Hammer sportsmanlike? Yes or no?
Ron Olszewski
I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
read that Hammer (Regnier) talks during other's turns, stares, etc. in an
attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
(For those who are wondering, one of my pet peeves is unsportsmanlike
conduct. Far too many people seem to think that MtG is a game of pure
skill, forgetting that luck plays a large part in it)
--
-Ron Olszewski | All that is gold does not glitter
ro...@panix.com | Not all those who wander are lost...
|
RAW STEAL
Ron Olszewski (ro...@panix.com) wrote:
: I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
: attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
: statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
: are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
: exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
: some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
I watched Hammer in the semi-final round. His actions were considered
amusing by most of those watching. Many times I heard "What a dick!"
followed by laughing. So I suppose the crowd at large simply got a kick
out of his antics. Some of the things he did:
"I think I'm dead." followed by a long pause before he cast Alabaster
Potion to easily save himself.
Informing his opponent of an overlooked Mana Battery that could have won
him the game.
Asking to speak with a Judge in private for no apparent reason.
Taunting his opponents to attack him.
All of these actions are legal. Now whether or not you consider
them unsportsmanlike is a gray area. Most people act as Hammer did when
they are playing in friendly games. Why should a Tournament be any
different? He was entertaining to watch. All this aside, Hammer is an
excellent player and won with a deck that most considered inferior
overall. You gotta give it to him...
BILL
Nicholas Benjamin Gold
In a previous article, ro...@panix.com (Ron Olszewski) says:
>I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
>read that Hammer (Regnier) talks during other's turns, stares, etc. in an
>attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
>statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
>are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
>exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
>some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
I have seen Hammer play at one tourney (in Ludlow, MA). At the time I did
not know anything about rankings of players etc, and I did not know he was
a big name (he may not have been at the time of this tourney).
What I found interesting about him, is that he was actually joking with
people around (ex. "What the heck! I have 6 Wraths in this deck, I haven't
got one of them yet, oh, is that legal?") He played very relaxed, and made
his opponant seem relaxed. He was one of the nicest magic players I have
ever seen play the game, and I hope to see him play in the future.
JOSHUA
>(For those who are wondering, one of my pet peeves is unsportsmanlike
>conduct. Far too many people seem to think that MtG is a game of pure
>skill, forgetting that luck plays a large part in it)
>
>
>--
>-Ron Olszewski | All that is gold does not glitter
> ro...@panix.com | Not all those who wander are lost...
> |
>
--
Nick Gold/pezboy PPPP L U U RRRR disclaimer:
OFFICIAL HUGGER P P L U U R R "I 'yam what I 'yam" --Popeye
aj...@yfn.ysu.edu PPPP L U U RRR
P LLLL UUUU R R
Scott Burke
In article <4mntrb$i...@newstand.syr.edu>,
RAW STEAL <wrho...@mailbox.syr.edu> wrote:
>Ron Olszewski (ro...@panix.com) wrote:
>: I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
>: attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
>: statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
>: are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
>: exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
>: some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
>
>amusing by most of those watching. Many times I heard "What a dick!"
>followed by laughing. So I suppose the crowd at large simply got a kick
>out of his antics. Some of the things he did:
>
>"I think I'm dead." followed by a long pause before he cast Alabaster
>Potion to easily save himself.
>
>Informing his opponent of an overlooked Mana Battery that could have won
>him the game.
>
>Asking to speak with a Judge in private for no apparent reason.
>
>Taunting his opponents to attack him.
>
>
> All of these actions are legal. Now whether or not you consider
>them unsportsmanlike is a gray area. Most people act as Hammer did when
>they are playing in friendly games. Why should a Tournament be any
>different? He was entertaining to watch. All this aside, Hammer is an
>excellent player and won with a deck that most considered inferior
>overall. You gotta give it to him...
I was on the floor of the finals room for the entire day (except the final
match, because I had to catch a plane). I was feeding information by mic to
Mark Rosewater and Mark Justice for commentary in the booth. So I have a lot
of detailed information about Hammer and the other finalists.
Suffice it to say that I believe Hammer to be a fair competitor. When Hammer
played Preston in the first round, Hammer did not employ psychological
tactics against Preston: in fact, Hammer commented to me that he felt Preston
was a quality player and he would treat him as a friend. Preston made his own
mental errors without help.
