Here's the scoop, Brother Ham...I asked my nephew for the history being as we have states both today and next Saturday.Where are you guys going for states tomorrow? The one I know about is Oct 12-13. I've heard LK and Val mention them tomorrow.
Originally, States was an event managed by WotC; however, they decided that it didn't fit in their organized play structure and decided to drop it. Glenn Goddard, who is one of the most incredible cornerstones of Magic of whom you have likely never heard mention (if you want to see an example of his incredible efforts on the part of the game, check out the OUTRAGEOUS plans for GP Albuquerque in November), went to Wizards and asked if he
could keep states going independently. After a bunch of writs and provisos, the mother ship gave Glenn their blessing and he took on nationwide organization of States through the various regional TO's. Then a few years back, TCGPlayer decided to develop a States program to be their company analog to SCG Opens. Thus, we now have two separate MtG States programs under two different organizational structures but oftentimes utilizing the same TO's on the regional/local level. Some TO's choose to run only one program, some both. For players, it's win/win to have two different programs that each provide play and prize access for deck innovators at the start of block.
Everything you never knew you wanted to know about MtG States...
