It's the one you've been waiting for!

Can't wait to see you at our
Rockford City Championships
Saturday Jan 9, 2009

Time to kick it up a notch in Rockford again!
I'm sure our City Championships will have some of the greatest players of the area gathered together once again! Mark your calendars, you WON'T want to miss this one!!

This is a FREE event and you do not have to have won any previous events in order to enter! Everyone may enter, no matter what age or skill level, so be sure to bring all your friends and come join us in Rockford!
All participants will receive an exclusive City Championships promo card, while supplies last.

To be held at the
North Suburban Women's Club
6320 N 2nd St Loves Park ,IL 61111
about 4 blocks North of E.Riverside (Hwy 53)on N. 2nd St(Hwy 251).
On the corner across from Big Lots mini-mall.

Here's a Mapquest link for you. (use the bar on the left to zoom out)
From I90, I39, Hwy51, Hwy 55, or Hwy 11
take the route 55 exit to the West (Exit 64 - E. Riverside Dr). Go left on Riverside if you're coming from the south or right if you're coming from the north. Then when you intersect Hwy 251 (also called N. 2nd St ) go right. It's up the street on the left side, I think 4 more blocks, on the corner across from Big Lots mini-mall.

Registration opens at 9am
Final call for decklists to be turned in will be at 9:55
to be included in Round 1. After that time you'll be entered in Round 2
Tourney begins at 10am

Participants will receive an exclusive City Championships promo card,
while supplies last..

Decklists will be required. You can print it out ahead of time here (pdf) or I'll have them there to fill out too. Here's a link to a wonderful Decklist maker that really makes it easy to do your decklist... just click on the drop down menu to make your selections, then print it out and bring it in! Either way is fine. Just be sure to be there early enough to get them filled out and turned in before 9:45, because you must have a decklist to be entered in the tourney! And remember, it's you're responsibility to make sure that your deck is legal and matches your decklist completely, so take care in writing it out! We'll have people who can help you fill it out or check over your deck when you get there, so just let me or one of my Judges know if you need some help..

So, what time do you suggest we be there??
I suggest you come closer to 9, unless you already have your decklist all made out. Due to the large number of players we will likely have, (probably around 100, weather permitting) the cut-off for entrance into Round 1 will be 9:55. Decklists will be required, so allow time to fill them out. If you haven't turned in your decklist by 9:55am you can still be entered into the tournament, but you'll start in Round 2, you'll miss the first Round.. We will not delay the tourney for latecomers as it's just not fair to those who get there on time. Bring your DS and your Diamond & Pearl Games, or even your GBAs! Once your decklist is turned in, you can participate in DS battles, art contests, or any other activities we might have while you wait.
Better too early than too late!

Who may enter in the Tournament? Anyone who knows how to play the game may enter, you do not need to be a resident of the City of Rockford ... All are welcome, of all ages, from far away, or right in Rockford! If you're new to the game and want to learn more about it, check out the Pokemon Organized Play website for instructions on how to play so you'll already know how when you get there, or stop by TIY on the 2 weeks prior to the 9th during our League time at 3:30.. we can teach you how to play. But for this particular event, you should at least already know the basics of how to play.

What do I need to bring with me? You'll need to bring your own 60 card legal deck, it's always good to bring your own damage counters or dice, you may want to bring a sack lunch or money to buy lunch, snacks, products for sale, or to enter in some of our Side Events after the Main Event, but no money is required for entry to this event. You should also know your POP ID number. Many of you are already in my computer from playing in past events of mine, but if you're new and don't have a POP ID number yet, no worries... I can get you set up with one right there.

Format: Modified Constructed - Bring your own best DP-on Modified decks to play in this tournament.
The sets legal in the Modified Format have been updated as of September 1, 2009. The New Modified format is Diamond & Pearl -on (Diamond & Pearl set through the HeartGold SoulSilver set.). Players may not use cards from Pokémon sets prior to Diamond & Pearl (except basic Energy cards and cards that were reprinted in Modified legal sets)
Please make sure you're ready with a legal deck. Modified Format includes all sets from DP to AR

Remember, this is Title Premiere Event... so keep in mind the following rules and restrictions:
Cards from the World's Championship Decks with the silver borders are NOT allowed in Tournaments.
Sleeves must be single color with no artwork or holographic design, exceptions being the Japanese Pokeball or Pikachu Sleeves, or any of the US Pokemon Sleeves from Prereleases.
Cards must be in uniform condition if unsleeved so as not to appear to be marked in any way.
Cheating will be dealt with severly, so don't do it! Always play honorably and fair!

