mysterioustrainer
Active Member
Pokémon Trainers across the nation are preparing to take the next step in the journey towards the great showdown that awaits in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>San Diego</st1lace></st1:City>. With 39 states in the <st1:country-region><st1lace>United States</st1lace></st1:country-region>, two Providences in <st1:country-region><st1lace>Canada</st1lace></st1:country-region>, and five in <st1:country-region><st1lace>Mexico</st1lace></st1:country-region>, the Pokémon Trading Card Game State Championship series is bound to be one of the best events you can participate in this year. And most likely there will be one near you!<o></o>
<o></o>
Preparation for the State Championships
By Craig Simpson<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
With over $400 dollars in prizes waiting to be taken home there is very little reason for any Pokémon trainer not to be at their State’s Championship. However the State Championships can be very long and challenging events; not only in the games you play but in getting ready for the event itself. There are some things players can do in advance to get ready for the State Championships.<o></o>
<o></o>
The most important step prior to attending your local Pokémon TCG State Championship is to make sure the event time, date, and location are correct. First check to see where your local State Championship is said to be by visiting the official Pokémon Organized Play website at http://op.pokemon-tcg.com. There, look for your state listed and then click on the details link for that event. There you should find the Organizer’s Phone Number. By calling to confirm the event’s time, date, and location, you don’t risk arriving at the wrong place, or arriving too early or, worse, too late.<o></o>
<o></o>
The next step to take for your State Championship is preparing your deck. As you probably know, the Pokémon TCG State Championships are a Modified-Constructed event. Remember that only cards from EX: Ruby & Sapphire and later sets can be used, but don’t forget that you can also use cards from older sets only if they have been re-released in one of the legal sets. For example a Master Ball from the Expedition Collection may be used because it was re-released in the new EX: Deoxys collection. To find a list of cards legal for the Modified Format click here.<o></o>
<o></o>
Also check your deck to make sure that your cards do not contain any of the Pokémon TCG World Championship 2004 deck cards. These special decks sold at your local retailer are unfortunately not tournament legal in any way. They are easily distinguishable due to the alternate card back and the silver border on the face of each card. You can however use the actual cards that come from their appropriate collections as long as the card is still Modified Legal.<o></o>
<o></o>
Please make sure you are using cards in your local language, if you have cards in another language, such as Japanese; please make sure you have a English equivalent outside of your deck. Worlds cards can be used for such purposes. Also check to make sure your card backs are clean and uniform to each other. If you are using a mix of English and Japanese cards or if you are using cards with backs that have noticeable scratches or other kinds of damage, you must sleeve your deck. This is a good practice even if your cards are in good condition as sleeves help protect your cards that you are using to play with. The best sleeves you can buy on the market right now are from Ultra Pro®.<o></o>
<o></o>
Next you should go ahead and start filling out a deck registration form in advance of your State Championship. This way you will be able to save time registering at the event. Visit http://op.pokemon-tcg.com to download the standard deck registration form. Please write carefully and cleanly as you write the deck list. Also please make sure you include the collection number and collection name of each card in your deck.<o></o>
<o></o>
When you get to the event please make sure you have your POP ID, and Birthdate ready for the Tournament Organizer to sign you in. If you don't have a POP ID yet, the TO will supply one to you. Make sure you turn in your deck list. Also remember to bring your damage counters and a coin or dice. It is a good idea to use either jewel bead markers (which you can find in some stores that sell TCG products) or the paper ones that come in Pokémon TCG Theme Decks. These are the most useful and reliable way to count damage. Also make sure you have something different to define the Poison and Burn special conditions.<o></o>
<o></o>
When you finally are ready to participate, there are things you can do to make every battle more enjoyable for you and each of your opponents. First off, you should give your deck a good shuffle prior to the event. There are several ways to shuffle however I find that piling is a great way to shuffle at the start of each match. Piling is when you stack the cards of your deck without looking in multiple piles one at a time (usually at least five piles). This is also a great way to make sure all of your cards are in your deck. However after you pile you should shuffle the deck in another way to make sure it is sufficiently randomized. Remember though you only have a very limited amount of time to shuffle so be quick about it!<o></o>
<o></o>