In the 2nd round against Darwin Mess, Hammer was also generally courteous.
The comment in question (about the Mana Battery) is too long a story to relate
at this moment, but let me say that Darwin already knew he'd made a mistake.
Hammer commented on it several turns later, and Darwin nodded in agreement --
Darwin knew that he'd blown a chance to win that game.
In the finals, I expect things were different, but I didn't see the match.
My understanding is that Tom Guevin and Hammer were at odds on Saturday and
did a lot of cross-table harrassment of each other. I'd guess that in the
finals match, the sh*t probably flew. I don't know if they had a mic on the
table for the spectators to hear (the finals took place in a separate room
away from onlookers), but I expect Hammer and Tom were both pretty psyched
during the final match. Is that sportsmanlike? Sure. Until such time as
Magic finals are conducted via the equivalent of bidding boxes (like in
major international bridge competitions), the face-to-face psychological
tactics are an integral part of the game. Hammer may stare at you, but he's
probably just thinking about what to do. The guy does play a blue and white
control deck, after all...
Scott.
..........................................................................
Scott Burke sc...@mattice.com
Matt Stenger
On 7 May 1996 11:19:46 -0700, sc...@cvo.oneworld.com (Scott Burke)
wrote:
<snip>
>>: exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
>>: some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
<snip>
>>"I think I'm dead." followed by a long pause before he cast Alabaster
<snip>
>>Informing his opponent of an overlooked Mana Battery that could have won
<snip>
>>Asking to speak with a Judge in private for no apparent reason.
<snip>
>>Taunting his opponents to attack him.
>>
>>
>> All of these actions are legal. Now whether or not you consider
>>them unsportsmanlike is a gray area. Most people act as Hammer did when
>>they are playing in friendly games. Why should a Tournament be any
<snip>
I've been following this thread for a while trying to get the right
feel for it. I wasn't at PT2, so having no direct ovservation of
Hammer's play...
The things that (reportedly) Hammer said are all in pretty good taste.
I'm quite fond of saying things like "Whew, good thing I sideboarded
in an EXTRA Balance between games. That came in handy." I don't
consider that unsportsmanlike. I've always had the fortune of having
good natured opponents to play against. Recently, while playing in a
local Type-2, I managed to ritual out my Gloom against my U/W opponent
on turn one. "Oooh, THAT's gonna hurt...." Maybe someday my opponent
will come unraveled and turn into the Hulk, but I think it takes good
natured play for that kind of "trask talking" to be acceptable at the
table.
The specific examples of his comments are pretty standard
Psychological ploys. I'm glad they worked for him. Were he to have
been playing in an unsportsmanlike manner when he "called the ref over
for no particular reason," the ref would simply have informed him that
he was doing such.
Even if his psych-attacks were unwelcomed by his opponent (it's not
like it was licking his cards before putting them into play - or
consulting with his magic eight ball) I'm sure they could of asked
either a ref or Hammer himself to "hold it down" on his turns.
Just my $.02
Daniel Gray
ro...@panix.com (Ron Olszewski) writes:
>I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
>read that Hammer (Regnier) talks during other's turns, stares, etc. in an
>attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
>statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
>are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
>exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
>some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
>(For those who are wondering, one of my pet peeves is unsportsmanlike
>conduct. Far too many people seem to think that MtG is a game of pure
>skill, forgetting that luck plays a large part in it)
Hammer, from my experience watching him play on one REALLY big TV
screen at PT2 is that he is a master of the mental game. Since I couldn't hear
the audio, I couldn't tell what(if anything) he was saying, but I noticed a
number of delibterate stares directed at his opponent, slow, lengthy pauses
after his opponent cast something, as if he was going to counter it(even when
he had no counters in hand), slow, methodical shuffling and sideboarding
between games, etc. I don't think he engaged in any overt unsportsmanlike
behavior(such as major trash talking, stalling, etc.); he is just an
incredible player of mind games. Nothing illegal or even unethical about it.
It's part of the game, and if you let it distract you as a player, and it
costs you a game or match, it's your own fault.
Hammer, from limited experience(watching him play a bit on Friday, his
obviously concerned look when he was unsure he was going to make top 64, and
Preston's report), seems like a nice enough, normal guy. Comparing playing
mental games with your opponent to the crap Chip Hogan pulled(as another
poster did) is ridiculous. Mind games are an important part of ANY competitive
endeavor.
