Flesh And Blood – The Game With 100,000 Dollars Up For Grabs

Published on: 23 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 23 Nov, 2025

Jack (top left) with other competitors in Philadelphia

Jack Mountford is owner and manager of Paper Moon, the new independent bookshop in Jeffries Passage, Guildford. He is also a passionate Flesh and Blood fan – competing recently in the world championships in the USA. Flesh and Blood? Find out more here in Jack’s own words.

The top players in the world were in Philadelphia on November 13 taking part in the World Champi0nships of Flesh and Blood – competing for a first place prize of 100,000 dollars. And I was privileged to be one of them,

So what is Flesh and Blood, and why is so much money up for grabs in a game most people have never heard of?

Flesh and Blood is a trading card game. From small beginnings, it has attracted tens of thousands of players across the world. Players compete in 1-on-1 matches using pre-built decks, with the aim being to reduce your opponent’s life to zero. Simple enough at face value, but beneath the surface lies a complexity that the best players in the world work hard to understand.

To qualify, a player must have placed at 12th or higher at their National Championships. I placed 5th this year. This is to say everyone competing has had to earn their place. There were almost 1,000 people in attendance, with those not competing in the main event there to meet their favourite artists, participate in the cosplay competition and play side events for special prizes.

The game itself is produced by an independent, grass-roots company from New Zealand called Legend Story Studios. Despite humble beginnings, the game has grown exponentially over its six-year lifespan to include tens of thousands of players. As it has grown, so has the level of competition and the prizes available to those able to seize them.

There were 234 of us in the world event in Philadelphia. My run this year got off to a very strong start. After day one of the three-day tournament, I had a record of seven wins and one loss (7-1). This put me at eighth place, going into day two. For context, a record of 5-3 was the minimum requirement to make it through to day two.

However, on day two disaster struck.

The level of competition increased substantially going into the second day. If the world championships is only for the best players, day two is reserved for the best of the best.

Despite winning my first round, I went on to lose the next four in a row, putting my record at 8-5. Not only did this mean I could no longer make day three (which is reserved for the top eight players) but it also meant I might not make top 64, the minimum requirement to ‘cash out’.

I knew that in order to make the top 64, I had to win my next game.

My anxiety grew when I sat down. I saw that my opponent’s chosen deck was a natural counter to my own. However, after a nail biting game, I was able to secure the win and, with it, my place in the top 64 players in the world this year.

With a final placement of 37th, I was able to return to the UK with my head held high. But the reason I love this hobby is not only the competitions. It is also the good friends and new places it has led me to. For that, I am forever grateful.

The game is extremely inclusive, so if you are interested in giving it a go you can find me and many others playing it at 6.30pm every Wednesday at Lionsheart Bookshop, Woking.