Reflections of Grand Prix Yokohama'10

Hi my dear cowies! :)

I feel this is kind of overdue. Let me share some experience about going to Japan for a Grand Prix.

It was a very 'uber' last minute decision that Chapman and I made to go for GP Yokohama, 20th - 21st March 2010. On Wednesday, Chapman called me and ask me this crazy question of going Japan, 3 days away from the GP itself. I did not know what got into me, but I also crazily say "Why not?! I would love too!". And here we go. We bought tickets for Tokyo on Thursday and off we go on Friday morning! Yokohama here we go! :)

After an arduous 7 hours flight, we arrived at Narita Airport, Tokyo. We took a train and headed straight for Yokohama, destination: Pacifico Yokohama.

The first thought that came to my mind when I reached the event ground was, "I got to be crazy." Haha. It was an event hall, similar to half a Expo Hall, which is very big. We signed up for the event and mingled around the players and managed to do some trading. Managed to catch a glimpse of the American team, Nakamura Shuhei, Saito Tomaharu, Kenji and many others. It was so cool! After which we headed for our hostel.

Day One of Grand Prix Yokohama'10.
Format: Extended.
All I had was a crash course on the deck I was playing, Hypergenesis. As usual, the results of the "goldfishing" was good. Well of course, it always was. Only normally when you are goldfishing. Haha.

First up was the Players' Meeting. 9am. Oh My God. Just slightly over 1000 players for the day. This is definitely my biggest GP ever! But what was kind of disappointing was that the organisation of the event was not very speedy. It was 9 rounds of Swiss and by the time it ended, it was nearly 11pm. :(

Some insights as to how the deck and I did for the GP:
1) Did not know the format well enough. But it got better after the first 2 rounds.
2) Combo decks are not really my kind of thing.
3) Japanese players are very courteous, most of them as least.
4) Got to have very good luck to be playing with Japanese players. (I bet nobody draws a hand with Simian Spirit Guide X 03, Forbidden Orchard X 03 and Reflecting Pool X 01)
5) Finally, it was great fun! I really had a good time and great learning experience.

After the GP, Chapman and I went for a short week of backpacking around Tokyo. :)

For those who are interested in pictures, please visit: My Flickr Account. :)