The tournament floor is filled with experienced Duelists, but not everyone here has attended a YCS event prior to this weekend. I interviewed a few of this weekend’s YCS first-timers to see how they feel about this weekend’s event.

• Joseph Campbell

24-year-old Joseph Campbell from Connecticut is no stranger to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, but has never attended a YCS event. He had entered 2 Regional Events before, but mostly Duels in local tournaments. He’s enjoying the YCS scene so far. “It’s a good atmosphere and a good vibe,” he told me. Joseph is competing this weekend using a Burning Abyss Deck that he borrowed from a friend. Take a look at Joseph holding up his favorite Burning Abyss monster, Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!

• Josh Cohen

21-year-old Josh Cohen traveled here from Maryland to compete in his first YCS event! For the past 2 years, Josh has qualified for the World Championship Qualifier each year by entering Regional Events, and participated in the World Championship Qualifier during those years; but he has never entered a YCS event before! Like Joseph, Josh is using a Burning Abyss Deck this weekend, and told me he’s having a great time. “I like that the YCS is a lot more competitive than a Regional or local,” he said. Josh’s favorite Burning Abyss monster is Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss.

• Michael Bower

South Carolina’s 24-year-old Michael Bower is attending his first YCS tournament this weekend. He arrived here around 2:00 PM, and consequently won’t be participating in the main tournament; but that won’t stop him from having a great time! He said he’ll be making trades and playing in Public Events throughout the weekend. He has several different Decks, and said that his Gravekeeper’s Deck is his favorite; however, he also said he’ll probably be using his Evilswarm Deck in the first Advanced Format tournament that he enters this weekend. Check out Michael holding up his favorite Evilswarm monster, Evilswarm Ouroboros.

• Alexander St. Pierre

South Carolina’s 22-year-old Alexander St. Pierre is Michael Bower’s cousin, and traveled to this weekend’s YCS with him. Alexander says that together, he and Michael will have a great time trading cards and hanging out with other fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. He told me he’s having fun just being here, even though he didn’t arrive in time to participate in the main tournament. He enjoys that the YCS creates an opportunity for him to bond with his cousin who he traveled here with. Alexander typically uses a Dragon Ruler Deck featuring his favorite card, Star Eater, in the Extra Deck.

• Jace Garthright

18-year-old Jace Garthright, from Richmond, Virginia traveled here with a group of friends to compete in his first YCS events. He has entered several local and Regional tournaments, but never participated in an event of this magnitude. He’s using a Shaddoll Deck featuring Denko Sekka and Mask Change II. “It’s been a lot of fun hanging around people and just meeting new people,” he told me. “I’ve met a lot of great people and I’ve really been enjoying it.” Take a look at Jace holding up his favorite card in his Deck, Denko Sekka!

Will one of our YCS first-timers become this weekend’s champion? Follow the coverage to find out!