Life on the Grind by Gold Pro Christian Calcano

I understand why people would always take it a joke whenever someone would talk about his dreams of becoming a Pro Player. I believe it's because people think it's impossible. I don't blame them. It takes a lot of hard work, exceptional skills and a great deal of luck to actually become one. $3,000 appearance fee with free plane tickets and hotel to add to all the invites to premier tournaments. To live the life of a Pro Player sure sounds too good to be true. And so I've asked a Gold Pro, Christian Calcano, to share his story.

I met Christian back in Grand Prix Singapore 2010 and have kept in touch through Facebook. I remember we played beside each other in one of the rounds. I ran RDW while he ran Caw Blade. 
He used to correct me whenever I would do 'illegal plays' during my games when he had the chance.

I hope this write up encourages you to pursue your dreams of becoming one of the Platinum Pros. I'd like to thank Christian for inspiring us by sharing his own story of success, and for telling each of us that it is possible. I'd gladly buy you that beer on October in Dublin! :))

Follow his adventures on twitter: @CCalcano.

LIFE ON THE GRIND
by: Gold Pro Christian Calcano

Hey everyone, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christian Calcano and I’m a Gold Pro from New York City. Today I’ll be talking about the life of being a Magic Pro and my experiences as one over the past few years. But first, I’ll tell you how I got to be where I am today. I started playing way back in 2004 at my local game store Neutral Ground (no not the one in the Phillippines :p). After learning the game through casual games and FNMs, I found out about the Pro Tour and was instantly infatuated by it. My dream was to make it to the Pro Tour, so I began traveling to PTQs and Grand Prix all over the States in hopes of finally getting that invite. It wasn’t until 2010, where I qualified for my first PT (San Juan) through an online PTQ. I remember the feeling of disbelief when I finally dealt the last points of damage and I realized I had finally made it onto the Pro Tour. Everything I worked for up that point, the countless PTQs, GPs, playtesting, it all finally payed off. I went to the Pro Tour and I was a bit star struck at first, but I held my own over the first few rounds. After a bad draft record though, I found myself playing in side events the rest of the weekend. I was devastated that I did not do well and had to qualify again, but I learned a lot that weekend. I learned that I was good enough to be there, and that even the best players in the world are beatable, and I was good enough to beat them. Ever since San Juan, I’ve yet to not be qualified for a PT. The past three years have been without a doubt the best years of my career as I’ve put up some good results:

Pro Tour Amsterdam 2010 33rd

World Championships 2010 15^th

Pro Tour Paris 2011 56^th

Pro Tour Honolulu 2012 27th

Grand Prix Minneapolis 2012 1^st

The Pro Players Club is the best way to be on the Pro Tour. Depending on your level, you earn byes at GPs and PT invitations. It starts at Silver, which you reach by getting at least 20 pro points in a season. You get two byes at all GPs and one PT invite to the next PT you’re not qualified for. The next is Gold at 35 pro points (my current level), you’re awarded three byes to all Grand Prix you play in, and receive an invitation to every PT along with a $500 appearance fee. With GPTs not awarding three byes anymore, it’s certainly a great advantage to be a Gold player now. The goal though, for any pro (besides winning a Pro Tour ofcourse) is to reach the Platinum level. The ultimate status to have as a pro, you get all the benefits that Gold does, but you receive a $250 appearance at GPs, and your PT appearance fee is raised to $3000 along with a free flight and hotel covered. Only players who reach 45 pro points make Platinum. I came 11 pro points shy of reaching it last season, but rest assured in this season I’ll be going for it again.

I’ve played countless matches over the years, over 65 GPs, and a dozen PTs. The winning is great, the perks of being in the Pro Players Club are great, but without a doubt the best part of being on the PT these past few years has been seeing the world and meeting all these amazing people. I remember always looking up to the pros, wishing I could be as good as them, and now most of the players I looked up to are my friends. Whether it’s Karaoke in Japan, going to the beach in Honolulu, Basketball in San Diego, or the day 2 free drafting at the PT because you didn’t make day 2, I’ve definitely shared some great memories I know I’ll never forget.