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One thing we gamers often do is berate each other’s intelligence – it makes us feel good to be smart compared to our surroundings and we calmly expect others to try to do the same to us. If you have spent a lot of time in geek only-surroundings, you need to be aware that girls will often be offended if you roll your eyes or talk down at them when they don’t understand something. Gamer lingo is of course strictly forbidden in these conversations, as it is intended exclusively for gamer to gamer communication. It may very well come from the bottom of your heart, but don’t go telling a girl she’s “getting big.”

Nearly 5000 words of ooey-gooey Limited goodness. This one contains thoughts and observations on every guild and reports from Martin’s experience playing the new set.

In today’s installment of Geeks and Girls, you are going to learn how to select a suitable object of affection. Before we get there, though, let’s look at how girls work. Any girl will have a set of qualities that might look something like this…

All this week, gifted Swede Thomas Rosholm tackles fundamental skills you all want and need but the vast majority of you seem to lack. Strap yourselves in, lads… this should be a fun ride.

The first real decision in any Magic game, after you chose whether to play or draw, is whether or not you should take a mulligan. Over the years there have been quite a few articles on the internet about taking mulligans, yet I still believe it deserves much more attention. I think that most Magic players have the habit of keeping bad or dangerous hands while they should be mulliganning instead. Every now and then someone writes, “This hand was pretty bad, but it contained lands and spells so I had to keep” or “This is a hand that you cannot mulligan, but you won’t win the game with it either”. These are very bad statements; it indicates that players are way too afraid to take a mulligan. It’s time to stop being afraid and become a better player.

Years ago, you could get a free game win by catching your opponent on a rules error. That has changed. Today, both players are responsible for ensuring that mandatory actions take place, etc., and both players can get cautions and/or warnings if the game state gets screwed up. Judges are clamping down on “rules cheese.”

What is The Monster? For long-time followers of Ben’s Corner, this question has haunted their dreams for months. Is it a dragon? Is it a vampire? Nay, it is a million toothed cardboard beast which has inflicted ulcers upon all who gaze upon its hideous fury! Confused? Details are inside!

Also in Ben’s Corner: Feedback time! What do you want to see in future installments of Ben’s Corner? Now’s your time to have your voice heard!

First of all, I want to stress that Wizards wants people to play with foils. They like seeing foils. They do not want judges to discourage foils. In fact, the Wizards folks make that point fairly emphatically. You can play with foils. You just have to be careful when you do it so you don’t wind up with penalties for having a marked deck.

Today I want to talk about sleeves. I want to tell you how to avoid penalties including game loses, match loses and even disqualifications, because you screwed up with your sleeves. Worn, folded or unusual sleeves all look different from other sleeves and, accidental or not, the result is marked cards. Marked cards are serious yang and should be treated appropriately.

While most of the Magical world was off enjoying their Ravnica prerelease experience, Nick Eisel was at home battling Ken Krouner and others for digital glory.

As a player with years of tournament experience, I can give you some advice on how to get ready for a tourney – and how to avoid game losses for stupid mistakes. As a judge, I have to wonder why I keep giving out game losses for these same things. Jeez, people – this stuff isn’t hard. Winning a tournament is tough enough, don’t shoot yourself in the foot at the start.