Of course if you have any questions at all as to if your deck is Tourney ready or not, please feel free to stop in a little early and have us check over your deck for you.

If you arrive and find that your deck is not legal to play in this tourney, don't worry, you will still be able to play. Some starter decks will be available to purchase right there at a nominal cost. We may also have a limited number of 'loaner' decks to borrow for the event, on a first come, first serve basis, if your deck isn't legal for the tourney, if you don't have money for a new one, or if you know how to play and want to, but just don't have a deck.

This event will most likely will be Age Separated Swiss (everyone will play within their own age group in all the rounds, the number of rounds being determined by number of players in each age group) The City Championships series will have a K-Value of 16. For more information on how the K-Value affects your Premier Rating, please see the Ratings and Rankings FAQ.

Age groups:
Junior Division: Born 1999 or later
Senior Division: Born in 1995, 1996, 1997, or 1998
Masters Division: Born in 1994 or earlier

Also after the Swiss Rounds, in each of the 3 age groups we will have a Top Cut,
with a Maximum of a cut to Top 8.
This means that after the main tournament, the top ranked players in each of the 3 age groups will continue on to play additional rounds (the number of additional rounds will depend on how many players were in each age group), the winner being determined by winning 2 out of 3 matches within an hour's time, and continuing on to another elimination round until one City Championship winner in each age group remains..

Are there Prizes?
YES! Of course there are!

Top 4 finishers in each of the three age categories receive the following prizes:

1st Place
18 Pokémon TCG booster packs
A City Champion medal

2nd Place
10 Pokémon booster packs

3rd & 4th Place
4 Pokémon TCG booster packs

Are there Door Prizes? Sure! We'll have an assortment of various items for door prizes! All sorts of different items, including Booster Packs, Binders, Giratina Hats, posters, Deck boxes, Pokemon Beachballs, Pokemon stickers, and other various Pokemon items will be randomly given out at various times to random players.

Will there be side events?
Yes, most likely there will be after the Main Tournament is over, based on player interest, of course. We could have a free Modified tourney for 3/2/1 pack prizes, or a $5 Modified for bigger prizes, A Theme Deck Challenge, or even a Booster Draft if we have the players and Judge available for it. There may even be other interesting side events as well! We'll also have an Art Area set up for anyone who feels the urge to express themselves in some artwork!

Tentative Time Schedule

9am - Registration opens
9:55am - last call for inclusion in Round 1
10am - Opening introductions and announcements
10:15 - 11:00 Round 1
11:05 - 11:50 Round 2
Break for lunch until 12:30
12:30 - 1:15 Round 3
1:20 - 2:05 Round 4
2:10 - 2:55 Round 5
3:00 - 3:45 Round 6 Masters
(and Announce Top 4 for Jrs/Srs, do deckchecks )

3:15 - 4:15 Top 4 Jrs/Srs
3:45 - 4:15 deckchecks, Prep for Top 8 for Masters
4:15 - 5:15 Top 8 Masters/Top 2 Finals Jrs/Srs
5:15 - 6:00 Announce Jr/Sr Winners - Dinner Break
6:00 - 7:00 Top 4 Masters
7:00 - 8:00 Top 2 Finals Masters

Again, this is a tentative timetable. We'll try to stick to it as best we can, but of course times may vary due to the actual number of players attending and unforseen events that may delay things.

There are lots of fast food restuarants within walking distance from the Women's Club, including Arby's & Subway, and many more just a few blocks away. Fell free to bring in your own lunch if you like, and we'll also have snacks and soda available at reasonable prices for those of you who don't want to leave the building. And of course I'll bake brownies and cookies for all of you too!

Top Cut Comics (formerly Tomorrow Is Yesterday) will have some things for sale there for your convenience... booster packs, theme decks, snacks and soda, but be sure to stop by the newly remodeled store (5600 N. 2nd St) to see the complete line of products they have for sale, including single card sales. You'll be amazed at the transformation!

Also of note: I might need help from some of my regular players to get things set up and also cleaned up afterwards, so contact me if you're able to help me out, ok? Thanks! I appreciate it!

Complete details to be posted shortly! So stop back often!

And be sure to check out our MW Pokemon Event Information website for information on all the other area City Championship events.

Don't miss out on one of the best events in the area! You'll always have fun at our events in Rockford!! We guarantee it or your money back! (oh wait, it's a free event! )
So come join us for a full day of Pokemon fun with friends!

Hope to See you there!

Then, if you're in the area, join Jimmy for his City Championships in Huntley IL on Sun Jan 10th! The details are here... go check it out! One final chance to add to your ranking and bring home another Championship Medal!