NAME: Glenn Katzen
RANKING: #17 (as of 10/26/1999)
CITY / STATE: Manorville, NY
AGE: 16
LOCATION: Golden Memories, Mastic, NY
[POJO] What do you like best about the PokeMon TCG?
[GK] It's a lot of fun to try to make a good deck and test it
against other people.
[POJO] What do you dislike about the PokeMon TCG?
[GK] I think there is too much coin flipping and not a lot of
original decks in tournaments. This is understandable though because
Haymakers always seem to win where I play, so everyone tries to make
one.
[POJO] Do you find casual play or organized competition to be
more fun? Why?
[GK] Casual play is more fun because you can try out fun ideas and
use cards you wouldn't normally use in a tournament because you would
probably lose.
[POJO] Where do you usually play?
[GK] Golden Memories or my friend's house
[POJO] How often do you participate in organized tournaments?
[GK] Usually once a week
[POJO] What was you most thrilling victory?
[GK] My greatest win was probably at an unsanctioned tournament at
a mall. I was running low on cards, but I only had one prize left. My
opponent removed most of my energy right before my last turn, and was
confident he would win. I drew my last card, used a Gust of Wind to
bring out a weak Hitmonchan, Scooped Up my Electabuzz, and brought in
a Scyther for the kill.
[POJO] What was your most crushing defeat?
[GK] I was playing a Semi-final match at Golden Memories against a
kid that was about 8 years old. He was playing Raindance, which my
Haymaker can usually beat easily. The first game, my only basic
Pokemon was Electabuzz, and all he had was a Squirtle and a Seal. The
rest of my hand was all energy. He went first and paralyzed my
Electabuzz. He paralyzed again next turn, and again after that.
Meanwhile, all I was drawing was more energy. On his 4th
turn, he evolved his Squirtle into Wartortle, played a Double
Colorless, and used Bite for the win. It was best out of 3 though, so
I figured I could come back. However, the second game didn't go any
better. I started with 3 Charmanders and a bunch of energy, and once
again my opponent had a Squirtle and a Seal. While I drew nothing but
energy, he evolved Squirtle into Wartortle and knocked out all my
Charmanders in a few turns.
[POJO] Who is your toughest competition? Why?
[GK] My toughest competition is probably my friend, Josh Navratil,
who is currently ranked 20th in the world. We practice together and
play similar decks, so when we play, it usually comes down to who has
a better hand.
[POJO] What is your favorite card? Why?
[GK] Definitely Professor Oak, because it gives you so many new
cards to work with.
[POJO] What kind of deck to you dread having to play against?
[GK] Playing against other Haymakers is annoying because it
usually takes a while and Haymakers are difficult to beat.
[POJO] What does it mean to you to be ranked as one of the best
Pokemon TCG players in the world?
[GK] It's fun to be ranked high, but just because you have a
higher rating than someone does not necessarily mean you are better.
[POJO] Do you play the Pokemon video game?
[GK] Yes
[POJO] Do you watch the Pokemon Animated Series?
[GK] Yes
[POJO] Do you have a collection of Pokemon toys?
[GK] No
[POJO] Do you have a favorite card? Favorite video game
character? Favorite animated series character?
[GK] My favorite Pokemon in the card game is Scyther. My favorite
Pokemon in the video game is Jolteon. My favorite Pokemon in the show
is Mr. Mime.
[POJO] Anything else you would like to add to this interview?
[GK] I'd just like to say that I think Pokemon is a great game,
and I hope they have Pro Tours someday like they do for Magic: The
Gathering.
