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Category: parents

Okay, so you’re taking your child to an Organized Play event. What now?

First off, make sure you arrive before the starting time. If a player arrives late to a tournament, he or she may not be allowed to enter, or may be entered into the tournament with an automatic loss for the first round.

Secondly, check if your child needs to fill out a registration slip or Deck List. At some local tournaments, your child can participate simply by telling the tournament organizer that he or she would like to play, and paying an entrance fee (if there is one). At many events, however, your child will need to fill out a registration slip before he or she will be entered into a tournament. A registration slip is a small sheet of paper that asks for basic information, like your child’s first name, last name, and birthday. It’s used to help the tournament organizer keep track of who is playing in the tournament, and enter each player into the tournament software.

The registration slip may also ask your child for his or her COSSY ID number. COSSY is the global ranking system for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Your child’s COSSY ID identifies him or her as a Duelist, and lets you track his or her performance in sanctioned tournaments. Your child can get a COSSY ID for free at any Konami Official Tournament Store, or any event that requires Duelists to have a COSSY ID number to participate.

Depending on the type of event that your child is entering, he or she may need to fill out and submit a “Deck List” before the event, along with his or her registration slip. Deck Lists list every card that is used in a player’s Main Deck, Side Deck, and Extra Deck. They’re most commonly required at Tier 2 events, which are the most competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME tournaments. Deck Lists are used to make sure that a player does not change the contents of his or her Deck throughout the duration of a tournament. For more information about filling out a Deck List, click here.

After all of the players have registered and handed in their Deck Lists (if Deck Lists are required), there might be a Player Meeting. During the Player Meeting, tournament officials talk to all of the players at once to give them important information about the tournament. Players are usually seated alphabetically for the Player Meeting. After the Player Meeting concludes, pairings for Round 1 of the tournament are posted, and the tournament is underway!

Each table in the tournament hall is usually numbered, and the pairings indicate at which table each player in the tournament will be playing. Have your child find his or her name on the pairings sheet, and then report to the table at which he or she will be playing. Pairings will be posted before every round of the tournament. Your child needs to check the pairings each round to find out where he or she is playing.

Although some parents participate in the same tournaments that their children enter in order to stay as busy as their kids, many parents do not. Most events have an area where parents who aren’t playing can wait for their kids, so bring along something to read or do while your child plays in the event. You can also choose to watch from the side of the tournament to see how your child is doing. 

If you do decide to watch your child play, remember that you cannot interfere in any of your child’s Matches. If you are concerned about something going on during the game, you can always alert a judge, who can investigate. Before the tournament begins, make sure your child knows that he or she is always welcome to call over a judge too, if he or she is concerned about something. You can certainly talk to your child about their Duels when the Match is over, but offering advice or suggestions during the Match is not allowed.

It’s a good idea to stay at the event with your child, at least for the first few events. Remember that store owners and employees or tournament staff cannot be responsible for looking after your child for the duration of the event. Judges and tournament officials are often a great source of information about the tournament and the game in general, but try to hold any questions that aren’t directly related to what is going on during the games until after the tournament is over, so they can stay focused on the event.

When the event is over, make sure to celebrate your child’s accomplishments! Congratulate him or her on examples of good sporting conduct, games won, exciting trades, or making a new friend.

If you talk to your child about each event after the event is over, your child will also be able to learn important life lessons from every event that he or she enters. In all types of competition, it’s important to lose gracefully and be humble in victory. Talk to your child after each competition to make sure that he or she understands this. Players that display good sportsmanship typically have the most fun and make the most friends at Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME events.

If your child is feeling discouraged by his or her losses in a particular tournament, make sure that he or she understands that it’s impossible to win every time. Even the best Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG player in the world sometimes faces defeat. People must cope with losses in competition throughout their entire lives. A child’s loss at a Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME tournament creates the perfect opportunity for a parent to teach his or her child the importance of brushing aside a loss and moving forward.

At high levels of competition, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME requires players to have strong math skills and develop complex strategies in order to succeed. Make sure your child understands that the more he or she practices playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and the more he or she develops his or her math and critical thinking skills, the better he or she will become at the game.

If your child had a good time and would like to go back, find out about upcoming events and mark them on the calendar.

If you didn’t participate in your child’s tournament, next time consider joining in the fun! You can always build your own Deck and enter the tournament alongside your child, or become a volunteer at an upcoming event. Many judges and other tournament staff become involved in the game in order to share in their child’s interest.



Yugi-Parent Spotlight: Michael Jacobs

Link to full profile: https://yugiohblog.konami.com/?p=16009

Michael Jacobs is a local resident brand new to the Yu-Gi-Oh! scene. He found out about the YCS in Atlanta while browsing the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME website, and decided to bring his two sons, Sidney and Max, to enjoy the YCS experience. Mr. Jacobs is glad that he did.

Both of Mr. Jacobs’s sons participated in the YCS Atlanta Dragon Duel tournament. Sidney just started playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME a couple of months ago, and managed to finish the Dragon Duels tournament with an impressive 3-1 record and Top 4 finish. Mr. Jacobs had a lot to say about his son Sidney’s hobby.

“This is his passion. He doesn’t like playing sports or going to baseball games. He loves this stuff.”

Mr. Jacobs said that his 12-year-old son Sidney has a group of friends in middle school that he Duels against in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and he’s happy to support the hobby that his son is so passionate about. Mr. Jacobs likes what the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME offers to his son.

