The Trading Card Game trend has led to a large increase in the amount of entertainment to particular students of a large variety. We don’t know how or who started the trend in general, but we do know it started somewhere around last year in about September. Many card games have been in the uprising with the trend. But what are these Trading Cards? And what about Trading Card Games? Trading cards are, well, unique playing cards that you can trade with others to make your deck stronger. Different Trading Cards have different value and their own rarity, so collectors can spend quite the dough on these precious items, especially the old ones, or 1st Edition as some are called. Some Trading Cards even classify under a set of rules, which is then further identified as a Trading Card Game. Each Trading Card Game (this will be referred to as TCG from henceforth) has their own set of rules and unique gameplay mechanics.

But what are other’s thoughts on the trend?

Thoughts about the subject often vary from person to person, especially depending on the person’s involvement in the subject. We have collected some thoughts about the subject from other students located at Dobie Jr. High. Out of all of the students who have been interviewed, the entirety of them have agreed to the TCG trend being great and something that makes school fun and able to look forward too. Those that were interviewed also brought various comments.

Begin the inspiration!!!

“I feel as if the trend helps make school more of a learning activity that reduces the boredom instead of it just being all about learning. Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon as well as Magic are all fun to play, but I also switch what I play, and the strategies help me think ways to solve complex problems.”

-Andrew Gray, Eighth Grader at Dobie Jr. High, Pokémon Trainer, Magic Battler, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist

“I was unaware of the trend, but I perfectly agree with it. It helps students like my son reveal their inner circle and make many more friends. I think that it is reasonable for students to play during lunch and it gives school a fun factor it rarely has. Games like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon were popular back then too, and helps my son help with his friends.”

-Mrs. Oser, Substitute teacher at Dobie Jr. High

“I think that it’s very fun, and I think that it’s interesting and fun how you can trade your cards for better or worse cards depending on your needs. I think that the trend is cool, not nerdy as some might say.  My brother, Trey Petty, and I have been really working hard in creating a tournament to help expand and make the TCG trend more popular and better than it’s ever been.”

-Caden Petty, Eighth Grader at Dobie Jr. High, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist, and Tournament Co-Hoster

“I like the idea of bringing cards to school, and I think it’s fun to share. Pokémon I’m sorta familiar with, but I think that playing cards during class is a big no no. And I also think that purchasing cards on campus is outright banned in my personal opinion.”

-Mrs. Harper, Art Teacher at Dobie Jr. High

“I think that playing cards is a great way to interact with old friends and to make new ones as well, and this should be respected. After all, multiple friends of mine did influence me to play, but I quit about six months later since I never got any new cards.”

-Joshua Garcia, Eighth grader at Dobie Jr. High and former Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist

“The only card game I’m aware of is Pokémon, but now that I have been informed if the others, I really don’t have an opinion or preference for any of the TCG’s. Though, I was introduced to Pokémon by my friend Austin, I’m still not considering joining any TCG’s anytime soon. My personal thoughts on the trend is that it’s interesting.”

-Frank Pierce, 8th Grader at Dobie Jr. High

“Pokémon is something that I am aware of, but the others seem alien to me, and even then, Pokémon doesn’t really strike my preference bell. Despite my own personal thoughts, a friend of mine, Tyler, is an active Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist. Nothing really influences me though to consider joining, so I’m neutral about this, though my thoughts may change the outcome for me, as it is interesting, cool, and it seems really fun.”

-Clark Journey, 8th Grader at Dobie Jr. High

Let’s start reflecting on these thoughts. . .

Joshua Garcia is a former Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist and personally enjoys watching his friends duel, and watching his other friends Pokébattle. He personally thinks, according to his statement, that not just the major two, but all TCG’s should be treated with respect. As seen with Frank and Clark, friends can sometime influence others to participate, but they seem to have chosen to avoid the trend for now. The statement from Mrs. Oser means that not only does it help the current students at Dobie, but it has even helped previous generations with their advancement in life. The quote from Mrs. Harper proves that not just students, but Teachers and Subs alike also seem to agree with the trend. Caden’s thoughts are incredibly accurate of the culture of TCG’s. Not only can you increase your strategies, but for those who plan on being military, this early strategizing can greatly increase military respect. The statement from Andrew is not only just an opinion, but also a fact.

How has the TCG trend influenced the Teachers?

