flagship Deck)
BW Teysa, Orzhov Scion WB
Under Construction:
UBR Crosis, the Purger RBU
Cube:
WUBRGX Pauper XGRBUW
My current trade binder.
"People most likely to cry "troll" are those who can't fathom holding a position for reasons unrelated to how they want to be perceived"
Selling some cards I don't want.
Generally less than tcg mid.
This isn't people being "too PC" about something. It's people who have had bad experiences from opponents flipping out at them over saying "good game".
This is a problem that doesn't exist in sports, etc. This is purely something that salty people have decided they are going to get mad about. As Patrick Chapin and others said in that same Twitter conversation, good game is "Thanks for not trying to cheat me and not being a jerk". It's not supposed to be some statement on how close the game was or anything like that. Because some losers will always be sore losers. First it's "not a good game" because of mana flood/screw. Then it's "not a good game" because they didn't draw the specific cards they wanted or you drew too well or your deck was essentially a counter to there's. On and on, you name it. And do you really want close games anyway? If I make a great meta call and just stomp the field, I prefer that to almost losing every game. The idea is that you played by the rules and you were sportsmanlike throughout.
After the game I'll only say "good game" if it was just that - a good, close game. Otherwise I'll thank my opponent for the games and ask to trade or whatever. I almost always make small talk before and after a game, including strategy and deck discussion.
I like to leave the table with a smile and hope my opponent does the same, regardless who wins. I think taking offense to "good luck" or "good game" is strange.
But in the end, I don't think that a Pro should condone not saying "good game." This looks bad and just gives people more of an excuse to take everything personally and be too sensitive. It's a game! Sure the payout can be quite a bit at times, but you have to remember that it is a game with variance. Just like what I said before. It's how someone acts when they are losing that shows how professional that person is.
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)If someone is flipping out over being told Good Game, then the problem isn't with the person who says "good game" but rather with the spoiled brat who is angry over a traditional phrase of good sportsmanship. Why shame and punish the person who is in the right, over the actions of the brat?
My current trade binder.
"People most likely to cry "troll" are those who can't fathom holding a position for reasons unrelated to how they want to be perceived"
In the end, I don't care what my opponent thinks at an event unless we actually had a mutually good time playing the game. And that's easy to tell - hearty laughs from the both of us, etc. I stick with the standard, "Good luck with the next round" win or lose, unless I'm playing someone I know. Then I don't mind saying Good Game because we have a history of not being dicks to each other.
The self righteousness attached to these words is archaic anyways. Anyone whose played FPS for any length of time knows this.
This might be true. But you can't expect people to change how they interact with people and walk on eggshells while playing magic because 1 in 50 people isn't capable of understanding basic social cues and common courtesy.
That never happens though, or atleast very rarely does. Because when most people say good game, they understand it is simple basic courtesy, and doesn't mean any more than it means. Flipping out over someone telling you "good game" is the same as flipping out after some one says "hello" to you. Magic players instead of throwing punches tend to throw little passive aggressive bratty tantrums.
Many worship the group the pros walk on, and pros telling these people that "good game" is bad is only going to add to the flames lol.
There is very little "self righteousness" involved with the phrase "good game". If you are assuming self righteousness when you hear those words, then the problem is you, homie.