“He has to use his brain to play. It’s intellectual – you have to use strategy – but it’s also interactive.”

Mr. Jacobs likes that his son is interacting with other live people while playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Even though Sidney lost in the final round of the Dragon Duel tournament, he kept his spirits high and was an exceptionally good sport.

“The real world is all about dealing with other people, and there are lots of life lessons that Sid’s learning here by playing against other people.”



Yugi-Parent Spotlight: Alison Leverett

Link to full profile: https://yugiohblog.konami.com/?p=12179

Alison Leverett is the mother of 2 well-known Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Duelists: Zachary Leverett and Benjamin Leverett. Benjamin Leverett participated in the 2012 World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, and Benjamin Leverett has recently been very successful in Dragon Duel tournaments. Alison has brought Zachary and Benjamin to at least 20 YCS events in total.

We sat down with Alison Leverett to see what motivates her to bring her kids to these events, and how she feels about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Alison had a lot of positive things to say. Here’s why Alison encourages her kids to play the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG:

“I do it because I think it’s an awesome game. I like the strategy, the math, and the sportsmanship. It has also given us incentive to travel around the United States. We even went to Barcelona, and Ben won a high profile prize card there.”

Alison likes the impact that the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG has had on her kids’ lives as well.

“I like what it has done for my kids socially. They’ve made a lot of friends from around the United States who they Skype with. I like that it gives my kids a feeling of a group they belong to. Through Yu-Gi-Oh!, they meet people that they have a lot in common with. Plus, it keeps them busy during the week – even when they’re not at a tournament – because they’re always test playing or Deck building.”

Alison told us her kids have learned a lot from Yu-Gi-Oh!, too.

“They learned a lot of life lessons, like ‘watch your stuff.’ They’ve learned different strengths that they both have. For example, Ben is an awesome Deck builder. Yu-Gi-Oh! has given them a lot of confidence by showing them that they’re both good at something.”

Alison also believes that the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card game has had a positive impact on other people’s lives.

To me, it’s neat to watch a lot of teenage boys who – if they weren’t doing this – who knows what they would be doing.”



Yugi-Parent Spotlight: Eve Riskin

Link to full spotlight: https://yugiohblog.konami.com/?p=11883

The Dragon Duel division gives younger Duelists their own arena for tournament competition. As the division grows, parents are becoming the unsung heroes of many a YCS! Plenty of Dragon Duelists have chalked up stellar accomplishments over the past few years, but behind every Dragon Duel winner stands a supportive mom, dad, or guardian that’s helping them grow – not just as a competitor, but as a person, too.

We talked to Eve Riskin about her experiences of being a ‘Yugi-mom’.  Her twelve year-old son Aden Garrabrant has been a Yu-Gi-Oh! fan for ages, but he started taking the game more seriously about two and a half years ago.  His mother’s been an integral part of his growth as a competitor. We asked Eve what kind of impact she felt Yu-Gi-Oh! was having on her son.

“It gives him something to do that doesn’t involve a screen…Being one of the youngest competitors at his locals, Aden’s learning to deal with a wide range of people.  He’s learning to assert himself, while still carrying himself with alot of respect for his fellow players.  He’s learning how to work a room too, and how to arrange deals between people.  I think it’s helping his math skills, too”

“It’s helping him learn to be a good sport, teaching about winning and losing…I think it’s important to be able to go through life and be happy even during the times you’re not winning.  There’s a tremendous emphasis on competition these days, in all parts of life, but the reality is that you can’t win all the time.  So it’s important to get through those periods and appreciate when you ARE winning.”

With a balanced interest in both trading and on-table competition, Aden’s traveled to YCS’s and WCQ’s; achieved substantial tournament success; and cultivated a level of dedication to local events that’s unparalleled even by most Duelists twice his age.  He has his mother to thank for that; without her support, none of it would have been possible.  Yugi-parents like Eve Riskin are an integral part of the game, helping usher in the next generation of Dueling legends.

Do you have any questions or comments for us? Use the e-mail addresses below to contact our team at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

#

3 vs 3 Team Tournament: A special tournament in which players participate in teams of three, and face off against other teams of three.

Each member of each team is designated as Duelist A, Duelist B, or Duelist C. When 2 teams play against one another, Duelist A on one team plays against Duelist A on the opposing team, Duelist B on one team plays against Duelist B on the opposing team, and Duelist C on one team plays against Duelist C on the opposing team. The first team to have two of their three players win a Match wins the round.

A

Advanced Format: In an Advanced Format tournament, some cards are restricted according to the Forbidden and Limited Lists.  If a card is Forbidden, you can’t play it in your Advanced Format Deck.  If a card is Limited, you can only play 1 copy, while you can play up to 2 copies of Semi-Limited cards.

ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!: These events award GIANT versions of popular cards to top finishers!  They’re usually normal Advanced Format tournaments, but with exclusive (and GIANT!) prizes.

B

Battle Pack: Battle Packs are Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Booster Packs specifically designed to be used in Battle Pack Tournaments.

Battle Pack Tournament: Battle Pack Tournaments are special tournaments in which players participate by using Decks constructed out of cards pulled in Battle Packs at the start of the tournament.  There are 2 types of Battle Pack Tournaments – Battle Pack: Sealed Pack Tournaments and Battle Pack: Booster Draft Tournaments. Players can compete in Battle Pack Tournaments even if they don’t own any cards prior to the start of the tournament.

