Major Tournament Tips/Experiences

[jabber2033]

So I'm planning to go to Regionals on the 30th of this month.

 

It's my first time at such a major event.  What I want to discuss here are tips for a first-timer, as well as your own experiences at major tournaments.

 

By the way, the Dino Rabbit deck in my signature is what I'm gonna use, so feel free to give fixs/suggestions for that as well.

[Dementuo]

BASIC RULES:

Only keep one thing out of your backpack/bag/whatever holds your sh*t at  time. If you're trading, your deck/mat/whatever is put away. If you're playing, only what you need to play is out.

If you think you'll be late, take your stuff out (Mat, deck, calculator, dice/coins) on your way to your table. If you have your stuff out and you're sitting down when the first late time is called, you're safe.

HAVE YOUR POSSESSIONS IN VIEW AT ALL TIMES. You don't want your crap stolen. For your backpack or whatever, keep it between your legs when playing. No one is going to reach down there.

If you aren't going to get a lunch break or something, bring your food with you into the event. Eat when you need to and stay hydrated, it helps you focus.

Play the DT all you can, the sh*t in there is worth more than you'll pay for it.

 

Protips:

Read your cards. Read your opponent's cards. If you don't know what something does, or you even think you know what it does without being 100% positive, then give it a read. (Being 100% certain of a card's effect means you can recite it word-for-word from memory)

Be careful and name out your phases, but also work at your own pace.

Sit up straight and don't hand-shuffle, instead leave your cards in a stack face-down on your edge of the table. You don't want to accidentally reveal or drop your cards.

[D.A._Sakuyamon]

BASIC RULES:

Only keep one thing out of your backpack/bag/whatever holds your sh*t at  time. If you're trading, your deck/mat/whatever is put away. If you're playing, only what you need to play is out.

If you think you'll be late, take your stuff out (Mat, deck, calculator, dice/coins) on your way to your table. If you have your stuff out and you're sitting down when the first late time is called, you're safe.

HAVE YOUR POSSESSIONS IN VIEW AT ALL TIMES. You don't want your crap stolen. For your backpack or whatever, keep it between your legs when playing. No one is going to reach down there.

If you aren't going to get a lunch break or something, bring your food with you into the event. Eat when you need to and stay hydrated, it helps you focus.

Play the DT all you can, the sh*t in there is worth more than you'll pay for it.

 

Protips:

Read your cards. Read your opponent's cards. If you don't know what something does, or you even think you know what it does without being 100% positive, then give it a read. (Being 100% certain of a card's effect means you can recite it word-for-word from memory)

Be careful and name out your phases, but also work at your own pace.

Sit up straight and don't hand-shuffle, instead leave your cards in a stack face-down on your edge of the table. You don't want to accidentally reveal or drop your cards.

 

 

For the bold in order.

 

What if you bring your girlfriend/boyfriend along? (not making a joke here)

Is it okay to hold the cards in a stack?

[Toffee.]

Posting, mostly to wish you luck.

Being 100% certain of a card's effect means you can recite it word-for-word from memory

This.
Being able to remember everything off the top of your head is quite convenient.

[Dementuo]

For the bold in order.

 

What if you bring your girlfriend/boyfriend along? (not making a joke here)

Is it okay to hold the cards in a stack?

If you have a teammate or a friend who you can trust completely with you, then they can watch your things if you want.

It's really best just to set the cards down and not even touch them until you need to.

If you're thinking about that Veiler in your hand, leave it alone. Maxx C? Let it be. Gorz? Don't you dare touch it.

It's easy for players to read off the movements you make with your hand (Bringing the Gorz/Veiler/Maxx C to the front, holding onto it in your hand, and/or being "ready" to play the card). Some people even look for the glare of a foil card on your face/eyes, especially if you wear glasses or something. And that's also why no one wears Sunglasses to these events.

[Miror B]

 No one is going to reach down there.

I would ._.

 

ALSO: On the card effect thing, do make sure you know what works and what doesn't. There are cases where someone looses because the opponent doesn't say you can do something to save yourself, but aren't actually cheating.

Oh and don't be afraid to tell people to slow down. I saw a duel right next to me one time where a Wind-Up player rushed through everything and their opponent wanted to Torrential them, but was just plain unsure.

