Yu-Gi-Oh! was introduced in Japan in 1999 and was released in the West in 2002. The game continues to attract new players and evolves with new cards, mechanics, and tournaments. At GameForce, it is played weekly on Wednesdays, with regular events such as Store Championships, Regionals, and pre-releases on Saturdays.
How does the game work?
You start with a hand of 5 cards and each turn you normally draw one card, except on the first turn if you are the starting player — then you skip this step. After drawing your card, you enter the Standby Phase, a short phase in which certain cards can activate. Then comes the Main Phase, in which you summon monsters, play spells, set traps, and start building your field.
Next comes the Battle Phase. Here your monsters can attack the opponent’s monsters or, if there are none, attack the opponent directly. On the very first turn of the game, there is no Battle Phase for the starting player, so that the opponent can build up their defenses first. After the Battle Phase follows a Main Phase 2, in which you can also activate or set cards. Finally, there is the End Phase, where some effects can still occur before the turn ends.
The game ends when one of the players is reduced to 0 life, when a player can no longer draw a card when they should because their deck is empty, or when a “win the game” effect is triggered by a card.
What does a Yu-Gi-Oh deck look like?
A competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! deck consists of three parts: a Main Deck (40-60 cards), an optional Extra Deck (maximum 15 cards) and optionally a Side Deck (also maximum 15 cards). You may use up to three copies of the same card in your Main Deck. The Extra Deck contains cards that you can summon during the duel, such as Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monsters. Some cards are forbidden and may not be played and some cards are limited to 1 or 2 copies.
Structure Decks are a good starting point for a beginning player, but in practice you often need three of the same starting deck to build a competitive deck that can really keep up at locals or store championships. Another option is to build a deck of singles! Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly and beginner-proof decks that you can get started with right away without emptying your bank account.
For inspiration, you can come and ask our players at GameForce or watch Yu-Gi-Oh content creators on YouTube.
What makes Yu-Gi-Oh! unique?
Unlike many other TCGs, Yu-Gi-Oh! doesn’t use a mana or energy source to play cards. So you don’t have to pay “costs” to put a summon on the field or activate a spell. This makes the game feel more direct and fast.
At the same time, this also makes the game a bit more technical and complex, especially when you delve into deckbuilding, timing, and game interactions. Many cards have extensive effects and combos, making every duel different. There’s a lot of room for creativity — whether you like control, combo/swarm, or midrange strategies.
Events and boarding
The Yu-Gi-Oh season is just coming to an end. This means that this is the perfect time to drop in on a Wednesday during casual play, learn Yu-Gi-Oh, and get ready for the next season!
During our weekly Yu-Gi-Oh! locals, you can compete in tournaments, get advice from experienced players, and even win prizes such as extra booster packs. It is the place to learn and improve yourself in a fun and accessible atmosphere.
See you soon!
Anna