2002 East Coast Stadium Professor Challenge Results
On March 16, 2002, I had the pleasure of running the first Pokémon Professor premiere event. We held the first sanctioned Rochester Draft for Pokémon and 34 different Pokémon Professors competed in it. Our good friends Purity and Ech will have some articles about different matches in this event (as well as interviews and other articles about the Stadium Challenge). In this article, I would like to tell you about the format itself and how the event went, as well as give you the deck lists of the finalists.
First, what is Rochester Draft? Named after the location of where it was first officially introduced (Rochester, NY), this variation of drafting is considered the toughest challenge for an experienced trading card game (TCG) player. In addition to having a strong knowledge of every card in the sets being drafted, you are also aware of what cards your opponents are drafting, just as they are aware of yours.
For Pokémon drafting, first all of the player’s were randomly broken down into groups (or pods) of 8 or less players. Since we had an odd number of player’s (34) in this event, we ended up breaking down into 4 groups of 6 and 2 groups of 5. Then each player was given 6 booster packs of cards (in this case 3 packs of Gym Heroes and 3 packs of Gym Challenge). The 5 or 6 players sat on opposite sides of a table and numbered 1-5 (or 6). A marker was then placed to denote which player was placing out their cards for a particular round (it helps to see where the “bounce” takes place). Once everyone was ready, the draft started.
At the start of this draft, player 1 opened up 2 booster packs (1 at a time) and placed out the cards on the table face up. Initially, player 1 opened up 2 Gym Heroes booster packs. The packs were opened up face up, and the cards were placed on the table in rows of 7 cards starting in the upper left hand corner (this being the first card out of the pack, or the oldest card on the table). Each player removed any Basic Energy from the draft (setting them aside) and then placed the cards from the second booster pack down as well, continuing the pattern of rows with 7 cards each. Since there was 1 Energy card in each pack, that player ended up placing out 20 cards (2 rows of 7 cards and 1 row of 6).
After the last card was placed down on the last table, everyone was given 30 seconds to look over all of the cards on the table. At the end of the 30 seconds, the draft began. DMTM and I did the calling for the draft.
I said “Player 1, draft.” That meant that player 1 (the player who had placed out the cards and who had the marker in front of him or her) had roughly 3 seconds to pick a card out of all the cards face up on the table and put it face up in front of him or her. This card was now his or hers. Approximately 3 seconds later, we said “Player 2, draft.” Now player 2 (the player to the left of player 1), had to choose the card he or she wanted out of the remaining cards and put it face up in front of him or her. Approximately 3 seconds later, player 3 was called to draft, and so on.
Once the player to the right of player 1 (5 or 6 depending on how many were in the draft) drafted his or her first card, the draft would “bounce” against the marker (at player 1’s position) and start back in the opposite direction. So in the case of a 6-player pod, player 6 had just drafted his or her first card. Approximately 3 seconds later, we called “Player 6, draft again.” Then player 5 draft, then player 4, and so on. Since player 1 gained the advantage of drafting the first card out of all 20 of them, he or she would not get a chance to draft another card from this set of cards until it came back from the other direction.
After player 2 drafted his or her second card, player 1 was then told to draft a card. Now the draft bounced against the marker again and started off to the left once more. So player 1 was told, “Player 1, draft again.” The draft then continued in a similar manner until all of the cards were gone.
To help this make sense to you, in a 6-player pod where 20 cards are placed out, the draft was called as follows:
Player 1 draft (remember player 1 has the marker next to him or her)
Player 2 draft
Player 3 draft
Player 4 draft
Player 5 draft
Player 6 draft
Player 6 draft again (the draft bounced against the marker)
Player 5 draft
Player 4 draft
Player 3 draft
Player 2 draft
Player 1 draft
Player 1 draft again (the draft bounced against the marker)
Player 2 draft
Player 3 draft
Player 4 draft
Player 5 draft
Player 6 draft
Player 6 draft again (the draft bounced against the marker)
Player 5 draft the last card
After drafting the final card, each player then looked through the cards he or she had drafted. You could not look through your cards while the draft was going on — you had to remember what cards you had drafted, and what cards you WANTED to draft. As each person drafted each card, he or she placed it face up on top of the last card he or she drafted. This way, the opponents all got to see the last card the player pulled.
