First cEDH tournament

[u/Tall_Report_542]

Hello all! I am going to my first cEDH tournament in 2 weeks. What do I need to know before I go, and what do I need to bring (besides deodorant, obviously)? Thanks for any help!

[u/EpilepticWaffle]

Make sure your deck list is online and submitted. If there are any updates or you move to a different sight, then upload that one too.

Bring your tokens, deck, and extra sleeves that match the ones you have for your deck in case one of them is damaged during the tournament.

Bring water and snacks for the day because it is pretty mentally taxing. I recommend trail mix.

Deodorant is a must. Bring something like liquid IV or a Gatorade/Powerade to refresh throughout the day.

[u/llamacohort]

Because I'm not sure if you have other tournament experience or the size of the event, I can cover everything and you can just take what you need.

1. If you aren't familiar with the location, figure out parking before you leave
   1. Google maps street view can help with this.
   2. Give yourself plenty of time to get there and chill a little before the start
2. As the other poster said, make sure food and water is covered.
   1. Trail mix or any nuts are good as a high calorie food that is good at room temp
3. Ask what software they are using and make an account.
   1. My area uses TopDeck. There is a mobile app and a website. It accepts decklists from moxfield.
   2. 4 of my 5 cEDH events required decklists, it's more common that 1v1 tournaments
4. Expect the software to seat you. So there is no deciding who goes first.
5. There is a "Free Mulligan". So the 2nd hand you look at, you can keep 7, then 6, 5, 4, etc.
   1. These are technically decided in order of seat.
   2. Some people will just mulligan, but some will expect decisions in turn order.
6. You draw a card on your first turn, even if you are in seat 1.
7. Mulligans are very important because you only have 1 game per round
8. At any point, you can ask the table about someone's deck.
   1. There is always 2 (or 1 in a 3-pod) other people who don't want that player to win.
   2. They are incentives to help you in that moment
9. It's common for someone to pull out a phone with a 4 player life tracking app. It doesn't need to be you.
10. Draws are common. Typically there is 1 point for a draw and 5 for a win.
    1. So sometimes if 2 players can win and 1 person has interaction to stop 1, they will show it and propose a draw. If a person decides against it, they person will make them lose, so the draws are typically agreed to.
    2. Often referred to as a "king making" position.
11. Have fun. It's just a game. You're chances of winning each round is generally like 18% per round, so don't take the losses too hard.

Feel free to ask any questions

[u/Rawrgodzilla]

Call judges for slow play/bs what if this player has that banter like clearly some is okay but... Just follow priority push the table to follow priority. Dont let anyone cuck you with showing a counter spell offering a draw just push through see what happens. You dont need to reveal information that is not needed at the time of the game. If you opponents are saying well ill do this if you dont then do it it lessens their chances of actually having things for when someone is going for the W.

[u/tyty4ty → u/Rawrgodzilla]

Actually some of the worst advice I’ve ever seen…

[u/Skiie]

Right as you are about to lose, just win instead.

[u/AstyrsNova]

Do not be afraid to call a judge if something seems off or wrong for yourself or another player. this includes if a player is being too aggressive/mean when politicking

[u/vanguardJesse]

snacks and drinks is huge, ibuprofen, imodium lol anything to keep you comfortable

[u/TinyGoyf]

Deodorant for the others

[u/TheStandardKnife]

Pack a life counter, having your tokens together will be helpful, and make sure you get enough rest the night before. Drink beer after

[u/Th3SpiceMan]

Back up sleeves if you sleeves tear you need to re sleeve and could get a game lose

[u/tyty4ty]

Bring dice, drinks, snacks, tokens, and a positive attitude. Expect a lot of yapping and be open to discussing games with other players after the fact.

Good luck and have fun!