Untap.
If I remember my Magic: The Gathering correctly, at the start of every player's turn is the Untap phase. This is where all resources he controls in play is refreshed ready to be used for the turn or until before the next turn. This phase applies to permanents that usually offer playable abilities, like resources providing the player with currency which he can spend for casting spells. In real life, I am at that phase. I am "untapping", as we call it.
Every turn in the game is full of surprises. Often due to game-breaking spells that challenge the game's mechanics. Some are creatures that force you to obedience, or refuse to cooperate with you if you do not comply to their demands, or some that will outwardly destroy you the moment they can. Some are enchantments or artifacts that rewrite the rules and dictate new precepts you have to follow. In the course of the game, sometimes it is an issue with resources, where the lands or resource providing set-up you have gets in trouble and starts to not add up to let you play your cards correctly. And how could we forget the other player? Or players. Each with strategies and cards up their sleeves. Each waiting to down you to zero, or mill your library flat on the board. Or worse. Bore you to surrender. Each player can interrupt your progress and make sure your plans don't get laid out and played the way you want it. It's all part of the game. And by opening a box and assembling a deck, we agree to play. Win or lose. The moment we shuffle, deal and draw seven cards, the game is binding.
At any given time, any player may concede. He automatically loses. Sometimes in losing he wins. After all, he might have fallen prey to a very sly control player who has manipulated every possible way to win to his favor. Or perhaps to save him from the defeat of being overrun by hordes of tiny powerless critters that dominate the field by sheer numbers. In such cases, sometimes concession is a better, more attractive resort than watching it all happen. Painfully.
In this case, it's my turn. I am "untapping" and I am looking at the play area, checking the opposition, counting the resources, tallying my means. This is the part where the plans are made. Right before the upkeep costs are paid, just before I draw another chance. And I am taking my time. This could be my last turn. In my weakened state, I don't think I can last longer anyway. I can go all-out for a foolish attempt to win, but I am not confident with my Math and the numbers aren't so enticing. Or I can stall to a bitter end and hope that maybe the opponents can out draw their library resources before mine run out. Both options don't look so appealing. In any event, I don't think winning is gonna be an option for me. But it's still my turn. And anything can happen. After all I don't have an empty hand. Right now, I may not like how some people play. But it's my turn. And I have just untapped.
It's my turn. And I am ready.
Every turn in the game is full of surprises. Often due to game-breaking spells that challenge the game's mechanics. Some are creatures that force you to obedience, or refuse to cooperate with you if you do not comply to their demands, or some that will outwardly destroy you the moment they can. Some are enchantments or artifacts that rewrite the rules and dictate new precepts you have to follow. In the course of the game, sometimes it is an issue with resources, where the lands or resource providing set-up you have gets in trouble and starts to not add up to let you play your cards correctly. And how could we forget the other player? Or players. Each with strategies and cards up their sleeves. Each waiting to down you to zero, or mill your library flat on the board. Or worse. Bore you to surrender. Each player can interrupt your progress and make sure your plans don't get laid out and played the way you want it. It's all part of the game. And by opening a box and assembling a deck, we agree to play. Win or lose. The moment we shuffle, deal and draw seven cards, the game is binding.
At any given time, any player may concede. He automatically loses. Sometimes in losing he wins. After all, he might have fallen prey to a very sly control player who has manipulated every possible way to win to his favor. Or perhaps to save him from the defeat of being overrun by hordes of tiny powerless critters that dominate the field by sheer numbers. In such cases, sometimes concession is a better, more attractive resort than watching it all happen. Painfully.
In this case, it's my turn. I am "untapping" and I am looking at the play area, checking the opposition, counting the resources, tallying my means. This is the part where the plans are made. Right before the upkeep costs are paid, just before I draw another chance. And I am taking my time. This could be my last turn. In my weakened state, I don't think I can last longer anyway. I can go all-out for a foolish attempt to win, but I am not confident with my Math and the numbers aren't so enticing. Or I can stall to a bitter end and hope that maybe the opponents can out draw their library resources before mine run out. Both options don't look so appealing. In any event, I don't think winning is gonna be an option for me. But it's still my turn. And anything can happen. After all I don't have an empty hand. Right now, I may not like how some people play. But it's my turn. And I have just untapped.
It's my turn. And I am ready.