[newhat]

If you're playing against Final Countdown, they will play as fast as possible to avoid going into the dreaded time and autolosing from having 2000 fewer Life Points. So have an understanding of how to play against it before you go, because you aren't getting time to figure it out. (Hint: It's not just Shock Master.)

[Resident Fascist]

Hand Shuffle. A lot. Generally, the more someone hand shuffles the better they usually are, it's not a direct science but every good player I've ever played against hand shuffles. Hand Shuffling is good because well, it changes the order of your hand so your opponent can't work out you have a Maxx/Veiler/Gorz as easily, and the clicking sound the sleeves make when you do it can throw people off, personally I've got so used to it, I can't really hear it, but it does. Yes, that's totally legal. Another tip is if you're checking backrows, check multiples so it isn't as obvious which backrow is important. As much as you want to laugh at drawing Reborn, don't. Basicially try not to telegraph anything. If you're playing GBs. BRING DICE OR SOMETHING FOR LAQUARI. If you're playing any deck with Level Eater, do the same. Trust me it's easier.

 

 If you play against Infernities and you think someone has a Monster that isn't Toy Magician/Snow Sniper set, ask a judge to check their backrow. I've seen so many (bad, may I add) Infernity players set their Dark Grephers and Mirages to empty their hand, and 9/10 they get away with it because the game either ends that turn, or they'll Barrier it when you MST it. Even at a small local, people will do anything to cheat. It's sad but true. Also, as long as you're making a legitimate play, or doing something without greviously stalling on purpose, there is no limit to the turn time, I've seen some assholes try and rush people for "stalling" when I, as an Infernity Player, take much longer turns just from the nature of the deck. If you go to the same store repeatedly and have 2-3 decks to play, play a different deck to throw off anyone who has sided against your deck specificially. Also GET SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE, don't pull an all-nighter. Not if you actually want to win, and test your deck.

[ihop]

Also, BRING WATER. You'll need it to be able to concentrate and a lot of venues have very expensive drinks, save yourself the money and bring your own.

 

From a playing point of view, don't do anything that you could possibly be rulesharked for. Shuffle both player's decks over the table and be careful not to drop cards, write your decklist very carefully, declare your phases and make sure you understand exactly what your opponent's trying to do before you respond and try yourself to be as clear as possible with what you're trying to do, say what you want to do rather than make hand movements. Make sure your sleeves are new enough so they're all in perfect condition but not brand new as they slide a lot which could get you a game loss. Before every round count the cards in your main, extra and side, and check the cards in your side. Also, think carefully about every move. You're not pressed for time (within reason), so don't feel pressured into making your moves and faster than you want to. Leaving your hand face-down is a good idea, if you want to look pro you can sort of flick the cards that are face down, it makes a satisfying noise, or shuffle them around on your mat, stacking them and then fanning them etc. 

[Dementuo]

If you're playing against Final Countdown, they will play as fast as possible to avoid going into the dreaded time and autolosing from having 2000 fewer Life Points. So have an understanding of how to play against it before you go, because you aren't getting time to figure it out. (Hint: It's not just Shock Master.)

Actually, Countdown players will try to make game 2 last as long as possible. If they lost, they'll side in Golden Ladybugs and hope to at least get a Draw in time. If they won, they'll keep going with Countdown.

 

Hand Shuffle. A lot. Generally, the more someone hand shuffles the better they usually are, it's not a direct science but every good player I've ever played against hand shuffles. Hand Shuffling is good because well, it changes the order of your hand so your opponent can't work out you have a Maxx/Veiler/Gorz as easily, and the clicking sound the sleeves make when you do it can throw people off, personally I've got so used to it, I can't really hear it, but it does. Yes, that's totally legal. Another tip is if you're checking backrows, check multiples so it isn't as obvious which backrow is important. As much as you want to laugh at drawing Reborn, don't. Basicially try not to telegraph anything. If you're playing GBs. BRING DICE OR SOMETHING FOR LAQUARI. If you're playing any deck with Level Eater, do the same. Trust me it's easier.

Actually, don't Hand Shuffle at all. You'll have a higher chance to drop cards when you do, which is bad. Instead, just do what I suggested and leave your cards in a stack on your mat. It's impossible for your opponent to discern what's in your hand when you don't give them any visual ques.
As for checking backrow, try to remember what you have set. More often than not, checking your backrow will clue your opponent in that you have something to hinder them with. But if you absolutely have to, turn your backrow sideways first, then lightly lift up one side to check it. That way, you aren't putting it down vertically and risking your opponent seeing the underside of the card when you do.

