Regional Qualifier FAQ - 2009 Season
BASIC INFORMATION
Q: What is a Regional Qualifier tournament?
Regional Qualifier tournaments are competitive level events which offer players the chance to earn an invitation to play in a National Championship tournament. Other prizes are included as well, but the invitation to a National Championship is the main focus for most players.
Q: How can I find out about Regional Qualifier tournaments near me?
You can find a frequently updated list of Regional Qualifier tournaments by clicking on this link: http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/events/regionals_locations.html. Locations in neighboring states may be closer than you think – you should check a map to see which events are nearby. The tournaments are listed in chronological order.
Q: How much do Regional Qualifier tournaments cost?
Regional Qualifier tournaments cost $20.00 USD/$25.00 CAD.
Q: What are the prizes for Regional Qualifier tournaments?
All players receive five booster packs of Raging Battle with their entry fee.
The Top 32 players will receive an invite to the 2009 National Championship.
The Top 8 players will receive a 2009 Regional Qualifier Game Mat, featuring Gladiator Beast Samnite and Blackwing – Sirocco The Dawn.
The Top 4 players will receive Best Buy gift cards (value $25/USD or $30/CAD).
The Tournament Organizer may supplement the above prizes at his or her discretion.
Q: What is the format for Regional Qualifier tournaments?
Regional Qualifier tournaments are Constructed events, which means each player must bring his or her own Deck in order to compete. Decks must be constructed according to the latest Advanced Format guidelines. (See here for more information: http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/limited/#limited_adv).
Regional Qualifier tournaments are run using Swiss Format, which means players will play a set number of rounds determined by the number of players. Players are not eliminated during the event, and can play through all Swiss rounds. Once all Swiss rounds have been completed, the top 8 players will play one round of Single Elimination, to determine a Top 4.
Q: Can I attend more than one Regional Qualifier tournament?
Players can attend any number of Regional Qualifier tournaments, but they will only receive one invite to a National Championship. Any subsequent invites won will pass down to other players.
Q: Can I get a Player ID and COSSY number at the Regional Qualifier, or will I need to have one already?
Players can sign up for a Player ID and COSSY number at the Regional Qualifier. Make sure to register your COSSY number online after the event.
Q: What cards are legal for play?
Currently, you can include all SHONEN JUMP Magazine promos up until “Beast King Barbaros," all video game promos up to and including “Gallis the Star Beast," “Red-Eyes Wyvern,” and “Darkness Destroyer” from GX Tag Force 3 , and cards from all booster sets up until Raging Battle in your decks.
The following cards will be legal on the dates listed:
5/26/2009:
NDS Stardust Accelerator – World Championship 2009 (DS)
“Infernity Archfiend”, “Infernity Dwarf”, and “Infernity Guardian”5/26/2009:
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Wheelie Breakers (Wii)
“Supersonic Skull Flame,” “Skull Flame,” and “Burning Skull Head”6/9/2009:
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s 2009 Starter Deck
Q: Can I play with cards I got from the U.S. version of the Duel Terminal?
Any cards from the U.S. Duel Terminal (currently numbered DTP1-EN###) are allowed for use if the card was previously available in another product. Any cards from the Duel Terminal that are not currently available through another source are not yet legal for play.
PREPARING FOR THE TOURNAMENT
Q: What will I need to bring to a Regional Qualifier tournament?
Players should bring a tournament-legal Deck as described above, along with any tournament supplies they will need, such as paper and pen to track Life Points, dice or counters if they are playing cards which require them, extra sleeves to replace any that become damaged, and so forth. Players should bring their COSSY number if they already have one, as well as a form of ID in case one is required.
Q: If I’ve never been to a Regional Qualifier tournament, what should I expect?
The level of play at a Regional Qualifier tournament is competitive and exciting, and the events can be very large, with hundreds of players attending. All Players should know how the cards in their Deck work, and should pay attention to information from the judge or tournament staff in order to understand what is going on. If you have questions about the event either beforehand or while you are there, you should check with the Tournament Organizer.
Q: Whom should I contact for more information about the Regional Qualifier tournament I want to attend?
Your best resource is the phone number listed for the tournament – it is the number for either the Tournament Organizer, or the store in which the tournament will be held. The Tournament Organizer will have the most accurate and up to date information.
AT THE TOURNAMENT
Q: Will there be Side Events?
Some larger Regional Qualifier tournaments will also offer Side Events. Check with the Tournament Organizer to learn more.
Q: How long will the tournament last?
The number of Swiss rounds is determined by the number of players present.
Rounds in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME are 40 minutes long. Since players can play all rounds in a Swiss tournament, they should expect to be at the event for several hours.
- 9 – 16 Players = 4 Rounds of Swiss
- 17 – 32 Players = 5 Rounds of Swiss
- 33 – 64 Players = 6 Rounds of Swiss
- 65 – 128 Players = 7 Rounds of Swiss
- 129 – 256 Players = 8 Rounds of Swiss
- 257 – 512 Players = 9 Rounds of Swiss
- 513 – 1024 Players = 10 Rounds of Swiss
NEW 06/22/09!
Q: Can I attend the US National Championship 2009 even if I am not qualified, to watch and play in Side Events?
Yes, the National Championship Side Events are open to all players, whether or not they have qualified for the National Championship. Spectators must abide by tournament rules, including those for spectating. Spectators will be obligated to observe the matches from specific areas in the tournament, and cannot wander the aisles during the round.
QUALIFYING FOR THE 2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Q: Where and when are the 2009 National Championships?
Dates and locations for both the 2009 Canadian National Championship and the 2009 US National Championship will be announced soon.
Q: Do I have to qualify in my own country?
Players can earn a Nationals invite in any country, but they can only enter to play in their own country. For instance, if a player from the US qualifies in Canada, he or she will play in the US National Championships.
Q: If I qualified in a Dragon Duel tournament (for players aged 12 and under) can I play in the regular National Championships?
Players who are 12 or under are eligible to play in their National Championship, as well as any separate event held specifically for players aged 12 and under.
Q: Will invites “pass down” if someone in Top 32 has already earned an invite?
Yes. If a player in the Top 32 has already earned an invite at a different Konami Regional Qualifier, his or her invite will pass down to the next-highest ranked player, outside Top 32, without an invite.
Q: How will I receive my invite?
A list of all players who have earned invites to a National Championship will be posted online. Players do not receive a physical “Invitation," rather, they are entered into a database.
Players who qualify for invites will fill out information sheets on site at the Regional Qualifier -- it is very important that all information is provided in a clear, legible manner.
Players with questions about their invite status can contact us-opsupport@konami.com, and should provide their full name and COSSY number along with their questions.
Q: Is travel or hotel included with my invite?
Travel and/or lodging are not included with invites earned at a Regional Qualifier- the expenses incurred in order to attend a Nationals Championship tournament are the responsibility of the player.
Q: I earned an invite from a previous Organized Play program, will I have to earn another one from Konami in order to attend a National Championship?
Only invites earned at Konami sanctioned Regional Qualifiers, Dragon Duels, or SHONEN JUMP Championships are valid for entry into 2009 National Championships. Invites earned at any previous events run under a different Organized Play system are no longer valid.
