Manalink Tournament (May) (tournament complete)

[scherbchen]

kind of agree on the best-of-three and once versus each deck modus. bit more of a hassle to record, though. still keeping this round to the mode I started it in.

result for Juzamjedi monowhite:

match 1 vs stoggoii swift: SPectral Procession scares the pants off of the AI. Baneslayer Angels does what she does best.

match 2 vs enigma tarmogeddon: mull to 5, alas. I get a Spectral Procession going and keep mana up for Swords to Plowshares once Terravore hits. sadly the AI has two Moxen out to my zero. Geddon hits and I Sword the scary guy, down to 3 tokens and Wrath and Elspeth in hand with two opposing Werebear 2 cards away from kicking my tushy. I could race for three in the air a turn, getting hit back for 4 in return and hoping to get lucky but the Mox Diamond and Mox Sapphire scare me. I get two lands and the AI a 5/5 Terravore, not a fair deal. the vore hits me twice and luckily for me the AI does not force me to give him threshhold by attacking with either of his by now 3 Werebear or the pathetic Savannah Lion. sadly I need to draw two lands in order to even play a spell and I don't even get one and the vore does me in.

results for jatill zookiller, been looking forward to play this one:

match 1 is a mirror match though -.-: hardcastin Inkwell Leviathan for the win.

match 2 vs yggdra vampire: scared of dropping a turn two Sphinx of Jwar Isle for a moment but then I figure "what the heck". if he has got the Gatekeeper I lose it and if he doesn't he will most likely lose the game. he has the Gatekeeper so I need to cast some removal spells. turn 5 or 6 I drop the Inkwell Leviathan as my last card in hand facing 2 2-power creatures at 15 life. another Gatekeeper shows up. I draw one removal spell but get beaten down by bears. probably played this badly but not playing anything felt like the wrong road to take.

current standings after 7 runs of the gauntlet:
stroggoii 1+5+5
shantak tramp 1
nyktorian bant 5
yggdra vampire 5+5+5+5
thedrigo WW 7
scherbchen 5+5
kakodrilo burn 2
juzamjedi monowhite 1
enigma tarmogeddon 5
jatill zookiller 1

[Stroggoii]

The *.dck files are in a zip file were posted in the thread awhile back, on page 3 or 4 I think. You don't need to bother recording the games; I just did that in case anyone was interested. You do need to record the wins/losses, of course, but that's the only absolute requirement.

Sorry to keep pestering but I've downloaded de decks into my deck folder (copied my own decks somewhere else) yet my magic keeps using my own decks and not recognizing the ones I downloaded even tho my decks arent even in the magic folder anymore.

How do I update it or what do I do?

[Salbei]

1)browse to C:\magic/Playdeck (or wherever your magicfolder is)
2)create a folder (backup)
3)cut all decks and paste them into that backupfolder
4)now move all the tournament decks into C:\magic/Playdeck

Gauntlets should only use the tournament decks then.Once you are done playing the tournament just move the decks from the backupfolder into C:\magic/Playdeck to have your old decks back.


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just for the hell of it i´ve made a pseudo statistic out of the current results (hope i´ve counted right)

Brandon 18 (AI won 0 out of 18 games = 0% winratio)
scherbchen 17 (AI won 2 out of 17 games = 11,76% winratio)
aww1979 16 (AI won 4 out of 16 games = 25% winratio)
Cognis 15 (AI won 1 out of 15 games = 6,66% winratio)
stroggioii 15 (AI won 4 out of 15 games = 26,66% winratio)
Kakodrilo 13 (AI won 1 out of 13 games = 7,69% winratio)
Shantak 12 (AI won 0 out of 12 games = 0% winratio)
Yggdra 12 (AI won 5 out of 12 games = 41,66% winratio)
thedrigo 11 (AI won 2 out of 11 games = 18,18% winratio)
jatill 10 (AI won 6 out of 10 games = 60% winratio)
enigma 10 (AI won 4 out of 10 games = 40% winratio)
nyktorion 9 (AI won 3 out of 9 games = 33,33% winratio)
juzamjedi 9 (AI won 2 out of 9 games = 22,22% winratio)
salbei 4 (AI won 2 out of 4 games = 50% winratio)

colors
red 0%-10%
blue 11%-29%
green >30%

so basicly jatill should be nr1 with a 60% AI winratio. This doesn´t mean the red marked decks are bad or anything - sometimes you just get the worst opponents.The current "luck factor" under this system is just absurd.

notice anything ? ^^
18chances against 4 chances to get 5 extra points without any penalties for getting more "free points" just doesn´t work.
Why should scherbchen get the same points as thedrigo ? both won 2 games, but scherbchen got 6 tries more to get them.Just an example from that statistic.Getting even worse when you compare it with my 4 lousy games (13 tries more for the same reward).
Same example: aaw1979 (25%ratio) and enigma(40%ratio) both got 4 wins - while aaw1979 played 6 games more without any consequences.enigma should be superior and gain more points.
This is flawed and needs to be changed for the tournaments in the future.

Suggestions for the next tournament:

1)14*13 (best of 1 with each deck against each other) = 182 games played
2)14*26 (best of 3 with each deck against each other) = 364 games played (straight 2:0 games, not including 2:1)
3)The other option would be to add a ratio system (AI played 10 games-> won 1, lost 9 = 10% winratio) instead of the 5 points/win flat bonus and add point accordingly.
4)let the overall win/loss ratio (including AI played games + human played gauntlets) decide who wins.

Should be very accurate then ... but i doubt anybody got time to play 370+ games.
Currently you just screw the bottom 3 (50% and less games played), while the top 5 don´t even get a penalty for loosing while getting more chances to gain the bonus.
I´d definatly like to see point 3 or 4. 1+2 are accurate - but take a ton of time.

@aaw
just saw your video playing my deck. first game you don´t want to mulligan to 5 but then suddenly you hesitate to start out with a bonkers hand like dual mox + balance (throwing the opponent back to 4 cards first turn). then keeping a hand with 1 land in a deck that starts at 3 mana ... are you nuts ? there is NO way you can loose with this deck to that pile - even if you mulligan to 5 cards then you will still beat it 9 out of 10 times - just try it ^^
The deck got more hardcounters than you got threats, its next to impossible to screw that match up unless you really want to.

