By Jeremy Dezani

Welcome to “Player Focus”!

“Player Focus” is a short interview with one of the greatest MTG players in the world. The goal is to present the player and his MTG profile to Japanese and international communities. “Player Focus” will feature a different player each time.

This Time we have Mike Sigrist (@MSigrist83).

An American player who became Player of the Year in 2015. Since this moment, he accumulates a lot of great results and never stop to be one of the top MTG Player in the world.

Interview

First Name: Mike

Last Name: Sigrist

Age: 34

Nationality: USA

Sponsor: ChannelFireball.com

lifetime ProPoints: 269

Pro Level 2017/2018: Gold

Occupation / Hobbies outside MTG:

Fulltime father of twin girls.

When did you start MTG? Which set? How did you discover the game?

I started in Fallen Empires. A friend of mine found money on the ground and went into the store next to where he found it and bought a 4th Edition starter deck. We learned to play from there, and I’ve been playing ever since.

What famous player influenced you the most to become a professional player?

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

I’d say Dave Shiels pushed me into competing more and trying to get and stay on the Pro Tour. I had previously taken a break from Magic and when I moved back to his area he encouraged me into playing more.

Previous Achievements

PT TOP 8: 3

GP TOP 8: 8

Others: 2015 Player of the Year.

If you have one, who is your favorite Japanese Player and why:

Shuhei Nakumura.

I’ve tested with him with Channelfireball a fair amount and learned a ton from him. He’s one of the best players of all time and it’s always nice to have someone like that in your corner. He also brought me to a Japanese hospital when I cut my foot open during testing for Grand Prix Kyoto.

favorite MTG Format and why:

Booster Draft! I love the process of figuring out the open colors and archetypes and having a new deck and new game every time.

favorite limited archetype in the current draft format and why:

If I had to pick, I’d say 5c Treasures . I generally draft it with a UG base and you want cards like Prosperous Pirates and New Horizons to allow you to play any power cards you open or get passed in any colors.

Do you prefer to play aggressive, control, midrange or combo deck? Why?

I generally prefer midrange decks because I like interaction but also like to take aggressive roles when I need to. Midrange allows you to shift roles the most.

favorite MTG Decks:

Modern: Grixis Death’s Shadow

Standard: 4C Energy

Legacy: Sneak and Show

What is your favorite deck to play at the moment? Any format;

Currently, my favorite deck to play is Grixis Death’s Shadow in Modern. I like casting 《Thoughtseize》 and trying to figure out how to win games with perfect information. It’s like solving a puzzle. I think Grixis Death’s Shadow is good because it has game in every matchup because it has 《Thoughtseize》 and 《Inquisition of Kozilek》 and can put on a fast clock against the linear decks in Modern.

This is the deck I was going to play at Grand Prix Oklahoma City 2017 if I didn’t have travel issues:

What is your First Pick, First Pack in this booster and why?

There is a running joke about you and Brad Nelson. Can you explain us where it came from and what is it?

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

At Pro Tour Shadows Over Innistrad , Brad Nelson’s father texted him saying how proud he was of him when he saw him throw Steve Rubin up in the air in celebration.

Steve was the champion of the tournament, and player who defeated him in Top 8 and his father was so excited to see him still happy for his friend. The thing was it was me throwing him in the air and celebrating, not Brad.

Mike Sigrist

Brad Nelson

Image Copyright: Wizards of the Coast

People think we look alike, and even his own father couldn’t tell us apart! My mom actually texted me a year before any of this took place saying “This Brad guy looks a lot like you, just saying.” So yeah, even our own parents see it.

You are listed on the history of the game as becoming Player of the Year in 2015. What it means to you and what is your next MTG goal?

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

Player of the Year was something I never really set out to win, and going into Pro Tour Magic Origin I didn’t even think I had a chance at winning it. Eric Froelich was crushing everyone in the race and ended up with a solid performance in that Pro Tour but it turns out making it to the finals was enough for me to surpass him ever so slightly.

I’m very proud of that title, especially in retrospect, because I see just how difficult it is to be at the top when there are so many good players all trying so hard fighting for every last Pro Point. Winning that title has motivated me and given me confidence that at my best, I can be compete with the best in the world.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say my next MTG goal was to someday get into the Hall of Fame . Magic has meant so much to me and getting into the Hall of Fame would fulfill a lifelong dream I never once thought was possible.

You have a wife and 2 young kids. Is it difficult to travel and prepare events because of it? Is it a source of motivation and a great support?

Playing Magic professionally has definitely gotten a little more challenging since the birth of my twin daughters. I don’t get to prepare as much for events on Magic Online because I’m home alone with them every day while my wife is at work. My wife and family are very supportive of me traveling when I need to so I’m truly blessed to have that.

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

I’m certainly more motivated by my family now. Before I was only kind of playing for myself, and since they’ve been born I will focus more on preparation for future events rather than goofing off playing old draft formats or cube.

Magic is now my job, not just my hobby, and I didn’t necessarily see it that way before the birth of Anabella and Sofia.

What event made you a professional MTG Player? What did you do before?

I’d have to say Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir is when I decided I was going to commit more time to Magic. It was my second Pro Tour testing with a major team, and my first Pro Tour Top 8.

Image Copyright : Wirzards of the Coast

Before that event I was going to school for Economics and I’m still close to a degree but put it aside when the girls were born to focus more on my career, which is of course Magic.

You are in the ChannelFireball Team Series. Tell us more about your 5 Hall of Fame teammates.

Left to Right : Martin Juza, Josh Utter-Leyton, Luis-Scott Vargas, Ben Stark, Paulo Vitor Damo Da Rosa, Mike Sigrist
Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

I’m very fortunate to be on Team ChannelFireball. I’m the only member of the team currently not in the Hall of Fame . All five of these guys are legends of the game.

Luis-Scott Vargas is one of the most naturally talented players to ever play the game. The speed at which he processes information makes me jealous.

Paulo Vitor Damo Da Rosa and Ben Stark both love to argue about basically anything together, and I’m in the minority of people who loves to listen to them argue. There’s an expression in the United States “you argue like an old married couple” which basically means you have to be really close to argue like that and that applies to them perfectly.

Josh Utter-Leyton or “Wrapter” is one of the best deck builders to ever play the game. He constantly finds new unexplored archetypes and always has new ideas. It’s incredible how well he thinks outside of the box.

Martin Juza is the teammate I know the least. I tested with him for the first time for PT Ixalan. Martin has this extremely positive personality and reminds me a lot of myself in that way. He’s truly passionate about Magic which you can see from his constant traveling to events.

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

All in all, I love my team and feel very fortunate to be on it.