New Players
I was running my weekend tournament yesterday, when 2 new players pop in 20 minutes late (but we were already waiting for some other players) and want to play. One of them had a deck but didn't think it was very good, and the other didn't have a deck, and would not have one until after payday next week. So I helped the one player with one of my spare decks, and the other player I gave a few rare cards to and helped him trim his deck down and make is more focused.
Needless to say this delayed the tournament by about an hour from the original start time and the other player we were waiting on was still no there. So we got underway and started playing. I made sure the two new players were not playing each other in the first round (no it wasn't random, so shoot me...) and they were having a great time. And then it hit me. I was annoyed at having delayed my tournament, when I should be happy that we have new players. Why was I annoyed???
Anyway, I was finishing up the tournament and handing out packs to all the players (except myself as I routinely do) when from behind me, one of my new players bursts with, "Cool! I just got a foil Lust!" and I figured it was the foil common, or uncommon. No. It was the ULRTA-RARE Lust; the last one I need to complete my set. So, yea, I was a little upset, but I explained to the kid that I wanted that card, but honestly I probably could not give him the $100 that it would be worth online. However, he really wanted to make a deck like the one I let him borrow. So I pulled out my deck and started to pull it apart, with the rares that I know I had extras of. That left the stack painfully short... Then I pulled out some exclusive cards that he was looking at in my binder, and I knew I was still short. So when all else fails, I when up the the store owner and said, give me some packs. I think it ended up being 10 or so. So for the $5 entry fee, this kid walked away with 12 packs of cards, a not-yet-avilable promotional card, and a almost ready made deck like the one he enjoyed so much.
And then after all that, and my less than stellar attitude, I looked over at these two new kids (and their older brothers that had come to pick them up and were just as excided about this new game) and realized THAT is why I am a volunteer for game companies. Sure, running tournaments are fun, and encouraging high level of play is a big deal (especially for me), but watching a kids face light up with getting some card, that 5 minutes ago was rotting away in your binder... that is why I still enjoy playing card games. It reminds me how lucky I am to be able to have such a fun hobby.
Game On!
Needless to say this delayed the tournament by about an hour from the original start time and the other player we were waiting on was still no there. So we got underway and started playing. I made sure the two new players were not playing each other in the first round (no it wasn't random, so shoot me...) and they were having a great time. And then it hit me. I was annoyed at having delayed my tournament, when I should be happy that we have new players. Why was I annoyed???
Anyway, I was finishing up the tournament and handing out packs to all the players (except myself as I routinely do) when from behind me, one of my new players bursts with, "Cool! I just got a foil Lust!" and I figured it was the foil common, or uncommon. No. It was the ULRTA-RARE Lust; the last one I need to complete my set. So, yea, I was a little upset, but I explained to the kid that I wanted that card, but honestly I probably could not give him the $100 that it would be worth online. However, he really wanted to make a deck like the one I let him borrow. So I pulled out my deck and started to pull it apart, with the rares that I know I had extras of. That left the stack painfully short... Then I pulled out some exclusive cards that he was looking at in my binder, and I knew I was still short. So when all else fails, I when up the the store owner and said, give me some packs. I think it ended up being 10 or so. So for the $5 entry fee, this kid walked away with 12 packs of cards, a not-yet-avilable promotional card, and a almost ready made deck like the one he enjoyed so much.
And then after all that, and my less than stellar attitude, I looked over at these two new kids (and their older brothers that had come to pick them up and were just as excided about this new game) and realized THAT is why I am a volunteer for game companies. Sure, running tournaments are fun, and encouraging high level of play is a big deal (especially for me), but watching a kids face light up with getting some card, that 5 minutes ago was rotting away in your binder... that is why I still enjoy playing card games. It reminds me how lucky I am to be able to have such a fun hobby.
Game On!
posted by BubbaJoe at 10:18 PM
4 Comments:
that was a nice feel good story, thanks for lighting up my day.
Well said, good sir...well said. I wish you more of the same!
And that is why Mr. Beal is the best!
- Enrique
Well played sir. Those players are very lucky to have you indeed!
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