JudgeCast Podcasts

You down with OPOP? (Other People’s Organized Play) Yeah, you know me. Join Bryan, Charles, and Marcos as we have special guest Niccolo Paqueo. Niccolo has been an L2 judge in the Flesh and Blood Judge Program for several years, and the current team lead for the FaB Rules Team. We discuss their game, their organized play, and similarities and diffe…

In this episode, Bryan, Charles, and Marcos delve into the updates from the first IPG update in over 900 days. Strap in, it’s going to be a doozy. Actually, the changes aren’t that big. But like a thirsty man in the desert, we are going to savor this little bit of a stretched metaphor as much as possible. Toby’s Policy Perspective Blog: https://blo…

Bryan, Charles, and Marcos respect the oxford comma. We also discuss the new mechanics for Wilds of Eldraine. Want to know how Adventure cards work? We can help. Want to know what happens if you triple a triple, we have the answers. Want to know what all the seven different role enchantments do? You are on your own. But we do talk about the generic…

New Host, who dis? Join Bryan, Charles, and… Marcos Sanchez, a level 2 that recently made the [poor] decision to move to Florida [at the start of hurricane season], to talk about a different kind of new start. In this episode we take a whole hour to talk about all the things that happen when you start a game. Do you know exactly when you are suppos…

In this episode Bryan and Charles have on Matt Williams (aka Billy Willy) to talk about what goes into Head Judge Announcements. Do you want to know what to include in your Prerelease Announcements? What about your RCQ? How about that 2HG event at a Convention? It should be no surprise that while your announcements will have many things in common, …

This is SPARTA! Wait, no. This is…our 300th Episode! While my favorite topic to talk about is myself, we put the breaks on that celebration to invite on a few other judges active providing content for the masses. We talk about what makes their projects special, what keeps them motivated, and how it helps others. Charlotte Sable – Ask a Magic Judge …

Have you ever wondered about the planning that goes on before an event? Join Bryan, Charles, and special guest Jared Sylva from Star City Games to discuss Event Management with a focus on SCG Con Baltimore. For information on upcoming SCGCons, check out https://scgcon.starcitygames.com/ and look for events: Columbus Sep. 1 – 3 Dallas-Fort Worth Oct…

Bryan and Charles welcome back Marcos Sanchez to talk about interesting cards from the newest Straight to Modern set to come out of Wizards. Join us as we take a tour of the Shire, take a shortcut to mushrooms before skulking through Mirkwood and wondering just how many different Gandalfs are in this set.…

In this episode Bryan and Charles discuss several smaller “bite size topics” while we gear up for the LoTR Prerelease episode. We go over: What is a Called Draft and should I do one at my RCQ Answering Judge Questions Outside of an Event Giving Too Much Negative Feedback MagicKids by Weirdcards in the Partnership Education track of Judge Academy…

Join Bryan and Charles with special guest Vona to talk about 2HG. And not just the rules, on no, dear listener, we talk about special considerations in running 2HG events, from the logistics to the pack distribution to increased time in investigations. Give it a listen, and you might learn a bit about why we dont do Comp Rel 2HG events anymore.…

In a bout of unintended irony, Bryan and Charles spend an hour talking about how important it is to be brief in your cover letters. We talk about what you should/should not include and how certain choices may/may not help your chances of being accepted.By JudgeCast

Want to know how battles work? what about transforming tokens? How about Copy effects and Backup. We got you covered. If you also want to know the lore of Segovia and listen to Bryan yell at clouds, we have you covered there too. Its a Release Notes episode. We talk nonsense.By JudgeCast

Judging is a Customer Service gig. However, customer service at small events and large events can look very different. In this episode Bryan and Charles are joined by L2 Marcos Sanchez to talk about what things you can do at large events to up your customer service game.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Charles talk about one of the more subjective infractions in the IPG; Slow Play. We talk about its definition, it’s subjectivity, why it can’t have an objective definition and how to deal with players that might get upset you give them Slow Play. We even talk about Chess Clocks. No, really. Thats been a suggestion. And, to…

In this episode Bryan and Charles talk to @BonafideVonafyd about their recent experiences at MagicCon Philly, including but not limited to: wearing good shoes, dinosaurs with hand-rails, breaks, how so many concurrent event were managed, and a myriad of non-standard events.By JudgeCast

