How to Become a Better Player

Today’s post is something that implied to any competitive game. I’m going to discuss some fairly simple techniques to become better at any game. I feel like typing this because I have seen many people in my area that don’t improve for whatever reason. I’m no expert, I’ll admit, but I can share my knowledge to benefit everyone else.

1. Build and utilize different decks – This is something I mentioned in my previous post, and I’ll summarize it: The more decks you build, the more strategies, rulings, techniques and combos you learn. You can’t accomplish this if you consistently play one deck for 2 or more months at a time. Sure, you can play against a variety of decks, but playing with the deck increases your knowledge substantially. You will likely learn a different dimension that you ever knew existed.
2. Play decks that require thought – I also mentioned this in my previous post. You won’t increase your knowledge significantly if you only use decks that are auto-pilot. You have to force yourself to think, in order to learn new concepts and excel.
3. Play as much as possible – Whether you play with yourself, a group of friends, or on Dueling Network, you will increase your experience in this game after every game. It’s like a Pokemon that constantly battles. That Pokemon will gain experience, then become stronger after a certain point, and this process continues until the Pokemon’s levels are maxed. It’s much harder and longer to maximize your strength in Yu-Gi-Oh. The more you practice, the better you will become.
4. Master your bad match-ups – One of the better feelings in this game it to be victorious against an opponent playing a deck that is statistically stronger. If you can pilot Dark Worlds successfully through a storm of Macro decks, you will become stronger.
5. Read – This includes anywhere from reading your cards, to reading online articles. The more you read, research and receive, the more knowledgeable you become. This knowledge travels a lengthy distance. It can help you build decks, fight against decks, etc.

These are 5 steps I have followed the past few years to become a better player. They have worked for me, so I’m assuming they can work for you too.