Jon Finkel: The Greatest Player in Magic: The Gathering

In this episode we bring you a mini-biography of Jon Finkel's career as a Magic player.
Interviews:
Mark Rosewater
Aaron Forsythe
Brian David-Marshall
Chris Pikula
Steve O'Mahoney-Schwartz
David Williams
Jon Finkel
Photos and multimedia provided by Wizards of the Coast.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
www.incompetech...
#magicthegathering #mtg #insidethedeck

[@grabbity]

watching this now cracks me up. "maybe one day fate will smile and I'll get another top 8." 5 top 8s later...

[@fenot1992]

I like the part when they say "you know" :)

[@Sylpharos]

This video was my introduction to Jon Finkel’s backstory a long time ago when I really first began to discover the pro magic scene and it made me a forever fan. I’m not sure it you guys still do mini-documentaries like this but after hearing the news today about Kai Budde it made me also wish there was something like this made for him to honor his legacy to the history of Magic. Thank you for making this video I’ve still never forgotten about it.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

I love how they credited Chris Pikula as "Meddling Mage"

[@krim7]

Since this video was published, he has gone on to be in the top 8 of six more major tournaments.

[@The_Red_Comet]

One thing hasn't changed between his old and new videos: He still says "You know" a lot. :P

[@TheDriftingsmoke]

Man, this video covers exactly what I love about this game.

[@adambutt5137]

Undoubtedly Jon finkel is an incredible magic player but I feel like people too easily dismiss kai budde as a very serious contender for the title of best player ever

[@peterrevilla1828]

Kai Budde is the best player ever. Period. But the video has to draw you in with its claim. Still, 2nd best ever is amazing too.

[@gearsocfenix]

@@peterrevilla1828 Finkel made a rip off of kai's wildfire deck that won world on year later!

[@joe.5103]

I honestly don’t get this argument. I grew up watching both but only Finkel has continued to demonstrate his prowess. Kai is amazing but hasn’t really put up any consistent PT results since he came back. Jon was a prodigy and while the average MTG player is way better now than 20 years ago, Jon has continued to grow and show he is still miles better than most pro players. Conversely, Kai did his best when mtg players were much worse on average.

[@AIMLESS-NAMELESS]

How can he be the best if I’ve never heard of him Edit and anyways pretty sure finkle was up for player of the year. And I watched it and did not notice this at all

[@derrickpiche1119]

Especially when it's the Deck that wins.

[@Poeman]

I met the guy about 15 years ago and got 4 shadowmage's signed by Finkel. He's a nice and I'd say normal guy, I like how this video makes him out to be a legend in history lol

[@JeffHoopAdventure]

Poeman he's certainly a legend in the Magic community.

[@chad0x]

He *is* a legend in history

[@Poeman]

5 years later....yeah he is a legend 👏🏽

[@NinjaDaemen]

Amazing tech! Can't wait to play this!

[@wehavemagnums]

Awesome to see the archive footage making its way in, your videos seem to be getting better, more interesting and better composed each time. I hope you get the chance to do more interviews with the greats and make more of these!

[@ReMeDy_TV]

Wow, Jon playing Magic must have really made him an articulate person! It's like he took dating or speech courses to improve himself. I wouldn't have recognized him as a junior at all next to who he is today.

[@acquineus]

I would love to see an exhibition match between all the hall of famers. Mark Rosewater and his team should design a special set just for that match, with the hall of famers as planeswalkers hehe. even if not, it would be awesome to see the decks, and the competition.

[@musicandmagic909]

That sounds freakin sweet.

[@jantaganas8822]

with no holds barred decks outside of p9

[@petersonkendon]

drinking game: drink every time someone says "ya know."

[@Lornext]

+bob thesaget Ya know, it will be super hard ya know.

[@petersonkendon]

haha

[@Lornext]

bob thesaget I cant watch this ever again without only hearing the ya knows.

[@petersonkendon]

haha my bad.

