August 2007

One bright YGO day I noticed I had lost two or three games by forgetting about my Treeborn frog in the graveyard. It made me realize something. I only get to play YGO once a week. Sometimes I would forget the basics and it caused a loss. So, I came up with a self made YGO training program. No steroids, no weights, and no jogging involved. All you need is a piece of paper and a pencil. I wanted to do things that would take my YGO mistakes out of the game by making them routine habits. I wrote my list of the things I needed to make myself more consistent. After getting the approval from my local TO I used the list. After several weeks my game reached the next level. My list looked like this:

1) Power shuffle my deck
2) Power shuffle my opponents deck

3) Write the game monster along with LP changes
Opponent
8000
7000 Sangan direct

Me
8000
7500 Wildheart/Sangan

4) Use a calculator for the math
5) Use the calculator to check for ending your opponent’s life points

6) Check your graveyard
7) After a Nobleman on a flip effect monster check your opponent’s deck. Incredible information when added to checking their graveyard.

8) Do not make an excited draw move (let me explain)
Okay the field looks like this: my opponent has a Zaborg in attack position on his side of the field and no other cards on the field they are at 4400 LP

I am sitting with a Cyber Dragon, Treeborn Frog, and a Creature Swap in my hand. I hope that he ends his turn without setting any spell/trap cards.
He does end his turn and I know exactly what I need to do to win. Special Summon the Cyber Dragon, Normal Summon the frog, creature swap him the frog and swing for the game. I am at 2900 LP. Now I draw for my turn. I top deck Smashing Ground. I immediately play the Smashing and I kick myself. I then set my frog and end. Next turn he Special Summons Cyber Dragon, plays Nobleman of Crossout, Normal Summons Thestalos. He randomly takes the Cyber Dragon from my hand costing me 500 LP. And then swings for game!

9) Think about each card/combo move during your turn

10) Check any/all of my face down cards when making a decision

11) Have a backup plan in case your original move fails

12) If you are unsure about an opponent’s card read it

I would recommend you custom fit the list to meet your needs. Also don’t be afraid to add/subtract as needed.