So You Want To Hold an Organized Play Event
We all love playing Gem Blenders, but if you are ready to upgrade from casual play with friends to a more competitive (but still fun) experience, you need to be ready to host your own Organized Play (OP) Event. And that doesn’t just mean having a Force Switch to counter Dexter or a Mountaineer to counter Anchor Combo.
Becoming a Referee
First things first, if you want to host an OP Event, you need a Referee. A referee isn’t just someone who knows the rules, but is a verified event organizer who works with your local game store (LGS) and reports the results of the event back to the Gem Blenders Team! I’m not getting into how to be a referee here (check out the official Discord for more information on how to become a referee) but you need to show mastery in 7 sections:
- Basic Lore
- Deck Restriction
- Beginning the Game
- During Your Turn
- Zones
- Cards and Concepts
- Advanced Concepts
Once you pass your test, and an interview with the Gem Blenders team – you are a referee and can host your own official events!
TIP: The Comprehensive Rules are your friend – both when taking the Referee Assessment and once you are an actual referee!
Choosing the Type of Event
Once you have a referee, you can choose what type of event you want to host! This determines the structure, rules, and level of competition. There are two current formats that are popular but there are a few more you could try and host.
Everyone loves a draft – you get to open packs, try out new strategies, and take your built deck home with you! Just don’t forget to make sure you have plenty of packs (you need 4 per player) and plenty of gems (Gem Packs are your friend here), in addition to the draft rules.
The classic Swiss-Style tournament is something avid fans of other TCGs may know well. It promotes fairness, gives everyone a chance to win prizes, without punishing someone for losing early on. Just make sure you have a website or application to track the games! I recommend this one! (link: https://mtgarena.appspot.com/)
Do you have a group of competitive, Gem Blending loving players who want to risk it all in every match until one remains? Then try out a single-elimination tournament! While not common so far within the community, it provides a fun twist and opportunity to run a tournament – especially if you have a lot of players but not a ton of time. Don’t forget to set up consolation brackets to allow people to keep playing even once they lose!
Another format that has not yet been used in OP Events but provides a different style of play are Multi-Player tournaments. You need a larger group of players (I recommend 9 players at least for a fun event!) Give a good read through of the multi-player rules before the event though – things are slightly different!
Great for new players, these events focus on learning the game, testing decks, and enjoying friendly matches – but these are not OP Events. Feel free to have as many as you want, but no need for a referee!
Preparing for the Event
Securing the Venue: You should be working with a local game store, but the space must be prepped for play. Tables, chairs, and check-in need to be arranged, and the event software or bracket system must be ready.
Promoting the Event: Social media posts, Discord announcements, and direct invites help bring in players. Getting a solid turnout makes for a more competitive and engaging experience. TIP: You get the best turnout if you promote your event starting 3 weeks out!
Prize Support and Entry Fees: Most Gem Blenders events offer prizes, ranging from promo cards to packs. Make sure you have prizes ready to go. You don’t need to provide the prizes, work with your LGS to come up with a prize system. Also work with your LGS ahead of time to organize an entry fee for the event. Finally, don’t feel bad if you don’t have prizes to pass out – everyone will still earn OP Points!
Rules Familiarization: Have a copy of the comprehensive rules printed out or on your phone so you can review if needed!
Running the Event
Once the big day arrives and the tournament kicks off, it’s all about keeping things organized.
Player Check-In: Ensuring everyone who signed up is present and ready to play is crucial. You can choose to rank the players based on their OP Points, or do a random draw for the initial round – up to you! While not always required, a deck check should also be done at this point!
Time Management: Each round must be timed to keep the event on schedule. I recommend between 45-60 minutes per match. If a match runs long, you have to be ready to step-in and enforce the time limit to ensure the event runs smoothly. Fun fact – if time runs out, each player gets three more turns before a winner is determined!
Match Pairings and Score Reporting: After each round, results are collected and pairings for the next round are posted. Again, I recommend using an application or website to do the pairings for you.
The Role of a Referee
Refereeing a Gem Blenders event requires knowing the game’s mechanics and the ability to make quick, fair rulings.
Resolving Rule Disputes: Players may have questions about card interactions, priority sequencing, or timing windows. As a referee, it’s your job to interpret and apply the rules consistently. Feel free to be more lenient in less competitive formats, like a Draft Event, and stricter in bigger, formal tournaments, like the Gem Blenders Invitational.
Enforcing Fair Play: While most players are respectful, occasional issues like slow play, illegal moves, or even unsportsmanlike conduct can arise. A good referee ensures the integrity of the competition while keeping the atmosphere friendly.
Deck Checks: At higher-level events, deck checks may be required to ensure players are using legal decklists. Spot-checking between rounds helps prevent accidental (or intentional) rule violations.
The Best Part—The Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of running a Gem Blenders event is the community. Players come from all skill levels, from newcomers excited to test their first deck to experienced competitors fine-tuning their strategies. The camaraderie, post-game discussions, and shared love for the game make the effort worthwhile. Plus the avid collector is always down to trade in-between rounds or after the event ends.
At the end of the event, whether you’re handing out prizes or just reflecting on the day’s best plays, there’s a sense of accomplishment in having created a fun and competitive space for players. If you’re thinking about organizing or refereeing a Gem Blenders event, dive in—you won’t regret it!
