MAGIC: THE GATHERING® TOURNAMENT RULES Effective February 5, 2020 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................4 1. Tournament Fundamentals ....................................................................................................................................5 1.1 Tournament Types ........................................................................................................................................5 1.2 Publishing Tournament Information .............................................................................................................5 1.3 Tournament Roles .........................................................................................................................................5 1.4 Participation Eligibility .................................................................................................................................5 1.5 DCI Numbers ................................................................................................................................................6 1.6 Tournament Organizer ..................................................................................................................................6 1.7 Head Judge ....................................................................................................................................................7 1.8 Floor Judges ..................................................................................................................................................7 1.9 Scorekeeper ...................................................................................................................................................7 1.10 Players...........................................................................................................................................................8 1.11 Spectators ......................................................................................................................................................9 1.12 Rules Enforcement Levels ............................................................................................................................9 2. Tournament Mechanics .......................................................................................................................................10 2.1 Match Structure ..........................................................................................................................................10 2.2 Play/Draw Rule ...........................................................................................................................................10 2.3 Pregame Procedures ....................................................................................................................................10 2.4 Conceding or Intentionally Drawing Games or Matches ...........................................................................10 2.5 End-of-Match Procedure.............................................................................................................................11 2.6 Time Extensions .........................................................................................................................................11 2.7 Deck Registration .......................................................................................................................................11 2.8 Deck Checks ...............................................................................................................................................12 2.9 Appeals to the Head Judge..........................................................................................................................12 2.10 Dropping from a Tournament .....................................................................................................................12 2.11 Taking Notes ...............................................................................................................................................13 2.12 Electronic Devices ......................................................................................................................................13 2.13 Video Coverage ..........................................................................................................................................13 3. Tournament Rules ...............................................................................................................................................15 3.1 Tiebreakers .................................................................................................................................................15 3.2 Format Categories .......................................................................................................................................15 3.3 Authorized Cards ........................................................................................................................................15 3.4 Proxy Cards ................................................................................................................................................16 3.5 Substitute Cards ..........................................................................................................................................16 3.6 Card Identification and Interpretation .........................................................................................................17 3.7 New Releases ..............................................................................................................................................17 3.8 Game Markers ............................................................................................................................................17 3.9 Card Shuffling ............................................................................................................................................17 3.10 Sleeves ........................................................................................................................................................18 3.11 Marked Cards ..............................................................................................................................................18 3.12 Hidden Information ....................................................................................................................................18 3.13 Tapped/Flipped Cards .................................................................................................................................18 3.14 Graveyard Order .........................................................................................................................................19 3.15 Sideboard ....................................................................................................................................................19 4. Communication ...................................................................................................................................................20 4.1 Player Communication ...............................................................................................................................20 4.2 Tournament Shortcuts .................................................................................................................................21 1 4.3 Out-of-Order Sequencing ...........................................................................................................................22 4.4 Loops ..........................................................................................................................................................23 4.5 Triggered Abilities ......................................................................................................................................24 4.6 Team/Two-Headed Giant Communication .................................................................................................24 4.7 Game Layout ..............................................................................................................................................24 4.8 Reversing Decisions ...................................................................................................................................25 5. Tournament Violations ........................................................................................................................................26 5.1 Cheating ......................................................................................................................................................26 5.2 Bribery ........................................................................................................................................................26 5.3 Wagering .....................................................................................................................................................26 5.4 Unsporting Conduct ....................................................................................................................................27 5.5 Slow Play ....................................................................................................................................................27 5.6 Outside Assistance ......................................................................................................................................27