June 30 2014
TOP 5 CARDS by Event Coverage StaffEvery format has its key cards, whether it's the pillars of Modern and Standard or the common and uncommon glue of Limited. At Grand Prix Washington D.C. there were cards that rose above the rest,...
Despite a star-studded and record-setting Top 8, it was Mike Sigrist who emerged as the champion of Grand Prix Washington DC.
TOP 8 COVERAGE
Mike Sigrist knows what it's like to compete on the Pro Tour. In fact, he made the Top 8 of Pro Tour Boston in 2003. And after winning Grand Prix Washington D.C. in his second Grand Prix Top 8 of the year, he'll now know what it's like to be back.
More than 1,400 players turned out in the nation's capital for the final Theros block Grand Prix, but it was Sigrist who emerged victorious, taking down a star-studded Top 8 that included Yuuya Watanabe and Hall of Famer William "Huey" Jensen making his record-setting eighth Grand Prix Top 8 of the season.
It was Sigrist's second Grand Prix Top 8 of the year, following his third-place finish in Richmond and a heartbreaking ninth-place finish on tiebreaks in Philadelphia.
Jensen, a recent Hall of Fame inductee and the world's 21st-ranked player, set a record by recording his eighth Top 8 this year but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Wing Chun Yam, who then fell in the semis to Sigrist. In the finals, Sigrist had to go through the 2009 Player of the Year Yuuya Watanabe, and defeated the Japanese pro 2-1 in a tightly-contested finals.
June 30 2014
TOP 5 CARDS by Event Coverage StaffEvery format has its key cards, whether it's the pillars of Modern and Standard or the common and uncommon glue of Limited. At Grand Prix Washington D.C. there were cards that rose above the rest,...
June 30 2014
FINALS: (11) YUUYA WATANABE VS. MIKE SIGRIST by Adam StyborskiWhat do you want when you have seven Grand Prix wins, with nearly two dozen total Top 8 appearances alongside them already? Another win, obviously. The several-time former Player of the Year and...
June 30 2014
SEMIFINALS: YAM WING CHUN VS. MIKE SIGRIST by Corbin HoslerYam Wing Chun cruised through the swiss rounds of the Grand Prix, suffering just one loss (to William Jensen), something he avenged in the quarterfinals of the Top 8. Sigrist, on the other hand,...
DAY 2 COVERAGE
We began with 1,424 competitors here at Grand Prix Washington D.C., but just 174 players survived the swan song of Theros Block Sealed Deck on Saturday by finishing 7-2 or better. Those players — six of them still undefeated — return today to do battle in the draft rounds.
The leaderboard is filled with big names heading into the first draft. Christian Calcano stands atop the heap after finishing Day 1, but joining him with 27 points is Conley Woods, Yam Wing Chun, David Fulk, and Jon Goss, the current King of the Hill. Patrick Hansen is right behind the 27 point players, with 25 off one tie. It's a scramble to stay ahead during the first draft of Day 2 and all of the undefeated players are well positioned for a run at Top 8.
Of course, there's more to the story than just the shining top. One the hunt for Pro Points, advanced standing, or just one more great Grand Prix finish as the year winds down are a bevy of skilled players trying their hand: Pro Tour Hall of Fame member and 21st-ranked William Jensen, Player of Year and 4th-ranked Josh Utter-Leyton, World Champion and 14th-ranked Shahar Shenhar, 16th-ranked Alexander Hayne, 5th-ranked Owen Turtenwald, David Ochoa, Neal Oliver, 11th-ranked Yuuya Watanabe, Chapman Sim, Pro Tour Hall of Fame member Jelger Weigersma, and even more join a Day 2 packed with hunger and talent.
The stage is set for a double Draft battle for Top 8. When every Pro Point counts you can bet the best will pull out all the stops to take the top of the Capitol.
June 29 2014
ROUND 14: WILLIAM JENSEN VS. WING CHUN YAM by Adam StyborskiHis record still unblemished, Wing Chun Yam looked to maintain his standing and battle it out in the penultimate round of Swiss. His Red-Green deck was packed with fatties and burn, and already...
June 29 2014
THE ONLY UNDEFEATED: WING CHUN YAM by Corbin HoslerA year ago, Wing Chun Yam was barely involved with Magic. He was a self-described casual player who hadn't ever traveled for a tournament. Six months ago, he was one of a small contingent of...
June 29 2014
ROUND 12: CHRISTIAN CALCANO VS. CONLEY WOODS by Corbin HoslerIt was a battle of two of the five undefeated Day 1 players in Round 12, the final round of the day's first draft. By the time Conley Woods and Christian Calcano sat down in the feature match area...
DAY 1 COVERAGE
What started as 1,474 players opening 128,160 cards for Theros Block Sealed Deck has narrowed down to just 174 to return for Day 2 Draft. While both the randomness of booster packs and the potency of player skill factored into the success of the 174, the entire day was a rollercoaster of ups and downs across the board.