After 30 seconds time, the draft marker was moved over to player 2, who was then told to open up 2 packs of Gym Heroes, which he or she then placed out on the table in the same manner as above. After the last card hit the last table, 30 seconds were given for the players to look over the cards. Then the draft began again, this time with player 2 taking the first card and so on. In the 6-player example, player 1 would be the first beneficiary of the bounce point.
This process continued until all 5 or 6 players had placed out their first 2 packs of cards. Then the draft reversed itself.
The last player of the previous draft (5 or 6) started off the second round of the draft with the marker. That player was then told to open up 1 Gym Heroes pack and place it out, then 1 Gym Challenge pack and place it out. After the last card hit the table and the 30 seconds viewing time passed, this player was told to draft their first card, then the player to their right was told to draft next, and so on. In the case of a 6-player draft, now player 1 would be the first beneficiary of the bounce point. After the final card was drafted, the marker was moved to player 5 who then put out the same card combination and the draft continued. After every player had the marker and placed out their 2 packs, round 3 began.
Similar to the first round, the only difference this time is that the marked player opened up 2 boosters of Gym Challenge and set them out following the same rules as listed above.
There are 3 important rules to keep in mind while Rochester drafting. One, the players are not allowed to talk. No signaling, hinting, or pleading is allowed 🙂 Two, as soon as a player touches any of the cards on the table when it is his or her turn to draft, he or she gets THAT card. Finally, the reason that the cards are placed out in a specific order is to help keep the draft moving along. Each table had a table judge picked out. If a player takes too long to make a pick, and the next drafter is called, then the player who did NOT pick a card in time is automatically given the oldest card left on the table (the card closest to the top left card). It is also the table judge’s responsibility to call out “halt” if there are any problems or difficulties at their table. Fortunately, very few stops were called at this event.
After 2 hours of drafting (and me starting to lose my voice), each player had half an hour to take their cards and build a 40-card deck. Basic Energy cards were provided to all.
Finally, we were ready to play. With 34 players in the tournament, we ran 5 rounds of Swiss before cutting to a top 8 for the finals. Keep in mind that when playing with a 40-card deck, you play 1 game with 4 prize cards set out.
After 5 rounds, the top 8 players were the following people:
Patrick Pruyn 15 points 60.0000%
Ryeland Barnard 12 points 61.3333%
Kris Alvarez 12 points 60.0000%
Gregory Sauk 12 points 50.6667%
Chrissy Zawadski 12 points 46.6667%
Bob Callahan 12 points 44.0000%
Chris LaBranche 12 points 42.6667%
Frank Moore 9 points 72.0000%
At the end of the first round of the finals, we had these results:
Patrick Pruyn defeated Frank Moore
Bob Calahan defeated Kris Alvarez
Chris Labranche defeated Ryeland Barnard
Gregory Sauk defeated Chrissy Zawadski
Next round:
Bob Callahan defeated Patrick Pruyn
Gregory Sauk defeated Chris Labranche
And for the finals:
Gregory Sauk defeated Bob Callahan
Gregory, who took the Professor test that very day as a written exam and passed, was the winner of the first-ever Professor Challenge. He will be flown out to the Pokémon World Championship held on August 3rd and 4th in Seattle to be a guest judge with us. Congratulations, Greg!
Finally, here are the decks that the final 8 players ended up creating with the cards that they drafted.