2 wall of denial and its game over. 1 wall of reverence and its game over.1 baneslayer angel and the game is over.
12 hardcounter - 15 softcounter thats alost 50% of the deck.you really did everything to loose that one did you ?
only threat you got that could possibly be dangerous is a hypnotic specter first turn powered out by a dark ritual ... even for that there are 8 answers for it.you just can´t loose to that deck.
just play 5 manasources (2 white,1 blue - rest doesn´t matter) and keep the additional mana on your hand to not get hit like a truck by discard.its not rocketscience.

the mulldrifters are meant to be evoked - unless you are completly flooded and can hardcast them.even the AI plays em that way.
i am relying on reactive solutions (balance,path,swords,coffin,control magic) to get to that safe state of 2-3 walls (to create a softlock).after that just care about the threats that may pass the wall and thats it.you can´t wait till you get the 5 mana to play the mulldrifter. most likly you will draw additional mana from it (to hardcast another mulldrifter,a wall or angel).you just don´t have the time to wait for the mana to hardcast it.
to create that softlock you need a)4 lands b)1-2 walls -> evoking the mulldrifter early helps you with both.

time is on your side - there is not a single deck in the tournament that can beat you in the long run.just make sure you get there.path early if it prevents 3 or more damage over time when you got no wall coming up soon - even if the opponent got no lands at all. screw usually beats flood (too much mana) it is better to be manascrewed than overflooded with lands without any threats.
also use the coffin ... you got all the time in the world with this deck.survive the first 5 turns and you have won.
if you are unsure if the opponent is holding swords/path for your baneslayer angel then just keep him untill you can protect the angel with the coffin(unless you have to fear discard - even then you can play around that-read above.)

most important card is wall of reverence.keeps you save from most creatures while providing a steady flow of life.a single one of these is better than 3 wall of denial.

[Brandon822]

Playing with JuzamJedi_Monowhite. Best of three.

Game 1:
Versus Stroggoii. Round 1(1-0): Easy win with FoD and BA.
Round 2(2-0): Easy win with two BA's.

Game 2:
versus Brandon. Round 1(1-0): Smoke slowed things down, but not enough.
round 2(2-0): Easy win with horde of little creatures.

Game 3:
versus Nyktorion_Bant. Round 1(0-1): AI stole my early creatures. Worship kept me alive, but finally Qasali Pridemage destroyed it and AI won.
Round 2(1-1): Easy win.
Round 3(2-1): Close one. AI stole two of my three Baneslayer Angel 's. Then he attacked with them + two Sover of Temptation 's to my Elspeth, Knight-Errant and left me a window open to race to victory with my single Baneslayer Angel!.

Game 4:
Versus Mirror. Round 1(1-0): Both had Worship. I waited right opportunity to cast Wrath of God and then raced to victory with Kitchen Fink.
Round 2(1-1): I drew mana after mana and run out of removal and AI won.
Round 3(2-1): Figure of Destiny + Elspeth, Knight-Errant.

Game 5:
Versus Yggdrasil. Round 1(1-0). Very fast start was the key. First turn Elspeth and second turn Spectral Possession.
Round 2(2-0): Fairly easy win.

Game 6:
Versus Shantak_Tramp. Round 1(1-0): Easy win with two Spectral Possesion.
Round 2(2-0). I went from 21 to 1 when puffed Groundbreaker almost got me. Next turn Worship saved me, after that my flyers raced to victory.

Game 7:
Versus Kakodrilo_Burn. Round 1(1-0): Easy win. Opponen got only one mana.
Round 2(2-0): Easy win again. AI used his burn spells to my Spectral tokens and not in Baneslayer Angel.

Game 8:
Versus Drigo_Wweenie. Round 1(1-0): Baneslayers made the difference.
Round 2(2-0): Flyers made the difference.

Game 9:
Versus Yggdrasil(again). Round 1(1-0): Easy win with guess who?
round 2(2-0): Fairly easy win.

Game 10:
Versus Cognis. Round 1(1-0): Easy win despite Goblin Sharpshooter destroying eight of my tokens in "single" swipe!.
Round 2(2-0): Easy win again.

About the deck: Most wins was due to early Spectral Possession and then Baneslayer Angel. I Didn't need Ranger of Eos at all. Figure of Destiny finished couple of times in his ultimate mode.
About meta: Didn't see Jatill or Salbei which I have lost two times both. Yggdrasil vampires were easy with this deck that has also beat me two times. I think I saw first time Shantak's deck.

[Cognis]

Enigma73; Tarmogeddon went 5-1

Match 1 vs Brandon Redforce 2-0.
Game 1: Had 3 Tarmogoyf, Knight of Reliquary and Terravore but no G. I got Savannah but AI played Blood Moon. Mox Emerald gave me G. I play Armageddon with 2 Tarmogoyf and play Knight of Reliquary.
Game 2: Armageddon locked the game for Werebear to bring the victory.

Match 2 vs Shantak Tramp 2-1.
Game 1: AI was mana screwed.
Game 2: I was overwhelmed quickly because of Primal Forcemage.
Game 3: Nothing special.

Match 3 vs Mirror match 2-0.
Game 1: AI Balance sets us at 0 creatures and cards with 2 lands. I topdeck to victory.
Game 2: AI Balance sets us at 1 creatures and cards with 2 lands. I topdeck to victory.

Match 4 vs Nyktorian Bant 2-0.
Game 1: Terravore and Knight of Reliquary brought the win.
Game 2: Terravore and Werebear helped with 2 Armageddon won the match.

Match 5 vs Schreben TinyAngryMen 2-0.
Game 1: Kept a 1 land hand. Topdeck a land and fetch land because of Path to Exile. Armageddon + Terravore + Knight of Reliquary win the game.
Game 2: Similar to previous game.

Match 6 vs Schreben TinyAngryMen 0-2.
Game 1: AI exiled 4 of my creatures and overwhelmed me.
Game 2: I had no answer for a flying Figure of Destiny. All and all a very fun deck. A good win for Schreben as well.

Jatill; Zookiller went 4-1

Match 1 vs Thedrigo WWenie 2-0.
Game 1: Turn 1 Baneslayer Angel kept on early pressure. Cunning Wish for Beacon of Immortality set me at 56 life. 2 Qasali Pridemage destroyed Control Magic and Threads of Disloyalty. I’m facing 4 creatures and play Sphinx of Jwar Isle and Tinker for Inkwell Leviathan. I topdeck Beacon of Immortality and finish at 100 life.
Game 2: Baneslayer Angel got exiled but I played Sphinx of Jwar Isle and Tinker for Inkwell Leviathan on the 4th turn.