The King of the Hill crown changed hands five times before ending in the hands of the undefeated Jon Goss, with five more joining him among the ranks without a loss: Christian Calcano, David Fulk, Yam Wing Chun, Conley Woods, and Patrick Hansen (who snuck in after finding a tie earlier in the day). With a colorful array of decks and cards at their disposal, the maturity and diversity of the format was on full display.
Of course, there's more to the story than just the shining top. One the hunt for Pro Points, advanced standing, or just one more great Grand Prix finish as the year winds down are a bevy of pros trying their hand: Pro Tour Hall of Fame member and 21st-ranked William Jensen, Player of Year and 4th-ranked Josh Utter-Leyton, World Champion and 14th-ranked Shahar Shenhar, 16th-ranked Alexander Hayne, 5th-ranked Owen Turtenwald, David Ochoa, Neal Oliver, 11th-ranked Yuuya Watanabe, Chapman Sim, Pro Tour Hall of Fame member Jelger Weigersma, and even more headline a Day 2 packed with hunger and talent.
The stage is set for a double Draft battle for Top 8. Tune in starting at 9 AM EDT to watch the second act of Grand Prix Washington D.C. unfold.
June 29 2014
BURSTING THE BUBBLE by Corbin HoslerDuring most of the Grand Prix, the attention is focused at the top tables, watching players vie for undefeated records or a Top 8 berth. But in the final round of Day 1, the most exciting action...
June 29 2014
ON KINGS AND GLORY: GOING UNDEFEATED by Adam StyborskiBeing King of the Hill means being undefeated. Taking and holding the crown is a trial by fire, leading to the glory of an undefeated record on Day 1, and eventual Top 8 berth on Day 2. The...
June 29 2014
ROUND 6: NOAH WALKER VS. BRIAN BURNS by Corbin HoslerBrian Burns was surprised to hear his name called over the PA for a feature match, and even more nervous as he began to shuffle up for his first game under the lights. "Are you a pro?" He asked...
(2) William Jensen
(1) Wing Chun Yam, 2-1
(7) Mike Sigrist, 2-1
(3) Christian Calcano
(5) David Fulk
(6) Alexander John, 2-0
Yuuya Watanabe, 2-0
Charles League
(1) Wing Chun Yam
(7) Mike Sigrist, 2-0
(6) Alexander John
(8) Yuuya Watanabe, 2-0
(7) Mike Sigrist, 2-1
(8) Yuuya Watanabe
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
by Event Coverage StaffEvery format has its key cards, whether it's the pillars of Modern and Standard or the common and uncommon glue of Limited. At Grand Prix Washington D.C. there were cards that rose above the rest,...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
FINALS: (11) YUUYA WATANABE VS. MIKE SIGRIST
by Adam StyborskiWhat do you want when you have seven Grand Prix wins, with nearly two dozen total Top 8 appearances alongside them already? Another win, obviously. The several-time former Player of the Year and...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
SEMIFINALS: YAM WING CHUN VS. MIKE SIGRIST
by Corbin HoslerYam Wing Chun cruised through the swiss rounds of the Grand Prix, suffering just one loss (to William Jensen), something he avenged in the quarterfinals of the Top 8. Sigrist, on the other hand,...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
SEMIFINALS: (11) YUUYA WATANABE VS. ALEXANDER JOHN
by Corbin HoslerThanks to Yuuya Watanabe's draft being streamed, both players were allowed to look at each other's decklists before the match, something that many players can consider an advantage. Alexander...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: MIKE SIGRIST VS. CHRISTIAN CALCANO
by Corbin Hosler"High roll for choice?" Christian Calcano asked as he began to pick up his dice. "Oh wait, I forgot it doesn't work like that anymore. I guess I'll go first." Like that, the Top 8 of Grand Prix...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: WING CHUN YAM VS. WILLIAM JENSEN
by Corbin HoslerIt's a cruel fate that the one and two-seeds had to meet in the quarterfinals, but that's the way things worked out for William "Huey" Jensen and top-seeded Wing Chun Yam. It meant that Yam would...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: ALEX JOHN VS. DAVID FULK
by Adam StyborskiThe Players Alex John has been looking for another break since his runner-up finish at Grand Prix Providence in 2013, alongside teammates Ari Lax and Matt McCullough. "If I can win this...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: (11) YUUYA WATANABE VS. CHARLES LEAGUE
by Adam StyborskiAs one of the most prestigious players in modern Magic, 11th-ranked Yuuya Watanabe has won Grand Prix the world over. With recent top finishes and success in Nagoya and Bejing, and almost two...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 30, 2014
by Wizards of the CoastWhat decks did the Top 8 competitors at Grand Prix Washington DC 2014 draft up? Find out below! ...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Corbin HoslerWhile much of the attention was rightfully focused on those competing for the Top 8 of Grand Prix Washington D.C., there were a number of players fighting their own battles farther down in the...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Wizards of the CoastHow were their Sealed decks? How did their drafts turn out? Learn more about the Top 8 competitors of Grand Prix Washington DC 2014 competitors in the profiles below! Alex John Hometown:...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
ROUND 14: WILLIAM JENSEN VS. WING CHUN YAM
