INTRODUCTION
Held six days before each new Magic card set goes on sale, Pre-releases
provide an excellent way to experience the grandeur of a worldwide event in
a low-stress environment. At Pre-releases events, you will be able to play
with cards from the new set before you can buy them, receive special
promotional cards for attending, and have the opportunity to win even more
cards by playing. So have fun!

Pre-releases are Limited events, meaning you build your 40-card (minimum)
deck from the packs that you get after paying your entry fee (Sealed Deck /
2HG / Team formats). Attendees have the option to participate in a Sealed
Deck / 2HG / Team tournament, or the more informal Open Duelling format, 
both
of which provide great opportunities to see and play with the new cards.

Pre-releases are sanctioned by the DCI, which is the governing body for all
Magic tournaments - from local neighbourhood tournaments up to the
prestigious Pro Tour events. By becoming a DCI member and playing in a
sanctioned event, your results are recorded and you begin building an
official rating among the thousands of Magic players worldwide. If you don't
have a DCI membership, the on site event staff will be happy to set you up.
For many players, pre-releases are a fun and easy way to play in their first
sanctioned event.

VENUE
Hilton London Metropole
225 Edgware Road
London
W2 1JU

EVENTS
Shards of Alara Pre-release (Flights)
Shards of Alara 2HG Pre-release
Shards of Alara Team Pre-release

DATE
Saturday, 27th September 2008

TIMINGS
8:30am - Doors open
All day - Shards of Alara Pre-release Flights
4:30pm - Shards of Alara 2HG Pre-release
4:30pm - Shards of Alara Team Pre-release
11:00pm - Venue closes

FORMATS
Sealed Deck - 1 x Shards of Alara Tournament Pack + 3 Shards of Alara
Boosters
2HG Sealed Deck - 1 x Shards of Alara Tournament Pack + 5 x Shards of Alara
Boosters
Team Sealed Deck - 2 x Shards of Alara Tournament Packs + 6 x Shards of
Alara Boosters

ENTRANCE FEES
Shards of Alara Pre-release Sealed Deck - £15.00
Shards of Alara 2HG Pre-release Sealed Deck - £20.00
Shards of Alara Team Pre-release Sealed Deck - £30.00

PRIZES
Shards of Alara pre-release card for all participants (whilst stocks last)
TBC

ARTIST
Ralph Horsley will be making squiggles, practicing his signature, selling
prints/proofs/originals and generally inspiring amazement at this Shards of
Alara Pre-release Event. Ralph has been working as a freelance illustrator
within the games industry for over a decade. And still gets huge
satisfaction from creating images of worlds inhabited by a motley array of
gritty and dramatic characters. When not toiling at the drawing board Ralph
can be found playing games (role-playing, board, card, live, video or
tabletop), listening to music, or simply enjoying a pint.
Card list:
http://gatherer.wizards.com/default.asp?first=1&last=100&term=ralph+horsley&Field_Artist=on&setfilter=Allsets&colorfilter=All&typefilter=All&output=summary&sort=name&printingfilter=on&x=18&y=26
Website: www.ralphhorsley.co.uk
Email: email@ralphhorsley.co.uk

TRADERS
Cardguy
Website: www.cardguy.co.uk
Email: sales@cardguy.co.uk
Telephone: 07941 271 953

Magic Mad House
Website: www.magicmadhouse.co.uk
Email: sales@magicmadhouse.co.uk
Telephone: 07921 369 184

COVERAGE
Richard Hagon (www.magicthegathering.com)

FOOD AND DRINK
Cooked food is available through to evening.
A fully licensed bar is open all day.
Outside food and drink may not be consumed within this venue.

PRE-REGISTRATION
Please, supply the full name and DCI number for all people wishing to
pre-register, places cannot be reserved via the online form without this
information. If a player doesn't have a DCI number or it is unknown please
use the email address below.
Online: www.thegamesclub.org/pre-registration.htm
Email: shardsofalarapre-release@thegamesclub.org
Telephone: 07958 224 084 (mobile).
SMS: 07958 224 084.

INFORMATION
Online: www.thegamesclub.org
Email: shardsofalarapre-release@thegamesclub.org
Telephone: 07958 224 084 (mobile)

NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS
Edgware Road - Circle Line, District Line and Hammersmith & City Line - 2
minutes walk
Edgware Road - Bakerloo Line - 3 minutes walk
Marble Arch - Central Line - 10 minutes
Marylebone - Jubilee Line and Metropolitan Line - 10 minutes walk

DIRECTIONS FROM EDGWARE ROAD (BAKERLOO LINE) UNDERGROUND STATION
TBC

DIRECTIONS FROM EDGWARE ROAD (DISTRICT LINE, CIRCLE LINE AND HAMMERSMITH &
CITY LINE) UNDERGROUND STATION
TBC

NEAREST RAILWAY STATIONS
Paddington - 10 minutes walk
Marylebone - 10 minutes walk
Kings Cross - 14 via public transport
Charing Cross - 22 minutes via public transport
Euston - 23 minutes via public transport
Waterloo - 25 minutes via public transport
London Bridge - 30 minutes by public transport

NEAREST BUSES
7, 59, 68, 91, 168, 188 and X68 - 5 to 10 minutes walk.
Airbus Route A2 - 5 to 10 minutes walk
Night Bus N7 and N91 - 5 to 10 minutes walk

CAR PARKING
FREE parking is readily available on single yellow lines from 1:30pm.
The hotel has a secure, underground car park with 170 spaces at the back of
the hotel, accessible via Harbet Road, off the Harrow Road. Parking costs
£30 for 24 hours in the week; £15 for 24 hours at weekends (ie Saturday and
Sunday). The overnight rate is £10 (6pm-9am). The Hilton London Metropole
hotel is outside the London Congestion Zone.

CONGESTION CHARGE
The charge does NOT apply at weekends.
The Congestion Charge zone covers most of central London, including the
venues used by The Games Club. The congestion charge applies from 7.00am to
6.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public Holidays.

ACCOMMODATION
225 Edgware Road
London
W2 1JU
Tel: +44 20 7402 4141
Fax: +44 20 7724 8866
Website: www.hilton.co.uk/londonmet
Email: cbs.londonmet@hilton.com
Just 10 minutes' walk from the West End and Oxford Street, the Hilton London
Metropole hotel boasts conference space for up to 3000 guests. Meet
colleagues in the Executive Lounge or relax in the gym, pool or sauna. Dine
on international cuisine at Fiamma Restaurant or sample Asian Fusion
favourites at Nippon Tuk.