312: GP Champion Eli Kassis on How to Spot Magic: The Gathering Cheating (1st GP New Jersey 2018)

312: GP Champion Eli Kassis on How to Spot Magic: The Gathering Cheating (1st GP New Jersey 2018)

Author: Shaun Penrod talks tips and stories with professional Magic: The Gathering November 23, 2018 Duration: 49:34

Eli Kassis returns to MTG Pro Tutor for the 3rd time as he keeps growing his accomplishments and notoriety. Eli now has 6 Grand Prix top 8s and is the Champion of Grand Prix New Jersey 2018. He has won an SCG Invitational and has 2 Pro Tour top 32's. Eli lives in Vestal, NY and is a member of team Face to Face Games.

Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eli Kassis when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep312

Eli Kassis comes back to MTG Pro Tutor for the 3rd time. He was episode 101 and 206 and now is back on episode 312.

Key To Success

Teams have been Eli's key to success.
Have a thirst for knowledge to find unique lines of play.

Tips To Minimize/Spot Cheating

  1. Look at their eyes when they're shuffling your deck.
  2. Note how long they are shuffling.
  3. Ask for them to end with a cut.
  4. Always shuffle their deck and end cut.

Parting Guidance

Pivot and look to others to manage tilt.
There's a lot that can be learned from the experiences of others.

Connect With Eli Kassis

Twitter:@Eli_Kassis

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
287: Prodigy to Pro Tour 2 with Michael Mapson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:27
Michael Mapson is a fellow Prodigy who made top 8 at Grand Prix Hartford 2018. That's right! You're in for a treat as we have our second listener-turned-guest on the show. Michael is from Phoenixville, PA. Click to Tweet…
286: Becoming Tilt Proof with Joshua Bausch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:44
Joshua Bausch has been playing card games since he was 11, started with Pokemon to Yu-Gi-Oh and now Magic. He's always been competitive and tried to be competitive in all of them with the most success in Magic. He placed…
285: How To Switch Gears Mid-Game with Robert Swarowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:47
Robert Swarowski has 3 Grand Prix top 8s including being the champion of one of the first Grand Prix ever. Robert lives in Las Vegas, NV. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Robert Swarowski when he shared his stor…
283: The Mis-Estimation Pitfall with Niklas Dahlquist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:52
Niklas Dahlquist is a Swedish player who has been playing Magic since 1994. He started playing more competitively in the last year and positioned top 4 in this year's Magic Online Championship. He really likes playing Li…
282: Draft a Lot and Make Your Own Decisions with Lars Dam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:25
Lars Dam has 2 Pro Tour top 16s; 1 MOCS win and 1 MOCS top 4. He averages 2 drafts per day and is a former pro poker player. Now he enjoys sports betting on soccer. He's married with no children, is 35 years old and live…
280: How Finding a Mentor Can Help You Succeed with Alexander Kreuz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:27
Alexander Kreuz is a former PTQ grinder who has 6 Pro Tour appearances. He took a hiatus from Magic and came back in 2017 to finish 10th at GP Amsterdam and recently got his first Grand Prix top 8. Alexander lives in Kob…
279: Don't Let the Fear of Losing Hold You Back with Aaron Barich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:48
Aaron Barich has been playing Magic since he was 5 and is now a regular of competitive Magic. With some aggressive brewing, he has made a name for himself on the SCG Circuit. His Pro Tour grind began at Battle for Zendik…