Gaming Specialist
Midwest Cards | Columbus, Ohio
Role Overview
Midwest Cards is more than a card shop — it's a destination. We host live breaks, power a
thriving streaming presence, and serve a community of collectors and players who are deeply
invested in the hobby.
The Gaming Specialist is the person on the floor making that community happen.
This role is responsible for assisting organized play events, tournaments, and casual gaming
nights across our key TCG titles. You know the games, you know the players, and you know
how to create an environment where people want to come back every week.
You will report to the Gaming Manager and work closely with the broader Midwest Cards team
to ensure our gaming program is one of the best in the region.
This is an evening and weekend role. Most events run after the shop closes — typically until
midnight. If you love the games and love the community, this schedule is the job.
Core Responsibility
Run best-in-class organized play that builds a loyal, growing gaming community at Midwest
Cards.
You help to organize the events, know the rules, and make every player — from first-timer to
seasoned competitor — feel like this is their place.
Key Accountabilities
1. Organized Play & Tournament Operations
- Plan, schedule, and run weekly and special event TCG tournaments and casual play
nights
- Serve as head judge or lead organizer for events — enforce rules fairly and consistently
- Manage player registration, pairings, standings, and prize distribution
- Coordinate with the Gaming Manager on event calendar, formats, and entry structures
- Ensure events start on time, run smoothly, and finish on schedule
- Handle on-the-floor logistics: table setup, game supplies, signage, and teardown
2. Game Knowledge & Rules Expertise
- Serve as a knowledgeable resource for players across our core titles: Pokémon, One
Piece Card Game, Magic: The Gathering, Riftbound, and more.
- Stay current on rules updates, new set releases, tournament formats, and competitive
metas
- Answer player questions confidently and resolve disputes with fairness and composure
- Help new players learn game mechanics and feel welcome in competitive environments
- Identify which games are growing in the community and surface insights to the Gaming
Manager
3. Community Building
- Build relationships with regular players and make them feel like a valued part of the
Midwest Cards community
- Create a welcoming, inclusive environment for players of all skill levels
- Encourage repeat attendance through great experiences — not just prizes
- Help grow event participation by engaging players on-site and in coordination with
marketing
- Be the face of the gaming program during events: energetic, approachable, and in
control
4. Product & Sales Support
- Assist players in finding product relevant to their game and format
- Be knowledgeable about our singles, sealed product, and accessories inventory
- Identify opportunities to connect event attendees with in-store purchases
- Communicate product requests and inventory gaps to the Gaming Manager and buying
team
5. Reporting & Communication
- Track event attendance, results, and notable moments for each event
- Communicate player feedback and community trends to the Gaming Manager
- Flag any issues — rules disputes, player conduct, logistics problems — promptly and
clearly
- Contribute ideas for new formats, events, and ways to grow the program
What Success Looks Like
- Event attendance grows consistently week over week.
- Players return because the experience is well-run, fair, and fun.
- Midwest Cards becomes known as the premier organized play destination in Columbus.
- New players feel welcome and come back.
- Events run on time, every time.
- The gaming program contributes meaningfully to in-store traffic and product sales.
Schedule Expectations
This role is built around evenings and weekends. A typical week may include:
- Weeknight events running from shop close until midnight
- Weekend tournaments with extended hours
- Occasional special events, prereleases, and community nights
This schedule is a core part of the role — not an exception. If you're a night owl who lives for
game night, you'll fit right in.
Ideal Candidate Profile
You are:
- Deeply passionate about trading card games and competitive play
- Organized and reliable — events depend on you showing up prepared
- A natural people person — you make players feel seen and valued
- Calm under pressure — you can resolve a heated rules dispute without escalating it
- Energetic and engaging, especially late in the evening when others would be fading
- Comfortable taking ownership of an event from setup to teardown
You understand:
- How organized play works — tournament structures, judging, pairings, and prize support
- The culture of competitive TCG — what players care about and what they can't stand
- How to balance competitive integrity with community warmth
- That the experience matters as much as the game itself
Bonus if you:
- Have prior experience judging or running tournaments (any TCG)
- Hold a judge certification for Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, or similar
- Are active in the local or national TCG competitive scene
- Have experience growing a gaming community from the ground up
- Follow the sports card and collectibles hobby beyond just TCG
Why This Role Matters
Gaming is a cornerstone of what Midwest Cards is building.
Organized play brings people in the door, keeps them coming back, and creates the kind of
community that money can't buy.
You are the reason players choose us over every other option in the city.
You run the events that become the stories people tell.
If you love the games and love the community, there's no better place to do this work.
