Becoming a Professional Magic: The Gathering Player: The Journey of Ondřej Strásk

Ondřej Strský: From Student to Professional Magic: The Gathering Player

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Ondřej Strský, now 28 years old, began playing Magic: The Gathering approximately fifteen years ago during his free time at school. Little did he know that his hobby would eventually turn into his profession. Today, he is considered one of the best players in the world, and he admits that he is likely the only professional player in the Czech Republic.

Magic: The Gathering is a fantasy card game that combines strategy and collecting elements. This year marks its 20th anniversary since its inception. The game involves purchasing random packs of cards, from which players build their decks for battles and tournaments. Over time, a secondary market has developed, where individual cards can be acquired. Prices range from a few dollars to a million dollars for a single card.

Players face off against each other using their decks, with each card possessing different abilities that interact with one another. At the beginning of the game, each player starts with twenty life points, and the goal is to reduce the opponent’s life points to zero. The game incorporates elements of poker and chess, according to Strský’s cousin, former professional football player Tomáš Strský.

A single game typically lasts around ten to fifteen minutes, but it can be as short as ten seconds or as long as over an hour.

Strský no longer physically collects cards but instead acquires them online. Before a tournament, he gathers the necessary cards, often borrowing them. “Currently, I don’t own a single card,” he says with a smile.

To reach his current professional level, Strský had to embark on a long journey. He started participating in local competitions in Budějovice, then traveled to Prague to compete against the best players in the Czech Republic. A turning point came when he attended a world tournament in Hawaii shortly before turning twenty. “I finished sixth there, and that’s where my career began,” he confirms.

He had to make a decision whether to prioritize playing over his studies at university. It was a risk. “For about three weeks, I was torn between the two. It couldn’t be combined easily. My parents were not thrilled that I chose cards. But with hindsight, they are glad that I am happy,” he adds.

Strský’s success continued to grow. He achieved victories in world tournaments and traveled extensively before the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ve been to America about forty times. I have seen a significant part of the world. I was young at the time and wanted to try it. I wouldn’t have decided differently in retrospect,” he asserts.

He also excels in the English language, which he began mastering during his high school years. “I read articles about the game and looked up every third word to understand it as much as possible and learn from the best,” he explains.

Although Magic: The Gathering is primarily designed for individual play, team competitions also exist. “Most of the time, we all play with the same deck. Constructing the deck is a necessary evil for me. I enjoy playing the game itself, and I think I’m quite good at it,” he compares.

While there is no official ranking, metrics exist to determine players’ skill levels. Strský is arguably the only professional player in the Czech Republic. This year, he earned $30,000 from tournaments. Additionally, there are several dozen people in the country who make a living from playing and reselling cards.

“I believe I am among the top ten players in the world. There were moments when I saw myself as the best player in the world, which is quite valuable to me. I am missing a championship title,” he reflects.

Strský acknowledges that luck plays a significant role in the game. Even when the best player competes against the worst player, there is only a 70% chance of winning. In fact, they would lose three out of ten times. “It’s not like a tennis Grand Slam, where Djokovic loses once out of a hundred in the first round,” he compares.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most competitions have shifted online, which suits Strský. There are millions of players worldwide, many of whom are recreational. However, it is still challenging to stand out. As for the future, Strský is uncertain about the direction his career will take. “It’s not the most important thing in life anymore. It’s a hobby that I can earn money from. But I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe in a year, I’ll say that I won’t play anymore, or maybe I’ll continue for many years,” he concludes.Title: Czech Professional Gamer Rises to the Top in Fantasy Card Game Magic: The Gathering

Subtitle: Ondrej Strsk, a 28-year-old Czech gamer, has become one of the best players in the world in the fantasy card game Magic: The Gathering. His journey from a high school student to a professional player is a testament to his dedication and skill.

Date: July 9, 2023

Ondrej Strsk, now 28 years old, started playing Magic: The Gathering, a fantasy card game, approximately fifteen years ago during his free time in school. Little did he know that this hobby would eventually turn into his profession. Today, he is considered one of the best players in the world, a feat that very few Czech players have achieved.

