Tournament Rules

The Magic: The Gathering Tournament Rules is a an document maintained by Wizards of the Coast that aims to provide the infrastructure used to run Magic tournaments by defining appropriate rules, responsibilities, and procedures to be followed in all DCI-sanctioned Magic tournaments.

DCI-sanctioned tournaments are to be run consistently regardless of their location. This ensures equal treatment of players in different regions and enables their smooth transition to international tournaments. All players are treated equally and share responsibilities according to the Rules Enforcement Level (REL) of the tournament. Both players and officials should cooperate to achieve their common goal of running a proper DCI-sanctioned tournament. Players and officials must treat each other in a fair and respectful manner, following both the rules and the spirit in which those rules were created. They are responsible for following the most current version of the Magic Tournament Rules and Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules. Spectators have their own set of responsibilities. Individuals violating DCI rules are subject to penalties defined by the appropriate document for the tournament's Rules Enforcement Level.

Information in the Tournament Rules may contradict (or have information not contained in) the Comprehensive Rules. In such cases, the Tournament Rules take precedence.

The latest version is always available from in PDF format.

Contents

From the Tournament Rules (November 22, 2019—Throne of Eldraine)

• 1. Tournament Fundamentals
  • 1.1 Tournament Types
  • 1.2 Publishing Tournament Information
  • 1.3 Tournament Roles
  • 1.4 Participation Eligibility
  • 1.5 DCI Numbers
  • 1.6 Tournament Organizer
  • 1.7 Head Judge
  • 1.8 Floor Judges
  • 1.9 Scorekeeper
  • 1.10 Players
  • 1.11 Spectators
  • 1.12 Rules Enforcement Levels
• 2. Tournament Mechanics
  • 2.1 Match Structure
  • 2.2 Play/Draw Rule
  • 2.3 Pregame Procedures
  • 2.4 Conceding or Intentionally Drawing Games or Matches
  • 2.5 End-of-Match Procedure
  • 2.6 Time Extensions
  • 2.7 Deck Registration
  • 2.8 Deck Checks
  • 2.9 Appeals to the Head Judge
  • 2.10 Dropping from a Tournament
  • 2.11 Taking Notes
  • 2.12 Electronic Devices
  • 2.13 Video Coverage
• 3. Tournament Rules
  • 3.1 Tiebreakers
  • 3.2 Format and Ratings Categories
  • 3.3 Authorized Cards
  • 3.4 Proxy Cards
  • 3.5 Checklist Cards
  • 3.6 Card Identification and Interpretation
  • 3.7 New Releases
  • 3.8 Game Markers
  • 3.9 Card Shuffling
  • 3.10 Sleeves
  • 3.11 Marked Cards
  • 3.12 Hidden Information
  • 3.13 Tapped/Flipped Cards
  • 3.14 Graveyard Order
  • 3.15 Sideboard
• 4. Communication
  • 4.1 Player Communication
  • 4.2 Tournament Shortcuts
  • 4.3 Out-of-Order Sequencing
  • 4.4 Loops
  • 4.5 Triggered Abilities
  • 4.6 Team/Two-Headed Giant Communication
  • 4.7 Game Layout
  • 4.8 Reversing Decisions
• 5. Tournament Violations
  • 5.1 Cheating
  • 5.2 Bribery
  • 5.3 Wagering
  • 5.4 Unsporting Conduct
  • 5.5 Slow Play
  • 5.6 Outside Assistance
• 6. Constructed Tournament Rules
  • 6.1 Deck Construction Restrictions
  • 6.2 Card Legality
  • 6.3 Standard Format Deck Construction
  • 6.4 Modern Format Deck Construction
  • 6.5 Vintage Format Deck Construction
  • 6.6 Legacy Format Deck Construction
  • 6.7 Pioneer Format Deck Construction
• 7. Limited Tournament Rules
  • 7.1 Deck Construction Restrictions
  • 7.2 Card Use in Limited Tournaments
  • 7.3 Continuous Construction
  • 7.4 Abnormal Product
  • 7.5 Sealed Deck Pool Registration
  • 7.6 Draft Pod Assembly
  • 7.7 Booster Draft Procedures
• 8. Team Tournament Rules
  • 8.1 Team Names
  • 8.2 Team Composition and Identification
  • 8.3 Team Communication Rules
  • 8.4 Unified Deck Construction Rules
  • 8.5 Team Rochester Draft Tournaments
  • 8.6 Team Sealed Deck Tournaments
• 9. Two-Headed Giant Tournament Rules
  • 9.1 Match Structure
  • 9.2 Communication Rules
  • 9.3 Play-Draw Rule
  • 9.4 Pregame Procedure
  • 9.5 Two-Headed Giant Constructed Rules
  • 9.6 Two-Headed Giant Limited Rules
  • 9.7 Two-Headed Giant Booster Draft Tournaments
• 10. Sanctioning Rules
  • 10.1 Participation Minimums
  • 10.2 Number of Rounds
  • 10.3 Invitation-Only Tournaments
  • 10.4 Pairing Algorithm

Appendices

The rules are followed by six appendices lettered A to F.

• Appendix A—Changes From Previous Versions
• Appendix B—Time Limits
  • Booster Draft Timing
  • Rochester Draft Timing
  • Two-Headed Giant Draft Timing
• Appendix C—Tiebreaker Explanation
  • Match Points
  • Game Points
  • Match-win percentage
  • Game-win percentage
  • Opponents' match-win percentage
  • Opponents' game-win percentages
  • Byes 51
• Appendix D—Recommended Booster Mix for Limited Tournaments
• Appendix E—Recommended Number of Rounds in Swiss Tournaments
• Appendix F—Rules Enforcement Levels of Programs