IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING ALL OPTIONAL RULES: Tournament Organizers, Tournament Officials, and Head Judges who choose to use any rule marked "OPTIONAL" must provide adequate notice to participants prior to the beginning of the tournament. Optional rules may not be invoked or altered either by tournament officials or players at any other time.
1.0 Tournament Officials
Officially sanctioned competition requires the presence of a Head Judge
during play to interpret rules, terminate excessively long matches, disqualify
players, and make other official decisions. The Head Judge may enlist the
help of officials to answer rules questions or perform other tasks at the
Head Judge's request. The Head Judge and the Tournament Organizer may or
may not be the same individual.
1.1 Head Judge
If players should disagree with a Tournament Official's decision, then
they are free to appeal the ruling to the Head Judge. The Head Judge's
ruling on the appeal is final.
Sections 1.2 - 1.2.15 detail the general rulings that Tournament Officials are frequently required to interpret and enforce.
1.2 Termination of Lengthy Matches
The Head Judge may be required to determine the outcome of an excessively
long match prior to its actual conclusion. In this instance, the Head Judge
must give the players involved at least 30 (thirty) minutes notice before
intervening to terminate the match.
Once the warning period passes and the judge announces that the match is over, all play must stop immediately. Players in mid-turn are given a fixed amount of time, announced by the judge, to complete their turns before the match result is determined. (A player in mid-turn is someone who has finished untapping all of his or her cards in play that could be untapped at the beginning of his or her turn.)
1.2.1 Timeliness
Players must take their turns in a timely fashion. Whereas taking a reasonable
amount of time to think through game strategy is acceptable, deliberately
stalling for time is not. Failure to begin a match in a timely manner in
order to gain a psychological advantage is grounds for disqualification.
1.2.2 Cheating
Cheating will not be tolerated. Players caught cheating will automatically
be disqualified from current competition. They may also be disqualified
from future competition at the discretion of the DCI. Cheating includes,
but is not limited to: receiving outside assistance or coaching, scouting
other players' cards, underpaying mana, using marked cards, marking cards
during play, drawing extra cards, manipulating which cards are drawn from
your deck or your opponent's deck (including stacking a deck to separate
land and spell cards), arranging the cards in a deck to manipulate card
draw, and deliberately stalling the length of a turn to take advantage
of a time limit.
1.2.3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Unsportsmanlike conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at any
time. Judges, players, and officials must behave in a polite, respectable,
and sportsmanlike manner. Players who use profanity, argue, or act belligerently
toward Tournament Officials or one another will receive a warning. Repeat
warnings will result in a player's disqualification from the current competition
and possibly future competitions (at the discretion of the DCI). Collusion
to alter the results of a duel or match is considered to be unsportsmanlike
and will not be tolerated.
1.2.4 Card Elevation
Players must keep the cards in their hand above the level of the playing
surface. If this rule is violated, the judge may issue a warning to the
player. A second violation may result in the player's disqualification.
1.2.5 Proxy Cards
The use of "proxy" cards is not permitted. Players may not substitute
one card for another. Note, however, that when a card is excessively worn,
the judge may provide a "proxy" replacement card.
1.2.6 Card Sleeves
A player may use plastic card sleeves or other protective devices on cards
unless the judge declares otherwise at the beginning of the tournament.
If a player chooses to exercise this option, all cards in the player's
deck and sideboard must be placed in these devices in an identical manner.
If the sleeves feature holograms or other similar markings, cards must
be inserted into the sleeves so that these markings appear only on the
face of the cards. If for any reason a player's opponent wishes a player
to remove the sleeves/protective devices, he or she may request this prior
to the beginning of any duel, and the player must immediately comply. A
player may also request that the judge inspect his or her opponent's sleeves/devices
prior to any duel. The judge may choose to disallow a player's sleeves
if they are obviously marked, worn, or otherwise in a condition that may
interfere with shuffling or game play. A sleeve may be used to mark a player's
card if the card is in the opponent's playing field.
1.2.7 Shuffle
Prior to the beginning of each duel, each player shuffles his or her deck.
Regardless of the method used to shuffle the deck, before play commences
each player MUST conclude this process with three standard riffle shuffles
(sometimes called "shotgun" shuffles; see 1.12, Definitions).
Each time a player shuffles his or her deck during a match, the player's
opponent may shuffle and/or cut the player's deck. Players may not use
this rule as an opportunity to view any cards in their opponents' decks.