Whenever your opponent shuffles, you may also shuffle their deck instead of just cutting it. This is a good practice for large events. Note that they may then make the final cut if you shuffle it, however you can be sure that your opponent’s deck stays random the whole time this way. Both players are then able to commit to a level of trust between one another.<o></o>
<o></o>
Please make sure you do not have food or open beverages at the table. The only exception, if any, should be a bottled drink that is kept capped. Even then, it can be placed on the floor within your reach. The only things there ever really needs to be on a table during a match is both players decks, damage counters, and coins. A full length play mat is also a good idea and try to have your opponent play using the official layout which includes:
This way it is easy for both you and the judges to easily determine the current status of the game.<o></o>
<o></o>
As long as you are participating in the main event you should not leave the tournament hall, unless it is during your lunch break. You, as the player, are responsible to report to all of your matches on time. Also when a match is complete, unless your Tournament Organizer says differently, both you and your opponent should come up together and report the results of a match. Also check the standings after each result to make sure match entries are entered in correctly for you.<o></o>
<o></o>
Most importantly it is strongly encourage that you remember to have fun and show good sportsmanship throughout the event. Remember the Spirit of the Game is all about having fun. Start each match with a handshake. That handshake represents a lot of things, but most importantly that you wish to have a fun and fair battle with your opponent. Even after that all important handshake, work with your opponent to make sure your match runs smoothly. There is most likely going to be mistakes between you and your opponent, however make sure that you both work together to correct them on your own. Unless something really bad happens in your game there never really is any need to call over a judge. Remember to show that you are a Pokémon Trainer.<o></o>
<o></o>
There can only be one winner for each age division in any one state. So that means you will have to fight hard to earn that spot even then remember that you should be thrilled and honored to be in a State Championship no matter what. While winning is the goal it is more important to enjoy what you do best. Even then consider the greatest victories are found in the toughest battles, even if you lose.<o></o>
<o></o>
The State Championships are going to be the greatest tournaments in this year of Pokémon Organized Play yet. We all want to see every Pokémon Trainer to be there and give it their best. Thanks for reading!
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>San Diego</st1lace></st1:City>. With 39 states in the <st1:country-region><st1lace>United States</st1lace></st1:country-region>, two Providences in <st1:country-region><st1lace>Canada</st1lace></st1:country-region>, and five in <st1:country-region><st1lace>Mexico</st1lace></st1:country-region>, the Pokémon Trading Card Game State Championship series is bound to be one of the best events you can participate in this year. And most likely there will be one near you!<o></o><o
></o>Preparation for the State Championships
By Craig Simpson<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>
With over $400 dollars in prizes waiting to be taken home there is very little reason for any Pokémon trainer not to be at their State’s Championship. However the State Championships can be very long and challenging events; not only in the games you play but in getting ready for the event itself. There are some things players can do in advance to get ready for the State Championships.<o
></o><o
></o>The most important step prior to attending your local Pokémon TCG State Championship is to make sure the event time, date, and location are correct. First check to see where your local State Championship is said to be by visiting the official Pokémon Organized Play website at http://op.pokemon-tcg.com. There, look for your state listed and then click on the details link for that event. There you should find the Organizer’s Phone Number. By calling to confirm the event’s time, date, and location, you don’t risk arriving at the wrong place, or arriving too early or, worse, too late.<o
></o><o
></o>
The next step to take for your State Championship is preparing your deck. As you probably know, the Pokémon TCG State Championships are a Modified-Constructed event. Remember that only cards from EX: Ruby & Sapphire and later sets can be used, but don’t forget that you can also use cards from older sets only if they have been re-released in one of the legal sets. For example a Master Ball from the Expedition Collection may be used because it was re-released in the new EX: Deoxys collection. To find a list of cards legal for the Modified Format click here.<o
></o><o
></o>
Also check your deck to make sure that your cards do not contain any of the Pokémon TCG World Championship 2004 deck cards. These special decks sold at your local retailer are unfortunately not tournament legal in any way. They are easily distinguishable due to the alternate card back and the silver border on the face of each card. You can however use the actual cards that come from their appropriate collections as long as the card is still Modified Legal.<o
></o><o
></o>
