The number of New England players representing us at World Championship tournament was astounding! It was hard to keep up with all of them. I found myself checking in on the pairings to see how everyone was doing, and at times was unable to keep up. It was so nice to see so many familiar faces at Worlds. Now, next year, being that it will be in Hawaii, and may be more out of reach for people who do not receive a paid trip, less likely to see as many from our region. CA was an expensive trip even WITH a "paid" invitation....cause Pokemon certainly does not pay for it all, can't even begin to imagine what Hawaii would cost!
Mike, the ruling was a "he said, she said" thing and I saw it happen from one side of the table and Hanaan saw it happen from the other. It was ruled against Dylan and it was not, I don't believe a game changing thing, but I did not agree with the ruling and neither did Hanaan. It was a case of Dylan searching for a card, placing it on the playing area by his active Pokemon, so Aylam could see the card he chose, and so Dylan had 2 hands to shuffle his deck, Aylam picked it up to look at it, and placed it on Dylan's bench. Dylan had NOT benched the card. Dylan then proceeded to pick up the card and put it in his hand which was his intention from the beginning, Aylam said that he benched it. Aylam called the judge. Dylan explained the situation, I believe Aylam spoke too, the judges discussed, ruling was made, Dylan discussed more, they stood by the ruling, that the card was benched, Dylan did not agree, but they moved on and Dylan won.
Also, just a note, I mis noted, Aylam was 3-1 going into this game, Dylan was 4-0.
Again, I want to reiterate how impressed I was to see so many New England players at Worlds. Win - Lose - or draw....these are some fantastic kids and Pokemon players!!! I saw many of them, roaming the player area watching others they know as they moved on further into finals and even after they got knocked out themselves!
Dylan was the only one of the World Champions from 2008 to make it to 2009 finals.
Also....just a note to all of you....if your opponent is taking TOO much time to take their turn....playing with their bench, asking to see your hand multiple times during one turn, fiddling with their discard pile, asking to see your pile, yet again.....ask the judge to ask them to pick up the pace of the game. I watched an opponent of Dylan's do this (not a US player) multiple times....it was near the end of the tournament, and the player knew exactly what he was doing, Dylan did not mention it to the judge and the judge did mention it once during the match, but it was too late by then, and the player in my opinion did NOT pick up the pace, in fact, I believe just the opposite happened.
Glad to see everyone at Worlds. 2009-2010 is just around the corner. Enjoy the rest of the summer and the new format that is to come! Should be interesting with so many sets to choose from.
