Ways to calm down before a Tournament

[thefleeee]

I usually sit down somewhere, pop some gum into my mouth and breathe a lot. Like long deep breaths. Then I find friends and help them out with last minute decisions and such which calms me down majorly

 

[One Approved]

Listening to mucis is a good one. I try to listen to something slow and relaxing, something fast-paced like a Rock piece would probably just get me more hyped up. I chill and talk with friends a lot, as most of them make top cut consistantly, none of them are nervous, and we just joke around and have a good time.

I also find that once the first two turns or so are gone, all the pressure just melts away. So just playtesting beforehand (even if it shows off your deck) might help calm you down a bit.

 

[Chello]

^ As said, music. Also, what I like to do is I like to father, who has now passed on, and who bought me my first pack of cards. I know that he would want me to be my best at it, and it always helps me prevail, or so I like to think.

 

[RogueChomp]

I play fun games. Laughing with my insanely fun rogue decks just helps me out a ton.

 

[cool]

I chew gum for sure, helps soo much... and way back when I played back in DP-on I would sometimes try to find an open space at whatever the tournament was at and use my backpack as a pillow and take a nice nap before the tournament would start. When I got to top cut the few times I took a cat nap before that started too.

So gum, napping, and of course music is awesome too. Specifically chill and vibe-like stuff, Washed Out, Bonobo, Jon Wayne, etc.

 

[Robot]

The only tournaments I have been to are pre-releases, but what I normally do is look over ALL my cards to get prepped for battling and trading. I also read some articles on here to know what to expect/know what to expect in the future.

 

[Rikko145]

I just jump into it. I tell myself I'm going to do the best I possibly can and that my opponent might not even be that good. So I tell my mind to shut up and play.

 

[Glace]

Moved to TCG News and Discussion. This is about techniques during tournaments, not combos or decks.

 

[Zyflair]

I go do something not pertaining to the TCG. If the tourney was in a store, I browse their merchandise. Keeps my mind off of the game until I start actually playing. It also keeps my mind fresh, since I tend to burn it out from overthinking gamestate situations.

 

[Celebi23]

I just jump into it. I tell myself I'm going to do the best I possibly can and that my opponent might not even be that good. So I tell my mind to shut up and play.

I don't suggest the bolded part. Whenever I think I'm playing a bad player, I subconsciously start focusing less on the game, and this leads to looser playing and mistakes. I've lost many times because of that.

 

[Poseidon]

I do a lot of trading, listen to some calming music and chew gum. And before some matches, I do push-ups, sit ups and jumping jacks, because they get my blood moving and that makes me think sharper.

 

[Rikko145]

I don't suggest the bolded part. Whenever I think I'm playing a bad player, I subconsciously start focusing less on the game, and this leads to looser playing and mistakes. I've lost many times because of that.

I said might. I will play like they're really good, but I tell myself that they might not be as good as they appear to be. Call me insane, but I argue with myself a lot! Well, I rationalize with my instincts.

 

[venasour x]

I don't suggest the bolded part. Whenever I think I'm playing a bad player, I subconsciously start focusing less on the game, and this leads to looser playing and mistakes. I've lost many times because of that.

Dear god I know that feeling. Not as much as playing Pokemon, but whenever I play Chess against my dad, I get overconfident and just play without thinking about my moves because I know I can beat him. I lose too much because I don't see stuff that should have been obvious.

 

[GHJamesGH]

If you don't like my first suggestion, another thing I do is just talk to my friends there about anything that isn't Pokemon. Just have fun when you aren't playing and get in a conversation.

 

[iisnumber12]

Yeah, I played like an idiot and almost lost to DarMAXitan.

 

[PumpedAaron]

Hmm!! I've never had this problem too much, honestly. Maybe I'm just a boring person <.==.<...

 

[Nigel]

In the mornings before most tournaments, I talk about random things with my PokeBeach friends on Skype. Then, in the car to the tournament, I play video games. Both of those help me to be calm and do well in the tournament.

Also, you are allowed to write in a blank notepad during each match (if you don't believe me, look at the tournament rules on pokemon.com). This is good in larger tournaments so I can write down all my reasonable options before continuing playing. Normally when you're stressed, you misplay. This prevents it.

 

[Random Numbers]

I love to battle before the tournament, it's like a warm up. It helps me remember my strategy and helps me defend against certain decks.

 

[Meaty]

I just jump into it. I tell myself I'm going to do the best I possibly can and that my opponent might not even be that good. So I tell my mind to shut up and play.

I find that this works quite well. Playing a game or two beforehand can be nice but in general, just go into the game and don't worry. Have confidence, and you will make better moves and not misplay. Preparation is always good, but it's not everything. I managed to go 5-3 at regionals (would have topped if I didn't get donked round 8 ) with a rogue-ish deck that I had barely thrown together about a week before and almost never tested. Of course that might just mean I knew how to make a good list, but that self-flattery aside, my point is that you shouldn't freak out too much on matchups and playtesting. Just play your best like you would against anyone at league.Don't even worry about how good they're gonna be. You'll find out as you play.

Just have fun when you are playing

Fixed. That is the most important thing that I have to suggest. As I was saying, just relax and play as if it was for fun, but stay competitive and serious. Don't worry so much about the player, unless you happen to be acquainted with them and you know their deck and/or typical playstyle. Just focus on the game and what their deck is like and play accordingly to the best of your ability.



I guess I don't really have much advice for what to do to get rid of jitters before a tournament, but what I'm basically saying is go there with a positive attitude ready to play your best and have fun.