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OP F.A.Q.
The world of In-Store Organized Play can be a confusing labyrinth for a retailer
who is just beginning to delve into this profitable opportunity.
Southern Hobby Supply has developed this In-Store Organized Play Guide to
make the journey easier for you and your staff. When all is said and done, you will have
the tools and direction necessary to become a premiere Organized Play retailer and to
make your store a destination for gamers near and far!
Feel free to study this guide in its entirety, or simply consult the table of contents
below and skip to the sections which hold the most interest for you.
Section 1: Organized Play FAQ
pp. 2-3
pp. 4-7
OP F.A.Q.
OP F.A.Q.
OP Terminology
OP Terminology
Limited Format - A card tournament characterized by each participants use of a limited card pool for
deck construction i.e.: draft or sealed deck play.
Rated Events - In-store organized play events that are recognized by the sanctioning program, and
affect participants ranked status within that program. These events typically utilize a competitive level
of rules enforcement and provide a competitive atmosphere for more serious and competitive players.
Sanctioning - The formal process by which a retailer notifies the organized play program (WPN, OTS,
etc.) of their intent to schedule, run, and report an offical event within the official framework of the
sanctioning program.
Sealed Deck - Each player in the tournament gets a number of cards that are still sealed in their original
packaging. They open up those packs and then build a deck using only the cards contained within.
This is typically one tournament pack and two booster packs, but not always. The players pay for the
product (although often at a reduced rate) but they get to keep all the cards they open. They own them;
they take them away with them at the end of the day. This small set of cards is usually referred to as a
"Sealed Deck pool" or "card pool." Once they've opened their packs, they then have a set amount of
time to construct a deck using those cards. The minimum deck size varies from game to game, but is
usually between 30 - 40 cards.
Single-elimination - A tournament playstyle in which players are paired according to standing and
then play one match to decide which competitor is moving on and which is eliminated from the
competition. Most larger tournaments feature a mix of Swiss format play followed by singleelimination rounds to decide the winner.
Stronghold Store - A Stronghold Store is a retailer who has opted-in to Alderac Entertainment Group's
(AEG) organized play program for Legend of the Five Ring (L5R) products. A store must carry and
offer organized play events for L5R to enroll in the Stronghold Store program. Retailers enrolled in the
program can expect support from AEG such as rewards, bonuses, support, information, previews, and
other perks. AEG is also in the process of rebuilding their world-class demo and organized play
program to support L5R in its recent resurgence.
Swiss Format - A Swiss-system tournament is a non-elimination tournament format. There are several
rounds of competition, but considerably fewer rounds than in a round-robin tournament, so each
competitor does not play every other competitor. Competitors meet one-to-one in each round and are
paired using a predetermined set of rules designed to ensure that as far as possible a competitor plays
competitors with the same current score, subject to not playing the same opponent more than once.
This tournament style is typically used as a precursor to a "cut" to the top segment of players (judged
by point standing) who then play in a single-elimination set of rounds to decide an overall winner.
Swiss Pairings - The system by which players in a Swiss format tournament are paired for competitive
rounds. In the first round, players are paired randomly or using a set of pre-existing play statistics. In
OP Terminology
subsequent rounds, players are paired according to their play in the tournament itself such that players
of equal or near-equal standing compete in each round (#1 vs. #2, #3 vs. #4, and so on).
OTS - OTS or "Official Tournament Store" is Konami's designation for officially recognized Yu-Gi-Oh!
tournament stores. These stores enjoy many benefits by enrolling into the OTS program.
Konami OTS Store Benefits:
Starting with the tenth sanctioned event that you run and report, you will become eligible for
rewards. Promotional items include such items as window clings, game mats, deck boxes, lighted
window signs, and more.
Players that play in sanctioned events and rank in the Top 1000 receive a Top 1000 game mat each
quarter.
Only OTS can hold Sneak Peeks (prereleases): approximately a week and a half prior to the official
on sale date of core boosters, OTS can hold Sneak Peeks in their stores with an exclusive promo
card and game mats, in addition to the boosters. Sneak Peeks are by far the best-attended local
Yu-Gi-Oh! events.
