Before we begin, let me thank you for clicking this link. Thanks! I took a pretty long break from this game, and it warms my heart to know that some of you still care enough to click this link to hear what I have to say. I'm downright giddy! For those of you who have no idea who I am (I'm assuming that atleast 80% of you have no idea who I am,) I am Ricky – former Pojo.com Featured Writer, Card of the Day Reviewer, and professional Yu-Gi-Oh! Player. Ok, so one of those titles isn't exactly accurate.

 

I started playing YGO at age 11, and quit at age 16. During that span I became a mainstay on Pojo.com's YGO website, and a legend in my native state of Louisiana. My playing career culminated in a 8-1 / Top 8 finish at the last major event I attended – the 2007 Shonen Jump Championship held in Houston, Texas. I was 16 when I quit this game for good, and for the last three years I was sure I'd never come back. I tried once in 2008 but I couldn't sink my teeth into the format – the decks were so odd, and the cards were so expensive. So why am I back now?

 

Well, for starters: I miss the people, places, and good times. Throughout my playing career I had my fair share of success and failure – through the good and through the bad, one aspect of the game remained constant – the people you meet when you play this game are second to none. I have many friends that are former players who are embarrassed to admit that they played this game. Not this guy. I'm proud to say that through this game I've met people who I consider to be my very best friends. I can't thank YGO enough for that.

 

When a close friend of mine invited me to join him on a trip to the 2010 U.S. National Tournament later this summer, I didn't think twice. I was going. The road trips to and from YGO tournaments hold a special place in my heart – they're where most of my fondest YGO memories took place. How can you turn down the opportunity to hop in a van with five or six of your closest pals and travel across the country? Especially when you consider that Minnesota – where the 2010 National Tournament will take place in mid-July – is a 20 hour drive from New Orleans...I couldn't imagine turning the offer down!

 

The plan sounded great, but then I started getting this crazy idea: maybe I should go ahead and play in the tournament. How could I resist the urge? I always said that I had the most fun inbetween rounds at major tournaments – I would always tour the venue with YGO pros from all around the country until the next round started – but could I really stand pat and hang out all day while those same players competed in what is sure to be the most competitive YGO National Tournament of all time? Would I get the “Brett Favre Itch” to lace up the old cleats and step onto the field one last time? I spent a couple of days pondering the situation, before I made my decision on April Fool's Day – I'm coming back.

 

So join me as I embark on a new journey. I'm older and wiser now, so things will be different this time around. I've already placed a large order for cards, sleeves, and deckboxes. I'm gearing up for my first local in several years – in preparation for my first regional tournament in several years. That regional will take place on April 17^th – which means that I have exactly 16 days to learn new cards, mechanics, and strategies, before I can attempt to qualify for the 2010 U.S. National Tournament one more time.

 

But before I sign off, can someone please tell me what the heck a “Synchro” monster is?!

 

Ricky can be contacted at pojorj@gmail.com