When I first started playing, I improved because of the support of numerous mentors. As I progressed, I’ve in turn helped many players get into the game, teaching them how to play and guiding their deckbuilding. Pokémon brings together people from different countries, ages, and backgrounds. Once, I desperately needed a $30 card, and a stranger lent me it without hesitation. At another tournament, I lost my wallet containing over $400 and the player who found it returned it to the lost-and-found.
With an intimate community, every aspect was enjoyable—the 10+ hour road-trips were filled with laughs, discussions, and stories. Tournaments are like large social events; while waiting for rounds to finish, I had hundreds of conversations with people from across the world. The nights before tournaments are basically house parties; my friends and I would play table-tennis, basketball, video-games, and make midnight pizza-runs. Pokemon brings people together and fosters a connection between strangers. In Pokemon, everyone is a