OTS can apply to hold World Championship Qualifiers - Regionals, one of the premier-level OP
programs, either in their store, if their venue is large enough, or at an independent venue.
Only OTS can become vendors at premier-level events.
Only OTS can purchase Duel Terminals, one of Konami's amusement machines that vends cards
from the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
OTS stores are listed on Konami's consumer website, www.yugioh-card.com
OTS have access to human customer support, not an automated system, through the Tournament
Store Liaison program.
Wizards Event Reporter (WER) - Proprietary software utilized by WPN stores to sanction, schedule,
run, and report their Wizards of the Coast brand organized play events. The software automatically
performs all functions such as pairing, tie-breaking, and calculating standings. Retailers may also
utilize the software to opt-in to special promotions like the "From the Vault" product releases as well
as support materials like DCI cards, etc.
WPN - The Wizards Play Network is Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) overarching organized play
management system. The WPN encompasses store support (materials, marketing, advertising,
promotional items), organized play management, and player data tracking for all of WotC's gaming
brands. Magic: The Gathering, Kaijudo, Dungeons & Dragons events are all contained within this
program.
WPN Level - Stores that opt-in to the Wizards Play Network (WPN) are assigned a store level based
on the certain parameters associated with their in-store organized play. Each level has a set of very
OP Terminology
specific benchmarks to be achieved to reach this level. Each level also comes with a variety of benefits
as detailed below:
The process for enrolling your brick-and-mortar retail store as a Wizards Play Network (WPN)
location is very simple. While there may seem to be many restrictions, these are meant to protect your
business and others like it. Below, you will find the simple steps to take to start your journey and start
collecting the profits from becoming a Wizards of the Coast WPN retailer.
Signing Up as a WPN Retailer
1) In your web browser, visit wpn.wizards.com/en/sign-wpn
2) Complete the form in your web browser. This information is forms the basis of your personal
DCI account.
a. The DCI or Duelist Convocation International is Wizards of the Coasts competitive
play governing body. Your DCI number is your unique identifier that tracks your
statistics as a player, your WPN level as a retailer, and your qualifications as an
organized play judge should you choose to pursue that status.
3) Once you complete the web form, your information will be communicated to the WPN
Support Team and they will contact you at the phone number you provided. This usually
happens within 24-48 hours of your submission
4) The WPN support team will walk you through what to expect in the coming days. This
includes your Gateway store kit and other marketing and advertising assets such as window
clings, posters, etc.
In the Meantime
At this point, it is a great time to get a head start on things while you wait for the WPN Support Team
to contact you. The first thing you will need to do is download the Wizards Event Reporter (WER)
software. The WER software allows you to:
Schedule Casual and Rated events for any game the WPN supports
DCI cards (available free from WotC through the WER software)
Prizes
o Boosters are Best!
o Rule of thumb: 1 to 2 booster packs per entrant
to a tournament organizer you have appointed to run your events; or even a player
who is seen as a basic rules guru in the community.
Preparing for Battle!
The next phase in building a legendary first event is to lay out the details of your battle plan and
set the stage for an epic experience. You can increase your chances of success by following a few simple
steps:
1) Pick a time for your event.
Tell every customer about your event using every method available:
o Email/Newsletter
o Social Media
o In Person
o Flyer/Bag Stuffers
o Calendar
3) Entry Fee
It is important to make sure your customers are aware of your entry fee structure well in
advance of the event so they are not surprised when they arrive on the day of the event.
On the Field of Battle
Many stores will add further entertainment value to their events. Some options include:
o Televisions for showing movies or tv shows in the background
Some retailers even stream live tournament coverage from Pro Tour level
Magic events like Grand Prixes, The World Championships, etc.
Small door prizes or raffle prizes mean a lot to your players. Winning
something as simple as a deck box or play mat can really make a gamers
night!
o Game related trivia contests or other fun games (card art scavenger hunts for
example) outside the scope of the actual event. These help players who have
already finished their matches stay engaged with your store.
You can award small prizes like free play-sets of Common cards or
anything you wish!
By following these simple steps, you can make sure your events are remembered in your
community as some of the best your customers have ever attended. Oh, and be sure to thank your
players, too! The little extra show of appreciation can go a long way to building trust and loyalty for
your store!
