After 8 rounds the 786 players in the Standard Grand Prix Richmond were cut down to 171. After another 7 rounds, we have a Top 8!
Age: 31
Occupation: Server
Hometown: Catasauqua, California
Previous Magic Accomplishments: StarCityGames Invitational Top 8, SCG Open Top 8
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Blue-Black Midrange. Played a bunch of games with Bant Nexus of Fate and it felt terrible. Went with an old standby instead.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
One Witty Boi (Champion of Wits)! It's Faithless Looting on a body.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Grixis Dragos. It wasn't Flame of Keld, Black-Red Aggro, or Esper Control.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
First Pro Tour!!!
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Previous Magic Accomplishments: This is my 6th Grand Prix Top 8 this year.
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Blue-White Control. Teferi, Hero of Dominaria is still good.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Teferi; it has cool abilities.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Black-Red Aggro - wasn't expecting that.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
Just another Sunday.
Age: 35
Occupation: Magic Player and content producer
Hometown: Foxboro, Massachusetts
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 2014-15 Player of the Year
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Blue-Black Midrange. Wanted to test for Worlds.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
The Scarab God.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Nothing surprised me.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
It's been a while since I won a trophy...
Age: 27
Occupation: Professional Magic Player
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Pro Tour Ixalan winner, 2015 Worlds winner
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Red-Black Midrange because Brad Nelson told me to.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Karn, Scion of Urza. It can provide insane card advantage.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
No surprises.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
At least one point towards the Player of the Year race.
Age: 24
Occupation: Whole Foods
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Previous Magic Accomplishments: World Magic Cup competitor and one-time Pro Tour competitor.
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Esper Control because Torrential Gearhulk, Teferi, Hero of Dominaria, and Vraska's Contempt are great.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Search for Azcanta because it smoothed my draws.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
None.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
I get Bronze, play on the Pro Tour, and finally reach one of my goals!
Age: 28
Occupation: MTGO Grinder
Hometown: Venezuela
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Won 2 PTQs and two-time World Magic Cup Competitor
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Red-Black Aggro. It's the best deck.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Rekindling Phoenix
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
None
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
PT again and maybe captain.
Age: 30
Occupation: Accountant
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 5 StarCityGames Open Top 8s, 2 PT scrubouts
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Red-Black Aggro. It was the deck I've been playing all year and most comfortable with.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Whichever land came into play untapped on turn 4. Can't miss 4th land drop with RB.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
None.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
Dream come true. Glad I can represent ATL.
Name: José Esteban Alvarez Ortiz
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Dominican Republic
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Back to back National Champion, 2017-18, 2018-19
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Black-Red Aggro, is the most complete deck with very flexible sideboard read for any match-up.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Rekindling Phoenix
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Mono-Green Stompy
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
Pro Tour for the first time and going toe to toe with some of the best players in the world is a privilege and a good challenge.