[@thisislesbomaya]

+bob thesaget thats how Mark rosewater works

[@zachoryfostor7368]

Also depends on the timing, when to play what spell, what cast is best for curval spells in a balanced deck, what plays well with others and what to sideboard, he is a genius no doubt! I am a long term yearly MTG vet and I understand how he works with his cards and what calls to you at the right times! You gotta look deeper into what you want and analyze the situations before you start, know what is the biggest out there and play against it, be different and learn the deck multiple times before you get out there.

[@Jaryism]

It's cool that you can always look back at the awesome memories of him, great player to watch, good times

[@Lornext]

I counted 68 "You know"s.

[@TempusKing]

I like how even Jon Finkel himself admits he can just waltz into a tournament and win.

[@aethertech]

Jon Finkle, Louis Scott-Vargas, and Brian Kibler, all waltz into a tournament, who wins? The viewers.

[@danacoleman4007]

I thought we were talking about a card game, not dancing

[@PlayWaves1]

He said several times during this video that he’s lost.

[@dellebelphine-moralez3510]

He’s basically the Yugi Muto of Magic

[@namesurname7172]

@@dellebelphine-moralez3510 Except he is real.

[@iTadakimAsu85]

So many awesome memories going to Neutral Ground as a kid and a teenager...miss that place.

[@simonholmes6473]

I knew Jon when he was young, back when MTG was pretty new and didn't have a single expansion out and he was unbeatable even then.

[@hottchikkillz16]

I had the honer to play JF at a PTQ back in 98 it was just for funHe was playing the classic mono red burn...and I was playing a noob blk ed first strike knights and some burn cursed scrolls and volrath stronghold.I was nearly at deaths range for a fireblast but bottle nomes saved my ass for the win with scroll EPIC battle

[@danacoleman4007]

I'm just amazed you could play a game of magic and harmonica at the same time

[@lracseroom8286]

next you can work on your spelling.

[@hottchikkillz16]

@@lracseroom8286 grammar Nazi smh

[@StevenWilsonGP]

It is my dream to follow in these guy's footsteps...

[@aitshi]

Yes, John. Now I know. Thank you for showing me the way.

[@urparentsdivorcepapers]

Wow also how incredibly humble he is about everything

[@yeahno6053]

why do i feel like we need some breath mints anytime i watch these videos?

[@dmm2315]

Excellent video. Look forward to many more!

[@TheMaskedHero]

Its weird to think about 6 years separate the clip of Finkle and BDM at his Hall of Fame ceremony and this video. The quality jumped up so much in a half a dozen years. Even understanding that Wizards wasn't going for documentary quality in 2005.

[@SchmittySchmitz]

This was really good, Castle. Keep it up!

[@_donny_9473]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@androkguz]

So... can anyone tell me or show me one of his impresive displays of thinking ahead instead of just saying "yeah, it was awesome"? Please?

[@israell4409]

" YOU KNOW "

[@mtl10]

this video is awesome! definitely just added it to my favorites

[@chad0x]

4:45 I remember Jon looking like that. He used to have BIG hair too!

[@Pringlesman]

Video released December of 2011. His next top 8 was 2 months later in Honolulu.

[@bigjohn697791]

I used to know this guy Jon Finkel, along time ago in a store in Woking (UK) called fun and games. I took a different route in life returned to Ireland then back to UK Joined the army. We were never friends. But its nice to see he did so well in life. He seems to have grown-up a lot since we last meet but haven't we all.

[@joshshin6819]

So...you knew of him but didnt know him? Cool. Everyone in the media is on this list for us as well. So do tell me again about how you knew of him before the rest of us?

[@juanGonzalez-wt5mj]

Love how Swartz admits they cheated with hand signals hahaha

[@DrJack144]

Whatever argument there may have been for a different GOAT in 2011 doesn’t exist anymore. There’s separation between Finkel and guys like Kai or PVDDR

[@futuropasado]

So Finkel is not as great as Kai or PVDDR right? I agree

[@AkatsukiZetsu100]

residentzombie actually, he played Mono-blue Devotion in pro tour Theros this year

[@Disburden]

Jon Finkel....Amazing.

