HBMO 2026 Events Recap

Posted on March 21, 2026 by

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Once again, another year of the Hunter Burton Memorial Open is in the books!

Each year we get together we create special memories, new and fascinating experiences, and remembrance of past times reconnecting with friends. This is the spirit of the HBMO, and this year was no exception.

We hosted events in several different games including Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, Lorcana, One Piece, and Riftbound.

Flesh and Blood

The headline FAB event for the weekend was a ProQquest, which featured 29 players, and Aaron Moore took down the invite and picked up a gold foil playing Fai, Rising Rebellion.

Flesh and Blood PQ Top 8
PQ Winner Aaron Moore

Lorcana 2k

Our Lorcana championship boasted 42 players. After 6 rounds of Swiss we were down to our Top 8. Congratulations to our winner, Trevor Fasulo.

Lorcana Top 8
Lorcana Champion Trevor Fasulo

Riftbound 2k

In Riftbound, we had 44 players battling it out for a spot in Top 8. Two players separated themselves from the field. William Nguyen finished 6-0-1 with Kai’Sa, Daughter of the Void, claiming the top seed as the only undefeated player. Brandon Qing and Hui Toh both posted 5-0-2 records on Draven, Glorious Executioner, locking up the 2 and 3 seeds. Colby Criswell took the 4-seed at 5-1-1 on Irelia, Blade Dancer. Spiritforged has rewritten the format. Draven showed up in 27% of all registered decks and converted at an even higher rate: four of the eight Top 8 seats belonged to Draven pilots. Irelia placed two pilots in the Top 8 (Criswell and Javi Buentello), and Kai’Sa put up two as well (Nguyen and Jacob Guevara). The rest of the field spread across Viktor, Sivir, Ezreal, Ahri, Fiora, Annie, Ornn, and others, but no other champion matched Draven’s presence or conversion rate. The Spiritforged meta is still taking shape. Congrats to Hui Toh for winning the event and our other competitors for making Top 8.

Riftbound Top 8
Riftbound Champion Hui Toh

Pioneer 2k

On Friday we had 67 players joining us in our Pioneer 2k with a belt and bragging rights on the line. We’ve recently had some fantastic support and turnouts for this event showing that there is still a great interest in keeping the format alive! Top 8 breakdown had 3 Cutter decks, with 2 Mono Red along with singletons with Humans, Greasefang, and GW Auras. The Top 8 concluded with Chris Arebalo taking down the event and our 2nd championship belt!

Check out the full top 8 and decklists here.

Pioneer Top 8
Pioneer Champion Chris Arebalo

Ian Jasheway 5k Sealed

Our weekend of Magic kicked off with a very special event as 37 players joined us in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sealed! At the end of 6 rounds of Sealed plus a Top 8 Draft William Barlen emerged as our winner! Congratulations to William for kicking our weekend off right!

Final standings available here.

Ian Jasheway Sealed Top 8
Champion William Barlen

HBMO 10k Modern

Our flagship main event was headlined by 374 players vying for their spots on the trophy as well as the honor of being called HBMO Champion. We had energy and life being gained, Primeval Titans hitting the board, all kinds of creatures being blinked, and Supreme Verdicts and Living Ends making boards full or empty of creatures change in a hurry! Our Top 8 consisted of 3 Boros Energy players, 1 Blink, 1 Broodscale Combo, 1 UW Control, 1 Living End, and 1 Domain Zoo as Energy still has a significant presence in the current Modern format. In the end Boros Energy would take down the event piloted by Jason Cornell. Congratulations to him and the rest of Top 8 for going on this journey with us!

Final standings and decklists are available as well.

HBMO Top 8
HBMO Champion Jason Cornell

cEDH

Our cEDH event was a smash hit! We had a total of 120 players from all over testing their deck prowess and pod navigation skills to find our ultimate winner. Our final pod had Selvala, Explorer Returned, Rog/Thras, Kinnan, and our winner Jase Sanders with his Ishai/Rograkh deck! Congrats to our final pod and winner for their endurance through this event!

