Psychology in Magic: The element of stupidity -- The Rath Party Forum

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Date Posted: 17:01:40 02/10/01 Sat
Author: Eron the Relentless
Subject: Psychology in Magic: The element of stupidity

I've got a new article, about making your opponent overlook you.

Today, my beginner cousin came over, saying that she learned to play magic, and made a deck. I was a blue deck she through together, with mainly quick creatures, a few cards to make everyone mad, and some counters. From my experiences in watching her, a newbie, play, I've learned a few tips that might come in handy.

If your opponent experiences you doing something stupid, they'll expect that same thing will happen in many other cases. My cousin did something newbielike, reading a card in her hand out loud without playing it.

My cousin was against my little brother's preconstructed "Spectrum" deck. During my cousin's turn, she said to my other brother, "Hey, come here. What does this do, it says counter target spell unless that player pays X. If they don't, that player taps all lands he or she controls, and empties their mana pool." Of course, she had a Power Sink in her hand. For a newbie, that is a very complicated card. That is a very well known card by most players, so my brother knew that she had that in her hand. Of course, he was prepared for it, and made smart moves.

But what if you were to take it a step further, and bluff? It seems stupid when you really have the card in your hand, but what about when you don't? That's where the element of stupidity comes in. Call over your friend, and ask them what a countering card does. Make it one that's complicated, and your opponent might not think of you as totally stupid (or have something up your sleeve). Read out loud a Power Sink, or some card with X in the cost. If you tell your friend "What does counter target spell mean?" your opponent will probably catch on more easily.

A friend will help you with this trick, but your friend must be willing to help you bluff. If you don't have a friend to help you, mumble it to yourself, but enough for your opponent to know what card you're talking about.

When you do the trick without the counter in your hand, follow these steps. First, read the card out loud, like a fool. Second, let them go. If they don't go through with their spell, you have succeeded. Do the basic rules of bluffing to ensure this(shift through hand, put hands on lands getting ready to tap, almost place card in graveyard while the get ready to do spell). If they do their spell, pretend that you forgot about the card in your hand. They'll think that you just forgot, and wont catch on.

If they eventually do catch on, do the opposite, and they'll play the spell, thinking that you're counterless. You'll have a counterspell, and they'll eventually be confused about whether you can counter their spell or not.

How do you guys like my new psychology article? I can always use improvements, and I'll always think how I can work off ideas, and come up with new ones involving psychology in magic. I love doing this.

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Replies:

Re: Psychology in Magic: The element of stupidity -- Karn, 17:37:02 02/10/01 Sat