It was 2014. The venue was the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Magic the Gathering was hitting a massive growth spurt, and Grand Prix Richmond was, at the time, the largest constructed tournament in the game’s history. Over 4,300 players showed up to play Modern. But while the winners walked away with prize money and Pro Tour invites, only one person walked away as a permanent part of internet history.
I’m talking, of course, about Sid Blair—better known to the world as the Magic the Gathering butt crack guy.
Blair didn’t win the tournament. He didn’t even make the Top 8. Instead, he spent the weekend walking around the convention hall, identifying a very specific, recurring phenomenon: the exposed posterior of the average Magic player. He would find a player deep in thought, lean down, clasp his hands together in a sort of mock-prayer, and pose for a photo with the offender’s "plumber's crack" in the background.
Then he posted the album to Reddit. The internet exploded.
The Viral Moment That Changed MTG Culture
The album, titled "Grand Prix Richmond Crackstyle," was an instant sensation. It wasn’t just the audacity of the act; it was the sheer volume of the evidence. Blair had captured dozens of photos. It was a visual survey of a stereotype that the community had been trying to outrun for years.
People laughed. Some people got angry. But mostly, the photos touched a nerve because they were undeniably real.
Blair’s goal wasn’t exactly malicious, though it certainly walked the line of bullying. He later explained in various interviews and Reddit threads that he wanted to highlight a lack of basic hygiene and self-awareness in the community. He was a player himself, not some outsider looking in to mock the "nerds." He was one of us, holding up a very uncomfortable mirror.
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The fallout was swift. Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Magic: The Gathering, didn't find the humor particularly charming. Shortly after the photos went viral, Blair received a DCI suspension. He was banned from sanctioned play for 18 months.
That ban sparked a massive debate. Was Blair the one in the wrong for taking non-consensual photos of people? Or were the players in the wrong for, well, not wearing belts or shirts that fit? Honestly, the answer was probably both.
The Ethics of "Crackstyle"
Let's be real for a second. Taking photos of strangers’ backsides without their knowledge is creepy. If you did that in a grocery store or a gym, you’d probably be kicked out or arrested. Blair’s "art project" was a clear violation of personal space.
On the other hand, the "Magic the Gathering butt crack guy" became a catalyst for a conversation the community desperately needed to have.
For years, "con funk" and poor grooming were things people just joked about in hushed tones. Blair’s photos made it impossible to ignore. It forced tournament organizers to rethink their codes of conduct. It forced players to realize that if they wanted the game to be taken seriously as a professional esport or a mainstream hobby, they had to meet a basic standard of public decency.
The DCI Ban and the Aftermath
Wizards of the Coast cited "unsporting conduct" for the ban. The community was split right down the middle.
- Some argued that the ban was a "kill the messenger" move. They felt Wizards was embarrassed by the publicity and took it out on Blair.
- Others felt the ban was justified because Blair was essentially harassing other attendees.
Blair took it in stride. He didn't fight the ban. He became a folk hero to some and a villain to others. But he undeniably changed the "meta" of attending a Magic tournament. After 2014, "Grand Prix Richmond Crackstyle" became a verb. Players started reminding each other to "check their cracks" before matches.
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Why the Meme Persists in 2026
You’d think a decade-old meme would have died by now. It hasn't.
If you go to a Magic Con today, you will still see people making "crackstyle" jokes. The reason it stays relevant is that it represents a turning point in nerd culture. We moved from the era of "anything goes in the basement" to an era where these events are massive, corporate-sponsored spectacles.
The Magic the Gathering butt crack guy is basically the "Patient Zero" of the modern hygiene movement in gaming.
Today, tournament organizers like StarCityGames and ReedPop often have explicit language in their attendee guides about clothing and hygiene. You won't see "Crackstyle 2.0" because the environment has changed. People are more aware. The cameras are everywhere.
The Human Element: Who is Sid Blair?
Blair wasn't some professional troll. He was just a guy with a camera and a sense of humor that leaned toward the provocative. In the years following his ban, he stayed relatively quiet in the MTG scene. He didn't try to parlay his 15 minutes of fame into a Twitch career or a brand.
He did, however, show that one person with a smartphone could fundamentally shift the social norms of a global community.
There's a lesson here about the power of shame as a social tool. It’s a blunt instrument. It hurts. But in the case of MTG, it was the only thing that worked. No amount of polite "please wear deodorant" signs ever did what Sid Blair did with a single weekend of photography.
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What This Means for You as a Player
If you’re heading to your first big tournament, or even just a Friday Night Magic at your local game store, there are practical takeaways from the whole Blair saga.
First, the obvious: Dress appropriately. Longer shirts. Belts. These aren't just fashion choices; they are a courtesy to the person sitting across from you who has to stare at your midsection for 50 minutes while you decide whether or not to mulligan.
Second, understand that community standards matter. Magic is a social game. It relies on people wanting to be in the same room as you. If the environment is unpleasant, the game dies. Blair’s photos were a "stress test" for that social contract.
Actionable Advice for Tournament Prep
- The Sit Test: Before you leave the house, sit down in a chair in front of a mirror. If your shirt rides up and reveals skin, change the shirt or add a belt. It’s that simple.
- Hygiene is Non-Negotiable: This isn't just about the "crack." Shower. Use deodorant. The "gamer funk" is a meme we should all want to kill.
- Respect Privacy: Don't be the next Sid Blair. In the age of social media, it’s tempting to post "cringe" content from events. Remember that there’s a human on the other side of that lens. Blair got banned for a reason.
- Speak Up Privately: If someone at your LGS has a wardrobe malfunction, don't take a photo and post it to Reddit. Lean over and tell them quietly. Most people are mortified to realize they're "showing."
The legacy of the Magic the Gathering butt crack guy is complicated. It’s a mix of hilarious internet subculture, a debate on privacy, and a much-needed wake-up call for a growing hobby. While Sid Blair might have been the "villain" of the Richmond Grand Prix in the eyes of the judges, he ended up being the catalyst for a cleaner, more self-aware community.
Next time you’re at a big event and you see everyone looking sharp and smelling fresh, give a silent thanks to the guy who risked a ban to show us what we looked like from behind.
Next Steps for Players:
To ensure you're contributing to a positive environment, review the official Wizards of the Coast Code of Conduct. It has been updated significantly since 2014 to cover harassment and "conduct unbecoming of a player." Additionally, if you are a tournament organizer, consider implementing a "Customer Service" approach to hygiene issues—keep spare belts or t-shirts at the judge's station. It's better to solve the problem quietly than to let it become the next viral meme.