Booster Draft: Booster Draft Tournaments are special tournaments in which players take turns choosing cards from newly opened Booster Packs and build Decks out of the chosen cards. Players use those Decks to face one another in the Booster Draft Tournament.

At the start of a Booster Draft Tournament, all players sit around a table with a set number of unopened packs. All players open one pack at the same time, and select a card from that pile to keep. Once everyone has selected a card, they pass the remaining cards to the player next to them. Each player chooses one more card to keep from the cards that were passed to him or her, and then passes the remaining cards. This process is repeated until no more cards are left to choose from. Then, the entire process is repeated for the remaining unopened packs. This is the “Draft” portion of the Booster Draft Tournament. Once the Draft is complete, each player constructs a Deck out of his or her chosen cards, and uses that Deck in a tournament.

Booster Pack: Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards are most often distributed in Booster Packs – packs of cards that vary in rarity and randomization.

C

Card Binder: A binder with pocketed plastic pages, for the display of your Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG collection.

Card Sleeves: Flexible plastic sleeves that protect your cards while you trade and Duel.

Common Card: The most basic rarity of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card. Commons don’t have foil embellishments.

COSSY: Konami’s Card Game Official Tournament Support System is Konami’s global ranking system for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. COSSY lets you track your performance in sanctioned tournaments.  Your COSSY ID identifies you as a Duelist, and COSSY ID cards are available at Konami’s Official Tournament Stores (OTS).

D

Deck: In the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, Duelists assemble a Deck of 40 or more cards to Duel opponents.  Secondary Decks called Side Decks and Extra Decks offer further options.

Deck Box/Case: Protection for one’s Deck, Deck boxes or cases are commonly constructed from rigid plastic or cardboard.

Deck List: When a Duelist enters a tournament, he or she may be asked to submit a Deck List.  This lists the complete contents of a Duelist’s Main Deck, Side Deck, and Extra Deck, ensuring that the contents don’t change during the tournament.

Dragon Duel: A tournament program for young Duelists born after a certain year. Dragon Duels give younger players a chance to compete against Duelists their own age, playing for prizes in a friendly environment.  Look for Dragon Duel tournaments at Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events, as well as some Regional Qualifiers and conventions.

Duel: A Duel is a single 1-on-1 game in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. A Match is comprised of two or more Duels.

Duelist: Players of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME are sometimes referred to as Duelists.

Duelist League: A casual play program for young and beginning Duelists. Duelist Leagues are hosted by Konami’s Official Tournament Stores.  These tournaments always consist entirely of Swiss Rounds, so players are never eliminated from a Duelist League. Young Duelists eligible to participate in Dragon Duel tournaments may always enter a Duelist League; but older competitors participating in an Official Tournament Store’s Duelist League may only win three times before becoming ineligible to compete in future Duelist Leagues at that store. Every Duelist earns an exclusive Custom Rare promo card for participating. Check here to find a Duelist League near you!

Duelist Pack: Each Duelist Pack spotlights a single Duelist from the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series; Yu-Gi-Oh! GX; or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s, and every pack contains 5 cards played by the highlighted Duelist, plus a Tip Card with strategy and tactics.

Duel Terminal: A Duel Terminal is a Yu-Gi-Oh! arcade machine. Duel Terminals contain special cards that are dispensed each time someone plays on it. Check here to find a Duel Terminal near you!

E

Event Manager: The Event Manager makes sure each Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME event runs smoothly. If you have any questions about an event you’re attending, direct those questions to the Event Manager.

G

Game Mat: Rubberized Game Mats are often awarded for participation or performance in tournament events, and feature popular characters, monsters, and more.  They provide a clean, portable play surface to protect your cards.

Ghost Rare: A Ghost Rare card has a rainbow foil embossing on the name of the card, and the card art is a unique three-dimensional hologram.

Ghost/Gold Hybrid Rare: A Ghost/Gold Hybrid Rare card combines the holographic characteristics of Ghost Rare cards and Gold Rare cards. Ghost/Gold Hybrid Rare cards are available in Gold Series: Haunted Mine.

Gold Rare: A Gold Rare card has gold lettering and a holographic foil image, as well as a gold card border and other gold coloring on the foiling of the card.

I

Invite/Invitation: Some high-level tournaments (like the World Championship Qualifier) require Duelists to earn invitations in order to compete. 

J

Judge: Judges volunteer their time to help tournaments run smoothly.  They answer gameplay questions, verify Deck Lists, provide logistics, and provide Duelists with rulings when needed.

K

Konami’s Official Tournament Store: A local game store sanctioned by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. to host Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments. Konami’s OTS are permitted to host events that contribute to Duelists’ COSSY rankings. These stores can also offer participants exclusive Astral Pack boosters for participating in tournaments. You can find a listing of Konami’s Official Tournament Stores here.

L

Life Points: Life Points keep track of who is winning in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.

In the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, each player starts a Duel with 8000 Life Points. Throughout the Duel, those players use different cards to gradually reduce their opponent’s Life Points. When a player reduces his or her opponent’s Life Points to 0, that player wins.

Live Duel: A Live Duel is a Duel enacted by voice actors from the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated television series for the entertainment of a crowd. Konami often offers these events at the North American World Championship Qualifier and at select Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series.

