Tournaments!

Mortis

United States217 Posts

July 22 2010 12:41 GMT

So, one of the biggest things that has me excited about the release of SC2 are the tournaments

. While I am only a Gold player (at least at the end of phase 2, was plat before diamond came out lol) I'm still pretty excited. There is a specifically bronze-gold tournament as well, which makes winning a bit more realistic. I'm going to keep improving and getting better.

Although I must admit, these tournaments make me a little nervous. For all you regular tournament goers, whether you be the average unknown Joe or a famous participant, how do you guys handle tournaments? Do you think it's a good idea to try to involve myself in as many tournaments as possible, as long as I can handle them and make them, of course? How do you prepare. I played Brood war, but never got into any tournaments, so, this is something new for me. Thanks in advance, whomever takes the time to read this and answer ^^;

TadH

Canada1846 Posts

July 22 2010 12:43 GMT

Try to think of a tournament match as a regular game, don't get nervous, remember the other guy is in the same position as you.

If you have spare time, try and play in as many as possible, it will make it second nature to you and over time you will get less and less nervous.

Participating in tournaments is a great thing and will only help you improve.

Good luck.

Sfydjklm

United States9218 Posts

July 22 2010 12:46 GMT

90% of the game is half mental!
Some people over or underperform strictly based on how they perceive tournaments.
I for example am super clutch when i'm playing nobodies(usually) but as soon as i encounter someone to whom i am 'supposed' to lose i just... lose.
But yea just playing as many as i can helped me slightly.

swanized

Canada2480 Posts

July 22 2010 13:51 GMT

On July 22 2010 21:46 Sfydjklm wrote:
90% of the game is half mental!
Some people over or underperform strictly based on how they perceive tournaments.
I for example am super clutch when i'm playing nobodies(usually) but as soon as i encounter someone to whom i am 'supposed' to lose i just... lose.
But yea just playing as many as i can helped me slightly.

I feel your pain...

KasPra

Estonia983 Posts

July 22 2010 14:00 GMT

On July 22 2010 21:46 Sfydjklm wrote:
90% of the game is half mental!
Some people over or underperform strictly based on how they perceive tournaments.

I disagree with your first sentence but your second one is so true.

Anyway, in gold and silver level tournaments, if you want to perform well, its just about practicing and mass gaming to get better and eventually you'll roll over your opponents with ease. Not really any mindgames or mental warfare in low levels imo.

Also, try to play the same way you always do (dont improvise or wing it). Go for already thought out build orders and prepare a decent game plan. In games that matter, i always play straight up and sometimes go for a sudden tech change hoping i would catch my opponent off guard however when i already notice that im a better player than my opponent i drop the tech change plan and try to finish the game solidly.

-Valor-

United States283 Posts

July 22 2010 16:11 GMT

Just play in a style where you are most comfortable with. For example, if you are usually an aggressive player, don't try to play passive. One of the biggest mistakes I made was going for builds that I wasn't familiar with, which ended up making me lose. Practice builds until you are very good at them, and use them accordingly in your matches with good scouting and you should be fine.

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

July 22 2010 16:16 GMT

This should be your mentality:
Your opponent is freaking out because it's a tournament match. It's time to spank him real hard.