GUIDE TO GOING TO YOUR FIRST TOURNEY
Your first tournament experience is one of the most memorable. It is the first step you take from a casual player to a competitive one. It is a knowledgeable and often humbling experience. You go from being the best in your friend group to the lowest tier in the tournament scene, but do not let this discourage you from the competitive gaming. I am here to guide you through this process and facilitate it, making it a much more comfortable and less nerve racking experience.
Expectations:
I remember going to my first tourney, expecting to come out on top as I usually do with my friends. Little did I know how well developed my local community had become. I had walked into a room full of unknown knowledge. It was a source of information I needed to download. When going to your first tournament you should stray away from having the mindset of getting first place. In fact, you should expect to lose. Your first tournament experience is not one where you go for the gold, however it is mostly to learn. Your first time is when you create long lasting friends, make a good impression, and figure out how people play and how you intend to improve.
Preparation:
I am hoping this is common information, but from what I have seen it is not. When coming to your first, second, or even hundredth tournament, dress nicely! What I mean by this is to come with clean clothes and a clean body. Make use of that smelly good soapy stick you use on your armpits and grab some fresh undies from your drawer, not under your bed. You want to be as approachable as possible. This will create a good impression and won’t make people cover their noses while playing you. After your body is all prepared, there are a few items you need to pack. Your controller is obvious but how about a water bottle? It is best to stay hydrated and you will likely be there for a good amount of time. Not just newcomers but also regulars do not understand how much a TO appreciates it when you bring a setup. It helps out immensely and the TO’s will be very happy you came.
Arrival:
It is completely fine to be a little nervous when attending your first tournament, but you cannot let this prevent you from playing friendlies. Friendlies are where you learn the most, and it allows for you to warm up before the tournament. With that said, you should arrive as soon as possible. Most tournaments will tell you when friendlies start, and thats when you should first get there.
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
When you first arrive at the venue, you will likely wander around a bit, gauging skill levels and observing play styles. While it is nice to meet people who play similar to you, it is better to play someone who is better than you, or has a playstyle you are unfamiliar with. This allows you to learn much more than you would have if you just played a mirrored version of you. When you find which match you would like to join, then you just have to jump in! When someone loses a stock you can do a quick “Mind if I get winner?” or you can wait until they go back to the CSS and ask then. Eventually it will be time for you to take someone’s seat. Sit down and be friendly! Introduce yourself and inform them that this if your first time at a tournament. Ask for advice and help. If you find you can beat someone with ease, then it may be time to move on and learn from others, because in bracket you may not even meet this one player. Friendlies are the best time to learn and make friends. They are the gateway to the community and getting better.
Lights...Camera...ACTION!
Everyone admires a respectful player, so when you first sit down with your opponent you should introduce yourself, ask if they attend often, and tell them it is your first time. Make sure that you encourage feedback, and have fun. Like I said, this is your first time, and you likely won’t place well at all but for future reference button checks (or hand warmers) go a long way. They allow you to get comfortable with the TV and get you back into the mood of it all.
The Downfall
Well, it looks like you got eliminated, but that’s okay. Don’t be a sore loser and immediately flee the venue. You should stay later and download as much information as possible. This is crucial for your first time because there are so many new play styles you are unfamiliar with. You need to learn as much as you can this time, so that way you will be better next time. Looking forward, you should not expect to be top ten within a few weeks. The people with those ranks got there with time and effort and it will take you some time to climb up the ranks. With enough practice time, you could be number one, but you should not expect this to come easily. Play as much as you would like to get better, but remember to have fun. What’s the point of being good at a game that you don’t enjoy playing? Project M is an amazing game, and has an amazing community and despite it only being a mod, it can change your life. It can bring amazing memories and deliver friends that will carry on with you for years. Stepping into your first tournament will be the first step you take towards unforgettable memories. So go out there and have fun!