Dan Gray
manatee
ro...@panix.com (Ron Olszewski) wrote:
>I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
>read that Hammer (Regnier) talks during other's turns, stares, etc. in an
>attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
>statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
>are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
>exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
>some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
>(For those who are wondering, one of my pet peeves is unsportsmanlike
>conduct. Far too many people seem to think that MtG is a game of pure
>skill, forgetting that luck plays a large part in it)
>--
>-Ron Olszewski | All that is gold does not glitter
> ro...@panix.com | Not all those who wander are lost...
> |
Hi Ron,
I've known Hammer for a couple of years now; he introduced me to the
game. Generally speaking I've noticed he does enjoy "trash talking "
his opponents. However in ALL the games we ever played (hundreds of
them) he has never once tried to psyche me me out. The most likely
reason is I never trash talk him. I have observed that if someone
starts dumping on him, he will take them apart. He is a very nice
guy, goes out of his way to make newbies feel welcome, never ever
screws anyone in a trade and his store always has the best prices for
single cards anywhere around our area. His current victory in the
Long Beach tournament was certainly a testament to his playing
abilities, and the fact that so many people, including Mark Justice,
came up to him and said how glad they were that he won would have to
be taken as a testament to his sportmanship. And if you hear he was
especially tough on Tom in the finals; that is because there is a
mutual history of animosity between them. Tom, although truly one of
the best players in the game, can be a royal pain in the ass.
Roger McAllister
p.s. I am proud to be considered a "HITMAN".
Patrick Timmons
In article <4mo482$4...@fenris.com>, sc...@cvo.oneworld.com (Scott Burke) wrote:
< Hammer-Poulter recap deleted >
>
> In the 2nd round against Darwin Mess, Hammer was also generally courteous.
> The comment in question (about the Mana Batt.) is too long a story to relate
> at this moment, but let me say that Darwin already knew he'd made a mistake.
> Hammer commented on it several turns later, and Darwin nodded in agreement --
> Darwin knew that he'd blown a chance to win that game.
>
> In the finals, I expect things were different, but I didn't see the match.
> My understanding is that Tom Guevin and Hammer were at odds on Saturday and
> did a lot of cross-table harrassment of each other. I'd guess that in the
>
On Saturday both Hammer and Guevin had _excellent_ draft decks. Hammer's
W/U control deck was very similar to the deck he played on Sunday, but had
the incredible fortune of getting a Millstone in his first booster.
Guevin's deck sported 5 X spells, including Mind Twist. Hammer and Guevin
were sitting next to each other (Guevin at table 1, Hammer at 2) and
Hammer was making comments like "Can't wait to Mill that 'Twist" and
"Guess where your Oysters are going Tom?" as he Millstoned his way to the
final 8.
Interestingly, in the first round on Saturday Hammer played against Mark
Chalice. After Hammer beat him 2-1, Chalice commented that Hammer's deck
wasn't that strong; popular concensus also had Hammer's deck on Sunday as
one of the weakest in the field -- intimidation tactics aside, Hammer
played excellent Magic all weekend, and rightly deserved the crown.
P Timmons
Jeff & Anita Wood
Ron,
I played Hammer on Saturday, and was among the final 8 on Sunday, and I
found him to be an excellent player, very courteous, and very much
wanting to win. I do not see these as being contradictory...
Magic has different aspects: the deck design, how you play the cards,
and how you play against your opponent. This I believe makes the
difference between the TOP players and the really good players. Hammer
was able to read his opponent, determine their style of play, and used a
psychological approach to the play. Here is an example of what I
believe to be one of his BEST plays in the final match:
His opponent cast a spell (I believe it was an Immolation -- I don't
recall, but it was a one-casting cost spell); Hammer Spell Blasted it,
but spent a blue, and 2 other mana (yes, one more than required),
leaving him with an island and 3 other land. His opponent had 4 mana
left. His opponent then believed that Hammer could not PowerSink his
next Immolation, so he cast it. Hammer did PowerSink it, using the
extra mana that he had tapped when casting his Spell Blast (since it
wasn't used in the casting of the SpellBlast, it was still in his pool).