Local Tournament: A local tournament is hosted independently, usually by a local game store, and often on a weekly basis.  Levels of competition at locals can vary, and those hosted by KDE Official Tournament Stores can award exclusive  Astral Packs to competitors for participation and performance.

M

Match: A Match is a best-of-three set of Duels. When two players play against one another in a Match, the first player to win two individual Duels wins the Match.

Match Slip: When you compete in a large-scale tournament, you’ll report your results each round by filling out a Match Slip with the results of the Match.  Your slip will be delivered to your table by a judge during the round, and requires a signature from both Duelists to confirm the winner.  If you wish to withdraw or “drop” from the tournament before the end of the tournament, you may also use the Match Slip to do so.

Mosaic Rare: A Mosaic Rare card has several blocks of foiling scattered across the entire card. Mosaic Rare cards are available in Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants Booster Packs.

O

Open Dueling: Dueling outside of a tournament-structured format, Open Dueling allows you to choose who you Duel and when.  Open Dueling areas are often hosted at large-scale events, and are a great chance to play at your own pace and meet other Duelists.

OTS Championship: The Official Tournament Store Championship (or “OTS Championship”) is a special high-level event held at Official Tournament Stores. At an OTS Championship, Duelists compete for an OTS Championship Game Mat and invitations to the World Championship Qualifier. Click here for more information about the OTS Championship!

P

Pairings: Each time you Duel in a tournament, you’ll check the pairings list to see who you’ll be Dueling against in each round.  In larger tournaments, printed pairings are posted listing your opponent’s name and the table at which you’ll Duel. Find your name on the pairings, look for the table number and opponent next to your name, and take your seat.

Parallel Rare: A Parallel Rare card has foiling along the entire front side of the card. Part of this foiling appears as foil parallel lines.

Pegasus Challenge: Pegasus Challenge events are a local-level tournament program that have added guidelines for Deck-building.  Each challenge makes Dueling a little bit different, tweaking the rules to create a new experience. Click here for a list of locations that host the Pegasus Challenge.

Player Meeting: A meeting in which judges and event staff talk to all of a tournament’s competitors before the start of a tournament. During the Player Meeting, the players are given important information about the tournament. Players are usually seated alphabetically during the Player Meeting.

Playoff: In a Swiss Round tournament, Duelists compete to see who can score the most wins in a set number of rounds.  Once the Swiss Rounds are over, the Duelists with the best win records in the tournament proceed to the Playoffs.  They then compete in Single Elimination play to determine a winner.

Promo Card: Any Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card offered for attendance, participation, or performance at an event (or included as a bonus with a product).  Promo cards can be earned through programs like Duelist League; won at events like the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series; or found in some Special Edition or Collectible Tin products.

R

Rankings: COSSY Rankings tell you how your sanctioned tournament performance compares with the performance of other Duelists around the world. Click here to check your COSSY Ranking. You’ll need your COSSY number in order to access the site.

Rare: A Rare card has an embossed silver foil name and regular card art.  Some Rare cards have a different color of foil name: these are called Custom Rares, and can be earned through Duelist League.

Rating: When you compete in a sanctioned tournament, your performance will contribute to your overall rating in the COSSY system.  You can use COSSY to track your growth as a Duelist, and compare your ranking to Duelists across the globe. 

Regional Qualifier: Regional Qualifiers are higher-level (Tier 2) tournaments where Duelists compete to earn invites to their World Championship Qualifiers, along with exclusive prizes. Regional competitors are held to a high standard of sportsmanship, and are expected to be fully prepared for the event.

Registration:  Registration takes place in a set area and at a set time. Any payment for entry into the event is due when you register.  At some high-level tournaments, registration may be offered prior to the start of the event.  Always make sure of the registration times, and give yourself lots of time since if you do not register in time, you may start off with a game loss. Registration always ends at a set time.

Round: Tournament play consists of a set number of rounds, with each Duelist playing one Match per round.  The number of rounds in a tournament is usually determined by attendance, with more rounds for events with more Duelists.

S

Sanctioned: A Duelist’s performance in a sanctioned tournament counts toward his or her global COSSY Ranking. Performance in non-sanctioned tournaments are not tracked and do not contribute to COSSY Rankings.  Aside from the larger events, note that only Konami’s Official Tournament Stores (OTS) can hold sanctioned tournaments.

Sealed Play: In Sealed Play tournaments, you don’t build your Deck from your entire collection of cards.  Instead, you’re provided with booster packs, Structure Decks, or other sealed product, and you follow event guidelines to build your Deck on the spot.  You only use the cards you receive specifically for use in that tournament.

Secret Rare: A Secret Rare card has a rainbow foil name, and the card art has a sparkling holographic finish.

Single Elimination: In a Single Elimination tournament, Duelists who lose a Match are eliminated from the tournament.

Starfoil Rare: A Starfoil Rare card has starburst-patterned foiling scattered across the entire front of the card. Starfoil Rares are available in Battle Pack: Epic Dawn Booster Packs and Star Pack 2013 and Star Pack 2014 Booster Packs.

Starter Deck: A pre-constructed Deck designed to introduce new Duelists to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Starter Decks are designed to help teach basic gameplay.  Starters aren’t randomized the way booster packs are. One Starter Deck will have the same cards as any other copy of the same Starter.

