Pokemon League (week 3)
Borders Books
September 18 (continuing for 3 more Saturdays)
Glendale, CA
Kids ages 6-15

Here we are again. Borders.  Again it was a full
house. About 35 kids.  It seemed the kids were more
relaxed (and loud), trading cards, playing and getting
their badges.  But when the games begin, things quiet
down and they get pretty serious.  The real
competitive games seem to come from the older kids and
the kids with parents there in support of their
hobby/sport or whatever you call it.  It really seems
that if parents of a child (under 12) supports 'the
game' their child tends to know how to play and is
very interested in playing well.  And even if they
don't play well, their knowledge of the rules and the
cards are apparent.  It goes to show that being
involved with your children is a VERY positive thing.

Unfortunately, Jessica didn't  have much competition
on this day.  We tried to pair her up with kids she
hasn't played with before.  Some, I thought, would
give her a run for her money, but today, it was kinda
slow.  The next Saturday (10/2 - they're skipping a
week) she'll try to play the tougher kids.  She even
admitted that it was kinda boring  and she was more
focused on an activity sheet where she drew a picture
of her and her favorite Pokemon. Zapdos, Pikachu and
Charizard.

Parents: If you want to help your child in his/her
tournament, ask these questions, given his/her
particular deck.
In Jessica's deck, for example:

Who's Scyther weak to? Fire.
Who's Hitmonchan weak to? Psychic
Who's Electabuzz weak to? Fight
What is fire weak to? Water (for the most part)
What is Fight weak to? Psych (for the most part)
If you're playing against Charmander or Ninetales, who
do you play? Hitmonchan or Electabuzz.
Why? Because they don't have weaknesses.
If you're playing against Hitmonchan, who do you play?
Scyther.
Why? Because he has a resistance.
ETC.  these questions will help them think ahead about
the game and will get their brains working a bit more
instead of making the game non-strategic. Also. teach
'em chess! 

Well, here's her deck. Only one change was made.  A
Pokemon Trader replaced 1 Gust of Wind to ensure the
right Pokemon at the right time.  She remembered that
if she only had a Scyther against Chris' deck last
week, she may have had a better chance.  Next League
day she'll be playing a Psychic/Fighting deck for a
change.

Jessica's Electric Punch v2.1a
(Electric/Fighting)

ENERGY
4 Double Colorless
12 Fighting Energy
9 Electric Energy

POKEMON
3 Scyther
4 Hitmonchan
4 Electabuzz
2 Chansey
1 Kangaskhan
3 Jigglypuff

TRAINERS
3 Bill
2 Professor Oak
4 Energy Removal
3 Plus Power
1 Scoop Up
1 Super Energy Removal
2 Gust of Wind (dropped down from 3)
1 Switch
1 Pokemon Trader (added to deck)

5 Games played.

Game 1 vs Multi-Colored (Fire/Water/Fight)
Christian was a quiet kid about 10.  This game was
more of a learning experience for him while Jessica
taught him some of the basic rules.  It was more
relaxed and fun and both 'reacted' excitedly when they
got the cards they wanted.  Jessica usually is pretty
serious and keeps her excitement to herself when in a
serious game.  1 - because she doesn't want to make
the player feel bad if he/she is losing, and 2 - she
knows what a poker face means. So this game was kinda
fun, both drawing prizes and playing of the 'cuff.
Jessica ended up winning playing Chansey for 2 K.O.s
followed by her Electabuzz to take advantage of
remaining water Pokemon's weaknesses.
Today: 1-0, Overall: 7-1

Game 2 vs Fire
Jesse new EXACTLY where his Charizard was.  He even
pointed it out in his prizes cause it was kinda
scuffed in the back (a marked card?). heh.  He didn't
know better. Little did I know, he had 3 Charizard's
in his deck.  I don't even have a Charizard.  He never
got to evolve to it though.  Jessica's Scyther was
thrown into the flames quite quickly and she pushed up
another one when she finally Prof. Oaked' and got that
ONE Trainer we added. POKEMON TRADER.  I wanted her to
get out another Electabuzz for the 40 attack but she
traded her 3rd Scyther for a Chansey.  I guess her
last game had an influence in her strategy.  She
pulled back Scyther and played Chansey to stall and
build up her bench, 'Scrunching' successfully several
times, while building a hurt Hitmonchan and a
powerless Scyther.  She was Energy dry from Energy
Removals but finally got Hitmonchan up.  Fortunately,
Jesse was just as Energy dry and the game went
quickly.  Jessica came from a 2 prize deficit by using
Chansey 1 time for a prize then using Hitmonchan till
he got Super ER'd, 'Switched' him for a Scyther and
attached 2 Plus Powers to finish up the game against a
Charmander.
Today: 2-0, Overall: 8-1

