Are you a Magic player? Probably.

Do you tell people outside of the Magic Community that you’re a “Pro” or that you spend 20+ hours a week playing this card game (and NOT the World Poker Tour)? Probably not. It’s interesting to me that we play a game that is so infinite in it’s possibilities and so very narrow in it’s participation. A very dear friend of mine once said to me that MTG players are the rudest bunch of people she’s ever encountered. Interestingly enough, I agree with her, or at least part of me does. This might not even be the right time to talk about it, with regionals coming around the corner and PTQs rearing their ugly heads right behind it. You’re probably expecting me to come out with some ultra-cool deck tech or analysis that you’ve not heard of, and once again, you’re wrong. I’m here to talk about fun, or maybe not, I really want to talk more about casual play. For me, for you, and even the casual observer, MTG can be a positive experience. Hopefully, you’ll agree and maybe you’ll pursue or make the same observations I have. Then again, you probably won’t even understand and say "Lee is rubbish." I won’t deny that claim. :)

Magic was meant to be a game, and even I often forget to be forgiving in certain situations. I’ve said in other articles that it’s even hard for me to play this game unless there’s something waged or to be gained. This attitude has made it a challenge for friends and family to take an interest in the game because I’m too quick to point out the finest details that caused them to lose. My son, who’s 11, tells me that people expect too much of him because he’s the son of Lee Steht, and that alone puts pressure on him to anticipate 3 turns ahead and lay damage on the stack like a young Bobby Fischer might put you in check after 3 turns. Yet when he and I play Halo3 he relishes the fact that he gets MVP after every other game. I try to make Magic fun for him by taking it a little easy, but just the environment of a PTQ can make it stressful to him. I’m sure every father wants to find that which would make their child a prodigy, but when the world expects too much, I’m sure it makes that light switch of genius harder to turn on.

I’ve observed many of my son’s opponents providing feedback after matches that they have won, to help with his decision making and share how he could have won and that provides me with hope that there are people who just enjoy playing. However, I have observed people who stomp off angrily due to some random manascrew or a bad draw that caused their loss. So, perhaps it’s just happenstance that a person shows kindness.

What about simple common courtesies, such as acknowledging a person is standing there. How often do you hear people say “excuse me” at a tournament? I think it’s funny when I see these guys carrying a trunk on their back trying to hustle some trades and they bump into a person and just continue on their merry way. Is it too much to expect an "I’m sorry" or "pardon me"?

It’s tough to even maintain conversation with people sometimes, especially after you’ve gained some notoriety for something (like a podcast.) People will just walk right up to you and interrupt whoever it is you were listening to or saying, without thinking anyone else. Does it ever occur to someone that a person might be participating in a conversation? My ex-wife has commented on several occasions where she became completely annoyed with guys who would interrupt her conversations with me. I must say though, that in cases like that, I certainly appreciate the interruptions with her.

Would any of you ever admit to being the "stinky" guy in the room? I would hope not. However, we all know that Magic Players are known for their inability to spend time on hygiene. I know that it’s difficult to drive 7 hours to a tournament location, find a room, shower and even brushing your teeth. Perhaps it’s just an element of the game. Does it really need to be? I know of situations where even Hall of Fame players had been asked to wear a suit or something more appropriate for top 8 appearances. Is it so much to ask to pretend to be professionals? I know that the sport of Pool and Billiards once required players to wear tuxedos. Reasons vary as to why, but some say it was to legitimize the game as a game for “gentlemen”.

On a side note: WOTC/DCI has yet to crack the formula of maintaining young interest and unfortunately had to the pull the plug on great programs such as their Junior Super Series. The game HAS to appeal to kids, parents and especially with mothers. The Super Series at least provided legitimacy for a kid to compete. Does anyone really need to be a role model? Not really. Would it help the game? Probably.

My last point will probably make me sound like some old geezer, but I think it has to be said. Most Magic players have hardly entered puberty much less high school and the language they use is often inappropriate. This is just another thing that scares off women (both players and mothers) and young players from coming events, whether participating or even as a spectator. Sadly, no one steps up to monitor things like language. I’m guilty of it too! Similarly, leaving trash around or throwing cards around the room is much like the use of foul language. Perhaps the parents don’t care about their kids using this language, but I’d love to take some of the fast food trash or cards left around and put it right in the middle of the family living room. The word “SAVAGE” comes to my mind.

All in all, I just wanted to spew some thought on something that has bothered me about the people I play this game with. In the end, Nerds will be Nerds and I’m sure all of them are happy. I’m sure they could care less about the fact that I’ve witnessed some of the World’s best chess player converge to play for mere pennies. Part of that is a sort of stigma of playing a “game” competitively. I think I could forgive random Magic Hall of Famer for using steroids, but what I cannot forgive is a Hall of Famer who slept on the street and wore the same clothes for an entire Pro Tour weekend. You may say that it’s not that big of a deal, but I have a problem with being associated with that kind of stereotype.

I’ll let your fathers try to explain chivalry to you. Let’s get ready for Regionals!!!

Lee