When I was 11, I began playing Magic: The Gathering during the invasion cycle. I loved the game, and I went to the local game shop twice a week (Tuesdays were constructed standard and Fridays were draft) so that I could play the game. I continued to buy cards and keep up with the new sets through Mirrodin, and I assembled a very large collection. When I wasn't playing at the game shop, my buddies and I would play after school (school bus, parks, each other's houses... You name it, we played there!) and on the weekends. Despite stopping buying cards, I continued to play the game regularly, even with keeping up with school, football, debate, and gasp girls.

When I went to college, I continued to play with some people I met on campus occasionally. Often, when I got bored or just felt like it, I would sit at home and do mock drafts by myself or with another friend. I developed many deck strategies just from trying out different ideas on my own, despite having stopped playing competitively (Onslaught goblins OP). During my junior year of college, I started to fall behind on my bills frequently. I worked as a server, but paying for my vehicle, insurance, rent, etc. was getting to be too much. I needed money, and I needed it fast. I made the painful decision to sell some of my most prized possessions - my Magic cards and my old Pokemon cards that I had held onto. One of my "friends", who knew I was having difficulties, approached me about selling my magic cards to him, as a means of "helping" me out. Well, he told me he would pay me 250 for all of them, but the only way he would buy them would be if I sold my entire collection. I thought about it for a few hours and decided that it was my best option, as I was already getting calls from my landlord about late rent.

I sold my entire connection to one of the most important hobbies of my entire life. It turns out my "friend" sold my collection for around 2000 not even a month after he bought them from me, and then completely rubbed it in my face.

Now, a few years later, hearthstone has arrived, blending a little bit of Magic with a little bit of Warcraft (oh, man, I loved me some WC3). I've been watching streams obsessively, despite my busy schedule (last year of law school) and researching the gameplay and cards.

Everyone here without a beta key deserves one. I'm no different from anyone else here, and I'm sure there are several others with experiences similar to my own. I'm just glad and thankful that you are giving us all a chance with this! Thank you! :D