Starter Deck Tournament: In a Starter Deck Tournament, each participant uses a Starter Deck to Duel against other participants, instead of using a Deck that he or she constructed from the cards in his or her collection.

Structure Deck: A pre-constructed Deck that’s playable right out of the box. Structure Decks are built around a specific monster theme or Yu-Gi-Oh! character.  Like Starter Decks, Structure Decks aren’t randomized. One Structure Deck will have the same cards as any other Structure Deck with the same name.

Structure Deck Tournament: In a Structure Deck Tournament, each participant uses a pre-constructed Structure Deck to Duel against other participants, instead of using a Deck that he or she constructed from the cards in his or her collection.

Super Rare: A Super Rare card has no foil on the name of the card, but the card art has a reflective, holographic finish.

Swiss Round: In a Swiss tournament, Duelists compete to see who can earn the most wins in a given number of Swiss Rounds.  Losing a Match won’t eliminate you, but only Duelists with a sufficient win record will move on to the Playoffs.

T

Tag Duel: Tag Duels are Duels between two separate teams, each consisting of two players. Click here for more information about Tag Duels!

Tier 1: Tier 1 events are designed for casual play. They focus on fostering a friendly and fun atmosphere for Duelists. Tier 1 events include Official Tournament Store-level events and Duelist Leagues. For more information about Tier 1 events, see the Official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Policy Document available here.

Tier 2: Tier 2 events are designed for competitive play. These events include Regional Qualifiers, Dragon Duels, Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Extravaganzas, the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, World Championship Qualifiers, and the World Championship. For more information about Tier 2 events, see the Official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Policy Document available here.

Token Card: Some cards in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME put monsters on the field that can be represented by any object from outside of the game. Players often use “Token Cards” to represent these monsters. Some Token Cards are available in official Konami products, like Legendary Collection 4: Joey’s World. Other Token Cards are promotional items given away at large Yu-Gi-Oh! events. At special Konami events, players can have their picture taken and placed on a unique personalized Token Card with a Yu-Gi-Oh! themed background.

Top Cut: The “Top Cut” refers to the players who make it to the Single Elimination Rounds that follow the Swiss Rounds in a tournament. At Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events, a special Game Mat is awarded to Duelists who are part of the Top Cut.

Tournament Organizer: Every Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME tournament has a Tournament Organizer that deals with the logistics of running an event in order to make sure the event runs smoothly. The Tournament Organizer’s duties include preparing pairings for each round, securing space in which participants can play, and handing out prizes.

Trading Card Game: In a Trading Card Game like the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, players build their Decks with cards they trade and collect.  Since you choose the cards you want to play with, gameplay is extremely varied, and players can tailor strategies for their personal style.

Traditional Format: In a Traditional Format tournament, some cards are restricted according to the Forbidden and Limited Lists.  If a card is Limited, you can only play 1 copy of it in your Deck, while you can play up to 2 copies of Semi-Limited cards.  No cards are Forbidden in the Traditional Format.

U

Ultimate Rare: An Ultimate Rare card has a gold foil name, as well as embossed foil accents on the card art, card border, and other elements.  Ultimate Rares are often alternate versions of a card also available as an Ultra Rare.

Ultra Rare: An Ultra Rare card has a gold foil name, and the card art has a reflective, holographic finish.  Ultra Rares are similar to Super Rares, but Ultras have a gold name stamp while Supers have no foil on the card name.

W

Win-A-Mat: Single Elimination tournaments with just 8 competitors. Win-A-Mat tournaments last just 3 rounds and award an exclusive Game Mat to the victor. 

World Championship: The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Championship is held once a year, and challenges the top Duelists from countries around the world to compete for the highest honor in Dueling.  This tournament is invite-only, and invitations must be earned through World Championship Qualifier events.

World Championship Qualifier: To play in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Championship, you have to either win the previous year’s Championship, or earn an invitation through Regional Qualifiers, Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, Dragon Duels, OTS Championships, National Championships.  These are the highest level of competition: competitors are held to a high standard of sportsmanship.

Y

Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series: The Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series (YCS) is a series of big tournaments hosted by Konami in cities all around the world. In addition to the main tournament, which usually draws between 600 and 2,000 Duelists and spans 2 days, there are always lots of short Public Events for players to play in at Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events. These Public Events include Dragon Duels, Win-A-Mat Tournaments, Structure Deck Tournaments, Battle Pack Tournaments, and Regional Qualifiers. Check here to see if there’s a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event coming to a city near you!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganza: A Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Extravaganza is a weekend of official Konami Public Events, including Regional Qualifiers, Win-A-Mats, Sealed and Draft tournaments, and Dragon Duels and are normally offered in conjunction with another convention or event, such as Gen Con. Check here to see if there’s a Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganza coming to a city near you!

Are you new to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

Yu-Gi-Oh! is an exciting universe based on a card game played with Monsters, Spells, and Traps. The Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise includes manga series, television series, several video games, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and more! This short guide will help you familiarize yourself with some of what Yu-Gi-Oh! has to offer.

Contact Us!

Please feel free to contact KDE if you have more questions about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME – the email addresses below can help get you the information you are looking for.

Enjoy your experience with our game!

New to Yu-Gi-Oh! Organized Play

Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Organized Play events give Duelists tournaments to compete in, and places to meet up with other players who share a common interest in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. There are lots of different types of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Organized Play events. Read on to learn about the different types of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Organized Play events, and find an event that suits you!

