This Weekend: Pokemon World Championships!

The annual Pokemon World Championships are being held in Aneheim, CA this weekend! This is YOUR chance to see the best of the best compete in both the official Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) and the Pokemon video game world. Over $500,000 in prizes will be awarded through the games.

You can watch all the action via Pokemon's official World Championships livestream -- 

Watching, you might be a bit confused why some things are being done the way they are. Don't get discouraged! Here is a quick overview on the rules being implemented and followed for the video game bouts:

For 2017 - 

--Only pokemon in the Alola Pokedex are allowed (Pokemon Sun and Moon)
--Pokemon MUST have the Alola symbol showing they were caught in the Alola region
--Mythical and some Legendary Pokemon are NOT allowed
--No Mega Stones are allowed
--All other items are allowed, including z-Crystals
--Double battle format -- Each player has two Pokemon out on the field at one time

--90-second team preview, 45-second turn limit, 10-minute "player time". 90-second: each player is given this time to preview their opponent's battle team. Based on that, said players can then pick four Pokemon from a pre-registered six, they think would match best against the opponent.
--All Pokemon are set to level 50, including Pokemon below 50
--Ties at the end of the time limit are broken based on how much HP each player's Pokemon have left
--Z-Moves can be used once per battle