Greetings readers! For the past week I’ve been out on the mean streets of New York asking MTG-ers a very simple question: What ticks you off? Here’s a list of some of the more common annoying habits.

“Lands in front of creatures. People who take it too seriously. Tilted people.”



“Anytime someone talks in a condescending way during a draft. Loud or soft, saying things like, ‘Can’t believe this is still here,’ ‘Don’t know whats going on at this table,’ etc. Anything that attempts to hint to the rest of the table that they aren’t drafting properly I generally find quite annoying.”



“I hate when my opponent says OK reactively and then stops me with a response.”



“I don’t like when people are really aggressive with their language.”



“Opponents having really messy board states; lands all in a weird pile, stuff half-hidden, etc. I think we all know someone who fits that bill.”



“I flick my cards a fair amount, but most players do that.”



“I hate hate hate it when the winning player grabs my hand when I haven’t extended it.”



“Opponents who give you the silent treatment.”



“When my opponent untaps before I pass the turn.”



“What about a friendly ‘good luck’ after the dice roll at the start? I always say it, seldom hear it. Sure, luck isn’t real, but I think it’s nice to say.”



“People riffle-shuffling your cards without asking if it’s okay! It happens rarely, but it makes me cringe every single time it does.”



“Rogue decks, JK. Folks who talk about Magic circa 1996, 2002, or 2005, like magic now isn’t a better more balanced game. People who name drop as if someone like Finkel would remember that one time they played. I know I’m guilty of all these.”



“I don’t like it when opponents can’t let go of flood/screw or a misplay and act as if it’s the only reason they lost the match.”



“When a player repeats things unnecessarily multiple times. If I give you life totals, there’s no need to repeat the same thing.”



“Players that play slow and then won’t concede when we go to time and are clearly clearly losing.”



“Tapping permanents 45° instead of 90°, asking ‘play or draw?’ immediately after your opponent scoops their cards, not verbally or physically indicating passing of the turn.”

“When my opponent conducts trades prior to the game ending.”



“People who say winning sealed is all about variance.”



Have another one to add? Comment below!

Monique Garraud is a Brooklyn native who started playing Magic in 2011. “Grinding It Out” is her weekly take on the trials, tribulations, and joys of being a competitive tournament player. You can follow her on Twitter @MoniqueGarraud.