Please make sure you are using cards in your local language, if you have cards in another language, such as Japanese; please make sure you have a English equivalent outside of your deck. Worlds cards can be used for such purposes. Also check to make sure your card backs are clean and uniform to each other. If you are using a mix of English and Japanese cards or if you are using cards with backs that have noticeable scratches or other kinds of damage, you must sleeve your deck. This is a good practice even if your cards are in good condition as sleeves help protect your cards that you are using to play with. The best sleeves you can buy on the market right now are from Ultra Pro®.<o
></o><o
></o>
Next you should go ahead and start filling out a deck registration form in advance of your State Championship. This way you will be able to save time registering at the event. Visit http://op.pokemon-tcg.com to download the standard deck registration form. Please write carefully and cleanly as you write the deck list. Also please make sure you include the collection number and collection name of each card in your deck.<o
></o><o
></o>When you get to the event please make sure you have your POP ID, and Birthdate ready for the Tournament Organizer to sign you in. If you don't have a POP ID yet, the TO will supply one to you. Make sure you turn in your deck list. Also remember to bring your damage counters and a coin or dice. It is a good idea to use either jewel bead markers (which you can find in some stores that sell TCG products) or the paper ones that come in Pokémon TCG Theme Decks. These are the most useful and reliable way to count damage. Also make sure you have something different to define the Poison and Burn special conditions.<o
></o><o
></o>When you finally are ready to participate, there are things you can do to make every battle more enjoyable for you and each of your opponents. First off, you should give your deck a good shuffle prior to the event. There are several ways to shuffle however I find that piling is a great way to shuffle at the start of each match. Piling is when you stack the cards of your deck without looking in multiple piles one at a time (usually at least five piles). This is also a great way to make sure all of your cards are in your deck. However after you pile you should shuffle the deck in another way to make sure it is sufficiently randomized. Remember though you only have a very limited amount of time to shuffle so be quick about it!<o
></o><o
></o>Whenever your opponent shuffles, you may also shuffle their deck instead of just cutting it. This is a good practice for large events. Note that they may then make the final cut if you shuffle it, however you can be sure that your opponent’s deck stays random the whole time this way. Both players are then able to commit to a level of trust between one another.<o
></o><o
></o>Please make sure you do not have food or open beverages at the table. The only exception, if any, should be a bottled drink that is kept capped. Even then, it can be placed on the floor within your reach. The only things there ever really needs to be on a table during a match is both players decks, damage counters, and coins. A full length play mat is also a good idea and try to have your opponent play using the official layout which includes:
- Prize cards clearly separated from one another and (from the player's view) to the left of their play area.
- Deck and Discard pile to the right of the player's play area (again, from their viewpoint).
- Attached Energy cards clearly visible and not stacked or hidden.
This way it is easy for both you and the judges to easily determine the current status of the game.<o
></o><o
></o>As long as you are participating in the main event you should not leave the tournament hall, unless it is during your lunch break. You, as the player, are responsible to report to all of your matches on time. Also when a match is complete, unless your Tournament Organizer says differently, both you and your opponent should come up together and report the results of a match. Also check the standings after each result to make sure match entries are entered in correctly for you.<o
></o><o
></o>
Most importantly it is strongly encourage that you remember to have fun and show good sportsmanship throughout the event. Remember the Spirit of the Game is all about having fun. Start each match with a handshake. That handshake represents a lot of things, but most importantly that you wish to have a fun and fair battle with your opponent. Even after that all important handshake, work with your opponent to make sure your match runs smoothly. There is most likely going to be mistakes between you and your opponent, however make sure that you both work together to correct them on your own. Unless something really bad happens in your game there never really is any need to call over a judge. Remember to show that you are a Pokémon Trainer.<o
></o><o
></o>There can only be one winner for each age division in any one state. So that means you will have to fight hard to earn that spot even then remember that you should be thrilled and honored to be in a State Championship no matter what. While winning is the goal it is more important to enjoy what you do best. Even then consider the greatest victories are found in the toughest battles, even if you lose.<o
></o><o
></o>The State Championships are going to be the greatest tournaments in this year of Pokémon Organized Play yet. We all want to see every Pokémon Trainer to be there and give it their best. Thanks for reading!
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