Match 2 vs Thedrigo WWenie
Game 1: Sphinx of Jwar Isle and Baneslayer Angel for the win.
Game 2: Turn 2 Tinker for Inkwell Leviathan.

Match 3 vs Stroggoii Swift 2-1.
Game 1: Quickly got run over.
Game 2: Mana screwed at first but had tons of removal that kept me in the game. Blood Knight hit the field and had no way of getting rid of him till I got Threads of Disloyalty but the AI kills Blood Knight. I’m down at 2 life when I play Sphinx of Jwar Isle and Tinker for Inkwell Leviathan. A close match.
Game 3: AI killed 2 Baneslayer Angel but the third one paired up with Inkwell Leviathan (played from the hand) brought the win.

Match 4 vs Stroggoii Swift 2-0.
Game 1: Moat locked the game for Sphinx of Jwar Isle.
Game 2: Same as previous.

Match 5 vs Yggdrasil Vampire
Game 1: Played Moat and had Threads of Disloyalty for Marit Lage in hand but got beaten down by Demogod of Revenge.
Game 2: Removed Marit Lage with Oblivion Ring. Had to sacrifice Sphinx of Jwar Isle and Baneslayer Angel to Gatekeeper of Malakir. Another Baneslayer Angel together with Sphinx of Jwar Isle and stolen Demigod of Revenge swooped for the kill.
Game 3: Moat locked the game but the 3rd Vampire Nocturnus stuck before I would topdeck Oblivion Ring and vampires just flew over and sucked me dry. A very fine deck that I expected to go 10-0 but lost to in a close match.

Juzam Jedi; Monowhite went

Match 1 vs Enigma73 Tarmogeddon 2-0.
Game 1: Turn 1 Kitchen Finks with Skullclamp equipped but then removed with Sword to Plowshares. Figure of Destiny and Spectral Procession win the game.
Game 2: Seriously mana screwed. I Path to Exile my own Figure of Destiny to fetch the 3rd land and proceed to draw a 4th and the 5th. Baneslayer Angel hits the table followed by another one. AI plays Armageddon but I saved a land in hand so I ended it quickly.

Match 2 vs Yggdrasil Vampire 2-0.
Game 1: Elspeth, Knight-Errant makes everything indestructible followed by another one that reigns havoc with Skullclamp.
Game 2: AI has 2 Vampire Nocturnus and some vampires but makes poor choices and loses the match.

Match 3 vs Enigma73 Tarmogeddon 2-0.
Game 1: AI was pretty mana screwed so Elspeth had time to go ultimate and secure the win.
Game 2: A clean win.

Match 4 vs Enigma73 Tarmogeddon 2-0.
Game 1: AI has 0 cards in hand. I play Baneslayer Angel and the AI topdecks Swords to Plowshares.
Game 2: Worship gave me the victory.

Match 5 vs Stroggoii Swift 2-0.

Match 6 vs Kakodrilo Burn 2-0.
Game 1: I was mana screwed and hard pressed in the beginning but then Worship hit the table followed by a few creatures to give time for Elspeth, Knight-Errant to start pumping creatures for the win. Worship didn’t save me from negative life because this is a good matchup for Monowhite since Magus of the Moon hampered the AI more than it did me and the AI’s 2 Price of Progress were useless.
Game 2: Mulligan a one land hand for a one land hand. Two Slith Firewalker start making problems but I recover with Wrath of God and go on the offensive while Elspeth, Knight-Errant keeps pumping creatures and tokens for the victory.

Match 7 vs Jatill Zookiller 2-0.
Game 1: I’m mana flooded, have 2 Worship in play but no creatures because of Path to Exile. AI also has no creatures since I had Swords to Plowshares. AI plays Tinker for Inkwell Leviathan but luckily I drew Wrath of God last turn. Elspeth, Knight-Errant hits the table and makes Worship do something, not that it matter since I’m at 29 life from having to Swords to Plowshares my own Baneslayer Angel to save him from Control Magic. Elspeth, Knight-Errant goes ultimate and together with Skullclamp and 1/1 soldier tokens there is no turning back.
Game 2: I go on the early offensive and bring the AI to 8 with 2 spirit tokens. AI locks with Wall of Denial and Sphinx of Jwar Isle making my Swords to Plowshares useless. I topdeck 2 Figure of Destiny one of which levels up max and flies for the win.

Match 8 vs Salbei Stall 2-0.
Game 1: I go aggro but AI plays Balance and I lose 4 creatures, 2 lands and a card from my hand leaving me with Baneslayer Angel and a 4/4 Figure of destiny against AI’s 2 Wall of Denial but that’s just a momentary setback since I topdeck 2 lands for Figure of Destiny to max out. Keiga, the Tide Star triggered when Wall of Denial was put into AI’s graveyard so I used debug mode to remedy that, seems that Keiga, the Tide Star always triggers, no matter what. AI plays control magic on my 8/8 Figure of Destiny which in response I turn into a 2/2 and fly over with Baneslayer Angel for the win.
Game 2: I go aggro from the beginning and AI just tries to keep alive with walls and Tawnos’s Coffin but eventually I overwhelm. Seems that AI doesn’t play Tawnos’s Coffin very well since it untapped it and phased out the same creature over and over again losing 3 mana in the process each turn.

Match 9 vs Mirror match 2-0.
Game 1: Elspeth, Knight-Errant went ultimate quickly and that was game over.
Game 2: I Wrath of God to 9 spirit tokens on turn 3 (6 AI’s and 3 of mine own) since I have another Wrath of God in hand. Next turn Ranger of Eos with 2 Figure of Destiny enter the field to be mowed down by Wrath of God. I then play Elspeth, Knight-Errant, AI responds with Baneslayer Angel which I Wrath of God. I’m down at 0 cards while the AI has one and so we enter topdeck mode. Elspeth, Knight-Errant has 8 counters and the AI instead of maxing out Figure of Destiny and killing her plays Sol Ring. On my turn is indestructible time and I topdeck another Elspeth, Knight-Errant to pump Kitchen Finks to victory, although Figure of Destiny killed Elspeth, Knight-Errant on the next turn. Is that a bug, shouldn’t it be also indestructible?

