COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Pokemon Trading Card Game is a common sight at card and game stores, but not everyone knows how to organize or even play the game. Play! is now open at the Colony Center Sports Zone. The 2023 Pokémon event thanks to a new Pokémon manager.
“We started really small. When we started, we were behind a food court by a movie theater. We wanted a place that we didn't have when we were kids. With a group and a crew. There weren't many places I felt safe to go,” Andrew Cohn said.
42 Pokemon trainers competed for the top spot in three different age divisions. At the first Sports Zone League Cup, he raised $1,100 for Donald and his McDonald's House through entry fees and a raffle.
Cohn loves the game so much that he travels around the country with competitive players in hopes of competing in this year's World Championship in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“One cup is a bigger deal. Winning a cup in your division earns you 50 points. You need a total of 600 to qualify for Worlds. So if you participate in a few events , you can earn almost half of your point allocation at local events, saving you the hassle of traveling to local events,” said Joshua Litvinoff, Event Coordinator and Streaming Partner.
Players can choose from a long list of cards during deck construction within this regulation. A select few people are considered by the entire community to play important roles in the game, known as the meta.
“Cards like Battle VIP Pass, Ultra Ball, and Nest Ball are in every deck. They're very strong and very stable. There's no reason not to use them in most decks,” says Masters Division. player Eamonn Johnston explained.
Since it's a card game, there's a delicate balance between skill and luck. “Literally, one failure during a tournament can cost you. Something valuable (a set of cards that players only take after defeating their opponent's Pokemon) can also be sacrificed,” Masters Division said. added player Mike Cancer.
The Sports Zone community is always looking to teach a mix of casual and competitive events. These events include:
- League day every Tuesday
- Pokemon Day, February 27, 2024
- 3 league challenges per quarter (March 5, April, May 2024)
- 2nd League Cup, May 2024
“If you can read, you can play, and that's really all you need. Just playing a card game is a lot of fun, and it's a wholesome game that actually earns you a spot in the World Championship in Honolulu,” said judge and streaming partner. Robert Akey said.