Duelist League

Many card and comic stores offer Konami’s Duelist League program. Duelist League is an event that caters to new and young Duelists. Duelist League events are Swiss tournaments that usually only last for a couple of hours. Players do not get eliminated from the tournament, and may play for as long as the event lasts. Any player young enough to participate in Dragon Duels may also enter Duelist League events. Although older players may play at an Official Tournament Store’s Duelist League early on, once a player wins three Duelist League tournaments at an Official Tournament Store, he or she becomes ineligible to participate in future Duelist League events held at that store. This ensures that the competition in Duelist League tournaments remains friendly for young kids and new players.

Duelist League offers players the chance to meet other Duelists, develop their skills, and have fun while winning exciting Duelist League exclusive promo cards, all in an environment that caters to young and inexperienced players. Every participant gets at least one Duelist League promo card. If there are several stores offering Duelist League in your area, it’s a good idea to check out more than one, since the players and judges will vary from store to store.

For a listing of stores offering Duelist League, look here!

Local Tournaments

Konami’s Official Tournament Stores (OTS) offer a variety of local tournaments. These OTS offer a wide variety of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products as well as offer an area for tournament play.  The schedule for these events will vary from store to store. Some stores feature a more “casual” environment for local tournaments, while others are more competitive. It’s a good idea to call the stores you’re interested in, and ask what the local tournaments are like – How many Duelists usually participate? How many judges are at the store? What is the general age and skill range of the other Duelists?

For a listing of Official Tournament Stores and their local tournament schedules, look here!

Dragon Duels

Dragon Duels are tournaments for kids born after the year 2001 during the 2014 season. Judges and staff members at Dragon Duels are accustomed to working with younger players, and children Duel with other children, rather than teens. Dragon Duel tournaments are usually run at larger events such as Regional Qualifiers and Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events.

Duelists participating in Dragon Duel events win game mats and t-shirts, along with invitations to participate in their country’s Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier. At Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events, there is a separate Dragon Duel tournament each day, with the winner of each tournament facing off against one another to become the ultimate winner of the weekend. Click here for more information about the YCS Dragon Duel Championships!

At the Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier, young Duelists who previously earned an invitation to compete, vie for the ultimate honor of becoming the North American Dragon Duel Champion. Awesome prizes accompany this title, including an invitation and paid trip to the Dragon Duel World Championship. There, young Duelists from around the world compete to become the Dragon Duel World Champion!

If you want to know if there will be a Dragon Duel run at a nearby Regional or local event, please contact the Tournament Organizer for each event, or check here!

Sneak Peeks

Every three months, a new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG booster pack is released.  To celebrate the new booster packs, Konami’s Official Tournament Stores host Sneak Peek events. Sneak Peeks are exciting, because they are held the weekend before the new packs will be sold in stores, giving players an early chance to enjoy the cards. Sneak Peeks are easy and convenient events, and you don’t need a Deck to participate!

When you pay the participation fee for the Sneak Peek, you receive five of the new booster packs and a special Sneak Peek promo card (while supplies last).  You use these packs to build a Deck.  Sneak Peeks are casual, open play events in which Duelists can sit and play whomever they wish, without worrying about a structured tournament. You keep the cards that you open in your packs, and everyone who enters gets the chance to win an exclusive Sneak Peek Game Mat as a door prize or raffle.



Some players like to stay for the entire event, while others are finished and ready to leave in about an hour. Judges and tournament staff are available to answer your questions about the game and to help you find opponents, making Sneak Peeks a great choice for a beginner event.

Official Tournament Store listings for Sneak Peeks can be found here, usually the weekend before the release of the product!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series



These are big, showcase events which are run directly by Konami, in various cities around the world. Duelists from far and near come together to play the game, meet one another, and trade.  Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series (YCS) are two-day events, which occur over a weekend.  Attendance at YCS tournaments can range from around 600 Duelists to over 2,000.  In fact, Konami holds the World Record on the largest card tournament ever held with over 4,000 Duelists! There is a large main tournament that begins on Saturday and concludes on Sunday.

There are also lots of different Public Events running all weekend, featuring events like Dragon Duels (enabling young players to Duel against each other without facing adult opponents), Win-A-Mat Tournaments (consisting of 8-player single elimination tournaments with the ultimate victor receiving a special game mat), Tag Duel Tournaments (in which players Duel in teams of two), and Regional Qualifiers (consisting of 16-player single elimination tournaments with the last player remaining receiving an invitation to the World Championship Qualifier and an assortment of other prizes). There are also events that include cards with which to build a Deck, such as Battle Pack Tournaments, Starter Deck Tournaments, and Structure Deck Tournaments. These tournaments are ideal for Duelists who don’t have their own Decks. In these events, players receive product that they use in the tournament, instead of playing with a Deck they built from the cards in their collection. There is something for everyone at the YCS, regardless of age or skill level! Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series also feature a Parents’ Lounge, where parents can relax while their children enjoy the tournament. Check here to find out if a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event is coming to a city near you!

KDE provides live coverage for these events. If you’d like to take a look at some of our past YCS tournaments, check out our Coverage Blog here!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganza

Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganzas are big events normally held in conjunction with another event or convention, such as Gen Con.  Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganzas have all of the Public Events you’d find at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event, without the main tournament that spans two days. Because Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganzas lack this most competitive tournament, they’re a lot more laid back and lots of fun for even the most casual attendees. Each individual event is short, so players stay for as long or as short as they’d like.