Match 10 vs Yggdrasil Vampire 2-0.
Game 1: I have to Swords to Plowshares Marit Lage and put AI to 36 life, but I’m also al 30 some life because of Kitchen Finks. It was a relatively long match but with Elspeth, Knight-Errant and a bunch of creatures I prevailed in the end finishing at 36 life.
Game 2: Elspeth, Knight-Errant and Skullclamp give a card advantage that the AI can’t match and when Elspeth, Knight-Errant goes ultimate and Worship hits the table it’s all over. I like this deck, it’s very simple and fast but somehow has a few tricks up it sleeve.

[scherbchen1]

slight account problem so I just re-registered.

enigma tarmogeddon results:

match 1 vs stroggoii: takes me a bit to get to three mana and go into single digits then just drop goyfs and Knights who get ever bigger.

match 2 vs yggdra vampire: AI dies to two Black Vise.

match 3 vs thedrigo WW: quick mana plus goyfs and geddon

match 4 vs jatill zookiller: mull to 5 and have serious mana issues when my Werebear gets a Ring of Oblivion first and a Swords to Plowshares after I liberate it. AI tinkers for Leviathan and luckily puts Path to Exile on my Knight instead os Swords so I get to Wrath next turn. I then have to Balance to get rid of a Sphinx. reluctant to play Tarmogoyf because of Threads of Disloyalty and keep Knight and Swords in hand. AI plays another sphinx and we have a race. I draw into geddon with the AI on 3 Moxen and me on 2. we both need 4 attacks to kill but I get to attack first and have two Black Vise out. I get the AI to 9 when my Knights get Sworded putting me back up to 12 with no threads on the board. would be a great time to topdeck a Terravore. all I get is another Vise, a land and a Werebear.

results for cognis BR aggro:

match 1 vs jatill zookiller: my first two critters get exiled (including a piledrive I had great hopes for). third gets an Oblivion Ring. AI gets Ancestral and Time Walk and powers out a Sphinx via Sol Ring and ads a Wall of Denial while I am pretty much out of gas. bad news. to add insult to injury he drops his Moat and I have to hope for the Disk. Damnation resets the board with me at 3 life and the AI immediately drops a Baneslayer Angel. the turn I die I draw a Blood Moon that would have been really helpful 1-2 turns ago.

result for brandon redforce:

match 1 vs BR aggro: kill goblins and drop Dragonmaster Outcast with 6 lands out and he somehow survives long enough to make one dragon.

match 2 vs juzamjedi monowhite: surprisingly I actually win this game after doing some math versus a Baneslayer and Kitchen Finks out (no creature of mine sticks around) with Hidetsugu's Second Rite.

match 3 vs awww BR discard: almost raced a Rack, some discard and two hippos I could not get rid of.

2 more gauntlets left.

current standings after 10 runs of the gauntlet:
stroggoii 1+5+5
shantak tramp 1
nyktorian bant 5
yggdra vampire 5+5+5+5
thedrigo WW 7
scherbchen 5+5
kakodrilo burn 2
juzamjedi monowhite 1
enigma tarmogeddon 5+3
jatill zookiller 1+5+5
brandon redforce: 2
awww BR discard: 5

[Cognis]

Kakodrilo; Burn went 0-1

Match 1 vs Salbei Stall 1-2.
Game 1: AI removes 4 of my creatures. Pretty mana screwed in the beginning. Put on early pressure but Baneslayer Angel brought the win for the AI.
Game 2: Mulligan a one land hand for a one land hand. Play turn 1 2 Slith Firewalker with Black Lotus. AI removes both Slith Firewalker but Gorilla Shaman destroys 3 moxes to mana screw AI and I win with little creatures and some burn.
Game 3: AI exiles Gorilla Shaman but it destroys 2 moxes. Mana flooded and the AI has 2 Wall of Reverence and Tawnos’s Coffin. I play Countryside Crusher and AI plays Control Magic so I have to Incinerate my own creature and am down to 0 cards in hand while the AI plays 3rd Wall of Reverence and Baneslayer Angel. There was no coming back from that. AI finished at 81 life.

Nyktorion; Bant went 10-0

Match 1 vs Cognis BR Aggro 2-0.
Game 1: Have to mulligan to 5 because of no mana sources. AI has Mogg Fanatic and I have Qasali Pridemage and Tarmogoyf when AI plays Blood Moon. Thankfully Qasali Pridemage takes care of that and another Qasali Pridemage enters the board. AI sacs Mogg Fanatic to deal 1 damage to Qasali Pridemage and then plays Goblin Sharpshooter who has haste because of Goblin Warchief to kill it. Another Qasali Pridemage enters the game on my side and I overwhelm with 2 Tarmogoyf.
Game 2: I’m looking at Gobllin King, Goblin Sharpshooter and Goblin Piledriver when I attack with Tarmogoyf and the AI blocks to destroy all creatures. AI detonates Nevinyrral’s Disk leaving us both with 3 lands but I at least have a 2/1 Kitchen Finks and Mana Drain in hand in case of Blood Moon. Tarmogoyf for the win.

Match 2 vs Brandon Redforce 2-0.
Game 1: AI plays turn 1 Blood Moon and The Rack. 2 Noble Hierarch give me mana I need for Kitchen Finks which kill in 4 turns.
Game 2: Turn 1 Black Vise with burn nearly kill me but I Force of Will the finishing Disintegrate and stabilise with Kitchen Finks and Rhox War Monk but have to be careful because the AI has The Rack in play as well. AI plays Lava Axe and I’m at 2 but able to win next round.

Match 3 vs Stroggoii Swift 2-0.

Match 4 vs Aww1979 BR Discard 2-1.
Game 1: Were both at 6 life when AI decimates my hand and plays Nyxathid. I chump block as long as I can but lose in the end.
Game 2: I keep a one land hand with Noble Hierarch, Time Walk, Mana Drain, Tarmogoyf, Swords to Plowshares and Elspeth, Knight Errant. AI leaves me with 1 card in hand and plays The Rack but Rhox War Monk is in play and brings 4 life with exalted. AI plays Nixathid but luckily the one card remaining were Swords to Plowshares and I topdeck another. AI decimates hand and plays Nyxathid but has to block to kill a massive Tarmogoyf. In the end it was close but I was saved by Rhox War Monk and 2 Kitchen Finks.
Game 3: Turn 1 Tarmogoyf. Turn 2 Rhox War Monk. AI was without a black mana source having Mox Jet, Vorath Stronghold and Hammerheim so it could do nothing about my offensive.
Match 5 vs Mirror match 2-0.
Game 1: 3 Mana Drain and Force of Will made the difference.
Game 2: A few counterspells with mana screwed AI were enough for the victory.

