In 2014, the Magic: The Gathering world was set on fire. It wasn't because of a broken card or a corporate buyout. Instead, it was because of a man named Bryce Lynch and a very specific, very viral series of photographs. You’ve probably seen the images. They are legendary in internet history. A man, standing in the middle of a crowded tournament hall, kneeling or posing next to exposed butt cracks of unsuspecting players.
It was the "MTG asscrack" incident, often formally referred to as "Grand Prix Richmond Crackgate."
Looking back, it’s easy to dismiss this as a silly internet meme from a decade ago. But it wasn't just a joke. It sparked a massive debate about tournament etiquette, hygiene, and the "creepy gamer" stereotype that the community had been trying to outrun for years. It even forced Wizards of the Coast to rewrite their official player code of conduct.
What Actually Happened in Richmond?
The setting was Grand Prix Richmond 2014. At the time, it was one of the largest Magic tournaments ever held. Thousands of people packed into a convention center. Space was tight. People were leaning over tables, reaching for cards, and sitting on folding chairs for ten hours straight.
Bryce Lynch decided to document a specific phenomenon he noticed: low-rise jeans meeting high-intensity gaming. He went around the room and, with a solemn, prayer-like expression, posed next to players whose pants had slipped down while they were focused on their matches. He uploaded the album to Reddit and Imgur.
It went nuclear. Within 24 hours, the "MTG asscrack" photos were on the front page of Reddit, Buzzfeed, and eventually, mainstream news sites.
The internet loved it. Most people thought it was a hilarious commentary on the lack of self-awareness sometimes found in hobby spaces. But the people in the photos didn't find it funny. Neither did Wizards of the Coast.
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The Fallout and the Lifetime Ban
Wizards of the Coast didn't wait long to act. They viewed the stunt as a form of targeted harassment. While the internet was laughing, the organizers saw a man publicly shaming attendees who hadn't consented to being part of a comedy project.
The DCI Ruling
The DCI (the governing body for Magic tournaments at the time) issued a statement. They didn't just give him a slap on the wrist. They banned Bryce Lynch for 18 months. Later, after further review and public outcry from both sides, that ban essentially became a permanent mark on his record within the competitive scene.
Some argued the ban was too harsh. They felt Lynch was just "shining a light" on a hygiene issue that the community needed to fix. Others pointed out that taking photos of strangers' bodies without permission—specifically focusing on their rear ends—is, by definition, creepy and invasive.
If someone did this to women at a convention, they’d be kicked out instantly. Why should it be different because the subjects were men? That was the logic Wizards used. They wanted to ensure Grand Prix events felt like "safe and inclusive environments."
The Hygiene Discourse That Never Ends
The MTG asscrack incident wasn't just about one guy with a camera. It touched a nerve because it validated a stereotype. For years, the "Smelly Magic Player" was a trope that plagued the hobby. It's a trope that exists in almost every "nerd" subculture, from Yu-Gi-Oh! to Warhammer 40k.
Honestly, it’s a logistics problem as much as a personal hygiene one. When you put 4,000 people in a room with poor ventilation for 12 hours, things get sweaty. Add in the fact that many players are wearing backpacks and constantly leaning over tables, and "plumber's crack" becomes an inevitability.
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The "Crackgate" Legacy
Wizards of the Coast eventually updated their "Global Tournament Rules." They added more specific language regarding personal hygiene and "inappropriate clothing."
- Players can now technically be penalized for "unpleasant" odors that disrupt the tournament.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct rules were clarified to include taking photos of other players with the intent to harass or mock them.
It’s weird to think that a guy posing for memes changed the legal framework of a multimillion-dollar trading card game, but he did.
The Cultural Impact: Meme vs. Harassment
Even now, ten years later, you can’t mention Magic: The Gathering on a general subreddit without someone posting a link to the "MTG asscrack" album. It has become part of the digital DNA of the game.
But the nuance is often lost. In the years following the ban, Bryce Lynch actually spoke out about the experience. He didn't expect the level of vitriol he received, nor did he expect the fame. He eventually apologized to the individuals in the photos, acknowledging that he had dehumanized them for a joke.
This is the part most people forget. Behind every "funny" viral photo is a person who was just trying to play a game they love. One of the men in the photos later commented that he was going through a hard time and the sudden global mockery didn't exactly help his mental state.
How the Community Evolved
The community's reaction was split. You had the "it's just a joke" crowd and the "this is why people think we're losers" crowd. Over time, the latter group won out. Most modern Magic events are much more professional. Organizers like Star City Games and ReedPop (who run many large conventions) have strict codes of conduct.
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There is also a much larger push for inclusivity. If you want more women, non-binary people, and new players to join the game, you can't have a culture where people are taking creep shots of attendees. It’s that simple.
The "MTG asscrack" era was the growing pains of a hobby moving from the basement to the mainstream. Magic is a billion-dollar brand now. It can't afford to be defined by "Crackgate."
What to Do If You're Heading to a Tournament
If you’re worried about becoming the next viral sensation—or if you just want to be a decent human being at your local game store—there are a few practical steps to keep in mind. The "MTG asscrack" incident taught us all a few lessons about awareness.
Check your gear. If you’re wearing a heavy backpack, it’s going to pull your shirt up and your pants down. It happens to everyone. Consider a belt. Seriously. It’s the most effective anti-meme technology ever invented.
Mind the personal space. Respecting other players is the bare minimum. Don't take photos of people without asking. Even if you think something is funny, it’s not worth a lifetime ban from the game you spend hundreds of dollars on.
Hygiene is a courtesy. The "6-2-1 rule" is a staple of convention life: 6 hours of sleep, 2 meals, and 1 shower per day. Minimum. It sounds basic, but in the heat of a 15-round tournament, people forget. Don't be the reason someone has to write a new rule in the DCI handbook.
The MTG asscrack story is a reminder that the internet is forever. A single afternoon of "posing for the bit" resulted in a man being exiled from his favorite hobby and several others becoming unwilling faces of a global meme. It was a turning point for Magic: The Gathering, forcing it to decide what kind of community it wanted to be: one that laughs at its members, or one that protects them.
Actionable Insights for Competitive Players
- Review the MTR (Magic Tournament Rules): Section 5.4 covers Unsporting Conduct. Understand that "harassment" is broadly defined and includes social media posts made during or after an event that target specific attendees.
- Invest in high-quality basics: If you are sitting for long periods, wear shirts with a longer hem (often called "tall" sizes) to prevent accidental exposure during gameplay.
- Report, don't record: If you see something inappropriate at a tournament, tell a judge or an event organizer. Taking a photo for social media is more likely to get you banned than the person you are mocking.
- Support your LGS: Local Game Stores thrive on a welcoming atmosphere. If you see someone being mocked or photographed without consent, speak up. The culture only changes if the players enforce the standards.