Konami OTS
For those interested in becoming an OTS location, the path is actually fairly simple. By now, you
are familiar with the concept of what being an Organized Play retailer involves. Most importantly,
Konami stresses that OTS locations should provide a safe and comfortable environment for Yu-Gi-Oh!
players to compete. Keep in mind that if your store becomes a trusted destination for players in
sanctioned events your bottom line will see an increase with the additional foot traffic. Here are some
benefits of being involved in Konamis (Official Tournament Store) program:
Only OTS can hold Sneak Peeks (Prereleases): approximately a week and a half prior to
the official on sale of core boosters, OTS hold Sneak Peeks in their stores, with an
exclusive promo card and game mats, in addition to the boosters.
Sneak Peeks are by far the best-attended local events that Konami currently supports.OTS
can apply to hold World Championship Qualifiers Regionals, one of Konamis premierlevel OP programs, either in their store, if their venue is large enough, or at an
independent venue.
Konami OTS
OTS have access to human help, not an automated system, through the Tournament Store
Liaison.
o Assists with event reporting software training and support
o Provides additional event recommendations and in-store support
o Assists with any other issues an OTS may be having
What Does it Take to Become an OTS?
First, you will need to send an email requesting to receive
information on becoming an OTS to usopsupport@konami.com. When you begin the process, you
will be asked to do the following:
Fill out a short, five-question survey
Provide photos of your storefront, sales area, and game-play
area and provide copies of your business license
Sign and return a Sales Agreement
Receive and begin handing out Player ID cards (called
COSSY cards for the Card game Official Store Support
SYstem)
Build and run events via COSSY, Konamis online
tournament software
Play! Pokemon
Provide a dedicated table(s) around which Pokmon collectors can gather and trade
with each other.
Offer sealed Pokmon TCG product for players to open and experience the excitement
of acquiring new cards.
Stock Pokmon themed supply products for collectors to store and show off their most
prized cards:
o Collectors albums
o Card protector sleeves
o Deck boxes
o Card storage boxes
Play! Pokemon
If you discover that there are no events near you, please contact Pokmon
via support.pokemon.com with the kind of events you intend to apply
for and any information on the venue and your plans that you feel will
be helpful
Pokmon will review your request and determine whether they will
assign a Player ID manually. Please note
that you will need to log-in using your
Trainer Club account information in order
to submit your request.
o Follow the steps on the card to activate your full
account
Play! Pokemon
Tip: The best league applications have details about the venues play
space, the benefits of its location, and your plans to advertise and grow
the league. This is your chance to impress Pokmon with your
communication skill and ability to plan; make the most of it!
Background check
o The Pokmon Company International is committed to helping to create a safe
environment for Children who participate in Tournaments affiliated with
Pokmon. In furtherance of that goal, The Pokmon Company International will be
conducting regular and random background checks on people involved in
running Pokmon Tournaments.
Scheduling and Setting up Your First League Season
Once your background check results get back to Pokmon and your league
application is approved, you will be notified via the email address you used to
create your Trainer Club account. Once that happens. Head to your OP Tools
Dashboard and use it to get to your league page.
Tip: You will find OP Tools Dashboard on the same menu you used to apply for
your league. Through the course of managing your league you will be using the OP
Tools Dashboard often, so it is recommended that you bookmark the page/add it to your
favorites for quick and easy access later.
From your league page, you will see options to first add your play times,
and then place your first order.
Tip: It is important to note that until you take those first two steps, no one will be
able to find your league using the Find League tool on the Pokmon website. In fact, any league without
upcoming league sessions scheduled, cannot be found for the same reason so it is important to always keep your
schedule up to date!
Scheduling Play Times
Picking appropriate dates and times is critical. It is important to make your league sessions
accessible to as many players as possible. Weekday evenings or weekends are generally ideal for
running your league sessions. We recommend one 24 hour session per week.
If another location in your area is also running a Pokmon League, we suggest getting together
with the League Owner or Leader to ensure that league sessions do not conflict. Remember, the idea is
to provide a fun place for people to play, not to compete with other league locations. Pokmon
encourages players to participate at more than one league location so that they can earn more rewards
for playing. You never knowworking with other league locations in your area may even increase
your attendance!