Match 6 vs Thedrigo WWeenie 2-0.
Game 1: Jace, the Mind Sculptor controlled the game.
Game 2: Had an unstoppable draw with 2 Noble Hierarch, 2 Tarmogoyf, Sower of Temptation, Rhox War Monk, removal, counters and all the mana I needed to fuel them.

Match 7 vs Shantak Tramp 2-0.
Game 1: Had a quick start and enough counters to control the game.
Game 2: Another quick start with an answer for everything AI played.

Match 8 vs Brandon Redforce 2-0.

Match 9 vs Shantak Tramp 2-0.
Game 1: AI plays Ball Lightning with Berserk on turn 1 to put me at 7 life but I was able to come back with Kitchen Finks, Rhox War Monk and some control cards.
Game 2: AI plays Spark Elemental and Ball Lightning on turn 1 but my cards were too good to lose.

Match 10 vs Enigma73 Tarmogeddon 2-0.
Game 1: Force of Will against Armageddon helps me stay competitive. AI does a stupid block and loses Terravore and 2 Werebear. Next turn he loses the 3rd Werebear and I cruise to victory; or so I thought until AI played Balance which put us both in topdeck mode while the AI is at 10 and I’m at 35 life. I topdeck Noble Hierarch and he topdecks and plays Armageddon leaving me with 2 mana sources while he had none. Another stupid move in a good game altogether.
Game 2: I was without a W mana source in the beginning but then played Noble Hierarch and thankfully AI exiled 2 Tarmogoyf instead. When I though I have the match won since the AI was at 3 and no creatures it plays Wrath of God and my Kitchen Finks already persisted so I don’t get them back but I’m at 39 life. I play Qasali Pridemage and the AI plays Wrath of God again to survive. I put on pressure with Tarmogoyf when AI played Qasali Pridemage followed by a stupidly played Armageddon. All and all a great deck which will probably be among the favorites to win altogether if it sees enough play time by the AI.

[Nyktorion]

As I expected since I witnessed the AI's performance with jatill's Zookiller deck, I went 10-0 with it:

1) shantak (2-1)
2) aww1979 (2-0)
3) karodrilo (2-0)
4) karodrilo (2-0)
5) karodrilo (sic!) (2-0)
6) enigma73 (2-0)
7) Cognis (2-0)
8) scherbchen (2-0)
9) shantak (2-0)
10) Salbei (2-0)

Not much to say here. In most games, I threw around some removal or creature control, until I can throw out a Baneslayer Angel, Sphinx of Jwar Isle, or Inkwell Leviathan (either with Tinker or by hard casting). Sometimes, I could play a Library of Alexandria in turn 1, which gave me hugue card advantage, which was very useful for playing the removal game.
Some notable moments:

- the loss against shantak was in a game where his Ball Lightning style creatures had brought my life total already pretty low. Some burn, and my own stupidity (I forgot to set a stop at my upkeep for untapping Mana Vault 2 or 3 times) killed me here.

- My second game against enigma was rather close. I had a Sphinx for which he had no hard answer, but he had a Goyf on the ground which would have outraced my Sphinx. Eventually, I had some removal for the Goyf, but my life total was dropping dangerously low from two Black Vises. I win one turn before the Black Vises would have finished me.

- The last games, Salbei's deck put up lots of resistance in all three games (yes, there were three games; the second one crashed at some point while my Leviathan was beating on the AI). All games became stalled pretty quickly. I had too few attackers for his walls, but luckily, my removal could handle all threats he played. The decisive piece was an Inkwell Leviathan in all three games; the combination of Islandwalking and Shroud was just perfect here (and the only way I could really get some damage past the AI's defenses).

My scores at the moment:

enigma73: 1
stroggoi: 3+5
Salbei: 1
Nyktorion: 10
scherbchen: 10
jatill: 10+5+5

[Cognis]

Schreben; TinyAngryMen went 3-1

Match 1 vs Stroggoii Swift 2-0.
Game 1: AI plays 2 Path to Exile on Tarmogoyf while I have Dragonmaster Outcast out. I get my 6th land and the AI plays Lightning Helix to my face. Needles to say that the dragon army brought the win.
Game 2: AI blocked as long as it could but there was no stopping a truly massive Scute Mob and Emeria, the Sky Ruin which brought back Dragonmaster Outcast back to life.

Match 2 vs Mirror match 2-0.
Game 1: I was hard-pressed in the beginning but somehow Scute Mob survived on the table and Path of Exile fuelled 2 of my lands. Ranger of Eos hit the table and it was over. I had no R mana source until last turn but somehow managed to win even after Scute Mob got exiled but Figure of Destiny maxed out.
Game 2: Had a better hand and outmanoeuvred the AI.

Match 3 vs Kakdrilo Burn 2-0.
Game 1: I was mana screwed so had to mulligan and was still mana screwed but otherwise had a great hand. Unfortunately Magus of the Moon hit the table when I topdecked Mox Pearl to remove Magus of the Moon but I was left at 9 life while the AI was at 19. I played Baneslayer Angel, AI responded with Magus of the Moon which got exiled immediately. It was quickly over after that.
Game 2: It was over quickly.

Match 4 vs Aww1979 BR Discard 0-2.
Game 1: Turn 1 AI plays Mind Twist for 5 which leaves me with 1 Tarmogoyf in hand and Emeria, the Sky Ruin in play. AI played Nyxathid and it looked game over but I topdecked Swords to Plowshares. I Black Lotus for Knight of the White Orchard. I started to stabilise but The Rack and Hypnotic Specter were too much to handle. I’m at 1 and topdeck Kitchen Finks which does nothing and I die.
Game 2: I had a good start but couldn’t get 6th land for Dragonmaster Outcast. Nyxathid and 2 Hypnotic Specter were unstoppable. A shame for losing so quickly. It’s really a fun deck with many tricks that is easy to play but lost in a tough match up.

[Cognis]

Shantak; Tramp went 9-1

Match 1 vs Mirror match 2-0.
Game 1: I went first and got the upper hand,
Game 2: AI had two Primal Forcemage and thankfully blocked with one. I Oath of Druids Hellspark Elemental and play Ball Lightning with Bloodlust to clench the victory.