Final standings and decklists.

cEDH Top 4
cEDH Champion Jase Sanders

Modern 5k

Those that did not have the result they were hoping for in the Main Event (or couldn’t be there Saturday) came out on Sunday for a 5k to hope to bounce back! We had 127 players for this event hoping for a slice of the pie and their own commemorative die! After 7 rounds of Swiss we had our Top 8. Our Top 8 breakdown had 3 Cutter decks, 2 Boros Energy, 1 Amulet Titan, 1 Sultai, and Eldrazi Tron. After the dust settled we had Wesley Hutton claiming one of the last prizes of the weekend! Congrats to him and all of our competitors who spent their weekend with us!

Top 8 Decklists

Modern 5k Top 8
Modern 5k Champion Wesley Hutton

Legacy 2k

The Legacy event at the Hunter Burton is always a special one for the players, and this year was no exception! We had a staggering 93 players for this Sunday’s event! The Texas Eternal community loves to come to this event and it shows! After 7 rounds of Swiss we had our top 8 players with Johny Angulo with Mardu Energy taking down the event! Congrats to him and all of our wonderful competitors for helping keep Eternal relevant in the South!

Top 8 Decklists

Legacy Top 8

Vintage 1k

Our Vintage event is another special adventure at the HBMO. Legacy and Vintage players juice up their decks with cards from Magic’s past and battle it out year after year. The 36 players this year is the most we have had at any of our Vintage events, and is an impressive showing for the format. After 6 rounds of Swiss we had our Top 8, with Johnny Karate taking the event down! Congrats to all of our winners and competitors!

Top 8 Decklists

Vintage Top 8

Other Fun

The Hunter Burton Memorial Open spreads our message through community and competition, but some moments are lifetime memories. We crowned new champions, made new friends, and shared new experiences. At the Jeff Zandi Chaos Sealed, a player opened his 30th Anniversary Pack to find a Mox Jet! What an amazing moment for that player to cherish. Memories like this continue to make the Hunter Burton Memorial Open a special event for all participants.

Thanks

Once again, thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, judges, and most of all, the players for making the HBMO as special as it is and continues to be. It is an amazing sight to interact with smiling faces and happy memories. And even when things don’t go absolutely perfect, the players still had high spirits and know the reason why we are here, to celebrate those and raise awareness. Thank you all for coming to the 2026 Hunter Burton Memorial Open, and stay tuned for more info on the future.

RECQ at the HBMO!!!!

Posted on March 14, 2026 by

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We are proud to offer multiple RECQ’s tomorrow at the HBMO. Details are as follows:

Sunday Sealed ReCQ-Sunday 10am

Entry $60

Sealed Single Elimination ReCQ event.

Prizes

10 prize chips per win

4-0 players will also receive an invitation for the current season’s Regional Championship.

Register HERE

Sunday Modern ReCQ–Sunday 12pm

Entry $30

Single Elimination Modern ReCQ

Prizes

10 prize chips per win

5-0 players will also receive an invitation for the current season’s Regional Championship.

Register HERE

Sunday Modern ReCQ–Sunday 2pm

Entry $30

Single Elimination Modern ReCQ

Prizes

10 prize chips per win

5-0 players will also receive an invitation for the current season’s Regional Championship.

Register HERE

HBMO 2026: The Complete Schedule

Posted on March 11, 2026 by

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We’ve got a massive weekend ahead at the Hurst Conference Center. Here is the play-by-play for every event, including the entry fees and exactly what you’re playing for.

Friday, March 13th

Saturday, March 14th

Sunday, March 15th

The Prize Wall

Most of the “Challenge” events (Standard, Modern, etc.) pay out in Prize Tokens:

  • 10 Tokens for entering.
  • 20 Tokens per win.
  • For the Chaos Sealed, the stakes are doubled: 20 for playing / 40 per win.

Why We Do This

Beyond the cards, we’re here to support suicide prevention. Take a second between rounds to check out the info booth or chat with the staff or even check out a panel!

Blue Collar MTG x InkMats for HBMO 2026

Posted on March 10, 2026 by

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Magic from the working class. Unfiltered, inclusive, and unforgettable.

