Name: Brian Strand
Deck Name: Speedy Beatdown
Store and Location: Gamer's Conclave, Mandeville, Louisiana
Rank: Read on and you'll find out, I'm not going to spoil it for you.
Prize: Tourney points+ tournament packx2
Date: August 24, 2002

This was my 1st official tournament (single elimination), there were about 16 people there, some of which were my friends and rivals, so I was a little nervous. Everyone who lost would get a tournament pack, but the winner would get 2, plus alot of points.


SPEEDY BEATDOWN!

MONSTERS:                                                                      TRAPS:
Summoned Skull x 3                                                            Solemn Jugdement x 1
La Jinn x 3                                                                           Mirror Force x 1
Neo the Magic Swordsman x 2                                              Acid Trap Hole x 2
Witch of the Black Forest x 2                                                Trap Hole x 3
Big Eye x 2                                                                          Reinforcements x 3
Man-Eater Bug x 3
Hane-Hane x 2
Magician of Faith x 1
Mask of Darkness x 1

MAGIC:
Change of Heart x 1
Monster Reborn x 1
Dark Hole x 1
Pot of Greed x 1
Heavy Storm x 2
Fissure x 2
De-Spell x 2
Yami x 1



ROUND 1: Brian vs. Grant-Effect Deck (uses effect monsters to keep an opponent off-balance while he beatdowns)

When I heard that I had to face him I was scared that I would get knocked out early. He was a friend of mine, so I kinda knew his deck. The entire duel he couldn't play anything, so a barrage of La Jinn, Neo, and Summoned Skull, as well as some good monster and magic remover cards was more than enough to take him down.

Score: B:2
           G:0

ROUND 2: Brian vs. Harley-Defense Deck (no, it was not Exodia)

Okay, how this guy got to round 2 is beyond me, because is deck is entirely defensive, and not a single Shield and Sword, let alone a Rouge Doll. Both duels I De-Spelled his Swords of R. L. and sent him packing, though he did get me down to 1000 at one time.

Score:B:2
          H:0

ROUND 3: Brian vs. Westin-Joey and Bandit Keith Deck (uses Flame Swordsman and Launcher Spider with powerups

Same with Grant, a friend of mine, so I knew his deck, except for the Flame Swordsman (newly added). Same with Grant too, I used m and m removals, plus had Solemn Judgement and Mirror force down in case of emergency, and used beatdown to win. I'm on my way to the semifinals.

Score:B:2
         W:0

SEMIFINALS: Brian vs. Michel-All-Around Deck( many cards for different situations)

To tell you the truth, he was afraid to duel me! Same basics with all my matches, m and m removal and beatdown to send me to the finals! Though I beat him, he wasn't easy and put up a good fight. He said that he hopes that I'll beat my opponent, because he doesn't want him to win.

Score:B:2
         M:1

FINALS: Brian vs. Aaron (I think)- Exodia Deck (gee, I knew there would be someone who would play that and I would face him or her)

This fight was NOT easy. His deck was an OFFENSIVE Exodia Deck. For those who have no clue whatsoever what an OFFENSIVE Exodia deck is, it is a deck that relies on direct damage spells and strong monsters should Exodia fall to the Graveyard. 1st round: I gained new anger for The 7 Colored Fish. End of story. 2nd round: Payback time!
Nuff said! 3rd round: Now I am really nervous, but I trusted my faith in my cards to get rid of his monsters and counter traps, and it worked! I got 2 packs guess what? I pulled Mechanical Chaser! I also got some more cards after trading around.

Score: B:2
           A:1


MONSTERS:                                                                              TRAPS:
Summoned Skull x 3                                                                    Solemn Judgement x 2(traded for another)
La Jinn x 3                                                                                   Mirror Force x 1
Mechanical Chaser x 1                                                                  Acid Trap Hole x 2
Neo the Magic Swordsman x 2                                                       Trap Hole x 3
Witch of the Black Forest x 2                                                         Reinforcements x 3
Big Eye x 1
Man-Eater Bug x 3
Hane-Hane x 2
Magician of Faith x 1
Mask of Darkness x 1

MAGIC:
Change of Heart x 1
Monster Reborn x 1
Raigeki x 1(new!)
Dark Hole x 1
Pot of Greed x 1
Heavy Storm x 2
De-Spell x 2
Yami x 1                                                       

I think I did very well for my first tourney, now that I have such good cards. Everyone did real good, evevn those knocked out early. Everyone had lots of fun

Pros: FIRST PLACE!
         Geting Raigeki, Solemn Judgement, and Solemn Judgement

Cons: Grant and West say their going to have to pop that inflated head of mine next time :P
          Now that all the kids who were late getting to the store know when to sign in next time, there are going to be            
          more challenges( hey, the more people, the better prizes!)


My name is Brian Strand, abd if anyone wants to contact me about my tournament, e-mail me at strandmd@aol.com.