Match 2 vs Juzam Jedi Monowhite 2-1.
Game 1: I mulligan a 6 land hand for a 1 land hand with Oath of Druids which put Groundbreaker wih Giant Growth and Berserk for the game.
Game 2: I mulligan a 0 land hand. Baneslayer stopped the offensive and brought the victory.
Game 3: 2 Oath of Druids were the decider.

Match 3 vs Thedrigo WWeenie 2-1.
Game 1: 2 Oath of Druids gave the victory.
Game 2: AI was at 3 life when it played Worship with Soltari Priest in play and I had no way around it.
Game 3: Burning Wish for Flashfires took out 4 lands and hampered the AI. Before the final attack resolved I peeked at the AI’s hand and it had 2 Worship. It would be like game 2 if I hadn’t gotten Burning Wish.

Match 4 vs Brandon Redforce 2-0.
Game 1: AI played Blood Moon and Ryusei, the Falling Star while I have Primal Forcemage and Mox Emerald. I get Black Lotus and play Groundbreaker which the AI blocks with Ryusei, the Falling Star and clears the field. I’m at 10 life and the AI has Dragonmaster Outcast with 5 lands but I’m able to draw 2 Hellspark Elemental which ride to victory.
Game 2: I Burning Wish for Living Wish for Bloodbraid Elf with 2 Primal Forcemage in play. I cascade into Blood Lust for 17 damage and the win.

Match 5 vs Mirror match 2-0.
Game 1: Was down to 1 life and we both had Tribal Forcemage. I play Ball Lightning and Hellspark Elemental which clenches the victory at the last moment.
Game 2: Turn 1 Living Wish for Tribal Forcemage and Black Lotus puts it in play but the AI plays Lightning Bolt on it. AI mana screwed but I’m mana flooded then the AI plays Oath of Druids and I play around with my Forbidden Orchard.

Match 6 vs Juzam Jedi Monowhite 2-0.
Game 1: Turn 1 Primal Forcemage was the decider. AI plays Wrath of God with 1 life and I Burning Wish for Chain Lightning.
Game 2: Turn 1 Oath of Druids was decisive.

Match 7 vs Thedrigo WWeenie 2-1.
Game 1: Had to mulligan to 4 cards. Had the AI down at 6 life but couldn’t draw a creature so I died.
Game 2: Groundbreaker followed by Ball Lightning with Berserks puts AI down to 2 life. Then the 2nd Ball Lightning hammers the AI into negative.
Game 3: AI has 3 Figure of Destiny and I Oath of Druids a Primal Forcemage then play 2 Spark Elemental, one with Berserk for 18 damage which puts the AI at -1.

Match 8 vs Juzam Jedi Monowhite 2-0.
Game 1: I have Oath of Druids and the AI plays Spectral Procession but I accidently click on “do not activate oath”; D’oh, but I play second Oath of Druids I wouldn’t have gotten if I activated the one in play so it went well. I Oath of Druids Primal Forcemage and Hellspark Elemental and draw another Primal Forcemage. Oath of Druids for another Primal Forcemage and a massive 12/10 Spark Elemental and unearth Hellspark Elemental for the definite win.
Game 2: I mulligan to 5 and get 2 Forbidden Orchard. AI plays Spectral Procession and I Burning Wish for Pyroclasm which takes out 7 tokens in all. I Oath of Druids Primal Forcemage and it’s over quickly.

Match 9 vs Aww1979 BR Discard 2-0.
Game 1: Oath of Druids and no discarded cards gave the win.
Game 2: Turn 1 Oath of Druids and the AI plays Slavering Nulls. I get Groundbreaker and play Giant Growth and Berserk to leave AI at 3 life on the 2nd turn. Turn 3 AI decimates my hand but I oath Ball Lightning and win.

Match 10 vs Enigma73 Tarmogeddon 0-2.
Game 1: It was looking good with Oath of Druids until AI played Terravore which got really big and it trampled me to death.
Game 2: AI mana screwed me with 2 Wasteland since I didn’t have Oath of Druids it was over quickly. It’s a shame this deck didn’t make it to the end because I thoroughly enjoyed playing it. It’s very fun and fast that’s just phenomenal. The most fun deck I tested so far in this tournament.

[Cognis]

Stroggoii, Swift went 1-1

Match 1 vs Jatill Zookiller 2-0.
Game 1: AI plays Tinker for Inkwell Leviathan. I have 4/4 Figure of Destiny and Kor Firewalker. I play Dragon Fodder and kicked Goblin Bushwacker for 14 damage. The AI was at 11 life. I thought I was going to lose but that little Goblin Bushwacker brought the victory.
Game 2: AI was mana screwed so Mana Vault and me eventually wore him down.

Match 2 vs Salbei Stall 1-2.
Game 1: I exiled two Baneslayer Angels and got rid of Wall of Reverence and 2 Mulldrifter but 2 Wall of Denial and 2 Tawnos’s Coffin were too much to handle. After what seemed to be 3 hours I begun amassing creatures and because the AI always untaps Tawnos’s Coffin it doesn’t play much and just when I think I might have a chance at victory the game crashes and I have to restart the match.

In the repeated match fetch land shuffles the library in my favour and I was able to prevail with tiny creatures followed by Lightning Helix and 2 Lightning Bolt.
Game 2: AI plays Wall of Reverence on turn 1 but I manage to exile it after I topdeck Path to Exile. AI manages to deal with all my creatures and gets 2 Wall of Reverence and I have no cards in my hand. AI steals my 4/4 Figure of Destiny and rapidly gains life while I try to defend with 2 Blood Knight and Skynight Legionnaire. AI then steals my Skynight Legionnaire and I exile one Wall of Reverence. When Baneslayer Angel came into play it was over. Burning Wish would be a nice addition to the deck. If I had access to Chain Reaction I could’ve cleared the board but nothing could’ve saved me from a maxed out Figure of Destiny.
Game 3: AI fell behind on mana a little in the beginning and I was able to go on the offensive and bring it to 7 life but then I became flooded with mana and after exiling Baneslayer Angel was down at 0 cards in hand and then proceeded to draw another land while the AI has 7 cards in hand and plays another Baneslayer Angel. I played Figure of Destiny and hoped it wouldn’t get exiled because I could’ve maxed it out and it didn’t, the AI played Control Magic on it and beat me down.

It’s a shame that this deck faced the worst possible matchups in the beginning. It’s a nice deck idea and its fun to play so it’s a shame it went out so early. I hoped for at least a couple rounds,

[aww1979]

Didn't play any games on Saturday. Today I just watched the video of my playing salbei's deck against my discard deck, to see if I really made as many mistakes as salbei says I did.

