How to Create and Operate a Successful Just for Fun Contest

jpastorjpastor
in Tutorials

“Just for Fun” contests are the heart and soul of the MTG Cardsmith forums. These informal design challenges invite cardsmiths of all skill levels to jump in, create, and enjoy without the pressure of big prizes or strict judging.

This guide will show you how to craft and run a successful “Just for Fun” contest that brings joy and engagement to the community.

🧁 What Is a "Just for Fun" Contest?

A Just for Fun Contest is a low-stakes, creative Magic: the Gathering card design challenge that:

  • Has simple, open-ended or quirky prompts

  • Encourages creativity, humor, or casual experimentation

  • May include light feedback or silly prizes (like internet glory or a “cookie”)

  • Focuses on participation over competition

Perfect for first-time hosts or anyone looking to stir up some casual creativity!

🛠️ Step 1: Plan Your Contest

Keep it light, simple, and fun. Here’s what to decide:

🎨 Choose a Fun Theme

  • “Design a card that would scare Nicol Bolas”

  • “Create a legendary creature with a food in its name”

  • “Design a planeswalker that’s terrible at their job”

  • “A card that rhymes!”

Keep the prompt open enough to allow multiple creative takes.

🧃 Decide Entry Limits

  • 1–3 entries per person is standard

  • Cards can be new, old, or both

  • Allow text-based cards or image-based cards (or both)

🏅 Prize or No Prize?

  • Most JFF contests skip real prizes

  • You can offer:

    • A “virtual cookie” 🍪

    • A spotlight post in your next thread

    • A card fave

    • A badge made in MS Paint (yes, really!)

🧵 Step 2: Create the Forum Thread

Head to the Contests and Challenges section of the forums and click “New Discussion.”

Suggested Title Format:

Just for Fun Contest – [Your Prompt Here]
Example: Just for Fun Contest – “Make a Card With a Cat Riding Something”

Suggested First Post Template:

# 🎉 Just for Fun Contest – “Design a Card That Speaks in Riddles!”

Welcome, cardsmiths! It’s time for a wacky and whimsical challenge.

---

## 🧩 The Prompt:

Create a Magic card (any type!) where the **card name, flavor text, or mechanics are written like a riddle**.

Be weird. Be clever. Be mysterious.

---

## 📜 Rules:

- Up to **2 entries per person**
- New or old cards are allowed
- Use MTG Cardsmith or just type out the design
- Keep it *PG* and forum-friendly, of course

---

## 🏅 Prizes?

Just the joy of riddles and:
- A shoutout for the **top 3 riddlers**
- A 🍪 for the best riddle flavor text
- And your card may get *faved* by me!

---

## 🗓️ Deadline:

Let’s say **[Insert Date Here – usually 1 to 2 weeks from post date]**

---

Drop your entries below! I’ll comment and react to as many as I can.
Have fun and let the riddles begin!

🤹 Step 3: Keep It Fun and Active

Throughout the contest:

  • React to entries (❤️, 🔥, etc.)

  • Drop encouraging or funny comments

  • Highlight especially wild or clever submissions

  • Post reminder updates (“3 days left!” or “Loving the entries so far!”)

It doesn’t have to be formal—think of yourself as a party host, not a judge.

🎭 Step 4: Wrap-Up and Celebrate

When the deadline passes:

🏆 Announce the Wrap-Up:

  • Call out a few favorites (top 3, top 5, or just “notable mentions”)

  • Make fun awards if you want (“Most Ridiculous Art Choice,” “Funniest Flavor Text,” etc.)

  • Thank everyone for joining

  • Drop some faves if you promised them

Sample Wrap-Up Post:

# 🎉 Contest Wrap-Up – Riddle Me This!

Thank you all for an amazing contest! The entries were mysterious, hilarious, and super clever. I was seriously impressed.

---

## 🥇 Favorite Riddlers:
- **@CardSmithX** – “Oracle of the Unknown Known” – Your flavor text *still* confuses me
- **@SmithQueen** – “The Door With No Lock” – Loved the mechanic!
- **@SillyMage** – “Goblin of Unanswerable Questions” – I laughed out loud

🍪 **Special Cookie Award**: @DizzyDesigns for the weirdest but most poetic card ever

Thanks for playing! I’ll fave the top cards shortly!

Should I do another one next week? 😄

🌱 Tips for Growing a Fun Contest

✅ Keep the tone casual and inviting
✅ Respond to comments to keep it active
✅ Make your prompt unique, but not too niche
✅ Don’t worry if only a few people enter—build over time!
✅ Run more than one if you had fun!

🌟 Need Ideas?

Here are some Just for Fun prompt examples:

  • “Design a card inspired by a meme”

  • “Create a card with the word ‘banana’ in it”

  • “Planeswalker’s Day Off – make a casual planeswalker”

  • “Design a card that’s allergic to blue mana”

  • “A spell your grandma would cast”

🎨 Ready to Post Yours?

If you want, I can help you:

  • Brainstorm a prompt

  • Write your thread intro

  • Come up with silly rewards or themes

Let me know your theme, and I’ll make a ready-to-post contest starter for you!

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