If you’ve been following the journey of Blue Collar MTG (BCCMTG) over the last year, you know that this community is built on more than just high-level plays and deck techs. It’s built on representation, hard work, and the belief that Magic: The Gathering belongs to the people who keep the world turning.

After an explosive first year—reaching 15,000 followers and being featured at major events like DreamHack Dallas—we are ready to take that momentum and turn it into a positive impact for the community.

Supporting HBMO 2026

We are thrilled to announce a special partnership between Blue Collar MTG and InkMats to support HBMO (Hunter Burton Memorial Open) 2026.

Artist-Forward. Anti-AI. Community-Driven.

InkMats was founded on a simple principle: supporting the humans who make this game beautiful. As an “Artist-Forward” company, InkMats stands firmly against the use of AI-generated art, ensuring that every playmat you buy supports a real person who has dedicated their life to their craft.

In honor of HBMO 2026, we have set up a dedicated landing page for this special event. A portion of the proceeds from purchases made through InkMats will go directly toward supporting the Hunter Burton Memorial Open and our vital work in the gaming community.

Explore the InkMats HBMO Collection Here

Why This Matters

Whether we’re on a construction site, in a warehouse, or at a tabletop, the Blue Collar MTG community stands for looking out for one another. By partnering with HBMO, we are extending that “working class” solidarity to mental health advocacy.

We’ve already raised over $17,500 for The Trevor Project, and we know this community can step up again. Let’s show the world that the working class of MTG has the biggest heart in the game.

Get Involved

  • Shop with Purpose: Visit the InkMats Special Event Page to grab a high-quality, human-made playmat that gives back.
  • Follow the Journey: Catch us on twitch for more during HBMO 2026.
  • Spread the Word: Use the hashtag #BCCMTG and #HBMO2026 to let people know how they can support artist-forward gaming and mental health awareness.

Riftbound Learn-to-Play at HBMO!

Posted on March 10, 2026 by

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Since its launch, Riftbound has taken the TCG world by storm. With a surging competitive scene and a unique tactical approach to card combat, it’s quickly becoming a staple at major events. If you’ve seen the hype online or watched the high-stakes matches at Regional Qualifiers, now is your chance to see what the buzz is about.

Learn-to-Play Schedule

Friday: Special Guest Sessions

  • Time: 1:00 PM – Close
  • Led by: Anna Margaret and Zabracus
  • Kick off the weekend by learning from two of the most knowledgeable players in the community. They’ll be on hand to walk you through the basics and share some high-level tactical tips.

Saturday: Open Demos

  • Time: All Day
  • Led by: HBMO Staff
  • Swing by the Riftbound area anytime. Our staff will have decks ready and tables open for anyone wanting to jump into a quick demo.

Sunday: Open Demos

  • Time: All Day
  • Led by: HBMO Staff
  • Last call! If you haven’t experienced the “move-and-conquer” mechanics yet, come grab a seat before the weekend ends.

No Deck? No Problem.

We provide everything you need to play. You don’t need to bring a collection or even have prior TCG experience. Just show up with a competitive spirit and get ready to see why Riftbound is the talk of the tabletop world right now.

Welcome Our 2026 Casting Team!

Posted on March 10, 2026 by

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We are thrilled to announce the voices behind the mic for this year’s Hunter Burton Memorial Open coverage. Please join us in welcoming back a legacy fixture of our community and a fresh face from the Southeast scene!

David Palmer

A true cornerstone of the DFW Magic community and a longtime friend of Hunter, David’s history with this event goes back to the very beginning—where he Top-8ed the first-ever HBMO. With over half a dozen Pro Tour qualifications and a Top-32 finish at PT Sydney under his belt, David brings elite-level analysis to the booth. This marks his 6th year on our casting team, and as one of the only people on earth to own a complete set of HBMO Commemorative Dice, his dedication to the cause is unmatched.

Coleman Perret

Making his commentary debut this weekend is the “Baton Rouge Bad Boy” himself, Coleman Perret. A competitive mainstay and game designer well-known throughout the Southeast, Coleman is finally putting his Masters degree in “yapping” to professional use. Though his friends insist he “could still dribble” in the main event, the “Steam Vents King” is stepping out of the player seat and into the booth to provide expert insight on the constructed formats he’s spent a decade mastering.