The TCG trend has indeed increased activity outside of school and has influenced others to join Gamers Club, not only helping the students, but since it costs money to join, it benefits the school as well. The trend also brings happiness and improves patience for those that play these games, most notably Pokémon. As should be expected, the teachers at Dobie have mixed feelings about the trend. Mrs. Montgomery, a science teacher for Team Eight-Four, allows students to take out their cards during Cougar Time and this gives them time to review strategies, if of course, all their work is done.

What are the most major TCG’s?

Out of all the games held at the school, only two major TCG’s take the spotlight, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon, both of which, even have had their own tournaments in the library, which even had rewards, as seen with Caden and Trey. But are most commonly held in the Cafeteria.

What about the rules?

Starting off with the second to largest one, Pokémon has had quite a few players, mostly during the lunch period. Though, not quite as large as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon still brings excitement to those around the area of a “Pokébattle” and can bring surprising results. The rules to Pokémon are pretty simple, players must take turns battling each others Pokémon and reducing their HP. Upon defeating an opponents Pokémon, they get to draw a prize card (or two if an EX, Full Art, Mega EX, Legend, or GX was defeated). The first person to draw all six of their prize cards wins. Of course, card effects and abilities can change the road as well, meaning strategy is very necessary to turn out on the top.

And Yu-Gi-Oh!?

Yu-Gi-Oh! is completely different from the rules of Pokémon. Players, or “Duelists,” do indeed, start the “duel” by drawing five cards and starting with eight-thousand LP (or Life Points.) Each deck must consist of forty-sixty cards with no more than three of the same card, with the exception of some cards (check the website for more details.) The summary of the game is that you summon monsters to reduce your opponent’s LP to zero and win, but like Pokémon, card effects, (most notably, Spells and Traps,) change the path to victory quite often. There are three possible ways to win. One, you can reduce your opponent’s LP to zero, the most common way. Two, win with a card effect, (like with the effect of “Exodia the Forbidden One” or “Destiny Board.”) And lastly three, your opponent has no more cards they can draw from the deck, which is incredibly rare, (unless your deck revolves around it, which is really annoying, so don’t be that one person.) There are many more rules, (like how to play Spells, Traps, and Monsters, Ritual Summoning, Chaining, etc.,) but if you’re interested, go ahead and check out the official Yu-Gi-Oh! website.

Do the writers have any thoughts?

The team that made this article does indeed have some thoughts on the TCG trend.

Jose Bermudez:

As the main interviewer for this article, my thoughts are why do you have to pay money for cardboard. I don’t get it at all, but I think the game maybe fun. My two other team members love it. One likes Pokémon and the other likes Yu-Gi-Oh!. They both have their differences and I don’t blame them. The trend is very little. Only about, maybe thirty-two to thirty-five people participate in the trend. I saw little people playing their cards, so I think there are more people who play the TCGs. With that being said, keep on a look out. If you see people with the cards, ask them what it is, how you play, etc. You’ll learn something new if you pay attention.

Tyler Pickering:

As the main writer and editor of this article, my thoughts about the trend are that it should continue for as long as the school remains. I’m a very active participant in the TCG Yu-Gi-Oh! (and currently undefeated.) The fact that many people underestimate other TCG’s, especially Yu-Gi-Oh! is sad. I’m not joking about this next part, but almost every day, someone walks up to me and points to my cards and says, “What is that? Pokémon?” and is seriously infuriating. I know that Pokémon is a great game, as I used to play it as a kid, but I don’t find it as interactive and social as Yu-Gi-Oh!. This goes even farther upon the fact that each and every Pokémon show isn’t even remotely related to the TCG, and it seems as if Nintendo only did it to dominate the TCG market, which proved sorta successful. I find it sad that Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic are left ignored in the greater shadow of Pokémon, despite them being better sellers, and the rules are more reinforced than Pokémon.

John Salgado:

As the background informer of this article, my thoughts about the TCG are that Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! and both great card games, but they’re a lot different, which is fine. Every card game is different, and I don’t know that much about Yu-Gi-Oh!, but Pokémon to me is simple, and Yu-Gi-Oh! has many different rules, but still, both card games are great to play if you want to try them. They’re both okay. If you’re not good at one, or both games, there will almost always be people who play one of the games, and you can ask them for help so you can participate.

Let’s review. . .

The TCG’s are perfect to make new friends and enjoy a game that other people can play, it doesn’t matter which TCG you play, but what does matter is to try something new every once in a while, and possibly even have others enjoy the game with.