[@johnyramble]

Wow... so as a teenager he was fat with huge nerdy glasses but a nice, full set of hair and now he has matured into a very handsom gentleman with a giant bald spot on the back of his head. Life is so unfair. (That probably wasn't the point of the video though)

[@whatdothlife4660]

Only if you think your hair is a big deal.

[@joshshin6819]

So you compliment him and insult him but this man played magic to the point he is good in life. Bald spot or not. He's rocking

[@Pistone84]

Nice work!

[@Samael1349]

do you have a Video talking about the game in general?, like a documentary of MTG, or history? I consider this series the best quality MTG films ever, and I´d love to introduce many friends to MTG by seeing these vids, or just to show the magic of this game in the best way.

[@megaflippo1]

Great Vid, great player, great person as it seems...

[@GreelTheMindRaker]

Very interesting watch,

[@SFTortoise]

Why couldn't something like this be in the "Enter the Battlefield" Documentary, it gets 'one' into the enthusiasm.... Note: Not talking down on the documentary

[@lp1653]

He looks like Manu Ginobili :P

[@soapbox187]

I strongly agree! kai put together some awesome decks!

[@haloman123123]

I have a playset of Shadowmage Infiltrator :D

[@Zoomsoldier5]

He's so good

[@MrJackPeppers]

You know nothing Jon Snow... you know. - Jon Finkel

[@Anyguy4321]

Finally! This footage has been in the intro since PT Philly. Was rrally looking foward to this.

[@dannyweisman1153]

omg so many ya knows

[@manudosde]

Why you guys aren't working for WotC yet is beyond me. Awesome content, awesome.

[@cavemantero]

He's a poster boy that's why. He doesn't have any real value to the game except being pushed by MTG as a 'legend'. Just because you can play a game doesn't mean you're creative or good for a game development company.

[@Checker222]

12:50 Grasp of Darkness is a...

[@ripbeni6198]

Checker222 yeah wtf

[@Yonny316]

@@ripbeni6198 hey you cucks, that card owned standard 10 years ago.

[@MoBoRoS]

I would love to see an inside the deck Shuhei Nakamura...

[@franciscozavala1862]

The best player ever

[@MalikarVampire]

finkel is just the best

[@Combatstyles1611]

You should do an inside the deck with Kai Budde

[@collinbrocker2166]

y'know

[@WhisperingWinds0]

Im playing for a while.. and I have a question for really pro players.. actually im running a Mono green deck in Modern.. is that good? or I must play more than one color to have a good deck?

[@taitchandler1461]

Hoping the protour is still going strong... oooph

[@TheCartajay]

Does anybody know where I find the music that starts at 0:56 and towards the end of the video?? It seems so hard to find. Please help.

[@baxter740]

Darude - Sandstorm

[@rustopholis1667]

I'M FROM ROCHESTER!

[@jindac]

I'm convinced he's a time traveler.

[@ThePopey13]

Can't fault him as a Magic player but... y'know...

[@kareem_da_ream1916]

I know bro, I KNOW!! 😟

[@CharlieIsADragon]

Meta game is the best thing ever. Like most people in my store play Jund or mill, so playing flash is basically always a win.

[@helderboymh]

@0:40 someone knows which is the other one ? lsv? and does finkel still play competitively?

[@stasislabs3725]

+marcel helder David Ochoa just kidding it's actually Kai Budde, just look up his and finkel's stats on wiki and them to LSV's (who is also one of the all-time greats), and you'll see why.

[@helderboymh]

+Justin Bizlab yeah since then I have been more impressed in great magic players, and already came across his name. sily me thinking it could be lsv...haha. what I was wondering why did he almost completely stop playing after 2003. and why he was not introduced earlier then 2007 in to the Hal of fame.

