There is a timer in the MTG Judge app for both iOS and Android. The one for the iPhone is better, in my opinion, but I haven't actually called a draft with the Android one yet.
I've not been to a Star City open, but I have been to lots of big events. Some things you will need for the event:
Deck
Deck box. Make sure that your deck and sideboard only are in it. Tokens are acceptable too, just don't leave a lot of other cards in the box. It can sometimes cause a problem at a deckcheck.
Make sure you know your sideboard and remember to change it back. I have given more game losses at the beginning of a round for failure to de-side a deck than I care to admit.
Pencil and paper. At comp REL, you need to keep track of life totals for you and your opponent.
A water bottle. Make sure you drink plenty of water and have plenty to eat throughout the course of the event. A water bottle is cheap (if you bring it with you) and there will probably be drinking fountains to refill it. You may or may not be able to bring in food depending on the venue.
I like using a playmat, but that's a preference. These events can get crowded, and a playmat defines your space at the table.
Make sure you keep track of your stuff. Don't leave your bag for a second, or it will be gone. I'm serious about this one. When you sit at the table, wrap your bag around your leg, don't set it on the floor behind your chair or it will be gone. I have been to many events were someone's stuff gets stolen. Keep an eye on it.
Trading, know what your stuff is worth and don't trade for less. One thing I hate seeing is people who ask "what do you value this at"? In my experience they want to see if you think it's worth less than it really is. A lot of people will trade fair, but there are tons who are "trading for value", which is a fancy way saying they want a better deal than you. Know what your stuff is worth.
If there is any problem during a match, raise your hand and yell for a judge. That's what we are there for. Don't try to fix it your self.
Make sure you remember your triggers and know how missed triggers work at comp REL.
I'm sure I'm missing stuff....but remember. Have a good time.
I got one of those with 2 MBS intro packs, 50 of the 60 foil cards from Fire and Lightning (the 10 good cards displayed in the PDS package were missing) and the Kamigawa starter deck with a Sensei's Divining Top (snakes, I think).
The cost of activating each of these abilities is (in part), to sacrifice a creature. Since you can't sacrifice the same creature to pay the cost of both abilities, you can only do one or the other.
We got our official distribution number for the set, and we are apparently getting 5! Kind of silly to be happy about getting a whole 5 of them, but hey, 5 is better than 4, so Ill take it :p.
There were some great deals to be had on cards if you didn't really care about them being English cards. I got a Japanese Boseiju for $4 and then got it autographed.
My buddy and I also got some foil cards out of a binder for $1-3 each. Total value was about $80 and we spent $17. I got a Sword of the Meek foil for $1. Seems real good.
TBW
PS Pastimes is always late running their events, but this year wasn't nearly as bad as some of them have been. My biggest complaint is hiring judges who can't yell....no one ever can hear the announcements.
This is very common. I have lived in Iowa, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Including trips to conventions, retailers everywhere I have lived almost always buy at 50% what they are going to sell the single card for.
In general, in retail, all products that you buy at a store, the store probably paid half for it.
First, the quality is a bit better than a standard poster. They look great, even though the originals are about 7".
You can order them directly from John Avon. He will sign them for you, but there is a extra charge for these. Found the prices on his website. It was cheaper to buy them from Star City. That being said, if I had to do it again, I would buy from him direct and pay to have them signed. Because that would be awesome.
Custom framing is super expensive. I bought a mid range frame for each of these from Michael's. They had ones that are 24x36 with a black sheet that allows you to have a black background. The ones that I bought were $32.99 each, but with Micheals, nothing is ever regular price. Mine were 40% off on sale this week. I got another 20% off from a store employee, but I think that you can find that coupon online. All said, they were $80 plus tax for the set.
I know that this is expensive, but they look incredible.
However rumor has it that during the AVR prerelease where I play, one kid threw a Bonfire of the Damned in the trash after opening it because he hated the card. Apparently about 4 kids dove towards the trashcan trying to be the first to pull it out.
If you play at All Stars at Oxford Valley Mall, it's a true story. He dumped the whole sealed deck into the trash at the Sunday prerelease. I got the bonfire and most of the deck. A couple cards went to another guy. Bonfire was only $6 at the time.
I would love to see tokens in the core set that are cards on the reserve list. Think about a Black Lotus token card. Or a Mox. Basically a reprint of the great cards from the early days on as tokens.
After reading this thread I kind of want one....how big is an uncut sheet?
They are pretty big. There are 121 cards on the sheet, 11 rows of 11 cards. In addition, there is a border around the edges with color samples, lot and serial numbers and and marking for the printing/cutting machines.
They end up being somewhat bigger than a standard poster. It costs quite a bit to get them framed. Mine was probably $250....on sale.
