Learn more about Grand Prix Providence's Top 4 Teams—including who they are, what they’ve done in the game, and more—by taking a look through their profiles!
Martin Juza / Andrew Baeckstrom / Corey Burkhart
Name: Martin Juza
Age: 30
Hometown: Czech Republic
Previous Magic Accomplishments: I get to travel the world playing Magic. That's pretty good if you ask me.
Who did you team with this weekend and why? Corey Burkhart and Andrew Baeckstrom because I know can 100% trust their decisions.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Opening well, building well, playing well, having great teammates.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? The one with the most playables in my colors.
What does this Top 4 mean to you? I have less time to practice Standard for Worlds next week.
Name: Andrew Baeckstrom
Age: 28
Hometown: Denver, CO.
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 4 GP San Antronio, Top 4 at GP Louisville, 2014 US National team.
Who did you team with this weekend and why? Martin Juza and Corey Burkhart because they asked me.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Trusting your teammates
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Merfolk
What does this Top 4 mean to you? That my teammates didn’t mess up asking me.
Name: Corey Burkhart
Age: 25
Hometown: Ukiah, CA.
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Six GP Top 8s, gold level pro, member of ChannelFireball Fire, and smartest player to trick Hall of Famer Martin Juza I’m a great magician.
Who did you team with this weekend and why? Martin Juza and Andrew Baeckstrom. Great guys, amazing Magic players. Cannot ask for anything better.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Playing to your biases; I like removal decks. Martin plays aggro and BK plays it all. Play to your strengths and have fun.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Vampires, forever and always!
What does this Top 4 mean to you? Another shot at a trophy. A chance to prove myself to be the best. I want a shot for glory.
Lucas Muxi Li / Zile Yao / Haoran Ling
Name: Lucas Muxi Li
Age: 25
Hometown: Tianjin, China
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Attended Pro Tour Amonkhet
Who did you team with this weekend and why?
Zile Yao and Haoran Ling. We are all in Team China Pal aka TCP.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited?
Trust your teammates and eat enough bananas.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe?
DINOSMASH
What does this Top 4 mean to you?
Another chance to experience the Pro Tour and getting closer to Bronze or even Silver.
Name: Zile Yao
Age: 17
Hometown: Hefei, China, now studying at Columbus
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Top 4 at GP Orlando
1st place in Missouri RPTQ for Ixalan
Who did you team with this weekend and why?
Haoran Ling and Lucas Muxi Li, we’re familiar with each other and are on the same team - Team China Pal
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited?
Eat powerful banana before win-and-in
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe?
Vampires
What does this Top 4 mean to you?
2 PTs in a row! And 1st step to Silver.
Name: Haoran Ling
Age: 23
Hometown: Guangzhou, now studying in Chicago
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Top 32 at GP Indy
Who did you team with this weekend and why?
Lucas Muxi Li and Yao Zi Le. We are the same team - Team China Pal
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited?
Eat powerful banana during the break
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe?
Vampires
What does this Top 4 mean to you?
PT. Lock for Bronze
Owen Turtenwald / William Jensen / Reid Duke
Name: Owen Turtenwald
Age: 28
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Player of the Year twice. Hall of Fame.
Who did you team with this weekend and why? PGO.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Play with Huey and Reid.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Dinosaurs
Name: William Jensen
Age: 35
Hometown: Boston, MA
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Hall of Fame class of 2013
Who did you team with this weekend and why? Owen Turtenwald and Reid Duke because we took an oath in a peach garden.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Teaming with Owen and Reid
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Trilobites
What does this Top 4 mean to you? A chance to tie the all-time GP wins record.
Name: Reid Duke
Age: 28
Hometown: Sugar Loaf, NY
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Two Pro Tour Top 8s, 21 previous GP Top 8s, Magic Online champion 2011
Who did you team with this weekend and why? WIlliam Jensen and Owen Turtenwald
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? High creature count. Play with the best concentration of your best cards.
Will Sullivan / John Twardowski / Cody Delpozzo
Name: Will Sullivan
Age: 28
Hometown: Albany, NY
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Game Day Champion
Who did you team with this weekend and why? My two best friends because we came to have fun.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Teamwork. When you’re unsure about a play, ask opinions.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Dinosaurs.
What does this Top 4 mean to you? 100% Top 4 in GPs. Best first GP ever.
Name: John Twardowski
Age: 29
Hometown: Albany, NY
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 16 RPTQ for Ixalan.
Who did you team with this weekend and why? Will and Cody because we’re homies.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Take your time and consult your teammates, especially for mulligans and combat.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Pirates
What does this Top 4 mean to you? 100% Top 4 in GPs! Hope it’s the start of something big.
Name: Cody Delpozzo
Age: 27
Hometown: Albany, NY
Previous Magic Accomplishments: I came in third on a Game Day.
Who did you team with this weekend and why? Childhood buddies John Twardowski and and Will Sullivan; we just wanted to have some fun at a GP.
What’s the secret to success in Team Limited? Ask John questions, he knows more about Magic than I do.
Which is your favorite Ixalan tribe? Vampires is my favorite, it has fliers and lifelink to apply pressure very quickly.
What does this Top 4 mean to you? I am amazed we got here, and I’m very excited to keep playing in these events going forward.