Game 3 vs Fight
Miko and his brother were fighting over who would play
Jessica.  Miko won.  Mulligan'd once then got a ONE
basic.  Machop vs. Jessica's Electabuzz.  Machop low
kicks and nails Electabuzz for 40 big ones.
Electabuzz 'shocks' Machop for 10, with Paralysis,
Miko Bills for NO Basic, and the rest is history. A
Thunderpunch for a quick and easy win.
Today: 3-0, Overall: 9-1

Game 4 vs Fire/Grass
Kevin.  We saw Kevin at the Game Keeper.  He's always
at the local card store trading cards and playing.
He's a spunky, loud, funny kid who gets excited EVERY
time he draws a card he needs or likes.  When I saw
him at the mall, I told him to play Jessica on
Saturday.  So he waited and finally they went head to
head.  He built up his Charizard within turn 4, had to
play it early due to lack of basic Pokemon, so Jessica
Slashed and Special Punched him out quite quickly,
then demolished an unpowered bench.  For a while I
thought that this game was gonna go for a long time.
But Kevin didn't use his Energy or other Pokemon
wisely.  His main focus was the Stage 2 evolution
which made it an easy win for Jessica.
Today: 4-0, Overall 10-1

Game 5 vs Grass
Alton plays 2 - 3 times a week at different Borders
around So. Cal.  He has his Boulder Badge and his
PEWTER city page is filled with stamps.  He was the
first kid she played in the league and wanted a
rematch.  He's a nice boy who went to school with
Jessica 4 years ago.  They both drew good hands but
Jessica was able to build Hitmonchan and Scyther up
faster than Alton could build Exeggute, Nidoran and
Bulbasaur.  Going blow by blow, Jessica had the
advantage. Scoop Up kept Alton from drawing any prizes
and Jessica won handedly.
Today: 5-0, Overall 11-1

And no Lullaby for Jigglypuff today.  Heh.

It was a quick day so Jessica was able to play 5 games
without being totally drained or Poke'd out.  Next
Sunday she might go to a DCI sanctioned tourney to
play.  I'll play too. the only players I get a chance
to play is Jessica or on the Internet with Apprentice.
 Find me and play me.  My Gooey chat name is
SquintKid.

POKE-PROPS
The highlight of Saturday was watching David, 15, who
I consider is one of the better players of the league,
sing the Pokemon song on an 'open mic' the
coordinators use.  It was a blast.

I watched a game between David and Chris (Jessica
played them both in past weeks).  These two are
definitely the one's to beat.  David uses a Damage
Swap deck with Dragonaire and Chris uses a Haymaker
deck with Clefable.  The game lasted about 30 minutes.
 David's energy was totally drained but Chris just
couldn't do enough damage.  Dragonaire really hurts
your energy.  David, who won a Toys R Us Poke-Tourney
for 100 Geofrey Dollars, was able to loud his bench
with damage and Chris eventually decked.  It was a
well played game from both.

To Chris' dad for his support, knowledge of the game,
card collecting and deck building.

Kevin's dad (not the one Jessica played) for his
support.  Kevin just turned 10 and got a bunch of
cards for his birthday.  Maybe that's what I'll ask
for on mine. Heh.

Miko's mom for her support of her kids.

Hope you can try out Jessica's deck and let me know
what you think and stay tuned for more of Jessica's
adventures
in the Pokemon League!  Thanks for those who e-mail me
with suggestions on the Jessica's deck!  Wigglytuff
would be a fun card to add but it might slow down the
quickness of this Haymaker.  Check out Jessica's next
Haymaker in our next update.

Email with comments to me:

Glenn (papa)
and
Jessica

PokemonMechanic@yahoo.com