NAME: Branden Bean
RANKING: # 23 (as of 10/25/1999)
CITY / STATE: Overland Park, KS
AGE: 16
LOCATION: Collector's Cache, 7317 W 95th St, Shawnee Mission,
KS (913) 648-0446
[POJO] What do you like best about the PokeMon TCG?
[BB] The semi-simple concept and the emphasis on fun over winning.
[POJO] What do you dislike about the PokeMon TCG?
[BB] Haymaker!
[POJO] Do you find casual play or organized competition to be
more fun? Why?
[BB] I enjoy casual play more. I've always been a very competitive
person, but I find it's nice to sit back and have some fun once in
awhile instead of being all uptight about your next move.
[POJO] Where do you usually play?
[BB] Collector's Cache
[POJO] How often do you participate in organized tournaments?
[BB] Perhaps around once a week.
[POJO] What was you most thrilling victory?
[BB] Once I was up against a fairly nice Haymaker lacking Gust of
Winds, and my Damage Swap was getting the crappiest draws...the entire
game was spent with me trying to get back on my feet. However, soon I
noticed my opponent was about to deck himself, so I was using all my
Pokémon to suck some damage, then retreat (for lack of an Alakazam)
and eventually it was down to around 5 turns with a Mime for me and a
Wigglytuff for my opponent. I got some nice, suspenseful rolls in and
won the game...phew!
[POJO] What was your most crushing defeat?
[BB] Losing first turn when my opponent's Nidoran Male flipped
heads on my Abra.
[POJO] Who is your toughest competition? Why?
[BB] I have 4 other friends who, like me, are known to play very
well. We make up Team Cache, and they are the toughest I have and ever
will face...but it's good that way.
[POJO] What is your favorite card? Why?
[BB] I like Team Rocket's Mewtwo. It's a nice, fun Basic. It can
take you a long way, and Mewtwo is cool anyway.
[POJO] What kind of deck to you dread having to play against?
[BB] I don't really dread any deck, but Haymaker's are cheesy and
annoying ...however, you get used to it.
[POJO] What does it mean to you to be ranked as one of the best
Pokemon TCG players in the world?
[BB] I guess I feel a sense of accomplishment, and I enjoy being
acknowledged for my skills ...however, the high ranking will always be
lurking there reminding me of how far I will fall if I lose, and I
don't want that to interfere with the fun of the game
[POJO] Do you play the Pokemon video game?
[BB] Yes, I have the Red Version and the Japanese Game Boy Card
Game.
[POJO] Do you watch the Pokemon Animated Series?
[BB] I've seen it a couple times and watched the Japanese
"Mewtwo Strikes Back."
[POJO] Do you have a collection of Pokemon toys?
[BB] I have an inch-tall Gengar as a mascot, but that's it.
[POJO] Do you have a favorite card? Favorite video game
character? Favorite animated series character?
[BB] Favorite card goes to Team Rocket's Mewtwo. As for video game
character, I have to say that Haunter is very fun to play with. As for
the animated series, Haunter remains the best.
[POJO] Anything else you would like to add to this interview?
[BB] Remember: Keep it fun.
