Pokémon Trading Card Game State Championships Are Coming to Manchester

Top Pokémon Trading Card Game players are building decks and testing strategies for the 2012 Play! Pokémon State Championships, coming to The Grid Games in Manchester on Saturday, March 17. Players will compete in exciting one-on-one battles as they vie for the prestigious title of Pokémon State Champion. As an officially sanctioned event in the 2011–2012 Play! Pokémon Series held by The Pokémon Company International, the State Championships provide Connecticut players an opportunity to enjoy the fun, competition, and community of the Pokémon TCG.

Players at this weekend’s State Championships will also be playing for Championship Points, which are awarded to top finishers at all Pokémon Championship Series events. Championship Points are a new addition to the Play! Pokémon season, giving Pokémon TCG players more chances to reach their ultimate goal – earning an invitation to the Pokémon World Championships in Hawaii this August.

The Pokémon State Championships are locally managed by Premier Tournament Organizers. These volunteer organizers run Pokémon TCG tournaments in Connecticut throughout the year, and many are parents of current or former Pokémon TCG players. Collectively, they oversee tens of thousands of Pokémon competitors who train and compete in various Play! Pokémon programs, events, tournaments, and leagues.

Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to attend and compete in the 2012 Play! Pokémon State Championships for free. Play! Pokémon competitors are divided into three age divisions: Junior Division (born in 2001 or later), Senior Division (born in 1997–2000), and Masters Division (born in 1996 or earlier).

Competitors are encouraged to visit www.pokemon.com/play-pokemon to learn more about the 2012 Pokémon State Championships, including rules, regulations, prizes, tournament locations, registration and event dates and times.