After shuffling, the decks are returned to their original owners, who may
then cut (but not reshuffle) the cards before play begins. If at any time
during this process a player believes his or her opponent's cards are not
shuffled properly, the player may request that a Tournament Official shuffle
the deck. Note that player may count the number of cards in his or her
opponent's library at any time throughout the match.
1.2.8 Play-Draw Rule
The winner of a coin toss (or other random method) chooses either to play
first and skip the draw phase for his or her first turn or play second.
Under these conditions, the first player chooses one or the other before
looking at his or her hand. The player who plays first skips the draw phase
of his or her first turn. All play thereafter is normal: each player plays
and draws cards within his or her turn. After the first duel in a match,
the loser of each duel decides whether to play first in the next duel.
If the previous duel was a tie, the coin is tossed again to determine who
decides which player plays first. If this rule is in use, the judge must
announce it before the tournament begins.
1.2.9 "Mulligan"
At the beginning of each duel, after determining which player goes first
(player #1), both players draw their initial hand of 7 (seven) cards. If
player #1 discovers that his or her initial hand contains all land cards
or no land cards (that is, no cards with LAND as the card type), then the
player may declare a "Mulligan" and choose to restart the duel.
Player #1 is given the opportunity to reshuffle and draw 7 new cards. The
opponent (player #2) may also reshuffle. Whether or not player #1 declares
a Mulligan, the opponent is then given a chance to review his or her own
cards and decide to declare a Mulligan. If player #2 decides not to declare
a Mulligan, then player #1 may not change his or her mind. However, if
either player does declare a Mulligan and chooses to restart the duel,
then the other player may also reshuffle and cut his or her cards. To declare
a Mulligan, the player must first show his or her hand to the opponent
before new cards can be drawn. Any time players reshuffle their cards before
a duel begins, they always have the option to declare a Mulligan as long
as they have not already declared one. A player may declare only one Mulligan
per duel.
1.2.10 Card Translation
During sanctioned competition, players will refer to the English version
of a card to settle disputes concerning the interpretation of a card's
wording or powers.
1.2.11 Errata
All cards will be interpreted using the latest official errata list.
1.2.12 Current Edition
All cards will be interpreted according to the wording on the latest printed
version of the cards.
1.2.13 Forgetting About Upkeep
If a player draws a card for his or her turn without having paid an upkeep
cost, it is assumed that the upkeep cost was not paid and the appropriate
consequences were accepted. For example, most cards bury themselves if
the upkeep cost is not paid, in which case the card is simply buried with
no further penalty to the player.
If a player draws a card for his or her turn without having dealt with one or more upkeep effects (other than upkeep costs), those effects are dealt with immediately. If any of the effects involved a decision, then the player is issued a warning, and the cards that were drawn during the draw phase are shuffled into the library and replaced.
1.2.14 Intentional Draw
Players engaged in a duel may mutually agree to accept an intentional draw
at any time. This agreement shall not be regarded as a violation of Standard
Floor Rules 1.3 or 1.4, provided:
1.2.15 Definition of Terms:
2.0 Rules for Magic: The Gathering Constructed-Deck Tournament Play
Classic (Type I), Standard (Type II), Classic Restricted (Type 1.5), Ice
AgeTM Constructed and Ice Age/AlliancesTM
Constructed
2.1 Required Materials
In order to participate in a match, players must bring their decks, sideboards,
and DCI membership card to the tournament. A player's deck must contain
at least 60 (sixty) cards, while his or her sideboard must contain exactly
15 (fifteen) cards.
2.1.2 Tournament-Legal Decks & Sideboards
Decks which contain less than 60 (sixty) cards, or sideboards which contain
more or less than 15 (fifteen) cards, are not tournament legal; their use
may result in disqualification from current competition. Players who opt
not to have a sideboard must inform their opponent before a match begins;
failure to do so may result in disqualification from current competition.
2.1.3 Deck & Sideboard Registration
At the judge's discretion, players may be required to register all decks
and sideboards when they arrive at a tournament. Registration records the
original composition of each deck and sideboard. If the deck and sideboard
are recorded, both must be returned to their original composition before
the beginning of a new match. Thus, cards transferred from a player's deck
to his or her sideboard, and vice versa, must be returned before the player
begins a new match. Failure to properly register a deck and/or sideboard
or returning a deck and/or sideboard to their original composition may
result in disqualification from current competition.
NOTE: Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to publish contents of decks and sideboards as well as transcripts or video reproductions of any sanctioned tournament.
2.1.4 Sideboard Use
Before a match begins, each player must allow his or her opponent to count
the number of cards in the sideboard face down. Before the beginning of
the second or third duel in a match, players may change the composition
of their decks by swapping cards from their decks with cards in their sideboard.