Check here to see if a Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganza is coming to a city near you!

Official Tournament Store Championships



Official Tournament Store Championships (or “OTS Championships”) are high-level tournaments hosted by specially chosen stores. At OTS Championships, players compete for a special game mat, as well as invitations to the World Championship Qualifier.

You can learn more about OTS Championships by clicking here!

Regional Qualifiers

A Regional event is larger than a local tournament, and the competition is keener. Duelists in Regional tournaments compete to earn invitations to participate in the World Championship Qualifier along with an exclusive game mat and Deck box awarded to the top finishers.  Some Regional locations also host Dragon Duel tournaments, which restrict entry to younger players. Those young Duelists compete against each other for cool prizes and an invitation to the Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier.

Many of the best Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG players in the area attend Regional Qualifiers.  If you attend, you are expected to be familiar with the rules of the game, along with Tournament Policies, in order to fully enjoy participating in a Regional Qualifier.

For a list of locations hosting Regional Qualifiers and Dragon Duel Regional Qualifiers, check here!

World Championship Qualifiers / Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifiers



Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship Qualifiers and Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifiers are tournaments in which the best of the best compete for the chance to represent their country at the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Dragon Duel World Championship. World Championship Qualifiers and Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifiers are invitation-only events—in order to compete, a player must have earned an invitation at a Regional Qualifier, Dragon Duel, Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, or OTS Championship.  Those who excel at the World Championship Qualifiers and Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifiers earn invitations to compete in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Championship and Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Dragon Duel World Championship!


World Championship Qualifiers are exciting for everyone! There are cool prizes to win, lots of smaller Public Events to compete in, and plenty of Dueling fun for all who attend!

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship / Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Dragon Duel World Championship

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Dragon Duel World Championship bring together World Championship Qualifier winners from all over the world, and the winners are crowned Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Champion and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Dragon Duel World Champion. This event has taken place in various locations around the world, including New York City, New York; Anaheim, California; Tokyo, Japan; and Berlin, Germany.



There are always lots of Public Events available for general attendees who also wish to experience the World Championship, but only an elite few Duelists are invited to compete in the main World Championship and Dragon Duel World Championship tournaments.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Tournament Policy

Tournament Policy documents contain information about what is expected of Duelists and tournament officials at a tournament. These documents will explain how events will run, and what you can and cannot do while you are there. All Duelists and tournament officials are responsible for knowing this information, so it’s a good idea to read over these documents before heading to an event. Printing a copy to use as a portable reference will also be helpful, and help you get the most out of your tournament experience.

Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy

The Official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Tournament Policy was recently updated, so if you were previously familiar with it and want to know what’s new, we posted an article on our strategy site explaining the updates and changes in policy.

https://yugiohblog.konami.com/articles/?p=9870

New to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME allows kids, teenagers, and adults to relive the exciting Duels that take place in the animated Yu-Gi-Oh! series. In the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, players use the cards they’ve collected to construct Decks consisting of 40 or more cards. Then, they use their Decks to face  off against opponents in a game of strategy, luck, and skill. Click here to learn the rules of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME!

You can purchase Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products at local hobby stores, as well as mass market retail store.  For a list of hobby stores that sell Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products, click here.

New to Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Booster Packs

The most common way that players of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME get cards is from Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG booster packs. These booster packs contain nine randomly assorted cards. Each pack contains common cards, which are easy to get, and rarer cards, which are harder to get. There are a number of different rarities—Common, Rare, Super Rare, Ultra Rare, Ultimate Rare, Secret Rare, Ghost Rare, Starfoil Rare, and Mosaic Rare —which all feature a different look to the cards. Many of the rarer cards have foil and holographic treatments that make them look flashy and cool. Here are some of the key characteristics of the different rarities:

Common cards are the most basic rarity in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and have no foil embellishment on them.

Rare cards have an embossed silver foil card name, but regular card art that lacks the holographic finish characteristic of cards with higher rarities.

Super Rare cards have no foil on the name of the card, but a holographic finish on the card art.

Ultra Rare cards have a gold foil on the card name, as well as a holographic finish on the card art.

Ultimate Rare cards have a gold foil on the card name, as well as embossed foil accents on the card art, card border, and other parts of the card.

Secret Rare cards have a rainbow-colored foil on the card name, and a sparkling holographic finish on the card art.

Ghost Rare cards have a rainbow-colored foil on the card name and a unique three-dimensional hologram that makes up the card art.

Starfoil Rare cards have starburst-patterned foiling scattered across the entire front of the card.

Mosaic Rare cards have several blocks of foiling scattered across the entire front of the card.

Duelist League promo cards have card names that are printed in colors that are not available in for-sale products and can only be obtained by participating in a Duelist League.  

Since there are so many different cards of different rarities, wondering what’s inside the pack you’re about to open is part of the fun!

Every authentic Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card has a numerical password on the bottom left corner of the card and a security foil on the bottom right corner of the card. The security foil on First Edition (or first printing) and Limited Edition cards is gold, while the security foil on Unlimited Edition cards (when products are printed again) is silver.  The security foil has images of the “Millennium Eye” as well as the text YU-GI-OH! on it.

New types of booster packs are released every few months, adding new and interesting card effects to the card pool of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. The constant updates to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME card pool assures that the game is constantly evolving and never gets dull for its players. Click here for more information about the different Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster packs!

