Tournaments are a great opportunity to challenge yourself and make new friends. However, it’s also a stressful experience that requires discipline and preparation. Whether you’re playing for fun or competing for a title, here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your time at the tournament course.
Arrive Early: Having enough time to hit the registration desk, pick up your gear and get a good warmup session can help you avoid feeling stressed out when it’s time to play. If possible, arrive well before the start of your round and find a friend or coach to warm up with you.
Bring a bag with you: Having your personal belongings, such as a bag, near you will give you easy access to your items. This will also make it easier to keep track of what you have and where you’re going.
Stay hydrated: Drinking water is very important to keep your energy levels up and to prevent dehydration. It’s especially important if you’re playing a long game, so remember to drink water between holes and before putting.
Use a Head Judge: All players should know that they can ask the head judge for assistance at any time during their match. This can be for any reason, such as a deck check, Judge call, or event coverage request.
Be respectful of your opponent and the event staff: It’s important to be courteous to your opponent, the event staff, and everyone else in the area during a tournament. It’s also important to be respectful of the other players in your tournament, as they all share a common goal: to have a great day at the table.
Communicate with your coach: It’s very important to have a clear communication between you and your coach before a tournament begins. Having a conversation about the things you like and don’t like will help you to feel prepared for a tournament.
Focus on your strengths: While it’s important to practice weaknesses, you should spend more time practicing your strengths. This will provide you with more confidence in your game and prepare you for the competitiveness of a tournament.
Simulate tournament conditions: Try to practice under the same conditions as you will be playing in at the tournament. This will help you to better understand how the weather, greens and other factors affect your shot.
Don’t be afraid to change your technique: There are times in a tournament that you won’t know exactly how things will go. You might have an idea of what your next move will be, but it can be a good idea to experiment with your technique and see how you react under stress.
Build a good arsenal: It’s important to have a wide variety of different cards in your collection. This will allow you to find the right one for every situation.
Always draft within your time limit: Professional tournament booster drafts will typically have a time limit. If you’re taking more than the recommended time to draft a card, you may be subject to penalties.