The Top 8 is more than just a collection of decks – it's also the players who persevered through a tough tournament to make it there. Here are the eight players who did that in Los Angeles this weekend.
Hometown: Goodyear
Previous Magic Accomplishments: One Pro Tour cash finish.
What deck did you play, and why?
Grixis Midrange. I enjoy it, because I enjoy midrange concepts.
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Sweltering Suns
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
What would winning the GP mean to you?
I think I would be happy!
Hometown: Santa Ynez, CA
Occupation: Magic
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Several 5-0's on Magic Online. Occasionally, great players take those lists into tournaments.
What deck did you play, and why?
Black-Red Chainwhirler. I've been playing it for months and haven't had a compelling reason to play anything else.
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Everything besides Insult // Injury because I never faced Turbo Fog.
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
I hit Silver here and that was my goal, but big plans for next season!
What would winning the GP mean to you?
Some paper success would be awesome.
Hometown: Monterey, CA
Occupation: Self-employed
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 8-0 my first Constructed GP, Top 8 at my first Constructed GP (here)!
What deck did you play, and why?
Black-Green Constrictor
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Fatal Push
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
Bronze Pro
What would winning the GP mean to you?
That Black-Green Constrictor is the best deck in Standard.
Hometown: Agoura Hills, CA
Occupation: Pediatrician
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 4 at GP Cleveland. Fire and Dice Invitational Champion
What deck did you play, and why?
White-Blue God-Pharaoh's Gift because it's a pet deck and I had the most experience with it.
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Baral, Chief of Compliance
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
Nothing in particular, just trying to get back to the Pro Tour and also represent Fire and Dice.
What would winning the GP mean to you?A trophy in my living room!
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Occupation: Student
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Grand Prix Oklahoma City champion
What deck did you play, and why?
Black-Red Aggro. It has efficient, undercosted threats and great removal.
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Duress
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
I needed one pro point coming in for Silver and I exceeded that goal by a lot!
What would winning the GP mean to you?
It would mean that I can keep traveling to play Magic .
Hometown: Westchester, NY
Occupation: Turning over a new leaf
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Two Grand Prix Top 8s
What deck did you play, and why?
Solid mana base and I wanted access to Settle the Wreckage and Fumigate.
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Torrential Gearhulk
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
A chance to show that I have grown up and changed.
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupation: Card player
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 2-1 my last FNM draft.
What deck did you play, and why?
Turbo Fog. It's very unfair.
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Baral, it's too good in matchups where Fogs are bad.
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
Had to make Top 8 to get Platinum #WeDidIt.
What would winning the GP mean to you?
Could enter the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Hometown: The Big Rock Candy Mountain
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Five Grand Prix Top 8s.
What deck did you play, and why?
Blue-Black Midrange. An average deck because an average player deserves an average deck!
What was your best sideboard card of the weekend?
Infernal Reckoning. Squeeze those Eldrazi!
What are you playing for (if anything) over the last month of the season?
The respect of my peers – mostly Jacob Wilson.
What would winning the GP mean to you?
I would purchase a cash cannon, fill it with my winnings and shoot it at Dan Jordan!