Here are the list of mistakes I found and their consequences:
Match 1 Game 1: Near the end of the game, I kept a mulldrifter in hand when I could have evoked it, but I saved it because I wanted to play it as a creature. I also goofed a bit when AI played blood moon, and I could have responded by tapping tundras for white to plow the mountainwalkers. However, since I easily won the game anyway, it is not relevant. I also did consider a mulligan, but didn't. Again, as I won the game anyway, salbei cannot complain.
Match 1 Game 2: Couldn't find any mistakes. I won the game and match 2-0
Match 2 Game 1: I made a mistake on the second turn, but it was rather small, and I won the game on turn 6, so again, the mistake was not relevant.
Match 2 Game 2: I mulligan a hand with all blue spells and no blue mana. I did have ancestral recall, though, but I decide not to risk having no blue mana in the early game, and I mulligan it. I get a poor hand again, and am manascrewed anyway. Turn 7 I have a very difficult choice to make (at the time; the end result was I would have lost either way) and turn 8 I made what was statistically the best choice (75% chance). After seeing the draw, the correct choice would have been the other one (25% chance) but I would have still lost the game if the AI had played any creature (even a 1/1). We will never know if it had one, since it won before its postcombat main phase.
Match 2 Game 3: I kick major ass. The only misplay was a tundra before a fetchland at a time when I would have rather thinned my deck. Match won 2-1.
Match 3 Game 1: I make a serious misplay by putting my island down before balance, but play correctly after that, and win the game.
Match 3 Game 2: Only possible mistake was choosing not to plow a Slavering Nulls at one point, fearing something worse would come along. It never did, but analyzing what would have happened, a priori, I would still have lost the game even if I had, but the AI would have had 6 less life than it won with.
Match 3 Game 3: I choose not to mulligan. AI decimates my hand with discard, and I don't get to cast a single spell all game due to manascrew and mindtwist for 5. No decisions were ever made all game except the one not to mulligan.

So, I conclude that with the exception of any mulligan decisions, that nobody could have done any better than the results obtained. I will definitely concede that salbei's deck had bad luck when I used it, but that had he been in my shoes, he would have done no better given the same situations. Frankly, I was expecting to go a lot further with it, and was thinking when I saw the decklists that either jatill or salbei would win the tournament. (their decks are very similar) However, if salbei continues to protest, I will not count the 5 points my deck received for defeating his.

[aww1979]

just for the hell of it i´ve made a pseudo statistic out of the current results (hope i´ve counted right)

...

I didn't doublecheck your statistics, but your general point that there is a large luck factor is quite valid, and I am already seriously considering changing the format for the next tournament to something more fixed.

If we had every deck play against every other deck once, we'd have:
12 entries = 132 games played (396 if best of 3)
13 entries = 143 games played (429 if best of 3)
14 entries = 154 games played (462 if best of 3) (we had 14 entries this time)

That gets to be a lot of games, particularly in a best of 3 scenario. While this ends up being 100% fair, it is not practical, unless we all give up our lives to play the tournament :p

The other trick would be to do what I pondered at the beginning of the topic, namely an elimination tournament. This would result in:
9-16 entries = maximum 15 matches (45 games if best of 3) (8 round 1, 4 round 2, 2 round 3, 1 round 4)
17-32 entries = maximum 31 matches (93 games if best of 3) (16,8,4,2,1)
This would work, but it is not 100% fair, since some decks will never encounter each other. However, it is the way that most tournaments are run in real life, or at least were 10+ years ago. It would also require people to check the forum often, as there would likely only be a 1-3 day window for each match to be completed in, so that it could be scored and the organizer could announce who advances to the second round.

@aaw
just saw your video playing my deck. first game you don´t want to mulligan to 5 but then suddenly you hesitate to start out with a bonkers hand like dual mox + balance (throwing the opponent back to 4 cards first turn). then keeping a hand with 1 land in a deck that starts at 3 mana ... are you nuts ? there is NO way you can loose with this deck to that pile - even if you mulligan to 5 cards then you will still beat it 9 out of 10 times - just try it ^^
The deck got more hardcounters than you got threats, its next to impossible to screw that match up unless you really want to.

That's what I thought :p My discard deck is just some random junk thrown together. However (see above post) the stupid play game 1 didn't end up costing the game, and games 2 and 3 were unwinnable unless mulligans had shown something better.

2 wall of denial and its game over. 1 wall of reverence and its game over.1 baneslayer angel and the game is over.
12 hardcounter - 15 softcounter thats alost 50% of the deck.you really did everything to loose that one did you ?
only threat you got that could possibly be dangerous is a hypnotic specter first turn powered out by a dark ritual ... even for that there are 8 answers for it.you just can´t loose to that deck.
just play 5 manasources (2 white,1 blue - rest doesn´t matter) and keep the additional mana on your hand to not get hit like a truck by discard.its not rocketscience.

the mulldrifters are meant to be evoked - unless you are completly flooded and can hardcast them.even the AI plays em that way.

Yes... however, that is how I played, so I fail to see why you complain.

i am relying on reactive solutions (balance,path,swords,coffin,control magic) to get to that safe state of 2-3 walls (to create a softlock).after that just care about the threats that may pass the wall and thats it.you can´t wait till you get the 5 mana to play the mulldrifter. most likly you will draw additional mana from it (to hardcast another mulldrifter,a wall or angel).you just don´t have the time to wait for the mana to hardcast it.
to create that softlock you need a)4 lands b)1-2 walls -> evoking the mulldrifter early helps you with both.

Yes... and again, that's how I played. Note, however, that reactive solutions (those which require the opponent to have a target to use them on) are particularly susceptible to discard, since they sit in hand.

time is on your side - there is not a single deck in the tournament that can beat you in the long run.just make sure you get there.

Yes, and I was expecting to do better with your deck, but it is only one score out of 14 people, so the bad luck I had with it should average out.

screw usually beats flood (too much mana) it is better to be manascrewed than overflooded with lands without any threats.

