We don't need States to mean anything more than it does now.

That's right, I said it - and I'll let you know why.

The problem is not that States needs to be made to mean something. It's that we need more than three big events (Amateurs, Regionals, and States) that use Standard as the format of choice.

Some places have already taken the step toward hosting big-money events for Standard (the Grudge Match in the Northeast has been going on for a few years). In Georgia, we have held a Standard event the past two summers called the Atlanta Open. For most players, though, unless it's the occasional Grand Prix Trial that happens to use Standard instead of something else, we're limited to weekend tournaments at the local card shop (not that there is anything wrong with that), or the occasional Standard format Grand Prix within driving distance.

I think this is the real reason behind all the arguments. People who consider themselves above States actually want to play, but they need a reason to do so. Otherwise, they find that they cannot be bothered. What better reason is there to make these folks want to play, than to make States the first step in the overall Regionals-Nationals-Worlds scheme that exists?

However, if the Top 8 players at States received byes at Regionals, people would bitch about the fact that the byes gave those people unfair tiebreakers for the purpose of those eleven rounds. The same problems people have had in the past with the Grand Prix byes would sneak in, and then you'd have article after article talking about the good old days where States didn't mean anything, and how we liked it that way.

The other argument is that maybe just the State Champ would get the invite to Nationals. So now you have all the semi-pro players coming out of the woodwork to smash people who just want to play in a big tournament without a lot pressure. That would definitely solve the problem for those that want States to mean something more.

That's not really the problem, is it?

As far as the argument that it doesn't mean anything, we have Standard tournaments all the time where the top players in an area face off against some of the not-so-top players. When someone wins that tournament, they receive prizes or a pat on the back, but it isn't worthless - it's certainly not worthless to the person who won that day. And what did they accomplish? Well, for that day, at that place, with that deck, that player was the best in their field.

It may not have any greater meaning to play in States for the Pros - but in all fairness, they have the opportunity to play in this event and many choose not too. They can spout off reasons why they don't play, but the bottom line is that they don't want to play, whatever the reason.

So is it the name of the tournament, these"State Championships" (or Provincials or whatever), what causes the problem? If Wizards merely said that they were allowing a coordinated weekend event that would usher in the new Constructed season and call it the "Block Welcoming Party" or whatever, would that sit better with people? That seems to be what it all comes down to. No one complains that the Amateur tournament doesn't feed into anything else (at least nothing in comparison to the complaints we have seen for States).

So what we're basically arguing for is a name change, because the word"States" conjures up too many issues and expectations of what is appropriate for a tournament of this sort. People expect it to feed into something more. They want it to mean something more. You're the State champ and it doesn't help you in future tournaments, you get too little prize money, and then you go home.

Well the guy who won last Saturday's tournament doesn't have any bonuses this coming Saturday, either. I don't think he thought about that when he signed up to play the previous week, and I don't think it will weigh too heavily on his mind when he plays this week.

Is it really the fact that it is called"States" that has made people upset?

Did it ever occur to anyone that the reason that people do come out to play is that it says States on it? The fact that it is"meaningless" (as other people have said) doesn't enter into it. For Wizards it is the best way to market a tournament for those players who don't go to the PTQs. It gives a prize that may be meaningless in the grand scheme of things, but many of those attending want to be State Champion for the year, if just to say that they did it, or to prove to themselves that on that one day, with those other players, they were the best.

What I think people are annoyed at is the fact that no one takes it seriously when you say you did well at States. Heck, Brian Kibler won States two years ago in Georgia, but I'm betting it is the first thing that gets left off his resume. At least he took the time and played. If you want to bash States for something, then bash the Pros who don't bother showing up year in and year out. Not to say I don't understand their need not to lose rating points to random a guy with a Goblin God draw, but for the Pros that have enough pro points not to have to worry about that, what's their excuse? (Pro Tour: New Orleans was the obvious one this time around.)

Along those lines, we shouldn't punish the Pros who do show up at these events by making it Amateur only. They should be allowed to have fun as well (remember the fun of just playing against your friends). Heck, the Pros should welcome States as an opportunity to get down and dirty in the trenches. Show off a crazy deck design. Take a Saturday and still play cards, but without worrying about what it means.

So how do we attempt to make everyone happy?

Ask Wizards to add another big time Standard event to the calendar, maybe in February or March that feed into Regionals with byes (Regional Trials effectively). That way they can leave States alone, but still offer (to those who want it), a tournament that "means something." Then if you want to play with the big boys you can, and if not, you can continue playing States and not worry about what it means.

I think Regional Trials could work, as I really like it when Grand Prix Trials are Standard format, and this would serve a similar purpose. It gives me a reason to play Standard in a setting that is above that of a weekend tournament or Friday Night Magic (generally in number of people playing, if not play skill).

I guess my bottom line is that if you want tournaments that feed into Regionals, that's fine - but make sure you give the little guy interested in sanctioned, casual fun an additional alternative.

John McGuire