[Resident Fascist]

Actually, don't Hand Shuffle at all. You'll have a higher chance to drop cards when you do, which is bad

 

Not if you're good at it.

[Dementuo]

Not if you're good at it.

I'm very good at it and I still drop cards. People I play against are good at it and they still drop cards.

Besides, just saying "You can do it if you're good at it" is a pathetic excuse/argument. To some degree, sure, you can be good at shuffling and not drop cards most of the time. But by not doing it at all you run 0% risk of dropping your cards.

[Resident Fascist]

I'm very good at it and I still drop cards. People I play against are good at it and they still drop cards.

Besides, just saying "You can do it if you're good at it" is a pathetic excuse/argument. To some degree, sure, you can be good at shuffling and not drop cards most of the time. But by not doing it at all you run 0% risk of dropping your cards.

 

I find putting my cards on the table more of a risk than shuffling them, to be honest. I just feel it'd be too easy to accidentially flip them over when picking them up.

[Dementuo]

I find putting my cards on the table more of a risk than shuffling them, to be honest. I just feel it'd be too easy to accidentially flip them over when picking them up.

Then that's your own problem to deal with.

[Resident Fascist]

Then that's your own problem to deal with.

 

Personal preference, I guess. I've never dropped cards.

[byak]

I'm very good at it and I still drop cards. People I play against are good at it and they still drop cards.

well if you're good at it then how come you drop cards

[Dementuo]

well if you're good at it then how come you drop cards

Well if a pro is good at ygo then how come he still loses

That sort of logic is foolhardy, really.

[jabber2033]

Question: would it be a good idea to playtest decks I'm unfamiliar with? For example, I'm still not to familiar with mermails, so should I play with the deck myself so I understand what I may be up against?

[Dementuo]

Question: would it be a good idea to playtest decks I'm unfamiliar with? For example, I'm still not to familiar with mermails, so should I play with the deck myself so I understand what I may be up against?

That certainly isn't a bad idea. If you're unfamiliar with a deck and want to learn more about how it work, then by all means, play with it a little.

[Agro]

Well if a pro is good at ygo then how come he still loses
That sort of logic is foolhardy, really.

Eh... There's a difference between luck and mistakes.

[Zeppeli Gyro Supreme]

Even magicians sometimes drop cards when they shuffle them. Anyways, hand shuffling is annoying.

[Dementuo]

Eh... There's a difference between luck and mistakes.

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V

Even magicians sometimes drop cards when they shuffle them.

That's exactly my point. Sure, there's a difference between luck and skill, but regardless of both, remember that everyone is only human. Mistakes are made regardless of how skilled someone is.

[BehindTheMask]

Don't play Dino Rabbit. You'll regret it. Trust me from experience.

 

Playtest against the meta, it really helps. Make sure you also side during these games. Knowing what to take out and what to put in is important, as most of your games are games 2 and 3.

 

Make sure to eat breakfast and get a lot of sleep. Most regionals start late and most rounds go into time. At the last regional I went to, round 1 didnt start till 11:30ish and round 8 ended around 8. There was no lunch break either.

 

If you're getting nervous/mad/etc etc you need to calm down. Being able to this is important, because once you're on edge, you are more prone to making mistakes.

 

Call a judge if you aren't sure on a ruling, how something works. If the rule doesn't go in your favor, appeal it. Yes you look like a jackass, but judges can make mistakes and it doesn't cost you anything(other than time) to make sure it works like that.

 

Rule shark, especially if something is suspicious. Both times I've had this happen to me I've lost the match because I chose to get a free win. The first was back a few years ago, my opponent forgot to side out and around turn 3 or 4 he noticed. we restarted the game. I then lost games 1 and 2. Second time was in October and my opponent had a few foreign cards. We get deck checked and he doesn't have English copies or a translation. I knew what they were, and told the judges it was fine. He pulls out a game 3 win barely.

[jabber2033]

Don't play Dino Rabbit. You'll regret it. Trust me from experience.

 

Yeah, about that.  It's easily the best deck I have.  I've got Six Sams, Dark Worlds, and Chaos Dragons, but I'd rather go with something I'm more used to playing.

 

I'm not changing the deck I'm playing now.