This was an excellent play to draw the Immolation out of his hand, and
wear down his opponent psychologically. What looked like a mistake on
Hammer's part (drawing the extra mana) was calculated. The
recommendation I have for anyone playing against him is that he rarely
makes mistakes -- certainly not of that nature.
I respect Hammer, and look forward to playing him (and beating him :-)
in Colombus.
-Jeff Wood
Mario Robaina
> All of these actions are legal. Now whether or not you consider
>them unsportsmanlike is a gray area. Most people act as Hammer did when
>they are playing in friendly games. Why should a Tournament be any
>excellent player and won with a deck that most considered inferior
>overall. You gotta give it to him...
>
>
I think it is safe to say that Hammer is definately not unsportsmanlike,
although he does have a lot of attitude and is not shy about sharing his
thoughts during a game. Basically, he talks a lot and tries to make it
difficult for his opponents to really feel in control. Similarly, most
of his gang acts the same way. Some people find it difficult to play
Hammer, but he is courteous and a great guy nonetheless. I'm was rooting
for him after he knocked Preston out in the Quarters, and I'm glad he won.
Later,
Mario.
Team PCL
Daniel Brickwell
In article <4mnqmu$d...@panix2.panix.com>, ro...@panix.com (Ron Olszewski) says:
>
>I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
>read that Hammer (Regnier) talks during other's turns, stares, etc. in an
>attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
>statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
>are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
>exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
>some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
>
I saw Hammer play in New York against Lestree in the Quarterfinals,
the duel alluded to in the Duelist.
Hammer was constantly making jokes and commenting on the game, but he did
not insult Lestree or do anything I would consider unsportsmanlike.
He said things like this:
Lestree plays a vise in game three.. Hammer has 6 cards on hand.
Hammer(playing U/w Millstone): Ouch. I thought nobody plays with these any more.
Are you sure you are only playing with one?
Things like that.
One did see that it was affecting Lestree as he ignored the whole thing,
not saying a word but kept hunching more and more together until he
looked like Uncle scrooge counting his money. (A very Magic savvy
Uncle Scrooge albeit.)
The best comment I heard came from Loconto though. He is playing against
the austrian champion (Wu?) who is famous for mindgames. Wu has a stormbind
out and keeps binding him. Leconto has a fountain of youth out and a
hydroblast on hand which he is not using as he is trading opponents cards
plus 2 mana for one life.
Leconto Says: Give me your beeeaast shot!
Friendly Greetings,
Daniel
Scott Larabee
sc...@cvo.oneworld.com (Scott Burke) wrote:
>I was on the floor of the finals room for the entire day (except the final
>match, because I had to catch a plane). I was feeding information by mic to
>Mark Rosewater and Mark Justice for commentary in the booth. So I have a lot
>of detailed information about Hammer and the other finalists.
I was also in the room and in fact took over the mic for Scott when he
had to catch his plane.
>Suffice it to say that I believe Hammer to be a fair competitor. When Hammer
>played Preston in the first round, Hammer did not employ psychological
>tactics against Preston: in fact, Hammer commented to me that he felt Preston
>was a quality player and he would treat him as a friend. Preston made his own
>mental errors without help.
>In the 2nd round against Darwin Mess, Hammer was also generally courteous.
>The comment in question (about the Mana Battery) is too long a story to relate
>at this moment, but let me say that Darwin already knew he'd made a mistake.
>Hammer commented on it several turns later, and Darwin nodded in agreement --
>Darwin knew that he'd blown a chance to win that game.
>In the finals, I expect things were different, but I didn't see the match.
>My understanding is that Tom Guevin and Hammer were at odds on Saturday and
>did a lot of cross-table harrassment of each other. I'd guess that in the
>finals match, the sh*t probably flew. I don't know if they had a mic on the
>table for the spectators to hear (the finals took place in a separate room
>away from onlookers), but I expect Hammer and Tom were both pretty psyched
>during the final match. Is that sportsmanlike? Sure. Until such time as
>Magic finals are conducted via the equivalent of bidding boxes (like in
>major international bridge competitions), the face-to-face psychological
>tactics are an integral part of the game. Hammer may stare at you, but he's
>probably just thinking about what to do. The guy does play a blue and white
>control deck, after all...