In this episode, Brian and Charles go over the few rules updated with All Will Be One and then we delve into a smorgasbord of recent reddit threads that have caught our eye while we wait for MagicCon Philly. Topic 1 – Hold Priority: https://www.reddit.com/r/EDH/comments/10xqd6x/players_that_hold_priority_for_a_whole_phase/ Topic 2: Card quality/dif…

In this episode, Bryan and Charles go over the mechanics and notiable cards from Phyrexia: All Will Be One. Toxic, Compleated, Oil Counters, and that one mechanic that has an exclamation point. Also at the end of the episode we talk about a workaround in EventLink for running a Sealed RCQ.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Charles go over the zones of Magic, as well as all the exceptions to the well-known rule of “objects changing zones are considered new objects”. Turns out, there are a lot of exceptions.By JudgeCast

Happy New Year! It’s a time for celebration and resolutions for the new year. In this episode Bryan and Charles are joined by Brook Gardner-Durbin (@TheBG_D) to discuss the factors that go into your decisions for fair compensation at the various levels. Is judging your hobby, career, or side hustle? What is the complexity of the event you are going…

Talking about missed triggers has been all the rage lately in the twitterverse, and Bryan, Charles, and Samma thought we would bring it to your podcast listening device. In this episode, the JudgeCast crew talk about the philosophy behind Missed Triggers, how to identify one, what the opponents’ responsibilities are, and a little bit of a history l…

Bryan, Charles, and Samma discuss the recent level updates announced by Judge Academy. Samma and Charles also go over their Magic 30 experience, including a behind the scene look at the massive Unfinity Draft. We also stop recording right before Samma admits Bryan was 100% right about [redacted] and Bryan doesn’t even say ‘I told you so’, so he ins…

Following the BRO Code, Bryan, Charles, and Samma battle their way through new mechanics, new cards, and very bad puns. We discuss Prototype, Meld, Unearth, zone change triggers, 50% off of 50% off coupons. Stick around and you might just learn something. Probably not, but it could happen.By JudgeCast

A Pot-Pour-EE Episode is an episode where we discuss smaller topics that aren’t worth a full episode themselves. In this vaguely apple-cinnamon scented episode Bryan and Charles talk about Game Markers, Solo Deck Checks, Tournament Policy on Notes, and Proxies. Real Proxies, not those fake proxies being sold for $250 a “pack”.…

This Wicker Picker with Sticker Kicker makes me want to grab liquor quicker than a city slicker. In this episode Bryan, Charles, and Samma talk about the latest Un-set from Wizards. Un-sets are no longer goofy fun sets judges can choose to embrace. With the introduction of stickers and attractions into eternal formats, we boldly go where several ot…

Join JudgeCast in welcoming new host, L2 from New Jersey, Charles Featherer! In this episode we talk about things new L1s should know but might not. Things like “Where do the judges hang out online?”, “Where do I get shirts?”, “Why is running an RCQ the week after you pass your certification is a bad idea?” Judge Academy Profile Privacy Settings – …

In this episode Bryan and Samma discuss the new rules and cards for the upcoming MTG Set Dominaria United. We talk about Sagas, Bee Children, Bryan sneaks in obscure song lyrics from the 80s, and other interesting rules tidbits from the new cards.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Samma bring on Meg Rickman to talk about the return of Local Comp Rel play. We discuss how it feels to “get back into it”, the return of local players, how to rebuild connections that might have atrophied over the pandemic and remind stores that they want to secure certified experienced judges early.…

In this episode Bryan and Samma go over the major mechanics and a selection of cards from the new Commander Legends 2: Quest for Curly’s Gold.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Samma go over the Judge Academy process for becoming an L3. We go over the various steps and badges, and Bryan talks way too much about “the way it used to be”.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Samma talk about the mechanics of New Capenna as well as highlight some of the cards with more interesting rules interactions.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Samma talk about the recently announced changes to Wizards’ Premiere Play and a little bit about what judges can expect. Bryan rants (too much) about his dislike of PPTQs, while Samma waits for him to tucker himself out. Spoilers: Both agree that we are happy that something has returned, though. Wizard’s Announcement: http…

Big Events are slowing making a comeback and in this episode the JudgeCast crew sit down with L2 Patrick Nelson to talk about the Team Constructed event at SCG Con Indy, and live vicariously through his experiences.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Samma discuss the altered card policy, why its set up the way it is, who it is supposed to protect, and how common arguments against it. All with just the slightest sprinkling of nonsense.By JudgeCast