New to Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Products

Booster packs aren’t the only way to get Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products. There are also lots of other products that help Duelists get the cards they want. Below is a guide about the different types of Yu-Gi-OhTCG products that you can buy to supplement the cards you pull in booster packs.

Booster Set Special Edition Boxes / Deluxe Edition Boxes



Sometimes, shortly after a booster set is released, a Special Edition product is released for that booster set. Each Booster Set Special Edition contains 3 packs of the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster set, as well as 1 of 2 variant cards. These variant cards are often reprints of cards that are highly sought-after by tournament players.

Booster Set Special Editions are a great value for purchasers. While individual booster packs of the latest set generally have a retail price of $3.99, the Special Edition for that set usually includes 3 booster packs of that set plus a promotional card for a total MSRP of $9.99. Booster Set Special Editions are generally popular among casual and tournament players alike.

Similar to a Special Edition Box, Deluxe Edition Boxes include packs of the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster set and special promotional cards. Deluxe Edition Boxes are a lot bigger than Special Edition Boxes. Deluxe Edition Boxes include 9 packs of the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME set, multiple promotional cards, a pack of 50 sleeves for protecting your cards, and a Beginner’s Guide for new Duelists at an MSRP of $29.99. Deluxe Edition Boxes are the perfect way for new Duelists to start up a collection and begin building a Deck of their own.

For more information about Booster Set Special Edition Boxes and Deluxe Edition Boxes, click here!

Starter Decks



Starter Decks contain everything you need to start playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Each Starter Deck with the same name contains the exact same cards, so you always know what you’re getting when you purchase a Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Starter Deck. Starter Decks generally contain cards that work well together, but are nevertheless easy to use. That makes them perfect for young Duelists who are beginning to learn the rules of the game, and starting to figure out basic strategies. In addition to a full Deck of at least 40 cards, each Starter Deck also includes a Beginner’s Guide and a paper Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME mat.

For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Starter Decks, click here!

Structure Decks



Like Starter Decks, Structure Decks contain everything you need to start playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and each Structure Deck with the same name contains the exact same cards. But unlike Starter Decks, Structure Decks are designed for more advanced Duelists. The cards in Structure Decks usually have more complicated effects than the cards you would find in a Starter Deck, and the synergies between the cards found in a Structure Deck are usually much more complex than the synergies among cards found in a Starter Deck.

Structure Decks give intermediate and expert Duelists a new way to experience the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. In addition to a full Deck of at least 40 cards, each Structure Deck also includes a Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Rulebook, a Dueling Guide, and a paper Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME mat.  Starting to customize a Structure Deck by swapping some cards with others is a great way to learn about Deck-building strategies!

For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Structure Decks, click here!

Collectible Tins



Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins include booster packs of recent Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster sets, plus special promotional cards. These promotional cards are frequently reprints of cards that are used in high-level competitive play, making Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins extremely popular among tournament players. While there are some differences among different collectible tins, most collectible tins include five booster packs from recent Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster sets, plus five holographic promotional cards that are reprints of popular and highly sought-after cards.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins are most popular among intermediate and experienced players, as well as newer players seeking to become more competitive. Because of their slick packaging, Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins also make a great gift!

For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tins, click here!

Duelist Packs



Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Duelist Packs contain a random assortment of cards used by a specific character in the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series. These Duelist packs allow players to emulate their favorite characters by replicating those characters’ Decks and reliving those characters’ fiercest Duels. Duelist Packs are designed for fans of the animated Yu-Gi-Oh! series, who want to collect and play with all of their favorite cards from the TV show.

For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Duelist Packs, click here!

Accessories


Official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME accessories help Duelists protect their cards in style with binders, card sleeves, and Deck cases featuring their favorite characters and monsters. Duelists of all levels of experience understand the importance of keeping their cards organized and protecting them from damage, so official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME accessories are popular among players of various skill levels.

For more information about official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME accessories, click here!

Other Products



Sometimes special Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME products are released that include an assortment of different cards. Each of these products is unique, and these products are designed to appeal to a wide range of Yu-Gi-Oh! fans and players.

For more information about some of the other Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME products available for purchase, and to find one that interests you, click here!



New to Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Games

Can’t get enough of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME? You’re in luck! You can also play the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus! Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus – downloadable through the Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Store – follows the rules of the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and uses the same strategic thinking required by the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.

There are also some video games that put a cool twist on the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM, playable on Facebook and Kongregate and Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM Pocket available on iOS devices, is a fast-paced game that features the Spells, Traps, and Monsters available in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM uses a different set of rules than the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and gives cool new effects to your old favorites. Nevertheless, it requires the same strategic thinking to succeed, as players construct 15-card Decks to pilot against each opponent in a battle of wits.

In addition to the Yu-Gi-Oh! video games available on game consoles and Facebook, there is also an arcade machine called a “Duel Terminal,” available at special hobby stores. The Duel Terminal lets players play a series of mini-games involving popular Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and monster cards, or face off against opponents in a Duel that uses modified rules adapted from the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Plus, each time a player plays on the Duel Terminal Arcade Machine, he or she receives one random card. The cards dispensed by the Duel Terminal can be scanned into the arcade machine during future plays, and used during gameplay. Click here for a list of stores that have a Duel Terminal Arcade Machine available for you to play!