Things were a bit different but still not unsportsmanlike. More along
the lines of Hammer telling Guevin, "C'mon, bring out that Shivan, you
know you want to." Never called him names that I heard, and I was
right there thru all 5 games.
Both players had microphones on for the entire 5 games of the last
match so I imagine we'll get to hear some of the banter on the video
when it comes out.
>Scott.
>..........................................................................
>Scott Burke sc...@mattice.com
Scott Larabee
smla...@uci.edu
fu...@netvoyage.net
IRC #mtg #netrunner "Fuchi"
The Saturday Gathering - Los Angeles Area's Premiere
Magic: the Gathering Tournament - 714/444-4566
mark balabon
Scott Burke (sc...@cvo.oneworld.com) wrote:
: In article <4mntrb$i...@newstand.syr.edu>,: >: I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things. First, I
: >: attempt to psyche out his opponents while playing. Then, I read
: >: statements from a number of players that the Hit Men (Regnier included)
: >: are courteous, very professional players. The two seem mutually
: >: exclusive to me. Could someone who has actually played/watched Regnier shed
: >: some light on these seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
: >
: >followed by laughing. So I suppose the crowd at large simply got a kick
: >out of his antics. Some of the things he did:
: >"I think I'm dead." followed by a long pause before he cast Alabaster
: >Potion to easily save himself.
: >
: >Informing his opponent of an overlooked Mana Battery that could have won
: >him the game.
: >
: >Asking to speak with a Judge in private for no apparent reason.
: >
: >Taunting his opponents to attack him.
: >
: >
: > All of these actions are legal. Now whether or not you consider
: >they are playing in friendly games. Why should a Tournament be any
: >different? He was entertaining to watch. All this aside, Hammer is an
: >excellent player and won with a deck that most considered inferior
: >overall. You gotta give it to him...
: I was on the floor of the finals room for the entire day (except the final
: match, because I had to catch a plane). I was feeding information by mic to
: Mark Rosewater and Mark Justice for commentary in the booth. So I have a lot
: of detailed information about Hammer and the other finalists.
: Suffice it to say that I believe Hammer to be a fair competitor. When Hammer
: played Preston in the first round, Hammer did not employ psychological
: tactics against Preston: in fact, Hammer commented to me that he felt Preston
: was a quality player and he would treat him as a friend. Preston made his own
: mental errors without help.
: In the 2nd round against Darwin Mess, Hammer was also generally courteous.
: The comment in question (about the Mana Battery) is too long a story to relate
: at this moment, but let me say that Darwin already knew he'd made a mistake.
: Hammer commented on it several turns later, and Darwin nodded in agreement --
: Darwin knew that he'd blown a chance to win that game.
: In the finals, I expect things were different, but I didn't see the match.
: My understanding is that Tom Guevin and Hammer were at odds on Saturday and
: did a lot of cross-table harrassment of each other. I'd guess that in the
: finals match, the sh*t probably flew. I don't know if they had a mic on the
: table for the spectators to hear (the finals took place in a separate room
: away from onlookers), but I expect Hammer and Tom were both pretty psyched
: during the final match. Is that sportsmanlike? Sure. Until such time as
: Magic finals are conducted via the equivalent of bidding boxes (like in
: major international bridge competitions), the face-to-face psychological
: tactics are an integral part of the game. Hammer may stare at you, but he's
: probably just thinking about what to do. The guy does play a blue and white
: control deck, after all...
One thing everyone should keep in mind is whether the players have any past
history. Hammer may be very nice to people he's never played before. With
people that he knows and has played _many_ times in the past, his play style
may be entirely different. Hammer has played both Darwin and Tom on numerous
occasions - is there any reason to think that they would treat each other like
complete strangers? Darwin and Tom are both very good players and they are
both well known in this area. They both have their own play style and are
generally more relaxed with people they've played before. So the games that
they played against Hammer may not be the best indication of how
sportsman-like Hammer is.
Bally
Canticle
On 7 May 1996, RAW STEAL wrote:
> I watched Hammer in the semi-final round. His actions were considered
> amusing by most of those watching. Many times I heard "What a dick!"
> followed by laughing. So I suppose the crowd at large simply got a kick
> out of his antics. Some of the things he did:
> "I think I'm dead." followed by a long pause before he cast Alabaster
> Potion to easily save himself.