Magic: The Gathering is a strategic card game that combines elements of fantasy and collectible card games. It celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Players start by purchasing a deck of 15 random cards and then build their own deck for battles and tournaments. Over time, a secondary market for individual cards has developed, with prices ranging from a few dollars to a million dollars for a single card.

Strsk, who now plays professionally, acquires his cards online rather than physically collecting them. Before each tournament, he gathers the necessary cards, often borrowing them from others. “Currently, I don’t own a single card,” he admits.

To reach his current level, Strsk had to embark on a long journey. He started participating in local tournaments in Budjovice, then traveled to Prague to compete against the best Czech players. A turning point in his career came when he participated in a world tournament in Hawaii at the age of 20. “I finished sixth, and that’s where my career began,” he confirms.

However, pursuing a career in gaming meant sacrificing other aspects of his life, including his studies at university. Strsk had to make a risky decision. “For about three weeks, I was torn between gaming and everything else. My parents were not thrilled that I chose cards, but in hindsight, they are happy that I am content,” he adds.

Strsk’s dedication and talent have paid off. He has achieved success in world tournaments and has traveled extensively before the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have been to America about forty times. I have seen a large part of the world. I was young and wanted to try it. I wouldn’t have made a different decision,” he asserts.

While luck plays a role in the game, Strsk believes that his proficiency in English has also contributed to his success. “I read articles about the game and looked up every third word to understand as much as possible and learn from the best,” he explains.

Although Magic: The Gathering can be played individually, team competitions are also common. “Most of the time, we all play with the same deck. Deckbuilding is a necessary evil for me. I enjoy the actual gameplay, and I think I am quite good at it,” Strsk compares.

While there is no official ranking, metrics exist to determine the quality of players. Strsk is arguably the only professional player in the Czech Republic. This year, he earned $30,000 from tournaments. Additionally, there are several dozen people in the country who make a living from the game by reselling cards.

“I think I am among the top ten players in the world. There were moments when I saw myself as the best player in the world, which is quite valuable to me. I am missing a championship title,” Strsk reflects.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, most competitions have moved online, which suits Strsk’s preferences. There are millions of players worldwide, many of whom are recreational. However, breaking through and establishing oneself as a top player is still challenging. As for the future, Strsk is uncertain about the direction his career will take. “It’s not the main thing in life anymore. It’s a hobby that I can earn money from. But I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe in a few years, I’ll say that I won’t play at all, or maybe I’ll continue for many more years,” he concludes.

In conclusion, Ondrej Strsk’s journey from a high school student to a professional player in Magic: The Gathering showcases his passion, dedication, and talent. As one of the best players in the world, he has left a mark on the Czech gaming scene and continues to strive for success in the ever-evolving world of competitive gaming.

What factors contribute to Strsk’s belief that he is among the top ten players in the world

As also contributed to his success. He started mastering the language during his high school years by reading articles about the game and looking up unfamiliar words to understand and learn from the best.

Although Magic: The Gathering mainly focuses on individual play, team competitions also exist. Strsk explains that while constructing a deck is a necessary part of the game, his true enjoyment comes from actually playing and he believes he is quite good at it.

While there is no official ranking, Strsk believes he is among the top ten players in the world. He has earned $30,000 from tournaments this year, solidifying his status as a professional player. Additionally, there are several dozen people in the Czech Republic who make a living from playing and reselling cards.

Strsk admits that the future of his career is uncertain. While gaming is not the most important thing in his life anymore, he acknowledges that it is a hobby that allows him to earn money. He does not know what the future holds, but acknowledges that he may decide to stop playing in a year or continue for many years to come.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted most competitions online, which works well for Strsk. With millions of players worldwide, standing out in the game remains a challenge. However, his dedication, skill, and experience make him a notable figure in the Magic: The Gathering community.