Pro Tip: If you see Coleman around the venue, be sure to ask him about Super Battle.

Haven’t secured your spot yet? Head over to our registration page to sign up now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of gaming!!

Panel Announcement: Healing Made Human

Posted on March 6, 2026 by

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At HBMO, we believe that the path to wellness should be paved with clarity, not confusion. This year, we are incredibly proud to bring you Healing Made Human: Making Sense of Mental Health Care—a specialized presentation designed to pull back the curtain on the often-intimidating world of mental health support. We recognize that while the decision to seek help is a brave first step, the “alphabet soup” of provider credentials and clinical jargon can often feel like a barrier to actually getting it. This panel is our commitment to helping change that.

Healing Made Human is your roadmap.

This session is not a conceptual discussion; it is a practical toolkit designed to break down the confusing world of therapy and levels of care so you can confidently find the right type of support for your needs.

What You Will Walk Away With:

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Decode Credentials: Recognize what different letters mean (LCSW, LPC, PsyD, etc.) and which one you actually need.
  • Assess Levels of Care: Determine the appropriate intensity of support for your specific situation.
  • Take the First Step: Gain the tools to confidently move toward booking your first appointment and starting your healing journey.

Healing is the goal; the process shouldn’t be the problem. Let’s make it make sense, together.

Panel Details

  • Date: Saturday, March 14th
  • Time: 2:00 PM
  • Location: Classroom at Hurst Conference Center

Join the Fight: Star Wars: Unlimited at the HBMO

Posted on March 6, 2026 by

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The Hunter Burton Memorial Open is back from March 13th – 15th, and we’re expanding the galaxy! This year’s lineup features a dedicated Star Wars: Unlimited Championship, bringing the high-stakes action of the Outer Rim to North Texas.

Event Highlights:

  • SWU Championship: Test your skills in our premier competitive event.
  • Side Events: Missed the main event? We’ve got you covered with scheduled side events throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Every entry fee helps the Hunter Burton Memorial’s mission to spread awareness and assist in the prevention of suicide. Come for the competition, stay for the community, and play for a cause that matters.

Secure your spot here: https://hunterburtonmemorialopen.com/2026-event-details/

Meet the Artists of the 2026 Hunter Burton Memorial Open

Posted on February 25, 2026 by

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The artwork on our favorite trading cards is a massive part of what draws us into the game. At the Hunter Burton Memorial Open, it also represents the community that brings us together to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

As we prepare for the 2026 HBMO we are proud to host a lineup of artists who continually support this mission. Whether you are looking for card signatures, custom alters, or exclusive playmats, make sure to visit Artist Alley.

Here are the artists joining us for 2026:

rk post

A TCG Community Classic You can’t discuss trading card art without bringing up rk post. Known for his distinct style on iconic Magic: The Gathering cards like Morphling, Avatar of Woe, and Lightning Angel, he is a consistent draw for players. Beyond his official artwork, he is well-known for his custom tokens, unique alters, and long-standing support of charitable gaming events.

  • At the Booth: Bring your classic cards for a signature and browse his extensive collection of custom tokens.

Sarah Finnigan

Master of Landscapes & Character Art Sarah Finnigan brings highly detailed, classical painting techniques to the table. Her work for Magic: The Gathering frequently features atmospheric landscapes and expressive character subjects, making her traditional painting skills a standout in person.

  • At the Booth: View her artist proofs, prints, and exclusive playmats, and get your cards signed.

Carl Braun

A Dedicated Community Supporter Carl Braun is a regular fixture in the tabletop art community and a dedicated supporter of the HBMO cause. His reliable presence and direct connection with fans make him a staple of the event’s Artist Alley.

  • At the Booth: Get your cards signed, pick up exclusive event merch, and talk with Carl about his artistic process.

Chris Seaman

Illustrator of Worlds Chris Seaman’s fantasy illustrations have been featured across Magic: The Gathering, the World of Warcraft TCG, and the Harry Potter TCG. His dynamic compositions and classic fantasy style make his work highly recognizable to veteran players.