Join Bryan and Samma as we discuss the new cards and new mechanics of Kamigawa Neon Dynasty. We go over Reconfigure, Transforming Sagas, Ninja and Ducks with Hooves.By JudgeCast

Join Bryan and Samma as they go over the ins and outs of the Combat Phase. We go over declaring attackers, requirements and restrictions, combat damage assignment order, the combat damage shortcut, and even when you declare your bands.By JudgeCast

In this Episode, Bryan and Samma talk about Judge Academy Deadlines, Digital vs Physical conferences, the newly hired JAc “champions”, and end of year conferences. Then the post show banter devolves into some literary nonsense.By JudgeCast

Join Bryan and Samma as we cleave through the release notes for Crimson Vow and go into more rules details than you probably needed to know for this MTG set that only has the most subtle of wedding themes.By JudgeCast

One of the requirements for becoming a Certified Magic Judge is obtaining an L1 endorsement. In this episode Bryan and Samma discuss what an L1 endorsement is and why its necessary. We also discuss what the endorsing L2 or L3 should be looking for when they give an endorsement, and what the endorsement review should entail, as well as some traps yo…

In this episode Bryan and Samma welcome Judge Academy Magic Program Manager Nicolette Apraez! This week Judge Academy made a rather lengthy announcement on upcoming changes for 2022 and beyond. Nicolette was good enough to join us as we go through the changes, and get more detail on dues, conferences, foils, and level updates. Read the Full Blog Po…

In this episode Bryan and Samma discuss the mechanics of Midnight Hunt, as well as going over some of the cards that might generate some rules questions at your local store of whatever larger event may be happening in or around Vegas. Come for the detailed rules explanation of Day/Night, Disturbed as well as what it means to transform into an aura,…

In this episode, Bryan and Samma go into more detail than you probably thought possible on the specifics of Targeting. What a target does, how do you change targets, what happens if the target becomes illegal, is Target really just a cleaner Walmart. You know, the usual facts with a light dusting of bad jokes and random stories…

In this episode Bryan and Samma talk about how the focus on Customer Service has shifted in Judging over the years, and some tips that will help you improve your customer service skills at both large and small events.By JudgeCast

In this episode Bryan and Samma take a super serious look at all the infractions of the IPG and rank them based on our scientific criteria of “whatever we feel like at the moment”. Join us as we durdle our way through the infractions and post your own rankings. But if you disagree with us, we will argue with you, because we are subjectively correct…

Join Bryan and Samma on this tour up and down the Sword Coast as we pull up a chair at the Yawning Portal and talk about the new set over a mug of Shadowdark Ale. Behold the new mechanics as we do a Waterdeep dive into some rules you possibly didn’t know, and probably didn’t care about. Don’t forget to Candlekeep on listening as Bryan critically fu…

Hello and Welcome to JudgeCast. In this episode Bryan and Samma tackle the very serious, multi-faceted issue of which icosahedrons should be your icosahedron of choice when playing MTG Adventures in the Forgotten Realms. And psychological observation becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in real time.By JudgeCast

Events are starting to happen again and the pre-releases keep coming. In this episode Bryan and Samma talk about things to do before and during a Pre-Release to keep your players happy. We also talk about the unique challenges of running a pre-release solo or with a group, as well as what to do when you are a player in the same Pre-Release you are …

In this supersized episode Bryan and Samma dig deep on the rules and mechanics of several Modern Horizon 2 Cards. If you want to know how Urza’s Saga makes various Modern Decks better, go somewhere else. But if you want to know how Urza’s Saga works under a Blood Moon, or the difference between creating a token, and having a token enter the battlef…

In a precursor to the Modern Horizons 2 Release Notes episode, Bryan and Samma go over the returning mechanics in the latest set. All the way from Aftermath to Unearth, we go into more detail than you probably needed to know, all in a quest to make next episode not be 3 hours long.By JudgeCast

Join Bryan and Samma as they talk about the hot new mechanic of the past year that wasn’t: Modal Double-Faced Cards. You know, those cards that look like Transform cards but aren’t, but still make you avoid yellow sleeves. We break down when you can cast or play the different sides, how they work with Cascade and Transform, searching and flicker ef…

In this episode Bryan and Samma catch up on whats been happening with Judging during the pandemic, as well as discuss what they have (or haven’t) been doing to stay current. We also talk about resources that might help you start to get your judge legs back under you. Links L2 and L3 Content has been uploaded at: https://judgeacademy.com/ Shirts and…