So you like to play Magic? Of course we’ll drive 665 km to play for two days! On Friday, May 31st, we were fortunate to score an invite to a side event of the Raging Bull Series. This annual Old School Magic tournament, held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a European powerhouse, attracting players from across the globe.
Our journey began with a detour to Tilburg to pick up my brother. Since we had another tournament lined up for Veldhoven the following day, we strategically checked into our Veldhoven hotel first. Then, it was back on the road to Tilburg and finally, on to the event location. As always, Dutch traffic threw us a few curveballs (let’s just say it wasn’t the smoothest ride), but thankfully, we arrived at the venue and that’s where we met Richard he immediately made us feel welcome, and we had a brief chat before he got pulled away by the demands of organizing the side event.
With time to spare before the event kicked off, we grabbed a bite to eat at the venue. And let me tell you, if you ever find yourself in Amsterdam with a hankering for both a game and a delicious steak, 2-Klaveren is the place to be!! This cozy gem, nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, is a haven for both Magic enthusiasts and steak lovers, cooked to perfection and served with all the trimmings i would recommend it.
With our bellies full and our spirits high, we were ready to dive into the side event. The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Players from all corners of the globe had gathered to play this event, it consisted of an Ice Age sealed deck. In this case, a starter Ice Age, 2 Homelands boosters and 2 Alliances boosters, men this was nostalgia!!!
As we cracked open our packs and starters, you could here the excitement, people were happy and full of joy. The challenge, of course, was in creating a cohesive deck from the random assortment of cards we had at our disposal. Some players are naturals at this, effortlessly crafting powerful decks from seemingly disparate elements. Others, like myself, often end up with a deck that is more flavorful than functional. But that’s the beauty of Magic. It’s not just about winning; it’s about expressing your creativity and having fun. And even if our decks weren’t the most competitive, they were ours, and we took pride in them.
One of the highlights of the event was reconnecting with other players from previous tournaments, and finaly meet people I talked with on the whatsapp.
As the night drew to a close, we packed up our cards and bid farewell to our fellow players. We had come to Amsterdam to test our skills against the best, and we had done just that. But more importantly, we had made new friends, rekindled old bonds, and experienced the joy of playing Magic in its purest form. It was a night we would never forget.
And so, to Richard, we raise our glasses. Thank you for making our Magic journey unforgettable. And hope to attend again next year.
For more detail on the Raging Bull Series Please visit: The Raging Bull
Date: June 30, 2024
Author: Rudy