I go away to school a bit in the boonies, so the closest place they have DCI tournaments for SWM is about 100 miles away. So I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to start playing DCI.

I have a small collection of people down here at my school that play minis and they want to start playing DCI official and stuff, but about only half of them even have DCI cards. So, is there a way we can get DCI cards for them and start playing tournaments while so removed from civilization or do we just have to deal with playing normal casual games?

Sorry if this is a rather noobish question, and thanks for any help.

Sorry I have not got back to you Erochilles but real life and trying to get ready for Gencon has been a real zapper here lately.

Ok so the first thing you must have is 4 players.

Do you have that???

If you do you then need a 5th player to act as a TO. This person doesnt have to play Star Wars Minis and doesnt have to know anything. He just has to be agree to donate a bit of time for friends (maybe you guys take him out for dinner).

YOu need to play somewhere in a public place. University Center, Library, Community Center or Game Store. That way outsiders can attend you toruney. Plus the last thing you want is an axe murderer showing up to your door wanting to play minis.

Ok so if you have the above criteria. You are on your way.

Now you need to go to:

http://www.wizards.com/Default.asp?x=dci/welcome

This is where you start everything it is the DCI homepage.

YOu are going to skip down to the tourney organzier info. You will want the 5th guy to become a TO. There are some basic questions he will need to answer to join the WPN.... like do you breath?

After that the 5th person will need to click on the judge center (I am of course assuming you guys all have dci numbers already). He finds that by loggin in the DCI home page. If not clear about that call me on skype and I can walk you thru it (user name DNEMILLER). Once there he takes a quiz (again idiot proof now. Not like the tests I had to take) Once that test is passed he will need to register a location for the events with DCI. This can be done via email. They will need some particulars and tell you what they need. After they have approved the location he is ready to schedule an event.

I was going to refer you to Dean, but after reading his response and the fact that he just responded, I guess I don't have to!

As for it being a noobish question, it would have been more noobish not to ask!

Dean, thanks for the quick info. I also need to get certified as a TO, as I will probably start another group here in CA. (still missin the group back in OH...)

Once you are signed up as a TO, they should send you some cards (I know they did when I signed up). At the very least, I imagine there is a section in the DCI area to order cards.

all of you can be TO's if you wish and rotate things.

There can only be one TO per tournament/event though.

Wizards will send you cards when you become a TO.

Also if you have a gaming store that runs Magic somewhere around the area go in there and get a DCI card from them. They are not hard to find at all.

If there's a store that runs Magic, they can probably run SWM really easily. And would probably be willing to do so for a nominal fee, possibly even for free - just to get more gamers walking through the door.

Can't say I blame you.

I believe your wife needs to have a DCI number to be recognized in the DCI's database and website. Only then can she be a TO when she fills out few questions on the DCI test after the DCI number has been confirmed

Ugh, trying to set up a venue isn't working for me. I've tried using 3 different computers and mutliple different browsers and it just won't load for me. I might actually have to call them for help because the email option isn't working on their site. Frustration!