Impressions from M12 Post-Release, Plus How To Keep Attendance Up?

Hey everyone!
  I know it's taken me a good bit longer than I'd have liked to get a new blog post up. However, I'm hoping this one will open some dialog as to what we can do better at SMM.

  Overall, I loved the Post-Release we had for M12. We had, what, 13 players? And I ran out of promos for the first time in ages! (Well, okay, I had 1 promo left over, but that's compared to having 5-10 promos from one event left. :)  ).

  I didn't hear anyone have any problems with how anything went except for some pairing issues late in the running. I apologize for that. It was the first weekend where I'd had a separate scorekeeper (Nathaniel) and we changed tournament systems mid-stream (from a single winner's/loser's bracket to having at least one loser's bracket per round). That caused a lot of confusion for Nathaniel and myself. We're thinking of keeping that system, but as time goes on I'm sure we'll have it more perfected so we can avoid future confusion.

  I also enjoyed being able to sit back and enjoy the tournament for once! lol! I may separate out the rulings duties too so I'm doing most of my work on the front end of the tournament (gathering entry fees, making sure I've written down who all is in the tournament, prize management, etc.). I'm thinking of appointing 3 people to be judges with one stipulation: Those who judge cannot make rulings on their own match in progress. Would everyone be okay with this?

If you have any questions or comments about the M12 Post-Release or any other questions concerning policy, let me know. I'll try to get a policy document typed up and made available on Facebook (or E-mail for those who don't do Facebook) so we'll have a specified way to run tournaments.

I also want to ask you how can we keep attendance up? I know one way would be to do tournament formats that might interest most people who come around and may seem interesting for those who don't normally. This is where I need your help. If you have a tournament suggestion, feel free to post it here or E-mail me (CardGameNut@gmail.com) and I'll look over it. Just keep in mind you'll be the Tournament Organizer and Head Judge of that tournament (though I'll have booster packs to use for prizes, so you just need to let me know how many and in what assortment you want them in).

Again, any questions or comments, please leave them here or E-mail me. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you Saturday! :)

Opinions Wanted: Cube Draft Changes?

Hey guys!
  I want to get some feel on what you feel our Cube needs in order to move it forward and get some variety into the format.

  Currently, blue reigns supreme. The reason it wasn't supported too well this last draft? Because we all had to make a conscious decision to pass up Blue cards. It seems like it didn't matter what Blue cards went around, we had to force ourselves into other colors.

  So what I want, using specific card examples, is:

  1) How can we punish Blue a bit more?
  2a) Is control in general (not just in Blue) too much of an influence? If so, what control-type cards always seem to make it in?
  2b) What aggro/combo cards would you suggest adding to the Cube to help combat control cards?
  3) Is there any effect that's normally "off color" (i.e.: Not normal for that color) that you'd like to see? If so, what is an example(s) of it?


I'm already planning changes for the next cube, including:

1) Taking out cards that never hit the Main Decks. There's no point in including cards that always get put off to the side.
2) Adding Scars of Mirrodin cards, including all 3 Planeswalkers, Molten-Tail Masticore, and Mimic Vat.
3) Replacing Lotus Bloom with another 0-mana artifact that makes 3 of any one color. (sorry to get your hopes up, but it's not that card. Though I am shooting to get one eventually. :)  )
4) Upgrades to current cards, like an original Rorix Bladewing, foil Urza's Saga Avalanched Riders, and a fairly nice upgrade to a dual land.


Any help is greatly appreciated! Let's make the Cube something that's fun no matter when and how we draft. :)