Teams originate out of no where. You can create a team with your best friends, or create a team with some of your local players or who you think can be beneficial to your dueling career.

 

A lot of players first beginning question is why would I create/join a team?

 

                There are many reasons players can create a team. One of the main reasons is the bond of friendship between the players in the team.

                For example, Superfriendz was created intentionally to be the bond of friendship. Dale Bellido, Lazaro Bellido, Kyle Duncan, Chris Simoes, Jason Tan, and Matt Peddle all created a team together known as the original Superfriends. The team was created in the car on the way to there first SJC event. They were all friends, and figured they should create a team. How come? Because they went into the event "splitting." Splitting is when 2 or more players agree to share what ever they win with each other. This can work to your advantage because you may hit a patch of bad luck while your friend or teammate might be in the finals of a big tournament. This means you won't lose money by the out come of the event.

                Friends or teammates do this to make sure they don't go into an event losing money. Even if you normally win a tournament but your partner is always in the top 4 or finals, splitting will ensure you get your money back and some, whether it be in cash or prize.

 

How does splitting work?

 

                For another example, I will use my team Superfriendz as the model. When we go into a cash tournament, we will split everything if there are only 4 or 5 of us. But if we are going into a bigger cash tournament that holds 50-60 players with 6 rounds, we need to set a few 'lines' to ensure we don't just get our money back from the event. Lets say there are 54 people in the tournament ans Superfriendz is there with a full team of 8 players. We will most likely have to play each other through out the rounds and fight over a top 8 spot. We know its virtually impossible to send all 8 players into the top 8, and we know we are surrounded by a lot of other great players. We set 'splitting lines,' that who ever makes top 8 or X-2 will be included in the split. This lets the players who actually do well in the event earn money because of it. And since this is such a big event, it is better to increase your chances of earning profit rather than try and take home 1st place all by yourself. This way is fair because if we only had 2 player in the top 8, and none of them made it to the finals, we were in for a very low split between 8 players and only $100 to do it with. The players who did well lost money, and in our opinion, that shouldn't happen. That is why we would set some splitting lines into a big tournament with a lot of teammates.

 

What are some other advantages of creating or joining a team?

 

                If you are relatively close to the person or trust the people on your team, you shouldn't have a problem handing them your deck and letting them use it with out your eyes watching. So, if I am missing cards for my Dark World deck, and my teammate has the cards I am looking for, he can lend me those cards for the tournament. Borrowing cards can be very handy and it will let you open up to more deck types you can't build with your own cards. Also, if you are splitting with this person, you would most likely want to lend them cards, because making there deck better in the tournament will end up paying off for the both of you.

 

I created a team, but I don't like where the team is going or some people on it.

 

                First of all, just because you created a team doesn't mean you own it. You could be the untitled leader of a team, but always remember that the team players also have a say in what happens. Treat it like a democracy. Players should be able to vote for team decisions and speak up for what they want. This could involve the team name, travelling to events, the card pool, etc. You can always join or disband a team you like or dislike. You are not bound to a contract or policy and may do what you wish. But don't be the player who is desperate for a new team to rebound off, because nobody likes the bouncing player. They could come and go any time without putting any loyalty or thought into your team. Think about who you recruit (or who you join) and decide if it is right for you. Give it sometime, it might be worth it when it comes to a big event.

 

                Superfriendz now holds Dale Bellido, Lazaro Bellido, Matt Peddle, Ryan Peddle, Kyle Duncan, Jason Tan, Chris Simoes and Andrew Hayton. Players have come and go on this team. Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don't. But always in this team, has there been a democracy. If the majority felt felt a member should be kicked off, we proceeded to do so. Sometimes it isn't pretty and feelings can get hurt. It can leave a scar in your friendship or dueling community. But what has top be done for the sake of the team has to be done. Either that, or you are not ready to move up a level in Yu-Gi-Oh and create or join a team. Most teams are serious, and if you are on one, you must be too.

 

That is all I will say today about teams for now. I will update you with a later article after SJC Montreal (which I will be attending), so wish me, Dale Bellido, Kyle Duncan, Andrew Hayton and Chris Simoes good luck! My next article will concern Team War's.

 

Thanks for reading,

Ryan Peddle

 

MSN/E-mail me at: imagination436@hotmail.com AIM me at: imageNation436