Playtesting

How I like to playtest in prep for FNM and the Titanic MN vs. IL Battle

1. Have you decks and 15 card sideboards ready.

2. You have 50 minute rounds. If you really want a test, then make it 40 minute rounds. According to DCI floor rules, 40 minutes is the minimum, while 50 minutes per round is only recommended.

3. You have 3 minutes from the start of the match to present your deck to your opponent, already randomized and shuffled.

4. Play to DCI floor rules, including penalties, normal FNM stuff.

5. If you mulligan, you have the standard 30 seconds to reshuffle and present your deck to your opponent.

6. If you search your library for a card (i.e. Harbinger, Tutor, etc.), you have 30 seconds to find that card, and another 30 seconds to present to your opponent a shuffled and randomized deck.

7. In between matches, you have 3 minutes to sideboard and shuffle. 3 minutes may not seem like a lot of time. But if your opponent takes 5 minutes to sideboard and then another 2 to shuffle, he's taking way too much time! With practice, you should be able to sideboard and shuffle in 3 minutes. This was probably the hardest part for me to get down.

9. When time expires, go to the "5 turn rule."

8. Talk about the matches, when it's all complete. For example, Peter didn't have enough answers for both Burrenton Forge-Tender and Stillmoon Cavalier. I suggested that he uses Moonglove Extract. He'll probably try it out next time.

9. If you played a control deck before, then offer them to try again against an agro deck. This gives them even more experience and knowledge.

I like to playtest FNM style because that way when you do go to a tournament you're more familiar with the way normal tournaments are held. Plus, playing magic at this pace and intensity forces you to play faster and more focused, thus making you a better player!

But don't forget that there's also nothing like a long epic battle with a snack break in between. Peace!