This, this is amusing :). (reminds me of the time I was playing a
Black/White deck. I had one untapped swamp. My opponent hit me a 32 point
Fireball. I went "Oooo...that hurt. I think I'm dead". I tapped the
Swamp, Dark Ritualed, ran the three mana through three Sextants for
White, cast Reverse Damage).
> Informing his opponent of an overlooked Mana Battery that could have won
> him the game.
This, this is painful. I've had this happen to me in a game. Not fun, but
not unsportsmanlike.
> Asking to speak with a Judge in private for no apparent reason.
This is could be considered wasting time. Personally, it wouldn't
intimidate me, I wouldn't really care :).
> Taunting his opponents to attack him.
Depends what you mean by taunting.
"Hey asshole, do something" is rude.
"Hmmm...don't you think attacking with that Black Knight would be a good
idea?" is just bluffing. Difference between intimidation and bluffing is
that bluffing doesn't bother people.
Personally, none of this seems unsportsmanlike... I assumed Hammer was
being a jerk the way some people were talking, but if this is the case,
I'll definitely reconsider my assesment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Mark Chalice
>>>>> "Ron" == Ron Olszewski <ro...@panix.com> writes:
In article <4mnqmu$d...@panix2.panix.com> ro...@panix.com (Ron Olszewski) writes:
Ron> I keep reading what seems to me to be two conflicting things.
Ron> First, I read that Hammer (Regnier) talks during other's turns,
Ron> stares, etc. in an attempt to psyche out his opponents while
Ron> playing. Then, I read statements from a number of players that the
Ron> Hit Men (Regnier included) are courteous, very professional
Ron> players. The two seem mutually exclusive to me. Could someone who
Ron> has actually played/watched Regnier shed some light on these
Ron> seeming inconsitencies? Thanks!
Hammer is generally one of the best and most courteous players I know. If
you like talking, he will talk. If you say nothing, he says nothing.
-Mark Chalice
David J Low
mcha...@hmc.edu (Mark Chalice) writes:
>Hammer is generally one of the best and most courteous players I know. If
>you like talking, he will talk. If you say nothing, he says nothing.
This sounds like a nice bloke. The important thing is treating the
opponent as courteously as possible. If they enjoy engaging in
banter (hell knows, I like it myself), there isn't a problem. If they'd
rather have quiet, it's important to shut up.
Regards,
David.
--
{ David J. Low | dl...@kurasc.kyoto-u.ac.jp }
{ JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow | http://www.kurasc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~dlow }
{ Radio Atmospheric Science Center | "I'd rather be lost in the Darkness }
{ Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611 | than blinded by the Light" }
Magnar Sveen
>> "I think I'm dead." followed by a long pause before he cast Alabaster
>> Potion to easily save himself.
>This, this is amusing :). (reminds me of the time I was playing a
>Black/White deck. I had one untapped swamp. My opponent hit me a 32 point
>Fireball. I went "Oooo...that hurt. I think I'm dead". I tapped the
>Swamp, Dark Ritualed, ran the three mana through three Sextants for
>White, cast Reverse Damage).
I really enjoy these things. One time in a tournament I played against a deck
with 8 Fireball-clones, me with countermagic. In the first game I had
Deflected a Fireball back at him, killing him with it. So, without any
countermagic in my hand, I realise he has an x-spell in hand, and enough mana
to kill me. I had 14 life, he had 16. So I say to him; "Hey, why not Fireball
me for 16?" .. He said "huh?", checked our life-totals and chose to wait
till I was tapped out.. That is; He gave up after a while, but I had gotten a
Mana Drain by then. :)
Later,
--
Magnar Sveen - mARSH mELLOW - msv...@telepost.no
Everything you know is wrong.
Richard D Bolduc
I recentley met Hammer and the Hitmen in NY at the New York Regional
Campionship. I saw him play and he did not do anything i consider
disrespectful/uncurtious. After the matchs i talked with him and asked
if he new about everyone talking about him on the net. We started
talking about this subjuct and he was very polite. What he has done in
my oponion is become one of the best deck builder/mental oponent i've
ever seen. What he does is part of the game...the psychological part of
the game. This just makes you a better competitor in my oponion. Once
again congrats Hammer for LB.
Rich Bolduc
One of the people from Dark Crystal....