Strike First, Dodge And Strike Again

Many  times players are sub-consciously too comfortable while playing in a tournament. What I mean to say is the comfort of knowing for a fact that every match are generally decided by best-of-three. The idea of testing the waters with Game 1 and relying on your side-deck for Game 2 and 3 is a concept that should be re-written.  Of course, that concept is still reliable. However, its very much conventional and too many duelists apply that strategy. Which makes it information others can exploit and manipulate. Though what seems to be happening ,in majority, is a chain-reaction in terms of psychological warfare. Both players are adapting that specific measure making it sort of luck-based when competing against one and other. The question is, should you do the same?

Understand that the importance of winning Game 1 is much more relevant this format and probably in the future. Though one may argue that it is hard to do so without the help of side-decking against certain Meta decks and shitty enough luck always has to be in the spotlight, it is not out of your control. Leave those factors aside, every player has to accept the fact that Game 1 is a must win for many reasons. Yugioh is no longer a game that relies only on expensive cards and luck, given preparation, skills and the right mindset it is not hard to control the flow of the game yourself. Thus why it is important one capitalize on Game 1 to gain the following advantages:

-The Less Information You Reveal The Better. One can argue the reality of theme decks however the idea of deck construction and personal techs is still a dominating factor in any competitive card game. The faster you finish Game 1 and by winning it, your opponent will not have gathered enough information to revise or read the number of cards you use and what are your tech cards. Assumption  is never good. Remember deck construction and tech choices differ among players even if everyone is playing the same deck. 

-The Importance of Going First. Everyone knows the earlier you get to setup the better. Thus why it is even more important to win Game 1. Even if you are going second in Game 1, ultimately you get to set the flow if the match goes to Game 3. The idea of setting the flow is so important that it affects the opposing player. Imagine going first in Game  3 and plus with Card Car D or basically going into Raggia and setting five back-rows.  How would you feel? Not much to argue there I reckon. Control is a bitch.

-Hiding The Level of Your Skills. Everything competitive includes mental warfare. The importance of closing Game 1 early is another point players should remember. Not only by doing so you get to avoid giving out too much information, you get to hide the reality of your skill-level. By doing so ensures a degree of damage that affects your opponents mentally and physically. It is times like these players start to worry about little things that are, in actuality, not important at all. Such as the excuse of opening with a bad hand, opponent  luck-sack, what am I suppose to do now. All these questions will continue to inflict damage to their focus and concentration allowing you to relax while your opponent self-destructs.

-Psychological Advantage. As mention above, closing Game 1 early creates an atmosphere that benefits you. Breaking your opponent’s  concentration is as important as breaking their plays. Generate your own comfort zone while playing, set your pace and refuse your opponent entirely by applying pressure to them mentally. This goes to say, emotionally. The more excuses they feed themselves, the more misplays they do and with that  the game comes easy for you whether you are bluffing or doing a legitimate play. The more mistakes your opponent makes, the more your confidence grows. In easier words,  create your zone and be in the zone.

-Test The Waters At The Right Time. Sometimes even when you have won Game 1 you are not confident on how you should deal with your opponent’s deck and what tactics you can apply to trap them. Game 2 is when you do so. Aim to gather as much information as you need to allow yourself to confirm the right tactics to use and strategies to apply. Know the right decisions to make.This creates a false impression as well which in return might actually allow you to outplay your opponent in the current game or in Game 3. However, I would recommend capitalizing on the momentum you have gained and fucking finish the match earlier so you can rest before entering the next match.

Here is what I have for today. Hopefully, it is helpful enough. You do not enter a tournament with a losing attitude. That is the most important perspective one can have in a competitive environment. Do not plan too far ahead but do not plan it short as well. Aim high, play smart, fight hard or go home a loser. Thank you for reading!