The two biggest photo hounds from yesterday were paired up for the semifinals today (Check out the Top Table photos — these guys are easy to spot!). They shuffled up and got ready, idly discussing the possible outcomes and matchups for the finals. “Oh, we should roll first, huh?” Kacey said, reaching for a die. He rolled a five to Chris’ four, and chose to go first.

Kacey counted out his opening hand, and drew his card. He quickly set one monster and one spell or trap, and ended his turn. Chris drew, counting out his cards, and looked through them thoughtfully. He summoned Hydrogeddon, and attacked — right into Sakuretsu Armor. “I hate to use it,” said Kacey. He definitely didn’t want a Hydrogeddon army building up on the field.

Kacey drew, and flip summoned Sangan. “Stein me again?” asked Chris. “It’s the only way I can win!” Kacey protested with a smile. He summoned Asura Priest, and attacked into Chris’ Sakuretsu. He hit Chris for a thousand with Sangan, “Set a bluff”, and ended his turn.

Chris drew, set a monster and one spell or trap, and ended. Kacey drew. “I haven’t seen your Prickle Fairy yet,” he said. He tributed his Sangan for Zaborg, and targeted the set — Prickle Fairy. “Ooh, there it is!” He then searched out Cyber-Stein with Sangan’s effect, paused to pose for his match photo (drawing laughter from Chris) then attacked directly with Zaborg, bringing Chris down to 4600 life points against his 8000.  

Chris summoned Asura Priest, took out Zaborg with Smashing Ground, and attacked with Asura, putting Kacey at 6300. Kacey drew and activated Heavy Storm, destroying Chris’s Book of Moon and Blast with Chain. “I lost if you Stein,” said Chris, and Kacey placed the Stein on the field.

Both players mused over their side deck choices. They glanced down the table. “Are they still playing?” Kacey exclaimed, indicating quarterfinalists Kevin Wang and Kyle Lopez.

Game 2

Chris went first, picking up his hand and drawing his card. He set one spell or trap, then another, and ended his turn. Kacey drew, and Chris responded by activating Trap Dustshoot. “You always get that first hand!” said Kacey. Mobius the Frost Monarch was returned to Kacey’s deck, and he continued with his turn. He activated Reinforcement of the Army, and riffled through his deck. “I side decked it out!” he said. He took D.D. Survivor instead. “Ok, I’ll summon Don,” he said, placing D.D. Survivor on the field. “I mean D.D. Survivor!!!” He attacked, smack into Sakuretsu. He looked at his hand again. “Confiscation,” he said, relieving Chris of Smashing Ground. “Last Will.” After thinking over a few possible choices, he picked out D. D. Warrior Lady and put her in defense position.

Chris drew, special summoned Cyber Dragon, and then normal summoned Asura Priest. He attacked D. D. Warrior Lady with the Dragon, both were removed, and followed up with a direct attack with Asura. Kacey drew, set a monster and ended his turn. Chris drew, summoned Exiled Force, and tributed it to destroy the set card — alas, it was Sand Moth and it returned bigger and better than ever. Kacey drew, and looked through Chris’ graveyard. “Only one Sak,” he remarked, and looked at his hand. “If I do this wrong, it’s game,” he went on. He summoned D. D. Assailant, and attacked with Sand Moth. Chris looked at his set spell or trap, and considered for a moment, then activated it — Enemy Controller — turning Sand Moth into defense. Kacey attacked with D. D. Assailant, and ended his turn.

Chris drew, and summoned Asura Priest. He attacked Sand Moth first, then D. D. Assailant, and placed Asura Priest out of play. Kacey drew, set a monster, and ended. Chris drew, set a monster, and ended.

Kacey drew, flip summoned Magician of Faith, and looked at Chris’ set card. “I have a feeling that’s Sand Moth,” he said. He selected Last Will from his graveyard, and activated it. Chris shook his head. Kacey brought out Cyber-Stein and showed it to him, and Chris lifted his hand in acknowledgement. “I hope that’s not Sand Moth, if it is, it changes the game,” Kacey said, activating Nobleman of Crossout on the set card — a Sangan. Chris picked up his cards.

2-0 in the Semis, Kacey would be moving on to the Finals.