Getting Started Playing MTG – Magic: The Gathering at HobbyTown Santee

A card game that’s survived and thrived for decades must have something special.

Magic: The Gathering has captivated players since the 1980s, evolving from a mathematical experiment by college students into one of the most enduring tabletop games worldwide.

Whether you’re looking to play Magic casually with friends or dive into competitive formats, local games stores like HobbyTown Santee offer resources for players at every level.

What Is Magic: The Gathering? Let’s Start Playing!

Let’s start off with the basics.

Magic: The Gathering is a deck-based card game where players draw and play cards using mana, a resource generated from lands in their deck. Nate from HobbyTown Santee explains, “It’s supposed to emulate a duel between two wizards. So you’re casting spells, you’re summoning creatures, doing all this magical stuff you would normally see in D&D (Dungeons and Dragons).”

Each player starts with a set life total – 20 in standard formats and 40 in larger games like Commander. Your goal is to reduce your opponent’s life total to zero by attacking with creatures and casting spells, though some cards offer alternate win conditions.

The game works on a resource acceleration system:

• Players typically play one land per turn
• Lands provide mana to cast increasingly powerful spells
• Games progress as players build their mana base and deploy more impactful cards

“The once per turn land rule is a way of setting the pace of the game,” Nate points out. “You’re not really going to expect the game to end on turn one because each player is limited to the land they played on their first turn.”

This structured progression creates the strategic depth that has kept players engaged with the multiverse of Magic for decades.

Popular Ways to Play Magic

One of the greatest strengths of Magic: The Gathering is the wide range of formats it offers, appealing to players of all skill levels and play styles. At HobbyTown Santee, you’ll find several favorite formats to enjoy the game, including Commander, Pauper and Booster Draft

Commander

Commander has become the most prevalent format in Magic today. “For Commander, the most popular format, you build 100-card decks with basically every card ever printed besides a limited ban list and play in play groups of four around a table,” Nate explains.

What makes Commander special is its social nature. Games typically last about an hour, creating plenty of opportunities for conversation and strategy. As Nate describes, “It’s a very good format to play with a couple of friends you know well or want to get to know well.”

Commander operates on what players call “Rule Zero” – an understanding that the primary goal is for everyone to have fun, similar to the ethos found in gathering online. This creates a more welcoming environment for newcomers compared to more competitive formats like 60 card decks.

Pauper

For those just beginning to play Magic, Pauper offers an excellent entry point into the world of planeswalkers. This format uses only common cards in the starter deck, making it significantly more affordable for players in the gathering arena.

“Pauper is incredibly easy to get into for newer players, especially those who are just starting their journey in MTG Arena.” The average price of a pauper deck sits at around $30 if you’re not looking to go super crazy into it,” Nate shares. This contrasts sharply with Commander decks that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Pauper introduces new players to open deck building while keeping costs manageable. It’s a format where creativity often trumps card value.

Booster Draft

Booster Draft offers yet another way to play Magic, focusing on improvisation and adaptability. Magic players open packs, select cards one at a time, and pass the remainder around the table.

“The goal is getting enough cards with general association to one another where you’ve got some cohesive game plan,” Nate explains. After building their decks from these selected cards, players compete in matches.

This format tests different skills than constructed play, rewarding quick thinking and the ability to evaluate cards on the fly.

Pre-Release Events

Pre-release events mark the launch of new Magic sets and serve as perfect opportunities for newcomers. “Those are by and large my most popular events,” Nate mentions. “I usually max myself out as far as what product I have available for that.”

These events are designed to be accessible to players of all experience levels. You receive a pre-release pack containing several booster packs and build a deck on the spot. No prior collection needed!

The themed nature of these sets often attracts people with specific interests. “If there’s like a Wild West set and a person is a fan of the Wild West but is only passingly familiar with Magic, they may see that as a reason to show up,” Nate explains.

Get Started Playing this Card Game

HobbyTown Santee provides multiple entry points for new players wondering how to begin their Magic journey.

Each group generally has an expert and event organizer who will help you get involved.

At HobbyTown Santee, Nate serves as the Magic: The Gathering expert and event organizer. He coordinates the weekly game nights, sets up tournament structures, and helps create a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels.

With years of experience playing and teaching the game, Nate ensures events run smoothly while maintaining the balance between competitive play and an inviting atmosphere for newcomers.

Friday Night Magic

HobbyTown Santee runs weekly games of Magic on Fridays, cycling through different formats. These regular events provide structure for new players to learn and improve.

“We currently cycle through a number of different formats,” Nate says. “Currently, we’re alternating between Commander and non-Commander formats on a sort of alternating weekly basis.”

This variety ensures players experience different aspects of the game and find the format that resonates most with them.

Learning the Rules

Don’t worry about memorizing every rule before your first game. Magic operates on a mutual understanding between players.

“It’s the responsibility of both players mutually to make sure the game is followed properly and the rules are followed,” Nate explains. This cooperative aspect creates a natural learning environment.

Most experienced players are happy to teach newcomers. “It is a pretty prevalent part of the hobby to teach new players,” Nate shares from his experience. “There’s not a single group for Magic that I’ve seen that doesn’t have a section dedicated to people asking questions about the rules.”

Building Your First Deck

Starting with the right deck makes a tremendous difference in your early Magic experience.

Pre-Constructed Options

“Magic releases pre-constructed introductory product to players who want to get started,” Nate explains. These ready-to-play decks come with primers explaining how to use them effectively.

Pre-constructed Commander decks offer a particularly good value. For $15-50, you can get a deck that performs well right out of the box.

Understanding Card Types

A basic Magic deck contains several card types:

• Land cards: Provide mana to cast spells
• Creature cards: Attack opponents and defend you
• Instant and sorcery spells: Create various effects
• Enchantments and artifacts: Provide ongoing benefits

Learning how these card types interact forms the foundation of strategic play.

Mana Curve Considerations

When building a deck, consider your “mana curve” – the distribution of cards across different mana costs. A balanced curve ensures you have appropriate plays throughout the game.

As Nate explains, “Certain cards cost one mana, certain cards cost two, and three, and four, and so on.” Having options at each point in your mana development keeps your gameplay smooth.

Ready to Start Your Game of Magic Journey?

HobbyTown Santee welcomes players of all experience levels to their Magic community. Whether you’re drawn to the strategic depth, the social aspect, or the collectible nature of the game, there’s a place for you at the table.

Stop by to check out their selection of Magic products, get personalized recommendations, or join one of their weekly events. The multiverse of Magic awaits!
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