  • At the Booth: Bring your favorite Chris Seaman cards to get signed and browse his selection of prints and artist proofs.

Support the Art, Support the Cause

The artists attending HBMO help build the supportive environment that drives our mission. Every purchase and conversation at their booths strengthens our community.

When you join us this March, take a moment to visit Artist Alley, support their work, and remember why we gather: to spread awareness and prevent suicide in the gaming community.

Click Here to Pre-Register for 2026 Events

Donate to the Hunter Burton Memorial Open

Meet Our 2026 Special Guests: Community, Creators, and Competition

Posted on February 19, 2026 by

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The Hunter Burton Memorial Open is a celebration of the community that sustains us. This year, we are proud to host a lineup of guests who are talented creators and champions for the gaming community.

From world-class cosplay to high-stakes cEDH, here is who you can expect to see at the 2026 HBMO.

The Guest Lineup

Parker Bliss

Parker Bliss is a content creator, tabletop personality and cosplayer, currently based in Denver, Colorado. She has been creating content online since 2023. What began as a love of cosplay and conventions has blossomed into a lifelong passion that also includes TTRPGs, medieval reenactment, TCGs, ren faires, and all things high fantasy.

Anna Margaret

Anna Margaret is a nerdy lifestyle content creator, character actress, and gaming personality. With a Masters degree in teaching and decades of performance experience, Anna Margaret loves bringing characters and fandoms to life through costumes, photography, music, and video content. Best known for her bubbly personality, elaborate cosplays, and enthusiasm for introducing people to her favorite hobbies, she loves to host events, GM table top roleplaying games, and play trading card games!

PowrDragn

PowrDragn is a full time Magic content creator, but has ties to the gaming industry that go back over 25 years. He has been a part of the HBMO doing interviews and covering the event for several years now. He has just completed 6 years of daily content on YouTube, but you can also find him on most socials.

Zabracus

Zabracus (Za-Bruh-Cuss) is a celebrated figure in the geek and gaming community from Northern California. As a Twitch Partner and MTG Ambassador (2023 to present), Zab shares her chaotic misplays and adventures in Magic: The Gathering, and other TCGs and TTRPGs across Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram.

Known for her stunning cosplays, she has brought characters like Shadowheart (Baldur’s Gate 3), Zatanna (DC Comics), and Thalia (MTG) to life, earning her over 60 guest appearances at conventions across the U.S. and Canada. Beyond cosplay and streaming, she’s an accomplished voice and commercial actress. Zabracus co-founded Super Sonic Speed Dating and Nerdvana Talent, fostering geek communities and creative talent.

Where to Find Our Guests

Our guests will be active throughout the weekend participating in events and meeting with the community. Here are a few ways you can interact with them during the show:

  • Friday: Riftbound Learn to Play If you want to learn the ropes of Riftbound, stop by our dedicated learn to play area on Friday afternoon. Our guests will be on hand for a few hours to help teach the game and run some casual matches.
  • Saturday: cEDH Tournament Keep an eye out for our guests in the pods of the cEDH tournament on Saturday. They will be competing throughout the day and potentially into Sunday if they make the day 2 cut.
  • Cosplay Meetup and Prizes Whether you are a seasoned crafter or just wearing your favorite nerdy shirt, join us on Saturday for a community cosplay meetup. Come show off your work, grab photos with our featured cosplayers, and walk away with a special prize.

More to be Announced

This is just the first wave of friends joining us at HBMO this year. Stay tuned for more announcements regarding artists, additional guests, and the full event schedule.

Ready to Join Us?

The Hunter Burton Memorial Open is more than just a tournament—it is a community coming together to support one another through the games we love.

Pre-registration is now open! Secure your spot in the cEDH Championship, the Modern $10k, or any of our other featured events today.

Click Here to Pre-Register for HBMO 2026

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Charitable Donations

Donate to the cause! Every little bit helps us increase our outreach program, spread awareness, and help educate gaming community members about suicide.

$5.00

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