Renton Boy Crowned Pokémon National Champ

In some ways, Recco Connor has an inherent advantage over his son Calvin, 12, in any game they play – be it on a basketball court or at a card table.

A look, a sigh, or the constant flicking of a hand of cards may not mean much to an unknown opponent, but dad reads his boy well, and knows when the 7th grader at Dimmitt Middle School is nervous, or conversely, when he has an amazingly good hand.

Then again, Calvin and his brother Corey, 8, attack the popular Pokémon card game with such an intensity, and play with such speed, that Recco freely admits he can't keep up with them.

“I play slowly,” he said, and all those factors combined means Recco would prefer to sit back and support his boys from the sidelines, but he's always ready for a game at home when they ask to practice or just to play for fun.

This supportive foundation for Calvin and Corey, which also includes mom Sarah, has turned the Connors into a household of Pokémon champions.

Corey was named Pokémon Player of the Year this year in his junior division (ages 10 and under), based on the number of competitions he's played, Recco said.

And older brother Calvin earlier this month became the National Pokémon champion in his senior division (ages 15 and under) after a three-day head-to-head competition at the 2013 Pokémon U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Pokémon Support and Culture

Among the perks of being a champion, and of winning many competitions regionally and nationally over a year, is that the Pokémon organization covers the cost of travel and lodging. Calvin also took home a trophy and a $5,000 college scholarship.

Calvin, in just his second year of playing the game, was invited to attend the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in Vancouver, B.C., this August 10 and August 11 before the national competition in July. The invite was earned from the number of points he'd accumulated over a year of playing and winning competitively locally and regionally. He is one of only 24 American competitors to not only earn that invite but to receive paid trips to the world event for finishing in the top 4 of each age division in both the card game and video game competitions during Nationals, said Recco.

Recco lauds the Pokémon organization for this generous support for families to participate in these competitions. Winners do benefit by collecting free products (cards) and earning travel credit, but those who don't win often have to set aside a budget both to purchase cards and, if applicable, to travel to regional competitions.

Additionally, while the game and all aspects of the Pokémon media franchise are designed to appeal to kids, there is strategy involved in playing the card game successfully that employs many skills, Recco said.

“You need to be quick-witted,” he said. “Calvin plays at a level where adults can't beat him. The game involves everything – reading, math comprehension.”

Similarly, there's good sportsmanship involved, and Calvin brings the lessons he's learned playing basketball and baseball to the card table. His peers are generally mature, take their losses with dignity, and congratulate each other on their victories. “He's doing something productive and learning something while doing it,” Recco said.

At this upper echelon of competition, Calvin often finds himself competing with the same group of people, and they've become friends.

As he now prepares for the World Championship next month, Recco said Calvin regularly Skypes with friends he's made across the country to pick up tips and advice because different regions play different cards.

He spends anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour checking his cards and practicing strategies daily, he said.

Where it All Started

About two years ago, Calvin said he and his brother were at the mall and came across a playing card stand. They decided they wanted to learn to play. They found themselves at Shane's Big League Sports Cards in Renton almost every weekend learning the ropes and playing league.

“Slowly but surely, we started to play competitively,” Calvin said.

Recco remembered, “He took to it like fish to water.”

Calvin explains why he enjoys the game. “It's about decisions,” he said. “There's lots of math. It's fun and it's a neat game to play. When you win, it makes you feel good to get free stuff."

While there is also a DS video game version of the competition and the brothers did play that, Recco said they both opted for the card time. The set up for both games are the same, but Recco explains with the DS game, a player's objective is to predict the opponent's next move, while with the card game, the player counts three to four steps ahead – similar to playing chess, which the boys also play.

Ten years ago the card game was undergoing management issues, according to Tom Schulke of Shane's, and the local card store was the only place to play league Pokémon. Over the next decade, four world champion Pokémon players would play there. It is currently the No. 2 most popular card game, and he sees between 1 to 2 new players each Saturday at the store. On busy days, up to 20 people are seated in the back of the store, engaged in competition.

Both Recco and Sarah said they appreciated the open atmosphere at Shane's where anyone could drop in with their child and learn to play.

Schulke said the game isn't difficult, but says it's easier to learn on the spot rather than having someone explain it to you.

Calvin learned quickly. He is one of the younger competitors in the senior division. Of his nationals victory, dad stated simply, “he really brought it.”

The National Champion title is great, said Calvin, especially since he also went to the national competition last year but didn't win. Last year, “it made you feel like you just wanted to be the national champion.”

Now, that goal is complete. “It's not enough. You want more.”

If he clinches the World Championship - where competitors from more than 30 countries will be represented - the Pokémon organization will produce a special edition card pack that includes his winning deck, complete with the winner's autograph on the packaging – kind of like a Wheaties box. There's also a sizable scholarship and free product for a year, but Calvin is most looking forward to the recognition, said Recco.

According to Schulke, it's a very attainable goal. “He has a good chance,” he said, “if he can learn to relax. You can see when he gets tense.”

More information

To learn more about the Pokémon competitions, visit www.pokemon.com/play.