[@helderboymh]

+marcel helder interested*

[@chrisbartkowicz2759]

Kai Budde

[@brendanerickson2363]

id like to play a game of chess with Jon Finkle.

[@Calvert1212]

I'm a "ya know" culprit as well. 😥

[@KongNito]

BDM: "it's one thing to be good at magic. It's another thing to be good at life" Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@FistOfNorthStar3]

It depends on your local game shops meta game and what the other players are playing.

[@nicht_nice]

the magnus carlsen of magic

[@tok291]

"In 10 years hopefully the pro tour will still be going strong....." Yikes.

[@AnvilWitch]

doesnt have Budde the most pro tour wins? so why isnt he considered the best?

[@teutonicorder9520]

Cause he isnt american.

[@davyfromthenavy4248]

Because of several reasons the video discusses. At least 1 guy talks about the difference between Kai & Jon. Also, in Magic, Top 8s are king. Making top 8 at the PT level is arguably harder to do, & nobody has done it more than Jon

[@Zoomsoldier5]

World champion

[@griffielliott279]

I guarantee if they take the ban off some of these cards I can take him. They put the ban on these cards because unskilled players complained instead of trying to find a way to win. If fate allows us to play against each other I will win mark my words. Make sure word gets back to John Finkel.

[@monkiflip15]

daymn he manned up and lost weight good job

[@mikaelmagnusson3225]

I still think Kai is the bitter. 7 PRO Tour wins, still more than double than the seconds. 4 Player of the Year titlles. Tied for most Grand Prix wins

[@troyjeffrey4311]

G O A T

[@inkedblessed7904]

Sold his soul.

[@oiteringllowed9341]

Explain? And does playing in general cost your soul?

[@romainleonardy9380]

HAIL TO THE KING, BABY!!! Finkle is the reason that I play "Demonic Consultation" in pretty much every black orientated deck :)

[@apocchime]

@10:30 😭😭😭

[@Andrew-pm6uj]

10 years later and the pro tour and live magic tournaments are basically dead.

[@insidethedeck]

Pretty crazy. We never thought they would get rid of the Pro Tour and all of its history.

[@e61i]

if john finkel is the mj of mtg... how about saito? LBJ?

[@killustrator]

"Every sport has one person that defines it!!! That person is so dominant! Anyway, in magic there are two so this has nothing to do with what I was saying!" -Mark Rosewater

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

Kai Budde. That's all

[@danacoleman4007]

imagine that. all those brains and he's freaking hedge fund manager.

[@residentzombie]

Kai hasn't played Magic in over 2 years now.

[@williamcrow6613]

I'll never forget that kibler game, should have blocked!

[@jmac9750]

What a G

[@RunsInTheSkinnyJeans]

Steve O'MS's side burn is longer than the other and its distracting me..

[@a_fuckin_spacemarine7514]

I'm the best Magic player in the world. Jon Finkel, I challenge you to a duel!

[@HughLeFitness]

I wonder how much a decent amount of money is...

[@andykapsar4667]

hu le if you check his wiki page, says like 400k usd or something

[@liquidpersuasion]

damn dude i'm glad he grew out of his fat-suit phase

[@jesseoverbey6628]

Why are you defending an extremely unhealthy lifestyle?

[@victorsvariety4328]

He wasn't even that fat. "Extremely unhealthy" jesus christ. I probably walk further, can lift more, and punch longer than you on a daily fucking basis and I'm 245 lbs. Acting like being chubby is cancer, go fuck yourself.

[@agedskate3000]

but he cant block lol

[@warwize]

if only finkel devoted his time to poker he'd be rich now lol

[@grabbity]

Ingrid he did. they wrote a book about it lol.

[@ROASTEDCLYDE]

Jon Finkel is great but in my opinion Alexander Hayne is one of the greatest magic players I have seen

[@stens.8394]

Uhhhhmm...ya'know?

[@Guaranteed2fail]

Your videos should be published as DvD's