Professor Kris Alvarez’s draft deck (tied for 4th)
Professor Ryleland Barnard’s draft deck (tied for 4th)
Professor Frank Moore draft deck (tied for 4th)
Professor, Chrissy Zawadski’s draft deck (tied for 4th)
Professor, Chris LaBranche draft deck (tied for 3rd)
Professor Patrick Pruyn draft deck (tied for 3rd)
Professor Bob Callahan’s draft deck (2nd place)
Professor Gregory Sauk’s draft deck (winner)
Professor Kris Alvarez’s draft deck (tied for 4th)
Pokémon (19)
1 Blaine’s Kangaskhan (Gym Heroes)
2 Blaine’s Ponyta (Lv. 13) (Gym Challenge)
2 Blaine’s Rapidash (Gym Challenge)
1 Brock’s Geodude (Lv.15) (Gym Challenge)
1 Brock’s Geodude (Lv. 17) (Gym Heroes)
1 Brock’s Mankey (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
2 Giovanni’s Machop (Gym Challenge)
2 Giovanni’s Machoke (Gym Challenge)
2 Misty’s Poliwag (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Poliwhirl (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Goldeen (Lv. 8) (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Goldeen (Lv. 10) (Gym Heroes)
2 Misty’s Seaking (Gym Heroes)
Energy (16)
7 Fighting Energy
4 Fire Energy
5 Water Energy
Professor Ryleland Barnard’s draft deck (tied for 4th)
Pokémon (20)
2 Erika’s Oddish (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
2 Erika’s Oddish (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Giovanni’s Nidoran (female) (Gym Challenge)
2 Koga’s Koffing (Lv. 15) (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Weezing (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Tangela (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Ekans (Gym Challenge)
1 Misty’s Horsea (Lv. 10) (Gym Heroes)
2 Misty’s Horsea (Lv. 16) (Gym Challenge)
1 Misty’s Seadra (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Poliwag (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Poliwag (Lv. 16) (Gym Challenge)
1 Misty’s Poliwhirl (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Seel (Lv. 14) (Gym Challenge)
1 Misty’s Seel (Lv. 20) (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Dewgong (Gym Challenge)
Trainers (3)
1 Cerulean City Gym (Gym Heroes)
1 Energy Flow (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika (Gym Heroes)
Energy (17)
8 Grass Energy
9 Water Energy
Professor Frank Moore draft deck (tied for 4th)
Pokémon (13)
2 Giovanni’s Magikarp (Gym Challenge)
1 Giovanni’s Gyarados (Gym Challenge)
1 Misty’s Poliwag (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Poliwhirl (Gym Heroes)
1 Misty’s Poliwrath (Gym Heroes)
3 Misty’s Staryu (Gym Heroes)
2 Misty’s Staryu (Gym Challenge)
2 Misty’s Starmie (Gym Heroes)
Trainers (10)
1 Erika (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Kindness (Gym Challenge)
1 Giovanni’s Last Resort (Gym Challenge)
1 Good Manners (Gym Heroes)
1 Narrow Gym (Gym Heroes)
2 Sabrina’s Gaze (Gym Heroes)
1 Secret Mission (Gym Heroes)
1 Viridian City Gym (Gym Challenge)
1 Warp Point (Gym Challenge)
Energy (16)
16 Water Energy
Professor, Chrissy Zawadski’s draft deck (tied for 4th)
Pokémon (14)
1 Brock’s Diglett (Gym Challenge)
1 Brock’s Dugtrio (Gym Challenge)
1 Brock’s Geodude (Lv. 17) (Gym Heroes)
1 Lt. Surge’s Spearow (Lv. 17) (Gym Heroes)
1 Rocket’s Hitmonchan (Gym Heroes)
2 Sabrina’s Abra (Lv. 18) (Gym Challenge)
2 Sabrina’s Psyduck (Gym Challenge)
1 Sabrina’s Golduck (Gym Challenge)
2 Sabrina’s Venonat (Gym Heroes)
2 Sabrina’s Venomoth (Gym Heroes)
Trainers (5)
2 Misty’s Duel (Gym Heroes)
1 Sabrina (Gym Challenge)
1 Sabrina’s Gaze (Gym Heroes)
1 Sabrina’s Psychic Control (Gym Challenge)
Energy (20)
8 Fighting Energy
4 Grass Energy
6 Psychic Energy
2 Water Energy
Professor, Chris LaBranche draft deck (tied for 3rd)
Pokémon (15)
1 Blaine’s Charmander (Lv. 16) (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Growlithe (Lv. 17) (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Growlithe (Lv. 20) (Gym Challenge)
