The day has finally arrived in which you get a first look at the brand-new cards featured in Rise of Destiny. New cards that can help out your deck, like The Creator, will be available. You rush inside the building, eager to take part in this Sneak Preview event.
You have to admit that you’re pretty excited that the Sneak Preview for Rise of Destiny is right around the corner. I’m excited, and I’m not even playing in the event. Yours truly has to head judge the Sneak Preview event in his neck of the woods, but enough about me. Let’s discuss some of the things you can expect once you’re at the event this weekend.
One more thing before we get started. I think it’s only fair to mention that I intend to discuss the general things you can expect when you’re there. Each event around the country will obviously be run differently, depending on the organizer for that location. Please remember that I’m going to talk about what all the Sneak Preview events will have in common. Occasionally, I’ll reference what I’ll be doing at my Sneak Preview in South Florida, but mentioning what I do in my area doesn’t mean that the organizer in your area will be doing or not doing the same thing. Regardless of the operational differences of each event, all of the Sneak Previews have one common goal—for you to have a fun experience.
The first thing you will probably encounter is the registration line for the event. This is where you will have to fork over your hard-earned cash so you can participate and get some packs. What you want to do at the event will determine how much you have to pay. If you want to play in a Booster Draft, you will probably pay around $15, and you’ll get three packs of Rise of Destiny. If you want to play in a Sealed Pack event, you’ll pay somewhere in the range of $20 to $25, and you’ll get five packs of Rise of Destiny. Some organizers may offer to hold a Constructed tournament where the prize support will be Rise of Destiny packs. The cost for entering such a tournament can range from $5 to $10. Finally, your organizer may have a “Casual Play” area available. The cost for that will be probably be a one-time fee of $20, and you’ll receive five packs of Rise of Destiny to build your deck. You will also receive a scorecard, and when you have completed (notice I didn’t say you had to win) five matches, you turn in your scorecard, and you’ll receive another Rise of Destiny pack.
While you’re waiting in the registration line, don’t forget to have your UDE membership number ready so you can earn points to increase your rating. Also, please be prepared to have some sort of photo ID handy as well. If you don’t have a UDE number, you’ll be required to fill out a UDE registration form so the organizers can give you one for free.
“Booster Drafts? Sealed Pack? What are those?” you may ask. No need to worry—these are merely different ways of playing and enjoying Yu-Gi-Oh!, and they’re very easy to learn.
A Booster Draft (usually referred simply as a “draft”) begins with all the participants sitting around a table. Each player will have three packs in front of him or her. At the judge’s signal, everyone will open two packs, which means that everyone should have an initial pile of eighteen cards. You pick two (and only two) of those cards, set those aside, and then pass what remains of that pile (which should now only have sixteen cards) to the player on your left. The player to your right will now pass his or her pile of sixteen cards to you. You will pick two cards again, and pass that pile (which should now only have fourteen cards) to the left. You will repeat this process until you have selected all the cards that have been passed to you. You’ll have a pile of eighteen cards again, but this pile is going to look very different from the cards that you started with. Make sure you put this pile aside before you open your last pack. This pile is going to contain nine cards (because you only opened one pack), and you will again pick two of those cards. This time, you’ll pass the remaining pile of seven cards to the player on your right. Repeat this process until you are passed only one card. At the end of the draft, everyone should have 27 cards. You will be given fifteen minutes to make a deck from what you drafted that has a minimum of 20 cards. If you have any cards left over, then those cards are considered your side deck. The judge will pair you up with an opponent and you will begin your match at 8000 life points, just like any other game of Yu-Gi-Oh! Booster Draft is a very exciting format, because it tests your ability to manage limited resources while at the same time finding ways to win by using those limited resources.
The Sealed Pack events are a little different than the Booster Drafts. In a Sealed Pack tournament, each player is given five booster packs. You will open all of your packs (giving you a pool of 45 cards) and will then be given fifteen minutes in which to build a deck with at least 20 cards. Like in a Booster Draft, any cards you don’t use are considered to be your side deck. However, your official side deck in a Sealed Pack event may not exceed fifteen cards. You and your opponent will begin your match with 8000 life points. As you can see, this format is very easy to pick up and learn. I know that for my Sealed Pack events, I’m giving the players five Rise of Destiny packs in order to construct a deck with. Other organizers may be different and mix it up in their Sealed events and may give you three packs of Rise of Destiny and two packs of another set, like Soul of the Duelist. No matter what packs you are given, I’m sure you’ll have fun if you participate in a Sealed Pack tournament.
While you’re there, you may hear the event staff talk about flights. The “flights” they’re talking about don’t have wings. It’s an expression that refers to a Booster Draft or a Sealed Pack tournament. For example, you may hear a staff member make an announcement that the third Sealed flight is over and that registration is open for the fourth Sealed flight. All the flights for Sealed and Booster events will be run in a Swiss-style tournament format, which means that all the players will play a certain number of rounds (usually five) regardless of how well they’re doing. Also, if you are done with one flight, and if you have the time and money, you can sign up for another one. You could be at the event all day if you wanted to.
Before I go, I would like to ask you for a favor. When you attend the Sneak Preview events, please don’t bring your entire collection with you. I hate to say it, but an event like this one can attract thieves. Therefore, if you want to trade, just bring a modest amount of your cards with you so you can easily keep track of your stuff. As you participate in the flights, please be aware of where your cards are. Nothing would hurt your experience more than having your valuable cards stolen. I’m not saying you should be extra paranoid, but a little caution and common sense will go a long way toward making sure your stuff is where it’s supposed to be.
If you have any questions about the Rise of Destiny Sneak Preview, please contact your local organizer. Alternately, you can email me at sangpukdee_simon@hotmail.com. I’ll be head judging the Sneak Preview in Pompano Beach, Florida, so if you plan on attending that event, please feel free to say hello. Speaking of judges, please be nice to the staff and judges running the event. They have a lot of work to do, and if you could keep that in mind, I’m sure they’ll appreciate your patience and support.
Enjoy yourselves this weekend, and may all your packs be lucky ones!
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