On Control

"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." 

-Joseph Stalin

I won't offend the intelligence of my readers by stating who Stalin was, but if you need a little refresher, there's no shame in heading over to Wikipedia. 

In an era where I had not even heard of Magic, Mike Flores penned "Who's the Beatdown." The most famous Magic theory article to date, it described a method of correctly identifying one's role in the matchup via the titular question, and how that would correlate with winning the game. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. 

It is important to note, however, that Magic isn't a game of just cards. Your opponent is just as important as the cards he* is playing, if not more so. After all, you're always playing against a person, and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I propose that it is important to identify who is in control when sitting down to play in a competitive environment. This has nothing to do with matchups, but rather which player holds the psychological advantage during the match.

A brief example should serve to illustrate my point. Imagine you're sitting down to play at a constructed PTQ, and you face a player you don't recognize, who is in his teens, and during chitchat before the round starts informs you he is at his first sanctioned tournament. You feel pretty confident, and probably a bit lucky that you had the fortunate pairing. Maybe you're jovial and engage your opponent in conversation, and generally having a good time.

Now replace that with playing at Nationals, and facing down LSV. A bit different reaction right? Maybe you're nervous, starstruck, or  even afraid. As the game starts, you may feel uncomfortable and may be even slightly aware you're playing differently than you would usually. You're not as relaxed, and are overthinking board positions that you've seen a hundred times.

It is often stated by pros that they like to be in control of the pace of the game, so that they are playing in their comfort zone while the opponent subconsciously follows suit and thus disrupts his own normal rhythm. Travis Woo has even highlighted an encounter with Ari Lax where Ari's judge call during the match forced Travis to change his pace of play and caused him to make numerous mistakes he would not have made otherwise. Full article is here: http://bit.ly/c4MAVJ. It is clear that Ari was in full control of the match, even if he did not have the advantage in matchup.

The question then becomes why do you lose control, and how do you gain it back? If you're Ari, you are already a master and there's no need for you to keep reading. For everyone else, let's go over a few things.


If you're reading this, then you are interested in Magic on at least a semi-competitive level. This necessitates that you be confident in your playskill, or at least willing to learn and improve. In fact the latter is far more important, though confidence is helpful as well. What this means is at some point in your Magic playing career, you've experienced the relaxed, lucky scenario described above. This is the feeling you should seek out as often as possible, as you will play your best when you're relaxed, comfortable, and happy.


So what changes when you sit down against a name pro, or just a local ringer? You get the fear. When facing a player you believe is more skilled, more experienced than yourself, it's a natural reaction to be defeatist. In essence, you believe you're at a disadvantage before the match even starts.


Here's something obvious, but still worth stating. You actually have the advantage. You've watched LSV's draft videos, read Chapin's deckbuilding articles, watched the ringer play in Top 8's. You have insight into how they think, what they like to draft, what archetypes they are drawn to for constructed, whether they bluff, how aggressively they mulligan, etc. While they probably have no clue who you are. Think for a moment how huge of an edge that is. 


Magic is a game of imperfect information. This means that there are hidden zones such as the cards in your opponent's hand that you will not have access to when making decisions. Therefore anything that increases the relevant information that you do have must be an advantage. How do we turn this observational data into a concrete advantage? By knowing that your opponent is not a random, you can sculpt your plays accordingly.


Earlier this year in an Extended PTQ, I was paired against someone I recognized sporting a RIW Hobbies shirt. I had seen him around PTQ's pretty frequently and have watched him play a few times. The matchup at the time was me with Dark Depths and him with an unknown deck. The key play this game was when he left a white mana open after passing the turn and I had the opportunity to sacrifice my Hexmage and make a 20/20 with no protection available. I made the play as he had shown me Noble Hierarch, and Bloodbraid Elf, cards that meant he was likely playing Boom Bust Zoo. Since Kyle Boggemes had won a PTQ previously with that deck, and also played for RIW, I concluded his list was probably very similar and thus wouldn't include maindeck Path to Exile. He died to my Marit Lage token next turn.


So that's an example of using "outside information" to make strong inferences in game. How about one where I messed up? In game three of the same match, I am once again presented with a board state where I can make a 20/20. This time I also have a Thirst for Knowledge in my hand and can play for the long game since he only has 2 lands in play and no pressure. He visibly reacted to my Hexmage with a sigh and a slight slump, which indicates that he had no answer. However, because I knew he was competent and thus should've known that it was a ruse, especially since he passed his turn 2 instead of playing a creature, therefore he must have something. I ignored to think the scenario through and apply the information I had, made a 20/20, was promptly blown out by sideboard Path to Exile, and no longer had the free Rishadan Port on him. (He couldn't ever use all his mana in a turn since he would need to keep up the Path mana at all times.) This lead me to lose the game many turns later.


Knowing that your opponent is a ringer should lead you to dispel the misinformation they will try to send your way. Through false body language or slightly too obvious signs of discontent when they draw their card for the turn, better players will often try to mislead their opponent as to the strength of their position and hand. It is important to recognize that most of these players will have learned to control their responses to topdecks that they will not "obviously have nothing". Though there are always times when you will still need to just call and not be a bitch.


Player insight can also help when deciding whether to mulligan. Take for example any game against local ringer Kurtis Droge. If your deck can produce varying draws, such as the Jund opener with all removal vs the Jund opener with Leech, Thrinax, Thrinax, Sarkhan, it is important to recognize that because you're playing against Kurtis, he could literally be playing anything. Even a boat. (He actually played Boat Brew in Legacy, but that's another article.) As such, if the hand is contrary to what your deck wants to do, for example a no pressure Jund hand, it is wise to mulligan against Kurtis even if it would be keepable in the dark.


As for mind games, it is well known that I'm always in for a game. The best defense against a player that likes to mind games with his opponents is to beat him at his own game. I am very quiet when I play for this reason, as I am most comfortable playing when I'm focused and not attempting to also converse with my opponent. Other players like to talk to establish rapport and leverage that into making the opponent make mistakes with subtle queues or suggestions. Find your style and stick to it. Whatever makes you comfortable will make you play better. Now the problem occurs when the opponent does his best to disrupt your natural state. It is simplest to ignore the attempt, and carry on as you would normally. If he attempts to initiate conversation multiple times and you prefer to not talk while playing, just ignore him but don't be rude about it. It is just a game after all. If you like to talk a lot but he's not responding, don't take it as a personal affront and continue playing as normal. 


The next level to this strategy is to carry on as normal, then after the second or third attempt by your opponent to make you match his style and pull you out of your comfort zone, immediately mimic your opponent. Do it abruptly enough that he notices it's not the response he desired, and that he is being played. At this same time he will be confused as to what is going on almost reflexively, and while his mind is working on what you're doing on that level, you can go back to focusing on the gamestate and your next turn. This jilting factor will put you firmly in control of the psychological battle, though none of this stuff is as important as playing tight and getting enough sleep. It's just something to consider next time you feel like you're being pulled out of your element involuntarily.


The best advice I can give when you notice you're being thrown out of your element and playing sloppier than usual, is to take a deep breath and count up all the permanents in play. This will refocus you and help to shake off any wrong reads and the effect of any mind games. And as always, remain calm and don't tilt.


Lesson Taught