The Top 8 is more than just a pile of cards. It's the players that piloted those decks and weathered the ebbs and flows of a two-day tournament. Here are the players who performed well enough this weekend to make the Top 8 of Grand Prix Washington D.C.
Name: Yuxuan ZhuAge: 18
Hometown: China
Previous Magic Accomplishments: None
What did you play this weekend, and why? Mardu Vehicles. I’ve been playing it for five months.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Gideon, Ally of Zendikar. It’s very strong to create tokens.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Declaration in Stone. It deals with Hazoret the Fervent.
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Vehicles
What does this Top 8 mean to you? I can go the Pro Tour meet Reid Duke!
Name: Collins MullenAge: 22
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Star City Games Invitation Top 8, two SCG Open Top 8s
What did you play this weekend, and why? Green-White Ramp, because it beats Temur Energy.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Hour of Promise. RAMP RAMP RAMP.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Oblivion Sower. It makes Negate look silly post-board.
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? DINOSAURS
What does this Top 8 mean to you? It’s my first Pro Tour. I’ve mainly played on the SCG circuit and haven’t had many chances to qualify for the Pro Tour. It means a lot to finally get there.
Name: Bradley YooAge: 28
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 18th place at Pro Tour London during Kamigawa block.
What did you play this weekend, and why? Temur Energy, because I forgot to bring my Ramunap Red.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Whirler Virtuoso won me so many matches I thought I had no chance in, especially against Red.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Chandra, Torch of Defiance
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Merfolk
What does this Top 8 mean to you? That I get to go to Barcelona!
Name: Robert DiMaggioAge: 29
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Previous Magic Accomplishments: None – it’s my first one!
What did you play this weekend, and why? Mono-Black Zombies, it’s a great all-around deck against the meta.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Liliana’s Mastery. It’s a huge tempo swing to bring you back in the game.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Fleetwheel Cruiser – it’s a great way to pressure control and ramp decks. It’s also aggressive on the play against Red.
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Merfolk!
What does this Top 8 mean to you? It’s my first-ever Day 2 and Top 8. My team and I spent a ton of time practicing and preparing. It’s an awesome feeling!
Name: Matt SeveraAge: 38
Hometown: Madison, WI
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Winner of Grand Prix DC, Louisville and Denver in 2016.
What did you play this weekend, and why? Mardu, because it’s all I’ve been playin for like nine months.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Archangel Avacyn.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Aethersphere Harvester because it gives you outs to beat Zombies.
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Nothing in particular, just a change of pace.
What does this Top 8 mean to you? Pro Points and $$$.
Name: Bolun ZhangAge: 23
Hometown: China
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 8 at GP Vegas earlier this year
What did you play this weekend, and why? Black-Green Constrictor. I hate mirrors, so I just played something weird.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Glint-Sleeve Siphoner. You play it on the second turn and it doesn’t get removed, you win.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Dreamstealer. It helps me crush the control decks – my worst matchup.
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Dinosaurs and Pirates!
What does this Top 8 mean to you? It means I get my second Top 8. It gives me more confidence and helps me make more friends all over the world.
Name: Corey BaumeisterAge: 26
Hometown: Fargo, ND
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Third Top 8 in a row!
What did you play this weekend, and why? Mono-White Eldrazi; the deck is so resilient.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Archangel Avacyn. It’s busted!
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Skysovereign, Consul Flagship for the third tournament in a row!
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Watching brother crush Worlds!
What does this Top 8 mean to you? It means I pass Brad in the Player of the Year race!
Name: Jose Neris HernandezAge: 27
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Game Day Champion for Amonkhet!
What did you play this weekend, and why? Ramunap Red.
What was the best card in your main deck, and why? Hazoret the Fervent is hard to deal with.
What was the best card in your sideboard, and why? Warping Wail, to counter Approach of the Second Sun and Fumigate.
What are you most excited about for Ixalan? Dinosaurs
What does this Top 8 mean to you? Everything, because my grandmother said I would never win any money playing this game.