300: Love & Learning Magic with Greg Sokol (GP Orlando 5th Place)

300: Love & Learning Magic with Greg Sokol (GP Orlando 5th Place)

Author: Shaun Penrod talks tips and stories with professional Magic: The Gathering August 31, 2018 Duration: 45:23

Greg Sokol is an MTG streamer and tutor, he's an MTGO PTQ winner (Dominaria sealed), got 5th place at Grand Prix Orlando 2018, and is self-taught from grinding on MTGO. (rating as low as 12-1300!) Greg lives in Mexico City, Mexico.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Greg Sokol when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep300

First Set

Judgment

Favorite Set

Dominaria/Khans of Tarkir

Favorite Card

Wellwisher

Early Challenge

Greg didn't have a game store close by so he played a lot on MTGO. Greg also struggled with understanding and coping with variance.

Worst Magic Moment

Greg was playing a win-and-in for top 8 and his opponent was clearly not as good as he was. When his opponent won, Greg was really upset. From that, Greg learned to remember that Magic is a game.

Proudest Magic Moment

Finally qualifying for the Pro Tour. Greg was traveling and took time to do an online event and made it to the end and qualified.

Biggest Mistake Players Make

Knowing when to think is the biggest skill you can have in Magic.

Grand Prix Preparation

The thing that helped the most was having a friend to play with and doubling down on wanting a specific match up to be amazing.

Parting Guidance

Magic is a game. Enjoy it and treat your opponent with respect.

Connect With Greg Sokol

Twitter:@GMANSokol

Check Out Magic Story

Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.

Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com


Every Tuesday and Friday, MTG Pro Tutor-Insights, Tips & Advice from Magic: The Gathering Pros brings you straight into the minds of the game's top competitors. Host Shaun Penrod sits down with professional players and respected community figures, moving beyond simple decklists to explore the real journeys that shaped them. These conversations uncover the habits, mental frameworks, and often-overlooked practical advice that separate good players from great ones. You'll hear specific, actionable strategies you can apply in your very next match, distilled from countless hours of practice and competition. This isn't just about theory; it's about translating the hard-won experience of pros into tangible improvements for your own game. Whether you're aiming to sharpen your technical play, better understand complex interactions, or simply enjoy the personal stories behind the cards, this podcast serves as a consistent resource. The focus remains on genuine insight over hype, offering a clear path to leveling up your skills. Tune in for a direct line to the collective wisdom of the Magic community, all designed to help you play smarter and with more confidence.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

MTG Pro Tutor - Insights, Tips & Advice from Magic: The Gathering Pros
Podcast Episodes
297: (Best of) Jon Finkel on How You Can Improve as a Magic Player [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:41
Jon Finkel's prolific talents and sterling resume earned him the nickname "Jonny Magic" long ago. After a substantial hiatus, Jon Finkel returned to the Pro Tour and immediately demonstrated why he's widely considered th…
295: What to Do With What You Can't Control with Nick Waugh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:24
Nick Waugh recently made his first Top 8 at Grand Prix Barcelona 2018 playing Boros Burn. Nick lives in Godalming, United Kingdom. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Nick Waugh when he shared his story on #MTGProT…
294: Play to the End with Laszlo Poroszkai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
Laszlo Poroszkai is from the North-Eastern part of Hungary, a small city without an LGS. He first started playing around 2000 and stopped when Counterspell was not reprinted. He came back in Zendikar and has been to a lo…
293: How To Learn and Justify Decisions with Dani Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:21
Dani Anderson is an Engineering Ph.D. student from Glasgow, Scotland who is building his Magic resume with finishes such as winning the PTQ at GP Liverpool and making it into the Top 16 at Pro Tour Dominaria. Dani lives…
292: Hot Summer Months with Goncalo Pinto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:07
Goncalo Pinto is stacking up his record with 1 Grand Prix top 8, 1 Nationals top 8, and a Pro Tour top 8 at Pro Tour Dominaria. Goncalo lives in Barreiro Portugal. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Goncalo Pinto…
290: Try New Cards and WIN with Janus Andersen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:09
Janus Andersen recently broke through and made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Birmingham 2018 (Legacy). Janus lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Janus Andersen when he shared his st…
289: The More You Play... with Matt Brown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:28
Matt Brown has a few Grand Prix cashes, has appeared on the Pro Tour once before and now has his first Grand Prix top 8. Matt lives in England. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Brown when he shared his stor…
288: Have Fun, Be Nice with Luke Southworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:02
Luke Southworth has one old PTQ win, a handful of Grand Prix cashes and just made Top 8 of Grand Prix Birmingham 2018. Luke is from Preston, England. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Luke Southworth when he shar…