1 Blaine’s Kangaskhan (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Moltres (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Tauros (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Vulpix (Lv. 9) (Gym Heroes)
1 Brock’s Zubat (Lv. 11) (Gym Heroes)
1 Brock’s Golbat (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Bellsprout (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Jigglypuff (Gym Challenge)
1 Erika’s Oddish (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Paras (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Grimer (Gym Challenge)
1 Lt. Surge’s Rattata (Lv. 7) (Gym Challenge)
Trainers (6)
1 Energy Flow (Gym Heroes)
1 Koga’s Ninja Trick (Gym Challenge)
2 Rocket’s Minefield Gym (Gym Challenge)
1 Sabrina’s Gaze (Gym Heroes)
1 The Rocket’s Trap (Gym Heroes)
Energy (16)
8 Fire Energy
8 Grass Energy
Professor Patrick Pruyn draft deck (tied for 3rd)
Pokémon (21)
2 Blaine’s Doduo (Gym Challenge)
2 Blaine’s Dodrio (Gym Challenge)
1 Erika’s Bellsprout (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Weepinbell (Lv. 30) (Gym Heroes)
2 Erika’s Exeggcute (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Exeggutor (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Oddish (Lv. 10) (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Ekans (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Arbok (Gym Challenge)
1 Lt. Surge’s Rattata (Lv. 7) (Gym Challenge)
1 Lt. Surge’s Raticate (Lv. 32) (Gym Heroes)
1 Rocket’s Mewtwo (Gym Challenge)
2 Sabrina’s Abra (Lv. 11) (Gym Heroes)
1 Sabrina’s Kadabra (Gym Challenge)
2 Sabrina’s Gastly (Lv. 9) (Gym Challenge)
1 Sabrina’s Haunter (Lv. 29) (Gym Challenge)
Trainers (4)
1 Blaine’s Quiz #1 (Gym Heroes)
1 Koga (Gym Challenge)
3 Secret Mission (Gym Heroes)
Energy (14)
7 Grass Energy
7 Psychic Energy
Professor Bob Callahan’s draft deck (2nd place)
Pokémon (16)
1 Brock’s Mankey (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Bellsprout (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Bellsprout (Lv. 13) (Gym Challenge)
1 Erika’s Weepinbell (Lv. 26) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Weepinbell (Lv. 30) (Gym Heroes)
2 Erika’s Clefairy (Lv. 16) (Gym Challenge)
2 Erika’s Jigglypuff (Gym Challenge)
1 Erika’s Oddish (Lv. 15) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Oddish (Lv. 10) (Gym Challenge)
1 Erika’s Gloom (Lv. 24) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Gloom (Lv. 28) (Gym Heroes)
1 Lt. Surge’s Pikachu (Lv. 10) (Gym Challenge)
1 Rocket’s Snorlax (Gym Heroes)
1 Sabrina’s Mr. Mime (Lv. 20) (Gym Heroes)
Trainers (8)
1 Celadon City Gym (Gym Heroes)
2 Narrow Gym (Gym Heroes)
1 Rocket’s Minefield Gym (Gym Challenge)
1 The Rocket’s Training Gym (Gym Heroes)
1 Sabrina’s Gaze (Gym Heroes)
2 Warp Point (Gym Heroes)
Energy (14)
1 Fighting Energy
12 Grass Energy
1 Psychic Energy
Professor Gregory Sauk’s draft deck (winner)
Pokémon (14)
2 Blaine’s Charmander (Lv. 16) (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Charmeleon (Gym Challenge)
1 Blaine’s Growlithe (Lv. 20) (Gym Challenge)
2 Blaine’s Magmar (Gym Heroes)
3 Blaine’s Vulpix (Lv. 9) (Gym Heroes)
1 Blaine’s Vulpix (Lv. 18) (Gym Challenge)
1 Blaine’s Ninetales (Gym Challenge)
1 Erika’s Bellsprout (Lv. 12) (Gym Heroes)
1 Erika’s Clefairy (Lv. 16) (Gym Challenge)
1 Koga’s Pidgey (Lv. 9) (Gym Challenge)
Trainers (5)
3 Cinnabar City Gym (Gym Challenge)
1 Fervor (Gym Challenge)
1 Misty’s Wrath (Gym Heroes)
Energy (21)
21 Fire Energy
Thanks to all of the Professors who came and worked that day, and I hope all of the Professors that came to play had a good time. I’m looking forward to the next Stadium Challenge in Chicago in April. If you would like to participate in any of the upcoming Pokémon Professor events, you can get more information about the PokémonProfessor programs on our website.
Check out some strategy articles by visiting our Strategy page. You can also see past strategy articles in our Archives