What’s up boys and girls, its T-Time! I disappeared for another few weeks while working on school among other things. This week I want to talk about the top 10 players of 2011 while it is still relevant. These players are not ranked strictly based on the number of tops or wins they had, but style points and creativity came to the table as tiebreaker as well as a way to add some points. So without further ado, here are the top 10 players of 2011 in my personal opinion:
1. Billy Brake
2. Robbie Boyajian
3. Frazier Smith
4. Alistar Albans
5. Nicky Lacaille
6. Travis “Tray” Massengale
7. Nizar Sarhan
8. Courtney Waller
9. Jeff Jones
10. Adam Corn
1. Billy Brake
I feel like there is no argument here on why this Dallas, Texas native deserves the number one spot. Early this year, Billy topped events with X-Sabers and Six Samurais and joined with Alter Reality Games. Though he remained quiet through most of the summer, he still ended up winning some prize cards through side events and participated in the “Duel the Master” Konami booth as one of the “masters”. He went on to win YCS Toronto and Columbus back to back, a feat not accomplished since the first six months of the Shonen Jump series by Ryan Hayakawa. Billy’s redefinition of the Plant “Synchrocentric” deck and historical YCS feat put him hands down at the top of the list.
2. Robbie Boyajian
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Robbie burst onto the scene this year topping YCS after YCS during the latter part of the year. In Orlando, he topped with Worms which was the first time we have seen that deck at top tables. Later in the year he won Indianapolis and continued to top Toronto, Columbus, and Kansas City all in a row. Robbie joined Alter Reality Games just before his win in Indianapolis this year.
3. Frazier Smith
From Philadelphia, PA, Frazier won the last American YCS of 2010 with Gravekeepers. Gravekeepers were not a popular deck choice with only 6 dedicated Gravekeeper decks in the entire tournament (YCS Atlanta), Frazier piloted it to a victory through a sea of Plant and X-Saber players. Many thought that he would be a one hit wonder, but in 2011 he proved them wrong by topping 5 YCS’s and the North American World Championship Qualifier. What’s more is that he did it with a slew of different decks including Agents, X-Sabers, Dragunitys, Plants, and Karakuris. He joined Alter Reality Games after Toronto.
4. Alistar Albans
Alistar is from Baltimore, Maryland though he currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Most noteworthy this year is his second place finish at YCS Columbus to Billy Brake. However, he had topped a handful of other events this year and stayed relevant until the end of the year. He made headlines early with his Stun deck, but later ended up proving efficient with many different decks. He catches the 4th place spot in tiebreaker due to his relevance towards the end of the format as well as his dominance in multiple eras of the year. Alistar Albans joined Alter Reality Games most recently after Kansas City.
5. Nicky Lacaille
Nicky represents the great French North, coming from Montreal, Quebec and is the first person on this list to not be part of Alter Reality Games. On a personal note, I have never been able to beat Nicky. Whether it had been on the bubble at SJC Columbus in 2009 or at YCS Providence in 2011, he has stopped me dead in my tracks and right on the bubble. His early accomplishments this year showed the power of the Fish OTK decks. The piece de resistance, pardon the French irony, was his second place finish to Billy Brake at YCS Toronto in a classic Canada vs. USA finish.
6. Travis “Tray” Massengale
Tray is from Topeka, Kansas and had a huge early run this year. His second place finish at YCS Dallas was impressive since he was playing Gravekeepers up against a field full of overpowered Six Samurai decks. He followed it up with a win at YCS Orlando with a creative Plant/Zombie mash up. It was only a year before that I knew Tray as the guy who would always challenge name players to pick up games after SJCs and YCSs. After all these years, I had no idea what was to come from him which just goes to show what practice, persistence, and hard work can do for you in this game and in anything.
7. Nizar Sarhan
The Honorable Nizar Sarhan is the undisputed king of Six Samurais. After a win at YCS Dallas, he continued to pilot the Six Samurais to two more tops at YCS Providence and YCS Charlotte. Without Six Samurais being as viable, it will be interesting to see what approach he will take in the future. Whatever avenue it is, I am sure that Nizar is sure to make a splash in the future.
8. Courtney Waller
From Norfolk, Virginia, Courtney Waller stands a one hit wonder thus far. However, he recently crushed the competition at YCS Kansas City with his innovative Chaos deck. Despite being criticized for some questionable plays, everyone makes some mistakes in feature matches. Even I have tried to bounce and Aurkus back to my opponents hand with Mist Wurm in the past. Regardless, his innovation was able to beat out a sea of Plant, Agent, and Dino Rabbit decks and unexpectedly granted him a win. History shows innovators who are expected to become one hit wonders can often prove the world wrong. Just look at Frazier Smith =).
