A tournament is an event at a store or convention where you can show up with your squad/deck/army/fleet and play your favorite game against other awesome people who love the same thing you do. It’s a fun competition with lots of chances to win cool prizes!
The term “tournament” has two overlapping senses: A series of matches that is tightly condensed into a relatively short period of time, as in most team sports, racket sports, many board games, and competitive debating; and a series of matches that are spread out over more than one venue and span a year or more, as in the Premier League football tournament. Most tournaments are in the second sense, but some meet the first definition (such as golf).
When used in reference to tabletop gaming, the term is usually meant to refer to a series of single-elimination games. Players are awarded points based on the outcome of each match, and the player with the most points is declared the winner of the tournament.
It’s not uncommon for players to feel nervous or scared when playing in a tournament, particularly if they are advancing to the final rounds. This is completely normal, but it’s important to remember that you’re there because of the preparation you’ve put in!
The tournaments that are held at the larger stores and conventions tend to be more formal events, with more emphasis on attracting top talent from across the region. These are often called regionals, and placing well at them is a huge source of pride for the winning player, as well as an important milestone in their skill progression.
Tournament etiquette can seem like a bit of a minefield, especially for newcomers to the hobby. You want to be careful about talking too much to top players, and you should avoid asking them questions that could make them uncomfortable or seem arrogant. It’s also important to be respectful of the venue staff, who are under a lot of pressure at large events to keep lines short and to prevent delays in the process.
Lastly, make sure you have enough sleep the night before the tournament and that your diet is healthy and balanced. Being hungry or tired will definitely affect your performance at the event!
A good way to stay on top of your preparation is to send out reminders in the run up to the event. This can be a text message or an email, and it’s a great idea to include the day, date and leaving time of the event.