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Cardz Shop

Cardz Shop 9 - Answers to "Why..?"

07.11.05  Hi all. Cardzmaster2004 here again. This intro isn’t going to lead into a deck, sadly. I’ve put off Grass week until next week due to the fact that I haven’t had a chance to write all the articles and have gotten called into work early EVERY DAY this week and still haven’t gotten off any earlier. Instead, I’m supplementing this little aside into why writers on this site and many other sites don’t get onto a regular, weekly schedule like we should. Also, I’m using this to explain why I didn’t attend US Nationals this year.

“Attend” really isn’t the right word there. “Compete” would have worked better. I was there for all of day 1 and most of day 2. However, I was unable to compete due to the fact that I was missing key elements of my deck. Those of you who know my situation know what I’m talking about. Those of you who don’t, let’s just say that my card collection could use some massive expansion. Regardless, if any of you saw a guy standing around in an all black outfit looking lost on day 2, looking in on the 15+ bracket finals, that was me. Many of you probably saw me both days and were probably wondering who I was. But I digress.

I did have a great time at the convention anyhow. I playtested just about every card game they had in the exhibit hall (with the exception of YGO and Redemption) and many of the new board and traditional games out this year. I’ve got a big bag of freebees sitting in my room waiting to be gone through. I’m still not completely sure what all I got. I did find a couple new games to get into and a lot of old games that I’m going to reinvest in.

However, I need to turn onto my nick/screen name for a second. In 1999, I took the name Cardzmaster2004 for two reasons: 1) I graduated high school in 2004 (yes, that makes me 20) and 2) I felt like I had a grasp on just about every TCG, traditional, and abstract card game at that time. I was quite wrong and, since that time, I have tried to learn about and be informed on every TCG/CCG out today.

The list of games I played 6 years ago compared to what I play today is staggering. Here’s a short list of both:

Cardz in 1999:

Traditional:

Euchre
Hearts
Spades
Gin Rummy
Blackjack
5 Card Stud Poker

TCG/CCG:

Pokemon
Magic: The Gathering
Redemption
Star Wars
Star Trek
Hercules/Zena

Abstract:
Uno
Phase 10

Board:

Risk
Monopoly
------------------------


Cardz in 2005:

Traditional:

Euchre
Hearts
Blackjack
Texas Hold ‘Em

TCG/CCG:

Pokemon
Magic: The Gathering
VS System
Redemption (not as heavily)
Star Wars

Abstract:

Uno
Phase 10
Fluxx
Chrononauts
Just Deserts
Nanofictionary
Apples to Apples

Board:

Monopoly
Risk
Risk 2210
Risk: Godstorm
Axis and Allies

-------------------------------------

The list has had some exclusions, but this is the basic list. If you can’t tell, I’ve quite overextended myself and had very little time to keep up with everything I play(ed) at the convention. I left of D&D and the LARPs I play in occasionally because thoae in and of themselves are major time commitments and don’t even belong on a list with other things.

What it boils down to is this: I’m so overextended that I’m not sure what needs cut or what needs less commitment. I know one thing that stays is Pokémon. After almost seven years, two companies, Prop 15, and everything else we as gamers have gone through, it’s a game worth keeping. However, there’s a gaming company I am most definitely giving more time to after Origins (Looney Labs, in case you’re wondering). So I’m really having a problem deciding what goes and stays. I know a lot of my Traditional games will go, but the decision is so hard to make.

I’m not writing also because I’m making a short trip to northern Ohio for a concert tour. So, expect a trail of three articles on grass decks next week. I hope to see y’all then.

Cardz out.