Guide to Tournaments

Tournaments are great. They give you the oppurtunity to meet up with friends, trade, test out decks and qualify for larger events such as nationals. However, to someone relatively new to the game, tournaments can be quite daunting. Here are a few tips to make it easier for your first trip.

1) Bring Money
Don't just bring the entry fee along, bring a little extra. Most tournaments sell packs, sleeves and binders, as well as snacks. Bringing along an extra bit of money is always useful.

2) Keep all of your stuff in bags
Don't bring all of your cards just loose in your pockets. Make sure you keep them organised in a rucksack. The last thing you want is to lose track of where your cards are.

3) Bring more cards than just your deck
Most people at the tournament will want to trade, and you never know who may want something from your trades. Make sure you keep your trades in a binder (which probably can be bought at the tournament). This keeps the cards safe and improves presentation.

4) Test beforehand
Especially for more major events. Don't forget to test out your deck, or post it on forums. This can provide you with useful ideas and tips to make your deck better.

5) Bring extra food and snacks
You don't know if you'll get hungry at any time during the day. Bring some extra snacks just in case, and most importantly water. It's important you stay hydrated to help improve your game.

6) Respect your opponent
Respect your opponent, and they'll respect you. Going to tournaments is great for making new friends, who you can talk to, and test out decks with. Try and be as friendly as possible while playing, and it will make the tournament much more enjoyable for everyone.

7) Game analysis
Whenever you lose a game, don't just blame it on bad luck or being 'sacked'. Analyse where you went wrong. Think in your mind what mistakes you made during the game that could have caused you to lose. This is useful in helping you to improve as a player.

8) Keep your eye on your stuff
Don't be too paranoid about theives, as the point of a tournament is to have fun. Be wary though, and make sure you're concious about where your cards are at certain times. Don't just leave your deck around lying on tables (you'll be surprised how often people do this). You occasionally get thieves at some tournaments, so remember to keep an eye out. Most people will be honest, and if they see a deck lying around, they'll hand it in to the head judge. If you lose anything, the first thing to do is see if the head judge has it.