9. Jeff Jones
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Jeff had a slow start this year missing the mark at YCS Orlando via tie-breaker. The two-time YCS Champion joined Alter Reality Games in January of 2011. He is known for his innovation and that didn’t stop this year. He is credited for the creation of the T.G. deck that dominated the North American WCQ, making Tour Guide popular, and the most current version of Karakuris. Jeff came to the WCQ without his invite to play in it. A LCQ and 11 rounds later, he found himself in the top 64. Later this year he managed to ride Naturia Beast to a top at YCS Columbus showcasing a new spin on Karakuris (though rougher builds were brought to the table at Toronto by Anthony Alverado and Dale Bellido). His creativity and WCQ controversy lead me to give Jeff the #9 spot on my top 10 players of the year in 2011.
10. Adam Corn
After a long hiatus, the California kid Adam Corn flew back onto the scene with a top at the North American WCQ. He went on to top YCS Indianapolis before he was put under suspension by Konami. I got to know him personally this year and I was impressed with his playing abilities as I watched him and play tested against him. Before this, I hadn’t believed the hype, but now I understand why he is the winningest Yugioh player of all time.
This year was definitely an interesting one with so many format changes and set releases, and I wish I could include more players to this list. Also, I would like to note that all of the players I had chosen were done so in an unbiased manner and I tried to keep any rumor of misconduct out of it. Rumors are rumors and despite reputation, I would like to believe that all players are clean. I understand that a lot of people will have something to say about some of my choices for this list, but I have said my peace and have given my own justification for why these players have deserved their respective spots on my top 10 list. However, what player of the year list would be complete without a list of players to watch? I will end my article with players that have risen fast that you can expect big things from in the future.
Amanda LaPalme
The Dragon Tamer, she currently resides in Troy, Michigan, though she has lived all over the United States this year. Though she has no tops to her name, she has made quite the name for herself through her dedication to the Dragon archetype and artwork. Due to her good looks and creativity, she has become an online sensation. She had a close call missing the top 32 at YCS Orlando earlier this year, but she continues to refine her skills as time goes on. Don’t mistake her persistence and name for hype. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Amanda at the top tables in 2012.
Jessy Samek
Many name players teased him for being a long time one hit wonder, winning SJC Philadelphia with Perfect Circle Monarchs in 2007. This year, he came back topping YCS Columbus, Toronto, and Indianapolis. Though he didn’t find his way into my top 10 since he managed to stay out of the lime light, he is definitely a player to watch.
Sean Montague
The 2010 US National Champion from Detroit, Michigan was another person considered to be a one hit wonder. He ended up with another top or so in late 2010, but he managed to come back with more tops in late 2011 in Toronto and Columbus proving people that he can play more than X-Sabers. Expect to see more of him in the near future.
Camden Keener
From Waco, Texas, Camden Keener had quite a 2011. He didn’t make my top 10 since most of his accomplishments slipped under the radar, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a force to be reckoned with. Topping YCS Charlotte, Columbus, Kansas City, and Anaheim, some of the best players in the game have come out of Texas. Though he has some big shoes to fill with other Texans such as Billy Brake, Fili Luna, Ryan Spicer, and Chris Bowling, Camden Keener may be following in their footsteps.
Lazaro Bellido, Dale Bellido, and Audrey Tan
I know I decided to group them all together, but the Toronto Card Master’s golden children are sure to be back to work in 2012. They had no silent year with Dale topping several events and Audrey being selected in Indianapolis to participate in Konami’s “Duel the Master” event. The Bellidos are some of the most recognizable names in the game and are considered some of the best players. Audrey will most likely follow their footsteps and I wouldn’t be shocked to see her at the top tables in upcoming events.
Alex Vansant
How could I end this article without talking about my hands down favorite player, me! I lost or tied on the bubble no fewer than 4 times this year and topped YCS Orlando with a totally new deck concept with Ultimate Offering Gadgets. I played significantly less this year spending some events vending. I also didn’t go to some of the earlier events this year due to other commitments. I am playing as much as ever online and expect to have a big year coming up. I really want to pick up a major event victory and you can expect some creative ideas, more tops, new youtube videos, and more articles coming my way in 2012! Until then, see you all next time!
Thunderpants
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