How to Become a Better Player?

[Spencer Addington]

Really think about what you should play before you do it. When I was first starting out, I would through down a card without thinking about it and it would almost always bite me in the butt latter.

[Ertai]

If someone plays a really good card like {Iona, Shield of Emeria}, instead of openly complaining, find a way to deal with it.

Unless said card is any big man Eldrazi creatures. At that point it's pretty much gg. Or more so FML.

[Apathy Reactor]

Everything that has been said + have fun, don't get mad or frustrated, just roll with it and learn from losses. The best way to be a better player is to be a better player to play with.

[Butch1977]

Everything that has been said + have fun, don't get mad or frustrated, just roll with it and learn from losses. The best way to be a better player is to be a better player to play with.

That is a great philosophy. For every great player playing right now, there is a player that wants to be that good. If you become that good there will be a player that wants to be as good as you. Don't discourage that guy. Hell, we're all probably that guy right now. Love it IceScythe

[xStrayKnightx]

If someone plays a really good card like {Iona, Shield of Emeria}, instead of openly complaining, find a way to deal with it.

Unless said card is any big man Eldrazi creatures. At that point it's pretty much gg. Or more so FML.

No, the same thing applies. You find a way to deal with it. If you can't, then find a way to play around it.

[Raiderrob]

Watch twitch streams of scg tournaments. I've learned a lot watching good competitive magic.

[Teysa karlov]

Play against opponents of a high  skill level. That don't mind pointing out miss plays! And use some of the top teir decks. As they take skill to play and in using them you increase your ability

[Mattao19]

Know your deck!!! Can't stress this enough!!! Know exactly every card in your deck and SB so you know possible outs and future scenarios!! This ESPECIALLY is true if you bet deck.

Also know how to play in certain scenarios if I'm playing RDW I may play this card T2 instead of waiting or I might wait until he over commits to verdict etc.

[Coffee Vampire]

Everything that has been said + have fun, don't get mad or frustrated, just roll with it and learn from losses. The best way to be a better player is to be a better player to play with.

This is fantastic advice. If you aren't hot headed when you lose, your mind is clear to actually learn something. Same with winning, but you learn more when you lose, usually.

[Raiderrob]

Learning how to properly build a sideboard, and when and what to board in will make a person a better player.

[imthelolrus]

In addition to all the intellectual growth required to pilot a deck, evaluate cards, etc. I argue for a psychological/mental growth:

With each match and round understand that this event sitting across from that opponent has never happened in the history of the universe. It's possible you win, lose or draw regardless of the matchup. Additionally, take bith winning
And loosing gracefully. A past win/loss doesn't guarantee a future one. Work to understand your feelings/frustrations in the moment and work to avoid it impacting your performance.

Learn to play under pressure, with many onlookers, under unfavorable circumstances like being sleep deprived. I feel like these are the kind of player skills rarely talked about that are instrumental in being an exceptional MTG player.

Also, nothing frustrates someone more whn the opponent is calm and difficult to read.