The Ultimate Duelist Series Invitational – Winter 2018 is about to begin! By the end of the weekend, one Duelist here in the Sacramento Convention Center will be named the Ultimate Duelist. But the path to becoming the Ultimate Duelist isn’t easy.

In order to compete this weekend, each Duelist must have earned at least 100 UDS points, and must redeem those points to participate. All participants receive a UDS Invitational Lanyard and UDS Invitational Pin. Duelists with more than 100 UDS points can redeem them for additional prizes. By redeeming 150 UDS points to participate instead of only 100 UDS points, a Duelist will be given a UDS Invitational Lanyard Medal upon registration. By redeeming 50 more UDS points for a total of 200 UDS points instead, a player will receive a first-round BYE, too. This means that by amassing 200 UDS Points and redeeming them all at once, you can compete in a UDS Invitational and take a first-round win without even playing!

Players can accumulate UDS in lots of different ways. Most of those ways involve competing in official Tier 2 events. People can also accumulate points by judging those events. One of the fastest ways to accumulate UDS points is by competing in an Ultimate Duelist Series Qualifier near you.

The Ultimate Duelist Series Invitational is usually more Swiss Rounds – and consequently more mentally taxing – than a typical Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament, making it a stellar test of tenacity and skill. But the spoils for the victor are incredible. An Ultimate Duelist Series Championship Belt, a rare prize card, a unique cloth Ultimate Duelist Series Invitational Game Mat, and exclusive Ultimate Duelist Series Invitational Pins are given to the winner. In addition, the winner receives 100 more UDS points, plus travel and accommodations to the next Ultimate Duelist Series Invitational, in order to defend his or her title. For the Ultimate Duelist, the Ultimate Duelist Series Championship Belt also affords FREE entry to all Tier 2 events in North America and Latin America, including Regional Qualifiers and Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series (YCS) tournaments! Plus, the title of Ultimate Duelist and accompanying Ultimate Duelist Series Championship Belt entitle a Duelist to a two-round BYE at every YCS!

For a full list of ways to accumulate UDS points and more information about the Ultimate Duelist Series, click here. You can also read the FAQ for the Ultimate Duelist Series Invitational – Winter 2018 here.