i listen to music, usually something electronic with a good beat, i find that the steady rhythm calms me way down
honestly, music helps big time for me.
for whatever reason, listening to dillinger, especially 43% burnt (or all of calc. infinity), really calms my nerves
I had the same problem as well. I was having a FT3 match with a friend of mine. We were playing SC3. I won two matches off him and needed one more to be declared victor. I was panicking because I kept thinking I needed one more match to win so my defense seems to slip away and my opponent manages beat me all the way.
I was pissed, but I had to deal with my loss. After all I deserve to lose.
I’ve got very bad nerves too. But for me, I think the answer is to just apply yourself to the game WAAY more than anyone else. This way, you can’t help but be confident, just knowing the lengths that you’ve gone to get where you are.
I think it’s normal for some people to be nervous in the beginning of tournament play. But once you get in the flow of things, you should calm down. If you don’t…I don’t know what to say. You need to find something that calms you down.
I just stretch, and get really goofy. It works for me. Usually after the first game, I’m good for the rest of the tournament.
this is probably some of the best advice in this thread to me. for me sometimes playing without my ego in a tourney is very difficult and I usually play worse because of this.
Medititaion.
One of the reasons many martial artists practice this,is to clear the mind and just think about breathing.After experience(could take you months or years,probably the latter),you learn how to calm yourself down in tense situations,so you think and act accordingly.
It won’t just help you playing video games,but in many other types of situations.
Yeah, it’s all about those chakras.
Everybody loves chakras.
I used to be the same way when I played in my first SSBM tournament:wgrin: Those were good times. Like a poster already said try listening to some music, either stuff that might pump you up or get you in that laid back mood. I personally like to listen to Nas, I always blast Nas when I play Ikaruga without it I don’t make it past the 1st level.
i put my shades on right before the match starts. might sound flaming, but that’s a new tourney habit i picked up couple of months ago.
Play a lot of casual games just to get into the groove. Don’t try anything too difficult in them, it’s not supposed to be a practice session, just something rather mind-numbing to let the stress melt away.
Smoking does help too, not because of the nicotine per se, but just the act of smoking itself. Just standing around, focused on nothing in particular except the act and the environment around. Maybe you’ll be chatting with other smokers, maybe you’re just outside by yourself, whatever. It’s your own time to calm down and just think about nothing in particular.
… if you don’t smoke though, don’t think about picking it up. Vulgar habit, can be somewhat lonely when you’re the only smoker, and makes you stinky while eating away at your cash-flow. :x Oh, and cancer. Can’t forget the cancer.
… don’t dwell on the cancer bit if you’re using cigarettes as a nerve calmer for tournaments. >_>
smoke a joint, drink a beer & rub one out…
shit thats a good time right there 
seriously just play more mm’s even if its only for $1 and you will get used to it.
Also try not to change your strategy… play like you do in casuals. dont become overly cautious…
Treat it like any other match.
when i’m on my bt talking to my future wife i get in the fcukin’ zone!!! i think about 15-3 when this phenomena occurs
yeah and what everyone else said. take a shot before the tournament to warm up and calm down. i suggest a blue long island with redbull… that’s all it takes for me to battle anyone at a club and a shot of anything gets me relaxed so try it!
I listen to music. it keeps me concentrated. Usually a Drum & Bass mix.
i go and jack off it calms me down or fuck a pregnant hooker(frx)
you boned a pregnant hooker? 
Some people swear by weed, and it does help the NERVES while you are competing, but for me at least it also fucks up my reaction time and makes me waaaay less aggressive.
You start to realize how mean it is to rush someone down, corner them and repeatedly chip them for damage, tick throw, and then chip them to death with super when you’re blazed.