Any card exchange must be done on a one-for-one basis to ensure that the
sideboard remains at 15 (fifteen) cards. There are no restrictions on the
number of cards a player may exchange as long as one card is traded for
another. Attempts to alter a deck other than through a legal sideboard
exchange may result in a player's disqualification from current and future
competition.
2.1.5 Alpha Cards
Players may use cards that have slightly rounder corners (e.g., Alpha edition
cards-Alpha cards are the first section of the print run from the original
limited-edition basic set) as long as their decks are made up entirely
of these cards and as long as all the cards are legal according the deck-construction
rules limiting which card titles are playable. If a player is using an
"Alpha" deck, he or she must notify the judge before the beginning
of the tournament.
2.1.7 New Releases
New releases of Magic: The Gathering (e.g., new expansions or new editions
of the basic set) may not be included in tournaments until 30 (thirty)
days after the retail release date. Premier tournaments (Magic: The Gathering
Pro Tour Qualifiers, Pro Tour, National Championships) taking place within
seven days of a new release date must announce at least 30 (thirty) days
prior to the date of the event whether the new release will be included
in their Standard (Type II) list. Multi-day tournaments which take place
during this 30 (thirty) day period may or may not use the new release.
This decision must be announced by the Tournament Officials or Tournament
Organizer prior to the tournament.
2.1.8 Four-card limit
With the exception of basic land cards (Plains, Forest, Mountain, Island,
and Swamp, including snow-covered variants), a player's deck and sideboard
may not contain more than 4 (four) of any individual card, by card title.
2.1.9 Restricted and Banned Cards
No more than 1 (one) of each of the cards on the Restricted List is allowed
in a tournament deck (including the sideboard). No cards from the Banned
List are allowed in a tournament deck (including the sideboard). Violation
of this rule may result in disqualification from current competition at
the discretion of the Head Judge, and possibly from future competition
at the discretion of the DCI.
The Banned and Restricted Lists are modified periodically by the DCI as follows:
Classic (Type I) March 1, September 1 Standard (Type II) March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1 Classic Restricted (Type 1.5) is affected by all dates
2.2 Ante
Players may not wager ante.
2.3 Standard (Type II) Deck Construction
Standard (Type II) tournament decks may consist of cards from Magic:
The Gathering, as well as any current extensions of the basic set,
all current limited-edition expansion sets, and all current stand-alone
expansion sets. Players may also include cards from previous printings
that appear in the most current edition as long as they do not have features
that create "marked" cards, such as cards with corners that are
rounder than other cards.
As of September 1, 1996, players may include the following card sets, in addition to Fourth EditionTM :
The Duelists' Convocation International (DCI) will announce changes in the availability of any limited-edition Magic expansion set at least 90 (ninety) days in advance. Contact the DCI for updated information.
2.3.1 The Restricted List for Standard (Type II) tournaments:
2.3.2 The Banned List for Standard (Type II) tournaments:
2.4 Classic (Type I) Deck Construction
Classic (Type I) tournament decks may consist of cards from all editions
of Magic, any extension of the basic set, all promotional cards
released by Wizards of the Coast, and all limited-edition or stand-alone
expansion sets.
2.4.1 The Restricted List for Classic (Type I) tournaments:
2.4.2 The Banned List for Classic (Type I) tournaments:
2.5 Classic Restricted (Type 1.5) Deck Construction:
Classic Restricted (Type 1.5) tournament decks may consist of cards from
all editions of Magic, any extension of the basic set, all promotional
cards released by Wizards of the Coast, and all limited-edition or stand-alone
expansion sets.
2.5.1 The Banned List for Classic Restricted (Type 1.5) tournaments:
2.6 Ice Age-Only Deck Construction:
Ice Age tournament decks may consist only of cards from the Magic:
The Gathering ‚Ice Age stand-alone expansion. Players may also
include cards from previous printings that appear in the Ice Age
stand-alone expansion, as long as they do not have features that create
"marked" cards, such as slightly rounder corners.
2.6.1 The Restricted List for Ice Age-only tournaments:
2.6.2 The Banned List for Ice Age-only tournaments:
2.7 Ice Age/Alliances Deck Construction:
Ice Age/Alliances tournament decks may consist only of cards
from the Magic: The Gathering‚Ice Age stand-alone expansion
and the Alliances limited expansion. Players may also include cards
from previous printings that appear in the Ice Age stand-alone expansion,
as long as they do not have features that create "marked" cards,
such as slightly rounder corners.
