What Is Friday Night Magic — and Why Should Texas Beginners Show Up?
Friday Night Magic (FNM) is a weekly in-store Magic: The Gathering event run by local game stores every Friday evening, typically from 6–10 PM. In Texas, you’ll find FNM at stores like Knight Watch Games and Dice Drop in San Antonio, Dragon’s Lair in Austin, Sci-Fi Factory in Fort Worth, Common Ground Games in Dallas, and Coral Sword in Houston — with entry fees ranging from $5 to $20 depending on the format. FNM is the single best way for a new player to learn real gameplay in a welcoming, social environment while earning store credit or booster packs just for showing up.
If you’ve been playing Magic on Arena, watching YouTube gameplay, or just unboxing packs with friends, FNM is your natural next step. The format is designed to be friendly to newcomers while still offering enough competition to keep experienced players engaged. Texas has one of the most active grassroots Magic scenes in the country, and Friday nights are when that scene comes alive.
FNM Formats Explained: Which One Is Right for You?
Different stores rotate through different formats each Friday, so it helps to know what you’re walking into. Here are the four formats you’re most likely to encounter at Texas FNM events:
- Standard: Uses only cards from the most recent sets (roughly the last two years). Great for players who want to stay current and compete with a constructed 60-card deck. Expect entry fees around $5–$10.
- Draft: Each player opens three booster packs and builds a 40-card deck on the spot. This is the best format for beginners because everyone starts with the same pool of cards and no prior collection is required. Entry typically runs $15–$20 and includes the packs.
- Pioneer: A larger card pool than Standard, stretching back to 2012. Popular at stores like Dragon’s Lair Austin and Common Ground Games Dallas for players who want a deeper format without the cost of Legacy or Modern.
- Commander: The social powerhouse. Played with 100-card singleton decks in four-player pods. Many Texas stores — including Dice Drop SA and Coral Sword Houston — run dedicated Commander FNM nights. Entry is usually $5, and the vibe is extremely casual.
When in doubt, call the store on Thursday to confirm the week’s format before you drive over. Schedules shift around prereleases, holidays, and special events.
What to Bring to Your First FNM in Texas
Walking into a game store for the first time can feel intimidating. Here’s exactly what to have ready so you can focus on having fun instead of scrambling:
- A legal deck for the format — or $15–$20 cash if it’s a Draft night (the store provides the packs). Many stores also loan out preconstructed decks to first-timers; just ask at the counter.
- Dice and tokens — a 20-sided life tracker die and a handful of tokens make you look prepared. Stores usually sell them, but bringing your own is a nice touch.
- Card sleeves — protecting your cards is standard practice. Clear sleeves work for limited events; any matching opaque sleeves work for constructed.
- Your DCI/Wizards Account number — you’ll need a free Wizards Account to be registered for prize tracking. You can sign up at a terminal in the store or at home ahead of time.
- A willingness to ask questions — players at FNM expect to help newcomers. Judges and veteran players are almost always happy to pause and explain a ruling.
What to Say When You Walk In
Don’t overthink the entrance. Here’s a script that works at virtually every Texas game store:
“Hey, I’m new to FNM — is tonight beginner-friendly? What format are you running, and do I need my own deck?”
That single question signals to the staff that you’re a newcomer and gives them everything they need to help you. At Knight Watch Games in San Antonio, staff regularly walk new players through their first draft picks. At Sci-Fi Factory in Fort Worth, they often pair beginners with experienced players for their first round. The culture at Texas FNM is built around growing the game, and that means your arrival is genuinely welcome.
If you’re shy, you can also scan the store’s social media or Discord before Friday — most Texas stores post the week’s format, start time, and whether beginners are expected. Common Ground Games Dallas and Coral Sword Houston both maintain active Discord channels specifically for this.
Prize Support, Entry Fees, and What to Expect After the Event
FNM prize support at Texas stores typically looks like this:
- Store credit: The most common prize, awarded to top finishers. At most SA, Austin, and Dallas stores this ranges from $5 to $20 in credit toward future purchases.
- Booster packs: Some stores award packs directly, especially after a Draft event. Every player in a Draft usually keeps the cards they opened regardless of record.
- Promo cards: Wizards of the Coast periodically issues FNM promo cards — alternate-art or foil versions of popular cards — distributed by lottery or to all participants. These are a bonus, not guaranteed every week.
Even if you go 0–3 in your first Draft, you walk out with a pile of cards, a few new connections, and a much clearer sense of how the game plays at real tables. That experience is worth every dollar of the entry fee.
Entry fee ranges across Texas: Draft events $15–$20, Standard/Pioneer constructed $5–$10, Commander pods $5. Prices vary by store, so confirm ahead of time. Always verify hours and events directly with the store before visiting — schedules change around set releases, holidays, and local tournaments.
FAQ
Do I need a deck to attend FNM?
Not always — it depends on the format. For Draft nights, the store provides booster packs and you build your deck on the spot, so no collection is required. For constructed formats like Standard, Pioneer, or Commander, you’ll need a legal deck; however, many Texas stores including Knight Watch Games SA and Dragon’s Lair Austin keep loaner decks for first-timers. Call ahead and ask.
How much does FNM cost at Texas stores?
Entry fees across Texas game stores generally run $5–$10 for constructed formats (Standard, Pioneer, Commander) and $15–$20 for Draft, which includes the booster packs you open. Stores like Dice Drop in San Antonio and Coral Sword in Houston stay within this range, though prices can shift slightly around special events or new set releases. Always confirm the current entry fee directly with the store before you go.
What is the best FNM format for beginners?
Booster Draft is widely considered the best starting format because every player builds their deck from the same packs opened that night — your collection size and budget don’t matter. Commander is a close second for beginners who already have a preconstructed deck, thanks to its casual, social atmosphere and four-player pods that reduce head-to-head pressure. Most Texas stores with active FNM programs run at least one Draft night per month.
Is FNM competitive or casual?
FNM sits in a middle ground: it’s a sanctioned event with real prizes, but the Rules Enforcement Level (REL) is “Competitive Casual,” meaning judges apply rules fairly but the atmosphere stays friendly. In practice, Texas FNM events skew social — players chat between rounds, share deck tips, and celebrate good plays even across the table. If you encounter a hyper-competitive environment that feels unwelcoming, try a different store; most Texas scenes are known for being welcoming to newer players.
Where can I find FNM schedules in Texas?
The official Wizards Event Locator at locator.wizards.com lets you search for nearby stores by ZIP code and see their upcoming event schedules. Beyond that, check each store’s Facebook page, Discord, or website — Common Ground Games Dallas, Coral Sword Houston, and Dragon’s Lair Austin all post weekly schedules. Always verify hours and format directly with the store, as events shift around set releases, prereleases, and holidays.
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