Absolutely disagree. Screw means you cannot cast anything. Flood means you can cast the first thing you get. Also, since decks contain more spells than land, statistically you are more likely to get out of flood than screw, and more likely to get screwed than flooded.

also use the coffin ... you got all the time in the world with this deck.survive the first 5 turns and you have won.
if you are unsure if the opponent is holding swords/path for your baneslayer angel then just keep him untill you can protect the angel with the coffin(unless you have to fear discard - even then you can play around that-read above.)

most important card is wall of reverence.keeps you save from most creatures while providing a steady flow of life.a single one of these is better than 3 wall of denial.

I hardly ever got the coffin in my games, but I don't disagree here.

If you (or anyone else) can specifically prove a different play was smarter, and that it would have changed the results I posted, I will not score 5 points for the discard deck defeating yours.

I will say, though, in closing, that if I were to solo duel salbei's deck vs my discard deck (with AI playing discard) that I would win with salbei's in the clear majority of games. His deck is better, but it still lost. Even the best deck can draw a poor hand against a crappy deck with a great hand.

[scherbchen1]

final 2 results from me

salbei stall:

match 1 vs scherbchen(1) tiny angry men: 2 lands, a mox, 2 Control Magic, a Mulldrifter and a Swords in the opening hand seem very promising. I am on the draw for maybe the first time this tournament but whatever. control a goyf on turn three with only a Loam Lion for the AI, gonna keep back that freshly drawn baneslayer for a bit. AI - 1 removal. AI gets a Knight of the Orchid and I control the Loam Lion. petty target but it does draw AI removal spell #2. Kavu Predator drops and he has to eat my only spot removal, looks like the Baneslayer (who just brought along his cousin) will have to be played sooner than I'd like. draw third Baneslayer and feel pretty confident with the AI at three cards in hand. AI plays only a Kitchen Finks and I go nuts with angels. might as well seeing as I have drawn #4 by now.

match 2 vs shantak tramp: nothing happens till I drop a turn three Wall of Denial. nothing continues to happen with the AI on 3 lands (2 of which are Forbidden Orchard). drop Wall of Reverence. Primal Forcemage makes an appearance. Hellspark Elemental charges into Wall of Denial with removal in hand but no combat tricks ensue. drop one of two copies of baneslayer Angel to test the waters. she/they rule supreme and I end the game at a comfy 60ish life.

match 3 vs thedrigo WW: play Wall of Denial, steal a Soltari Priest (next turn countered by Oblivion Ring, remove Priest from game at that point), draw cards. play a Baneslayer Angel protected by Tawno's Coffin but I am really wondering how the game handles coffin/Mulldrifter interactions. gonna find that out in a bit I suppose. Oblivion Ring gets the Angel, probably should have put it in the coffin but I feel pretty confident at this point so I ain't even bovvered. no funny interactions between coffin and Keiga or Mulldrifter (as it should be but we have learned something) but my Keiga gets a StP and I wrongly steal a Reveillark.

no sodding clue as to why this deck does not have 1 or 2 Emerias.

match 4 vs cognis BR aggro: I mull to 6 and the AI goes Black Lotus, Mountain, Goblin Warchief, Goblin Piledriver before I get to play a card. once I get a turn my hand is Wall of Reverence, Baneslayer Angel, 2 Island, Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile and Black Lotus with the AI at 3 cards in hand. options options.... either I go double removal off the Lotus or I take another 5 (9 is more likely). I play Island and Lotus and pass the turn and only take another 5. Plains off the top and I go for the Baneslayer who will be playing defense till I get my 4th mana source. luckily there is no double bolt waiting for me. draw the fourth land, eot remove the piledrive, drop the wall and swing for 5 and gain another 5 taking me back up to 20 with the AI with 2 cards in hand. the fat lady sings.

match 5 vs stroggoii swift: ai drops 3 mana the first turn and drops a figure and I Time Walk next turn off a Swords to Plowshares and drop Wall of Denial. next turn control a Blood Knight who gets a bolt. Mulldrifter (not evoced due to Sol Ring) gets me two spot removals. next turn yields Time Walk/coffin and a Wall of Reverence off the extra draw. I sit back gaining 2 a turn (AI has Skynight Legionaire) with pretty much full control of the board.

match 6 vs stroggoii BR aggro: I keep a 2 land hand but Ancestral Recall saves me, allowing for a crucial Swords to Plowshares on a Piledriver and two Wall of Denial with a hand full of goodies. at one point a Disk goes reset but I have too many cards in hand to lose. Patriarch's Bidding gets back lost Goblins and Walls, I steal two Sharpshooters just for shits and giggles.

match 7 vs thedrigo WW: surprisingly I lose this game after mulling to 6. hardly drew busniess spells.

very much like the deck. only thing I would change out of personal preferences would be cutting two Plains and adding 2 Emeria, the Sky Ruin. I'd also cut the Balance and Time Walk. I'd probably put in Jace, the Mind Sculptor instead.

result for aww BR discard:

match 1 vs Nyktorian bant: for some reason the AI would rather discard Elspeth then play her. oddly easy win.

match 2 vs Nyktorian bant rematch: early discard off Lotus and Ritual turns to hurt me as two and then three 5/6 goyfs show up I can't handle.

preface before the final scores: can we please keep a civil tone on these boards? calling another person's deck a pile is in poor taste unless you are among mates and backseat 20/20 advice can be done in a bit more helpful fashion. heck, feel free to post strategy guides for your decks once all decks have entered. before the results roll in. that might be useful and fun especially as there are certain types of players. I, for one, tend to do ok with controllish decks and find burn or combo tedious at best. this tournament is what it is. we play your decks and the AI plays them. it is not about your or my mad skills as a player. plenty of real life Magic tournaments around to prove those.

the final tally:

yggdra vampire 5+5+5+5 -> 20
thedrigo WW 7+5 -> 12
stroggoii 1+5+5 -> 11
jatill zookiller 1+5+5 -> 11
scherbchen 5+5 -> 10
nyktorian bant: 5+5 -> 10
enigma tarmogeddon 5+3 -> 8
awww BR discard: 5+1 -> 6
salbei stall: 6 -> 6
brandon redforce: 2 -> 2
kakodrilo burn 2 -> 2
juzamjedi monowhite 1 -> 1
shantak tramp 1 -> 1

[thedrigo]

Just watched the video and I completely agree and stand by Aww.
Some mistakes were definitely made but choosing to mulligan or not is ALWAYS a gamble, no matter how good you think you are or how well you think you know your deck... Bottom line is, in my opinion, that his playing was not perfect (whose is, anyway?) but that last game was just hands down unwinnable, and I think that in his shoes, I'd have done the same.

Just my two cents.