Well worth it. I have a five uncut sheets from Lord of the Rings TCG....those I will probably sell someday, but I'm keeping my Magic one.
Here's the thing. The reserve list is a pain in the rear for the vast majority of players.
It will stay in place until someone at Hasbro says "what's this reserve list thing all about" followed by "how much could reprinting this stuff put in our pocket" followed by "what do you mean the reserve list isn't a binding legal document"?
At that point, the reserve list is toast. Three people will be pissed at our store and the other 40-50 semi regular players will rejoice.
Deck
Deck box. Make sure that your deck and sideboard only are in it. Tokens are acceptable too, just don't leave a lot of other cards in the box. It can sometimes cause a problem at a deckcheck.
Make sure you know your sideboard and remember to change it back. I have given more game losses at the beginning of a round for failure to de-side a deck than I care to admit.
Pencil and paper. At comp REL, you need to keep track of life totals for you and your opponent.
A water bottle. Make sure you drink plenty of water and have plenty to eat throughout the course of the event. A water bottle is cheap (if you bring it with you) and there will probably be drinking fountains to refill it. You may or may not be able to bring in food depending on the venue.
I like using a playmat, but that's a preference. These events can get crowded, and a playmat defines your space at the table.
Make sure you keep track of your stuff. Don't leave your bag for a second, or it will be gone. I'm serious about this one. When you sit at the table, wrap your bag around your leg, don't set it on the floor behind your chair or it will be gone. I have been to many events were someone's stuff gets stolen. Keep an eye on it.
Trading, know what your stuff is worth and don't trade for less. One thing I hate seeing is people who ask "what do you value this at"? In my experience they want to see if you think it's worth less than it really is. A lot of people will trade fair, but there are tons who are "trading for value", which is a fancy way saying they want a better deal than you. Know what your stuff is worth.
If there is any problem during a match, raise your hand and yell for a judge. That's what we are there for. Don't try to fix it your self.
Make sure you remember your triggers and know how missed triggers work at comp REL.
I'm sure I'm missing stuff....but remember. Have a good time.
TBW
Not bad for $30.
TBW
Our store is getting five as well.
TBW
My buddy and I also got some foil cards out of a binder for $1-3 each. Total value was about $80 and we spent $17. I got a Sword of the Meek foil for $1. Seems real good.
TBW
PS Pastimes is always late running their events, but this year wasn't nearly as bad as some of them have been. My biggest complaint is hiring judges who can't yell....no one ever can hear the announcements.
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=263351
And here (the really long version) with a pic at the bottom:
http://obliquediversions.com/2011/03/uncut-sheets—the-rarest-of-tcg-collectibles/
Other than that, I have won a couple local tournaments but nothing else like the sheet.
TBW
In general, in retail, all products that you buy at a store, the store probably paid half for it.
There is nothing unusual about this.
It's part of the business.
TBW
Hey, that's my sheet! Cool!
TBW
First, the quality is a bit better than a standard poster. They look great, even though the originals are about 7".
You can order them directly from John Avon. He will sign them for you, but there is a extra charge for these. Found the prices on his website. It was cheaper to buy them from Star City. That being said, if I had to do it again, I would buy from him direct and pay to have them signed. Because that would be awesome.
Custom framing is super expensive. I bought a mid range frame for each of these from Michael's. They had ones that are 24x36 with a black sheet that allows you to have a black background. The ones that I bought were $32.99 each, but with Micheals, nothing is ever regular price. Mine were 40% off on sale this week. I got another 20% off from a store employee, but I think that you can find that coupon online. All said, they were $80 plus tax for the set.
I know that this is expensive, but they look incredible.
TBW
Edit: Sorry, no pic
If you play at All Stars at Oxford Valley Mall, it's a true story. He dumped the whole sealed deck into the trash at the Sunday prerelease. I got the bonfire and most of the deck. A couple cards went to another guy. Bonfire was only $6 at the time.
TBW
They are pretty big. There are 121 cards on the sheet, 11 rows of 11 cards. In addition, there is a border around the edges with color samples, lot and serial numbers and and marking for the printing/cutting machines.
They end up being somewhat bigger than a standard poster. It costs quite a bit to get them framed. Mine was probably $250....on sale.
Well worth it. I have a five uncut sheets from Lord of the Rings TCG....those I will probably sell someday, but I'm keeping my Magic one.
TBW
It will stay in place until someone at Hasbro says "what's this reserve list thing all about" followed by "how much could reprinting this stuff put in our pocket" followed by "what do you mean the reserve list isn't a binding legal document"?
At that point, the reserve list is toast. Three people will be pissed at our store and the other 40-50 semi regular players will rejoice.
TBW