New things- 2XM style

 Double Masters was a hit, if you nailed the variance. Which also took A LOT of money to do. VIP packs started at 85 and just went up. (please note- they can be easily searched and resealed without anyone knowing.) 

I went to my LGS draft store (Gamer Corps) and bought 3 packs. At $16.50 per, I felt a little squeamish  because I knew I was buying lottery scratch-offs. However, I wanted to support the store during insanity. Got there, and was informed that they were planning to draft the set that night. *GULP!* Yeah, no thanks. Don't feel comfortable occupying the same space with folks I don't know for 3-4 hours passing cards around at first. Draft is fun, but not a risk I'm willing to take at this time. 

Here is my video of those three packs. Don't blink it will go quick:

Small note on the video. The reason I wasn't as excited for Ensnaring Bridge, I had JUST acquired a Stronghold copy via trade. Happy to have a second copy, just funny as heck.

Next on the docket- singles.

At first I really thought I was going to get a set of Thoughtsieze. Really I did. However, I was watching the pre-sale prices and they didn't go down. Sooooooooooo, I turned to my next target- Trinisphere. Previous to this printing, there were only 3 versions available. The Darksteel, From the Vault, and a Masterpiece. The Darksteel was expensive, $60 as of just last year, and slowly slide down to about $30. I don't want the foil From the Vault version... and the Masterpiece, well, no. Nice printing, don't get me wrong. Just I have so many other needs that bling makes no sense for me here. 

Why buy Trinisphere? I am betting that Astrolabe will be kicked to the curb sooner than later. Once mana goes back to pressed non-basics, then things like Mono/Dragon Stompy become a thing again. Thats when I need/want the Trinisphere. Yes, I know. I need Chrome Mox. But not at current prices. It was printed in 2XM, however, it never got below $40 and is now easily $50 plus again.

The first thing I did was to scope out my "buy point." The price I felt was the lowest I could accept without screwing myself later. For reference, I got hosed on my "buy point" for Rishadian Port and M25. For Trinisphere, I felt WAY more comfortable at about $12-13 for each copy. I waited nicely Friday... then Saturday morning. I kept checking eBay buy-it-now prices, and TCG.  I also checked in with a couple folks to see their opinion of this product. Consensus was- get singles release weekend. There is no natural curve to this set. A ton of it will be opened the first weekend, then the market will soak up the singles and prices float back up. (I've seen that analysis on Reddit Mtg Finance) 

When I pulled the trigger, it was on eBay. I found 3 different listings. All total, I paid $50.77 for four copies. 

As of now, the cheapest copy on eBay buy-it-now are at least $15. TCG is at least $19. Yup- saving money for the things I want/need. Feels good.

Lastly, trying something new this week- some video play content. Two reasons:

#1 Fun to try doing new things. Might try Arena at first with a CRAPPY microphone, and eventually try capturing Legacy paper play video webcam. Likely running out a Sneak&Show build just because I can.

#2 I am curious to see how my game play is. Reviewing your own play, I've heard, is one of the best ways to help improve my game. And god knows my game needs improvement.