2.7.1 The Restricted List for Ice Age/Alliances tournaments:
2.7.2 The Banned List for Ice Age/Alliances tournaments:
3.0 Rules for Magic: The Gathering Limited-Environment Tournament Play
Sealed Deck, Ice Age-only Sealed Deck, and Ice Age/Alliances
Sealed Deck
3.1 Deck Construction
Prior to the beginning of a tournament, each player will receive a sealed
starter deck of Magic: The Gathering cards, along with various booster
packs, from which they will create a tournament deck. Certain limited-environment
formats permit players to receive booster packs only. Before players actually
assemble their decks, they may be required to open and register all their
cards with a Tournament Official at the Head Judge's discretion. Once cards
have been registered, players have a limited amount of time to prepare
their decks before play begins. Cards that are not included in the tournament
deck automatically become the player's sideboard. Violation of this rule
may result in a player's disqualification from current and future competition,
at the discretion of the Head Judge and the DCI.
3.1.2 Each deck is required to have a minimum of 40 (forty) cards. Before a duel begins, players are allowed to count the number of cards in their opponent's deck and sideboard to ensure that the number of cards has not changed since the deck was originally issued. Any discrepancy should be reported to a Tournament Official and may be grounds for disqualification from current or future competition, at the discretion of the Head Judge and the DCI.
3.1.3 Sideboard Use
Players may change the composition of their decks by swapping cards from
their decks with cards in their sideboard before the beginning of a duel.
There are no restrictions on the number of cards a player may exchange
as long as the play deck contains at least 40 (forty) cards. Cards need
not be exchanged on a one-for-one basis. Attempts to alter a deck's composition
illegally may result in disqualification from current and future competition,
at the discretion of the Head Judge and the DCI.
3.2 Ante
Players may not wager ante during a match.
3.2.1 OPTIONAL: Ante may be required at the discretion of the Tournament Officials and/or the Head Judge. If ante is required, competitors must adhere to the following guidelines:
3.2.2 Before any duel begins, players are allowed to count the number of cards in their opponent's deck and sideboard to ensure that the number of cards equals the number of cards originally issued plus any cards won or lost in ante. Any discrepancy should be reported to a Tournament Official and may be grounds for disqualification from current and future competition, at the discretion of the Head Judge and the DCI.
3.2.3 If ante is required, the ante card is the first card selected by a player's opponent after the deck has been shuffled and cut. Once it is selected, the ante card is placed face down on the playing surface before the first hand is dealt. Cards won as ante are considered part of a player's sideboard and may be introduced into a player's deck prior to the beginning of a duel.
3.2.4 If ante is not used, players may be required to reset their deck to its initial registered composition before each match begins. If ante is in use, players may use any initial configuration of their deck, which contains at least 40 (forty) cards and is made up of cards from the deck plus sideboard plus ante won.
3.3 Sealed-Deck tournament decks will consist of a number of cards determined by Tournament Officials prior to the tournament. The DCI suggests a combination of decks or boosters totaling 90 to 300 cards.
3.4 Rules for Booster-Draft Tournament Play
3.4.1 Player Seating
Players assemble into circles of roughly equal size, under the direction
of a Tournament official, with no more than eight players per group. Tournament
Officials will distribute a predetermined number of Magic: The Gathering
booster packs to each player.
3.4.2 Drafting
At a signal from a Tournament Official (for example, "Open the first
of your Fourth Edition boosters...") each player opens one
(1) of the booster packs and looks at the cards. The player chooses one
(1) card from the booster pack, then passes the remaining cards, face down,
to the player on his or her left. All remaining cards must be passed face
down during the entire draft cycle.
3.4.3 Once all cards in the booster pack have been chosen, a Tournament Official will instruct players to open another booster pack ("Open your next Fourth Edition booster...") and draft in the same fashion, except the direction of drafting is reversed. This process is repeated until all cards in all booster packs have been drafted.
3.4.4 Ante cards are not permitted in the Booster-Draft format. All ante cards in initial boosters are replaced by a Tournament Official from a random stack of cards.
3.4.5 Deck Construction
Once all cards have been drafted, a Tournament Official will announce a
30 (thirty) minute deck-construction period. Players may not trade cards
with one another during the deck-construction period.
3.4.6 Players may add as many basic lands as needed to play a minimum 40 (forty) card deck (no maximum is imposed). Tournament Officials will supply all land. Any drafted cards not used in the tournament deck will function as the sideboard.
3.4.7 Due to the natural limiting effect of Booster-Draft play, there are neither Restricted nor Banned Lists for this style of tournament.