Preparation for regional tournaments:
Alright, now I've been to 3-4 regionals, so I know what it's like to play in them. The most important thing you can do is be prepared mentally beforehand, and prepare your deck as well. I'll start off with preparing the deck:
1) If you aren't sure about running a card, playtest it, if it doesn't work well, take it out or side deck it
2) Get other peoples' opinions on what you should put in/take out of your deck. An objective opinion is a great thing to have.
3) Playtest the crap out of your deck. This may sound extreme, but if you cannot be familiar with almost every situation that your deck can produce, then you will not do as well.
4) Play against people whose decks you know little to nothing about. Playing against a friend 20 times is fine, but playing against a mystery deck well 15 times will serve you better.
5) Prepare your Side Deck!!!! Your side deck is your second most valuable asset, second only to your mind. If your side deck cannot counter decks that your deck loses to, your win/loss record will suffer.
Now, self-preparation:
1) Do not be intimidated!! Just play your best game.
2) At regionals and up, take time with your moves. Do not make moves off of instinct, granted they may work, more than half of the time they don't(I know from experience).
3) Announce your moves. Always a good idea.
4) GIVE YOUR OPPONENT RESPONSE TIME!! Judges and players hate when they have to pause a game because someone assumes that the opponent cannot or will not counter their move, and proceeds without asking for a response.
5) If you don't know what a card does, ask your opponent kindly if you can see the card.
6) If you don't think a move is legal, stop the play RIGHT THEN, and call a judge. If you move on, and try to contest it later, it's too late.
7) KEEP A PAPER TRAIL!! If there is a dispute over Life Points, it will go with whoever has Life Points written down, so write them down yourself, or you could get cheated out of a match.
8) If you dispute a ruling that a judge gives, be polite and ask the head judge as well.
(Sorry for repeating regional protocol, but it helps to know beforehand)
If you want me to add anything, or other helpful advice I should add/questions I can answer, just reply to this thread.
-chaosruler
Alright, now I've been to 3-4 regionals, so I know what it's like to play in them. The most important thing you can do is be prepared mentally beforehand, and prepare your deck as well. I'll start off with preparing the deck:
1) If you aren't sure about running a card, playtest it, if it doesn't work well, take it out or side deck it
2) Get other peoples' opinions on what you should put in/take out of your deck. An objective opinion is a great thing to have.
3) Playtest the crap out of your deck. This may sound extreme, but if you cannot be familiar with almost every situation that your deck can produce, then you will not do as well.
4) Play against people whose decks you know little to nothing about. Playing against a friend 20 times is fine, but playing against a mystery deck well 15 times will serve you better.
5) Prepare your Side Deck!!!! Your side deck is your second most valuable asset, second only to your mind. If your side deck cannot counter decks that your deck loses to, your win/loss record will suffer.
Now, self-preparation:
1) Do not be intimidated!! Just play your best game.
2) At regionals and up, take time with your moves. Do not make moves off of instinct, granted they may work, more than half of the time they don't(I know from experience).
3) Announce your moves. Always a good idea.
4) GIVE YOUR OPPONENT RESPONSE TIME!! Judges and players hate when they have to pause a game because someone assumes that the opponent cannot or will not counter their move, and proceeds without asking for a response.
5) If you don't know what a card does, ask your opponent kindly if you can see the card.
6) If you don't think a move is legal, stop the play RIGHT THEN, and call a judge. If you move on, and try to contest it later, it's too late.
7) KEEP A PAPER TRAIL!! If there is a dispute over Life Points, it will go with whoever has Life Points written down, so write them down yourself, or you could get cheated out of a match.
8) If you dispute a ruling that a judge gives, be polite and ask the head judge as well.
(Sorry for repeating regional protocol, but it helps to know beforehand)
If you want me to add anything, or other helpful advice I should add/questions I can answer, just reply to this thread.
-chaosruler