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
277: Brian Braun-Duin Talks Sportsmanship, Dedication and Respect [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:37
Brian Braun-Duin is the 2016 World Champion, has 1 Pro Tour top 16 and 11 Grand Prix Top 8s, with 2 Grand Prix wins. He also writes articles at TCGplayer.com. Brian lives in Roanoke, Virginia. Click to Tweet: I got a ton…
276: Happiness and Self-Worth with Ben Ragan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:52
Ben Ragan began playing Magic with Magic 2010 after quitting competitive chess in middle school. He top 8ed GP Toronto and has multiple SCG Tour Open Top 8s, as well as a heartbreaking ninth-place finish at an SCG Invita…
275: How to Tell if Your Opponent Has an Answer with Josh Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
Josh Taylor is a long time Magic: The Gathering grinder and is a feared Limited aficionado in the North East. Some of his notable finishes include Top 8 of Grand Prix New Jersey, 3rd and 9th at SCG invitationals, Multipl…
274: Playing Lands and Making Friends with Galan Falakfarsa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:21
Galan Falakfarsa has been grinding competitive Magic for about 6 years. His first exciting finish was in 2012 with an SCG Open top 8. Since then he's made top 8 at several PTQs and PPTQs and played in a couple RPTQs. His…
273: How Belief Affects Your Win Rate with Daniel Mabee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
Daniel Mabee is a semi-competitive Magic player from Sacramento, California who has been playing since 2000. He made his first Grand Prix top 8 at GP Santa Clara. Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Daniel Mabee wh…
272: Admitting Your Mistakes with John Martin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:43
John Martin is a long time MTG grinder who started playing in Scars of Mirridon/Innistrad block. He has 2 PPTQ wins, made top 20 at GP SA, and is the champion of GP Santa Clara. John lives in Austin, Texas. Click to Twee…
271: Game State IQ and Dealing with Loss with Isaac Sears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:01
Isaac Sears has worked in the casino industry for a decade and his Magic accomplishments include 1 Grand Prix top 8, 1 team Grand Prix top 4, and a top 75 at Pro Tour DC. He also has 1 SCG top 8, 2 SCG top 16s, and was a…
270: GP Champion Jeremy Frye Says Don't Give Up - Success Takes Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
Jeremy Frye has been playing competitive Magic for 8 years. In that time, he has made 2 Grand Prix top 4s with 1 win, and 1 SCG Open top 8. He has found himself to always need a competitive outlet and Magic has always be…
269: Pick One Format and Master It with Jedrek Szmyd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:45
Jedrek Szmyd is a powerful magician, who is a dedicated blue mage. He made top 8 at Grand Prix Warsaw 2017. Besides MTG, he's also really into basketball and music. Jedrek lives in Poznań, Poland. Click to Tweet: I got a…