Riches to Rags Summer '23 - Pauper Commander Tournament - Philadelphia PA

About this event

Greetings Magic Players! This August 27th, I’m happy to announce the third iteration of my Competitive Pauper Commander tournament series. Riches to Rags is back to pull money-drunk players back to reality; that they really don’t know as much about Magic as they thought they did. Don’t agree? Come & prove it. Even the most expensive decks for this format cost less than a Mana Crypt, & this event is 100% Proxy Friendly, so what's your excuse?

How do you do when you no longer have your Docksides, your Blue Farm, or your Thoracle combos? This PDH tournament will test your Deckbuilding & game knowledge skills in a completely unique setting that’s ripe for people who love Magic at it’s core level.

This time, the prizes are going to be on another level, a level partially determined by the community itself, at the amazing German Bierhall Brauhaus Schmitz, in Philadelphia, PA Additionally, this event is Sponsored by Queen & Rook Game Cafe! They'll have a table on-hand for players to pick up peripherals for their gameplay like sleeves, dice, & playmats in the event that anyone has need.

What is cPDH?

Its Budget Commander, with the most concise ruleset out of all such formats. Any Uncommon Creature in the Command Zone, even Non-Legendaries, & 99 Commons. Nearly any card ever printed at Common is legal (Other than Mystic Remora & Rhystic Study; yes, those are commons).

Walker's Note

This Tournament will be allowing common Legendary Backgrounds from Battle for Baldur's Gate in the Command Zone for this event, in what many not on the Rules Committee for PDH believe to be the spirit of EDH, as they're Legendary Command Zone cards at or below the rarity limit for this format. Deal with it. If you want a real answer, it's because even with 90 minute rounds, which is a serious hurdle, cPDH can still end up with a lot of Draws; & this opens up some extra tools for players to end the game faster or draw enough ire from their opponents that they're eliminated early.

The Math

64-player Max. 4 Swiss Rounds with Top 4 cutoff. 90 minute rounds. Competitive REL.

The Rules

We're following the trail blazed by the amazing cEDH community & using the MSTR & MSIPG unofficial rule suppliments as the backbone for this event.

Even though PDH is a cheaper format, Accessibility & DIY are core mantras of this event. But competitions must have boundaries. While proxies are 100% Legal, they must be full color & legible from across the table. Enforcement of this is at the Head Judge's absolute discretion, but the spirit of the law is that everyone should have the right to play this game regardless of how much money is in your wallet; That's the R2R way.

Decklists are required for this event - All competitors will be required to submit a Moxfield link to their deck before 12:00AM on August 27th. Decks can be submitted to the Discord @ http://bit.ly/QNRDC

The Payoff

Base Prizing - 1st: $250 + $12 per 4 players over 32 (Max ~$350), 2nd-4th: $80 + $12 per 4 players over 32 (Max ~$175 Each), plus each player in the Top 4 will receive an automatic invitation to the next Riches to Rags event, to be announced soon. ADDITIONALLY, beginning with this Summer's R2R, I'll be opening up the Prize Pool to Community Support. 30% of the proceeds from this Community Pot will be split evenly amongst the Top 4 participants by final position, & 70% will be shared amongst the rest of the Top 16, to reward them for their participation & skill in being able to at least win a round or two.

Door Prizes

There will be a drawing amongst all players not in the Top 4 at the end of round 4 to giveaway a Draft Box of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, & Free entry into the next Riches to Rags event!

Etc.

Doors will open at approximately 10:30AM & this event will begin ASAP @ 11:30AM on August 27th. If you arrive at 11:35, you will NOT be able to participate, so please BE PREPARED. The Tournament space will be in the back room of Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street. Street parking in this area can be difficult, so if you're driving, I suggest referring to Spot Angels to find somewhere you're comfortable posting up. The Philadelphia Parking Authority does not fuck around, you will be the one finding out

We'll be patronizing Brauhaus as well during this event, so Please No Outside Food or Drink. They have an incredible selection of Low ABV German-style Beers & amazing food. Make sure you take advantage of the convenience of such high-quality food while you're at the event & reward them for giving competitive PDH/EDH a place to grow. (As an aside, I suggest everyone do some research on The Ballmer Peak)