Interview with a TCG Pro: John Michaels Discusses His Way of Dealing with Pressure

In the TCG world things can get tough. I know because I have been there, at the convention center among the pro's ducking it out for hours upon hours of competitive play. Whither it was for the game Yu-Gi-Oh, Naruto, or Magic you always feel the pressure, its like being in a real battle or spots event with a lot at steak. I really don't see how people can stay so calm under these circumstances so I decided to interview a well know player in my area John Michaels. He agreed to sit and talk with me about his days as a Yu-Gi-Oh player and also about how he deals with the competitive nature of the game.

Robert: "So John, please tell me how did you get started playing the TCG world?"

John: "Well, about ten years ago my brother and I started playing with a few games, like Pokemon and really like the strategy involved. We used to play soccer in a league but I messed up my knee so I was unable to play, I missed the competition so playing cards was a way for me to get back in the game. I started out with a few cards I bummed of my friends then saved a little cash, bought some new cards and found a place that hosted local tournaments. As time went on I got into some other games, like magic, Dragonball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh, and most recently Naruto."

Robert: "Were you always interested in the competition level of TCGs or not? How did you get started playing as a pro?"

John: "It was a bit by fluke actually. I never really intended on going pro, I just enjoyed playing locally with my buddies but there was a big convention in town were a TCG regional tournament was going on. The lady who owned and ran the local shop told us about the event and asked if anyone planned to go. A lot of the guys said they were going, but I told them that I wasn't. Later on that day the store owner pulled me aside and said I had a good chance of winning because of my playing style and needed to go, and she even let me borrow some of the cards she had for her own privet collection. Well I don't roll with other people's card you know, but I did agree to go. And so truly that's how I got my start, and have loved it ever since."

Robert: "You have a unique playing style right? Could you describe it?"

John: "Yeah, I'm relaxed, chilled out and nice. If you have ever been to a big game, like in football, all the players and coaches are so tense and loud. Everyone yells at each other, people hate the referee; it's just not enjoyable for me to see all that. I'm laid back and very quiet, where as most TCG pro's are nervous wrecks, rude and tense. The second you make a wrong move there all over you, calling for a judge to disqualify you just because they want to win the game, what's the fun in that? If I realize someone made a mistake, I try to handle it myself I don't need a judge to win my games for me you know? I always try to help the new guys, because let's face it we were all the new guy at one point."

Robert: "Ok only a few more questions John, How to you cope with pressure. Not just in the TCG world but in the real world as well?"

John: "Well it's funny you should ask. In reality my stress reliever is playing cards, it's just a way to distract myself from the world we live in. I mean let's face it we all need distractions from day to day life, and with me it's Fishing and TCG's, oh and my girlfriends when she's in town. Anyways dealing with pressure during a match is easy; you just have to remember one simple fact. It's all a game. If you win, that's great! If you loose, so what? You're not going to die, the world shall not end, and you can go home, sleep and then try again later. There is never any reason whatsoever to be worked up about something so small, if you live your life like that you'll die before your thirty. I know guys that travel from state to state trying to win these regional events, and I can't see putting that kind of time or money into playing cards. I play at my local shop and when a regional event is close I'll go. Sometimes I win and get an invite to a larger event, sometimes I loose, but I always have fun."

Robert: "Ok last question, are there any tips you can give readers about how they should to prepare for a big tournament?"

John: "Practice is the number one thing. Be sure you know what cards are being used most frequently, and what decks dominate the environment. Knowing the current meta of the game is going to help you prepare your deck for competition. Also know the rules because pros will not let up on you for a minuet. They will watch every move you make like a hawk ready to call the all mighty judges to disqualify you, but hey if that happens so what? Just shake their hand and say something smart like, sorry we couldn't have finished this match fairly, just anything to get your point across. Make sure you eat breakfast or at least eat something in between rounds. Look at medical studies, you can not function properly with no food, and also sleep the night before. Drink lots of water during matches, and keep a stoic expression. All in all just have fun with everything and leave the competition with more knowledge then you arrived with."

Robert: "Thanks for sitting with me John, it's been my pleasure"

John: "No problem Rob, take it easy."

Thanks to John Michaels for the interview. He's a really nice guy I met years ago at an event in Florida and we have been good friends ever since. John's a good source for anything TCG related so look for him at events in Florida if you ever need some good advice, and he's hit the nail on the head with this interview. Don't let pressure get to you, its all just for fun and nothing this trivial is worth getting worked up over