Not FTN has had a rough run at matches since their last appearance here in the feature match area. Bob, Jay and Don dropped their last two matches after a 6-0 start, placing them on the bubble, with a win guaranteeing them a birth in Day 2, and a loss placing them on shaky ground at 6-3. The team standing in their way is none other than Kings Games, led by the consummate gamer, Alex Shvartsman. Shvartsman and his two teammates, Freddie Crespo and Mike Olivson, are looking to win here to put all three teams representing New York into Day 2. Alex and Bob both sat down to table A, and after some friendly chit chat, things were underway.

Alex won the choice and went with odds, and both players sent back their first hands and passed their first turns. Bob brought out Ragman, Patchmonger on turn 2, while Alex brought down a Prince Khufu ◊ Hawkman. The characters traded stuns, and it was off to the next turn.

Alex came out strong on his initiative with Ted Grant ◊ Wildcat on turn 3, answered by a Rose Psychic with a Cloak of Nabu as Bob’s play for the turn. Ted Grant went into Ragman, but a Magical Lobotomy on Ted forced a Thanagar activation from Alex, which was trumped stylishly by a Rann activation from Bob. Both characters stunned, and the Prince went in to bring the totals to 44-42 in Alex’s favor.

Bob hit a rough spot when he was only able to muster an Ibis on turn 4. Alex gained some more steam with a Richard Tyler ◊ Hourman. Stepping Between Worlds moved Hourman out of Bob’s way, and he sent a powered-up Rose Psychic into Prince Khufu only to see her stunned by Brothers in Arms, with Alex exhausting Ted Grant to ensure the stun. Alex then sent Hourman into Ragman, who was reinforced, and it was on to the next turn.

Turn 5 began with Alex at 38 to Bob’s 30, and an activation of JSA Headquarters gave Alex an Annihilation Protocol ◊ OMAC Robot, which he promptly played. Bob brought out a monster of his own in the form of Blue Devil, Big Blue. Alex sent the OMAC into Blue Devil with a Burning Gaze and a Knightmare Scenario, allowing him to stun the Devil without losing the OMAC. Ted Grant was exhausted to KO the Devil with the Robot’s ability. Hourman attacked Ibis, and they ended the turn with Alex still at 38 with a 10-point lead.

Bob’s play of Dr. Occult and Dr. Psycho, Mental Giant looked even worse when Alex played out Power Girl, Earth 2. After sending Dr. Occult and Rose into Power Girl, Alex was forced to exhaust Power Girl to search for a power-up with JSA Headquarters, which he found. For the second time today, Bob played Watch the Birdie! thinking that it gave -3 DEF instead of -3 ATK, and had nothing else. Dr. Occult was stunned, and Prince Khufu exhausted to KO him with the OMAC’s ability. The Robot then attacked Ibis, stunning him and allowing Hourman to attack directly.

At 12 going into turn 7, Bob conceded the game when Alex played Black Adam, Ruthless Hero and all he could muster was a Zatanna, Showstopper. Combined with Mike taking his game in seat C, the New York squad had secured a birth in turn Day 2. Not FTN is still in a good position though, only taking their losses in the last three rounds, leaving them with good tiebreakers and a good chance at drafting tomorrow.