Ever wondered what it was like to go to a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series and Duel with the best? We sent a freelancer to one, and this was his experience!

My First Time

Although I’ve played the game for a long time, I’d never actually gone to a YCS. It was an eye-opening experience, and I had a wonderful time. YCS are on a different scale than the weekly Regionals at local hobby shops, and there were upwards of a thousand players ready to throw down in San Mateo. What surprised me was that everyone was so friendly. None of my opponents sneered at my being new to the large-scale tournament scene, and everyone had a real sense of community—no Seto Kaibas on the premises that day!

Trading Places

And the binders. Dear Ra, the trade binders! Before the tournament started and after each round for the rest of the day, trade binders remained close at hand. Whether cradled lovingly in one arm or merely stowed within reach, Duelists at almost every table displayed the more liquid parts of their collections, ready for the right offer. Whether to trade or just to “ooh” and “aah,” everyone wanted to see what their new friends had. Since the game is always evolving, obscure cards that seemed useless yesterday became exactly what people were looking for. Few gems got away that day!

Don’t Look Back

A word of friendly advice: winning isn’t everything. Really. It’s not. Come prepared to win, and do your best, but also come ready to roll with the punches, whether you’re a regular or a newbie. Heck, especially if you’re a newbie. (I was able to hold my own in the local tournaments, but I got my head handed to me here all the same!) These tournaments are Swiss-system and use points to determine rankings, so even the most competitive can afford a loss or two. Whatever happens, don’t give up!

Tournament Tip: Do Your Research

It pays to know which strategies are “in.” At the time of the tournament, Hieratic Dragons were in the middle of a colossal popularity spike, and they were on the opposite end of the field for more than half my own Duels. The release of a new set and/or Ban List can raise up one archetype or send it swirling down; some of them even yo-yo! Knowing what’s popular can give you an edge, especially when you’re constructing your Side Deck, and if you know of a card that can defuse a popular mechanic, throw it in. You’ll be glad that you did.

Duel With Others As You Would Have Them Duel With You

Of course, there are always certain dos and don’ts in any tournament. First, be a good sport. Don’t start whining or calling judges over every five minutes. But DO call a judge if your opponent’s actually cheating! Second, always treat your opponent and his or her cards with respect, so mitts off unless you get permission. Third, Duels have a time limit for a reason. Sometimes you’ll have to go into overtime, but try to keep that to a minimum. Too many delays and the tournament can drag on into the night, and nobody wants that.

All too soon, it was over and time to leave. The tournament was a smashing success for me. No I didn’t win, but I was prepared for that. The reason that I had such a great time was due in no small part to what I was not prepared for: the awesome people I met there. For any readers planning on attending one of the bigger Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments, go in ready to have fun and make friends. Win or lose, you’ll have a better time. Count on it.

JUMP PACK IN ATLANTA!
We're going to YCS Atlanta January 31 to February 1! We'll be selling the hot new Shonen Jump Pack! It's a 100-page print sampler that includes a three-month digital subscription and comes with an Archfiend Commander card! And it's only $19.99!

by Chris Turner