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Some of the best yo-yo players from around the world are taking part in the two-day competition in Manhattan.

The preliminary round is taking place today at the Hotel Pennsylvania, followed by the final round tomorrow at South Street Seaport from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Players say they're drawn to the ball on a string for different reasons and for many, it's not just a game.

"We take it pretty seriously," said Pat Cuartero, chief executive officer of YoYo Nation and World YoYo Champion. "From strings from 100 percent polyester or 100 percent cotton, whichever ones they want to use, high spinning ball bearings, there's really a lot to it. We take it just as seriously as someone would take golf, or something like that, for example. It's a lot of fun."

Among those competing is two-time New York State Champion Howie Chu.

"I'm more of a technical player compared to the other ones, and I guess that scores points," he said of his style.

Judging this year's contest is Simon Welch, a top yo-yo player from England, who says many factors go into naming a winner.

"We're looking for proficiency of tricks, quantity of tricks, stage presence, choreography with the music, all sorts of things," he said.

The New York State contest winner gets $200. The international Yo-Yo Open champion gets $500.

For more information, visit YoYoNation.com.