2006-2007 US Nationals FAQ

Information is subject to change: Last updated [4/18/2007]

What is the Pokémon TCG U.S. National Championships?

The Pokémon® TCG U.S. National Championships™ is a sanctioned title event open to all U.S. resident players in good standing and is run using the Age Modified Swiss format. The National Championships will be held at Origins International Game Expo in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, July 7 ^th and Sunday, July 8 ^th, with registration beginning at 9:00 A.M. Players not in line for registration by 9:30 A.M. will be registered for the event with a first-round loss.

Results of this event will count toward players' rankings.

Prizes are awarded to the top 16 players in each age group.

When is the Pokémon TCG U.S. National Championships?

The U.S. National Championships will be held at the Origins International Game Expo at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Registration begins Saturday, July 7 ^th, 2007, at 9:00 A.M., and the event will conclude on Sunday, July 8 ^th, 2007.

The address of the Convention Center is:
Greater Columbus Convention Center
400 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215 U.S.A.

What does it cost?

Entry to play in the Pokémon TCG National Championships is free. However, you will be required to purchase a badge that gives you access into Origins.

Visit www.originsgames.com for more information concerning badge fees and pre-registration.

Who is eligible to play at the U.S. National Championships?

To participate in the event, you must be a player in good standing and abide by the Pokémon Tournament Rules and all other applicable event rules.
Players who are found in violation of the rules of eligibility are subject to suspension from Pokémon Organized Play and loss of prizes, including, but not limited to, invitations and Travel Awards.
The Pokémon TCG U.S. National Championships are open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Residency in this case is defined as a person who legally resides in the United States or one of its territories, not necessarily a U.S. citizen. Proof of residency will be required upon registration.

Review the Rules of Eligibility in our Tournament Rules document here.

What are the prizes?

Prizes are awarded to the top 16 players in each age division.

Our divisions are:

Junior Division: Born in 1996 or later

Senior Division: Born in 1992, 1993, 1994, or 1995

Masters Division: Born in 1991 or earlier

Participants will receive a Pokémon TCG National Championships promo card and a National Championships commemorative pin, while supplies last, all just for playing!

1 ^st Place

A Pokémon TCG National Championships First-Place Trophy.
An invitation to the 2007 Pokémon TCG World Championships.
A Travel Award for the winner (and parent or legal guardian for players under 18) to the 2007 World Championships (available to U.S. residents only; proof of residency required)
A scholarship award worth $5000. Click here for scholarship details and restrictions.
A Nintendo Wii Game Console
A combination of 72 booster packs from the current Pokémon TCG expansions.
Other great themed Pokémon merchandise!

2 ^nd Place

A Pokémon TCG National Championships Second-Place Trophy.
An invitation to the 2007 Pokémon TCG World Championships.
A Travel Award for the winner (and parent or legal guardian for players under 18) to the 2007 World Championships (available to U.S. residents only; proof of residency required)
A scholarship award worth $3000. Click here for scholarship details and restrictions.
A Nintendo Wii Game Console
A combination of 72 booster packs from current Pokémon TCG expansions
Other great themed Pokémon merchandise!

3 ^rd Place

A Pokémon TCG National Championships Third-Place Trophy
An invitation to the 2007 Pokémon TCG World Championships
A Travel Award for the winner (and parent or legal guardian for players under 18) to the 2007 World Championships (available to U.S. residents only; proof of residency required)
A scholarship award worth $1500. Click here for scholarship details and restrictions.
A Nintendo Wii Game Console
A combination of 36 booster packs from current Pokémon TCG expansions
Other great themed Pokémon merchandise!

4 ^th Place

A Pokémon TCG National Championships Fourth-Place Trophy
An invitation to the 2007 Pokémon TCG World Championships
A Travel Award for the winner (and parent or legal guardian for players under 18) to the 2007 World Championships (available to U.S. residents only; proof of residency required)
A scholarship award worth $1500. Click here for scholarship details and restrictions.
A Nintendo Wii Game Console
A combination of 36 booster packs from current Pokémon TCG expansions
Other great themed Pokémon merchandise!

5 ^th through 8 ^th Place

A scholarship award worth $750. Click here for scholarship details and restrictions.
A combination of 36 booster packs from current Pokémon TCG expansions

9 ^th through 16 ^th Place

A combination of 18 booster packs from current Pokémon TCG expansions

Other Information:

Your deck must comply with the Modified Format as outlined in the Pokémon Organized Play Tournament Formats document.
Bring a list of all cards in your deck (otherwise known as a decklist). This will be reviewed at registration.
Bring your POP ID card, if you have one. If you don't have a POP ID, one will be given to you at the event.
Every qualified player must have an updated "My Pokémon Account" in order to be eligible for the Travel Award.
See the Pokémon Tournament Rules at op.pokemon-tcg.com for more information about what to bring to an event.
Make sure you arrive on time. If you are late for registration, you will be entered with a first round loss. Seating is limited, and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
To participate in the event, you must be a player in good standing and abide by the Pokémon Tournament Rules and all other applicable event rules.
See the Legal Notices for certain eligibility requirements and other information, including information concerning limitations on Pokémon USA, Inc.'s liability.

What is the tournament structure?

The tournament is run using the Modified (DX-on) Format and Swiss plus Single Elimination.

The National Championships will be broken into sections by age divisions and will be run using Swiss Pairings. Because Swiss rounds are dependent upon total attendance of each age group, there will be a minimum of five rounds of Swiss, with more rounds as necessary based on attendance. Swiss rounds will feature one-game matches.

After the final round of Swiss, the top 16 players from each age division (attendance levels permitting) will move into a single-elimination round. Single-elimination rounds will be a best-of-three game format, and will have a 60-minute time limit per match.

National Championships events have a K-Value of 44. For more information on K-Value and Ratings and Rankings, click here.

Legal Notices