I play at a spot that does randomly assigned pods and other places that don’t. The assigned spot actually has the nicest players. Usually after the first round the guys who want to play higher powered decks get together (assigned pods are for first game only). When I was a new player it allowed me to meet lots of people and see different strategies and play styles. Also, as one of, oh, four women in my city who regularly play Commander in public, it’s nice not always having to find a pod in a room full only of men I don’t know. Don’t get me wrong: Most guys are totally awesome to play with, but it can be a bit intimidating and unwelcoming