by Adam StyborskiHis record still unblemished, Wing Chun Yam looked to maintain his standing and battle it out in the penultimate round of Swiss. His Red-Green deck was packed with fatties and burn, and already...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
THE ONLY UNDEFEATED: WING CHUN YAM
by Corbin HoslerA year ago, Wing Chun Yam was barely involved with Magic. He was a self-described casual player who hadn't ever traveled for a tournament. Six months ago, he was one of a small contingent of...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
ROUND 12: CHRISTIAN CALCANO VS. CONLEY WOODS
by Corbin HoslerIt was a battle of two of the five undefeated Day 1 players in Round 12, the final round of the day's first draft. By the time Conley Woods and Christian Calcano sat down in the feature match area...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
ROUND 11: DAVID OCHOA VS. DAVID REED
by Hunter R. SlatonAfter losing in the first round of Day 2 at Grand Prix D.C., effectively eliminating him from top 8 contention, David Ochoa's star power drew him into the feature-match orbit in round 11, for a...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Adam StyborskiAllen Sun had traveled to Grand Prix D.C. for one reason: To play Theros Block Sealed Deck. Allen Sun came as a VIP but left with much more than he bargained for. "I love Sealed Deck....
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Adam StyborskiAs difficult as Sealed Deck can be, prevailing opinion says Draft is even more challenging. Choosing the right cards can make or break a deck. While the first cards chosen in a draft are often...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Corbin HoslerSitting in seventh place heading into the first draft pod of Day 2, Ari Lax stood six Pro Points shy of hitting gold this season, with this draft and the next three rounds going a long way toward...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Hunter R. SlatonSeated in pod 8 on Day 2 of Grand Prix Washington D.C., David Ochoa looked for all the world like a rail-thin boxer before a fight: coiled, tensed and ready to draft. So when the judge told...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Wizards of the CoastChristian Calcano, Blue-Green ...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
by Corbin HoslerDuring most of the Grand Prix, the attention is focused at the top tables, watching players vie for undefeated records or a Top 8 berth. But in the final round of Day 1, the most exciting action...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
ON KINGS AND GLORY: GOING UNDEFEATED
by Adam StyborskiBeing King of the Hill means being undefeated. Taking and holding the crown is a trial by fire, leading to the glory of an undefeated record on Day 1, and eventual Top 8 berth on Day 2. The...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 29, 2014
ROUND 6: NOAH WALKER VS. BRIAN BURNS
by Corbin HoslerBrian Burns was surprised to hear his name called over the PA for a feature match, and even more nervous as he began to shuffle up for his first game under the lights. "Are you a pro?" He asked...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
SEALED DECK BUILD #2: DAVID OCHOA
by Adam StyborskiOne of the players in the hunt for Pro Points this weekend is David Ochoa. With Pro Tour Return to Ravnica Top 8 and attendance at the last two World Championship events as the highlights of...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
SEALED DECK BUILD #1: DUKE/JENSEN
by Corbin HoslerEarlier we showed you a Sealed pool that, despite a few obviously-powerful rares, wasn't necessarily simple to build. At least, it wasn't for Hall of Famer William "Huey" Jensen and No. 1-ranked...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
THEROS BLOCK SAMPLE SEALED POOL #2
by Adam StyborskiBuilding a deck is among the first features of the game we learn about, but it's also one of the most elusive skills to master. While the dizzying array of choice in formats like Standard and...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
by Corbin HoslerMariah Boehm's brownies were the talk of the rehab wing last week. She made them during her allotted occupational therapy time, and that night she meticulously circled the ward, offering one to...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
ROUND 4: SHAHAR SHENHAR VS. JARED BOETTCHER
by Adam Styborski"Youth is wasted on the young." is an adage quipped by the older but wiser, those that have seen the years come and go and learned throughout them. Being young typically means being inexperienced,...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
THEROS BLOCK SAMPLE SEALED POOL #1
by Corbin HoslerWhen this Sealed pool was opened, it was hard not to marvel at the sheer power of some of the rares. Polukranos, World Eater. Hydra Broodmaster. ">[autocard]Hunter's Prowess. A trio of powerful...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
DUKE, JENSEN HOST DECK BUILDING SEMINAR
by Corbin HoslerIf there's one thing that Hall of Famer William "Huey" Jensen and No. 1-ranked player Reid Duke are familiar with, it's being in front of a crowd. The pair have played countless matches in front...
article GRAND PRIX WASHINGTON DC 2014 June 28, 2014
by Wizards of the CoastWho earned two valuable byes in the main event of Grand Prix Washington DC 2014? Check out the trial winners and their decks below! ...