Chance for players to share Magic

Cameron Hood displays some Magic at a game in Sunbury. Picture: Ari Hatzis

Sunbury residents who’ve become passionate about a trading card game played by more than 20 million people worldwide are being urged to join a growing community of local players.

‘Magic: The Gathering’ is played by two or more players, with a deck of printed cards used to facilitate battles between wizards, who are known as “planeswalkers”. Spells, artifacts and creatures depicted on individual cards are used to defeat opponents.

Aaron Herbert, of Sunbury’s MTG group, leads weekly classes at the town’s library and neighbourhood house and is organising a tournament this Wednesday. He says that while many people enjoy playing over a kitchen table, the game really shines in a group setting. ‘‘We’re trying to get people to come out of their shell and really get into community play,’’ Mr Herbert says. ‘‘What I love about it is it’s so great at bringing people together.

‘‘It really doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re from. Education, disability, age … you play with people you might not have met otherwise. It’s great to have that interaction with your opponent. It’s like a dance; there’s a lot of back and forth.’’

This Wednesday’s tournament is at Sunbury library from noon to 4pm. Entrants can create a deck from sealed boosters and battle others for a chance to win MTG boosters. Participants must know and understand the rules of MTG. All cards are supplied. Details: goo.gl/kQfYXG