Magic players in Canada have a little-known gem: a small, homegrown format that offers a high skill ceiling and unique gameplay. This article is all about the tidbits that make Canada MTG so special, along with tips for getting started and some resources to help you explore it.

Last weekend over 350 of the top Magic players from across the country gathered in Montreal to compete for the title of Canada’s Regional Champion. Twelve invites to the Pro Tour, two invitations to MagicCon Vegas, and the title itself were all on the line, and the winner was Liam Hoban from Calgary piloting Azorius Control.

The tournament was a great showcase of some of the best decks in the country. While familiar strong performers like Azorius Control and Four-Color Legends made the Top 8, there were also plenty of surprises. Noah Michaud came in second place with a blue-green artifact deck that many affectionately call “Simic Cookies” thanks to cards like Tough Cookie and Gingerbrute. He beat out Patrick Wu on Azorius Control in the finals, and his victory was a huge accomplishment for him and his local metagame.

A Canadian MTG player says he is in complete disbelief after discovering an ultra-rare card that could be worth millions. The card in question is an incredibly rare one-of-a-kind collectible created for the tabletop game Magic: The Gathering as part of the upcoming collection celebrating J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous series of novels and fantasy books. The card is printed in the Black Speech of Sauron, which uses Tengwar letterforms that are based on one of Tolkien’s fictional languages. It is the only one of its kind.

Gaming companies from around the world have publicly declared bounties to find the card. New York-based store Dave and Adam’s Card World has offered $1 million for it, while Spanish card reseller Gremio de Dragones is offering $2 million. The current owner of the card, a retail worker who lives in Toronto, has chosen to remain anonymous but did say that he was in complete disbelief over finding it.

In addition to the high-skill ceiling and unique gameplay, another big draw for Canada MTG is the prestigious tournaments. Qualifiers take place in stores across the country, with top finishers earning an invitation to the Regional Championship and exclusive promos. These events are a great way to meet new players and build your community.

While there are some challenges to playing MTG in Canada, the most significant is the cost of travel. Unless you live in the big cities, it’s usually necessary to drive four hours or more to attend a GP. That adds up quickly, especially for those who play multiple formats. Fortunately, there are some ways to save money and still get the most out of your MTG experience in Canada. Here are some tips to help you save and have fun in the process!