How are tournaments played?

I was considering entering a tournament in my town for the SW TCG, and though I can play both ways, I was just wondering, are they they played with the mat or by the instructions in the rule book?

 

The mat is optional, and hardly anyone uses it, but some people do.

A standard tournament goes by the regular rulebook. You play 1 hour "matches" against people and the winner of 2 out of 3 games wins the match. At the end of one hour, "time" is called and the current game is finished, and there is no more gaining of build points or gaining of force and you go through the turns until one loses. If each player wins one and you don't have time to play a 3rd game before starting a new game, the match is a draw. Also you bid build points (give up build points) to see which side you play.

 

I was kind of wondering this also.
I have only played in casual play, no tournements have been played within 75 miles of my house to the best of my knolege.
One Wizards store was looking for intrested card buyers, but they closed down before the first tournement could be played.

I guess I am the bringer of bad luck.

 

I guess I am the bringer of bad luck.

Dude, I know like 3 people who play, Great Variety

Ive also Never seen a Wizards Store in my Life

 

They don't have Wizards stores here either. However Hobby Masters in North Raleigh is trying to get in all sets and variations of everything - good thing.

I would love to play in a tournament but nothing around here yet.

 

I used to have a whole bunch of stores that sold the current Star Wars TCG sets.
None of them even knew that Empire Strikes Back came out. So, I'm forced to go on-line.

 

Things are more difficult in the Greek city where I live... and there have been no Star Wars tournaments in my area...