Every weekend, kids all over Luzerne County look forward to battle. They’ve acquired their own surprisingly large arsenals of weapons – hundreds of Japanese playing cards.
While the Baby Boomers had “Uno!” and “Go Fish” to play as kids, many of today’s youths prefer a strategic card game with magical themes based on a popular Japanese children’s cartoon – Yu-Gi-Oh!
Some have compared Yu-Gi-Oh! to the Pokemon phenomenon that sprang up about seven years ago. But don’t tell that to a Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiast.
“It’s nothing like (Pokemon). It’s more of a strategy game. … It takes a lot of math and it’s really fun to play,” said Eric Fairchild, 16, of Butler Township.
Fairchild was one of 18 players who attended a weekly tournament at Pocono Market Fair in Hazleton on Sunday.
Organized by Brad Diehl, of Diehl’s Collectibles stores at the market fair and Wyoming Valley Mall, the tournaments attract as many as 30 or 40 competitors ranging in age from 9 through adult each week, said fair office manager Claire Antolick.
“The kids eat here. The parents who drop them off may go to the farmer’s market or do some shopping. But our main objective is to give the kids some place to go that is safe,” Antolick said.
Arden Kessler of Hunlock Creek said he enjoys bringing his grandsons – Adam, 8, and Brandon, 9 -- to the tournaments.
“I don’t understand the game, but it’s a very good way for them to spend time. It’s better than just sitting around watching TV.”
And not all the players are kids.
Martin Santos, 24, of Hazleton, said the game is “like poker, but there’s more strategy to it. You have to think a whole lot more and there’s no money involved.”
Todd Miller, 12, of Freeland, said he most enjoys “meeting new people” at the tournaments.
Yu-gi-oh! on the CW's 4K!DS TV
I love yugioh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...