Play! Pokemon
Cardfight!!! Vanguard
Cardfight!!! Vanguard is one of the fastest growing trading card games in the United States.
Featuring anime-style artwork; fast, action-oriented gameplay; and strong collectability and
customization, CFV appeals to anime-enthusiasts, card collectors, and gamers across a wide-spectrum.
Signing up to host Cardfight!!! Vanguard official tournaments is a very simple process. While
there is not the same infrastructure that exists for other brands, the growing popularity and fast-game
play means that CFV can be a simple and lucrative addition to your bottom line.
Signing Up
All retailers wishing to host Cardfight!!! Vanguard Official Tournaments should send an email
to sg_tour1@bushiroad-gp.com
Once Bushiroad has received your enquiry, they will send you a form on which you will:
o Enter your store information
o Select dates and times for your events during the next available month
After Bushiroad receives your completed form, they will send promo card support for the
upcoming month in time for the beginning of Organized Play for the month.
Bushiroad will also send instructions on the format for running the CFV tournaments in your
store.
Promotional Support
Privateer Press
Steamroller tournaments are the most popular format for competitive play. The rules for
Steamroller events are highly customizable and contain many variants, allowing you to custom tailor
your tournaments to best fit the desires of the local community. There are three prize kits available for
Steamroller tournaments: certificates for 1st 3rd place (free), high quality metal coins for 1st 3rd place
($19.99), and premium resin trophies for 1st 3rd place ($74.99). These prize kits can be requested
Privateer Press
through your distributor or ordered directly through Privateer Press. You can view the prize kits, and
find the rules to run a Steamroller tournament here: http://privateerpress.com/organizedplay/steamroller-tournaments.
Journeyman Leagues are the best way to help grow a new community, or to offer experienced
players a reason to start a new army. This six-week league is a slow-grow escalation style league that
starts players off with a battle box sized army, and leads them all the way to a 35-point army. Players
can participate not only by playing games, but also by painting their miniatures. In fact, there is an
award just for painting the most models! Journeyman prize kits consist of participation patches that all
players can receive, and several unique champion patches only available to the top players in the
league. A Journeyman Core kit contains the unique champion patches and enough participation
patches for eight players ($39.99), Journeyman Reinforcement kits contain participation patches for
four players ($19.99). You can view the prize patches, and find the rules to run a Journeyman league
here: http://privateerpress.com/organized-play/leagues/journeyman-league-rules.
In addition to these two Evergreen formats, WARMACHINE & HORDES also has a variety of
seasonal events throughout the year. These range from narrative leagues for experienced players, to
book release events that often contain the incredibly popular faction coins as prizes. Prize kits for these
seasonal leagues are limited in quantity, and only available leading up to the event. You can view some
Privateer Press
of the current and past seasonal events here: http://privateerpress.com/organized-play/book-releaseevents and here: http://privateerpress.com/organized-play/leagues. If you would like to always be in
the know about upcoming seasonal events, make sure you are part of the Privateer Press retailer
newsletter. This newsletter will inform you of upcoming events and products up to 3 months in
advance. To join the newsletter, contact retailsupport@privateerpress.com.
While there are not official organized play rules for the Bodgers or Level 7 game lines, if you are
running an event featuring these product lines promotional materials such as unique game tokens and
cards, or posters may be available. To find out more of what can be provided for such an event directly
from Privateer Press, contact their organized play and volunteer coordinator at
quartermaster@privateerpress.com.
How do I sign up to run an event?
To run any of these organized play events, no special action is required! Order a prize kit, and
feel free to run the event at the time that works best for you and your community.
Who can run the event?
Anyone you feel comfortable with running the event can do so, with no extra steps needed. This
may be a staff member, or a local player who knows these rules inside and out. However, Privateer
Press does offer special support in regards to this. The Press Gang is Privateer Press volunteer force,
and there are volunteers all across the globe. These enthusiastic players are directed to stores in their
area, where they can assist with running events and building the community. If you do not already
have a Press Ganger, and would like to know if one is available in your area, contact the Privateer Press
organized play and volunteer coordinator at quartermaster@privateerpress.com
Privateer Press