2022-08-13
MAGIC DIGITAL TOURNAMENT RULES
Effective November 15, 2021
Introduction
Tournament Play has always been a big part of
Magic: The Gathering
. With more and more
tournaments being held digitally, it is more important than ever to have a guide to call out what
is unique about playing or running a digital tournament.
This document will provide a similar infrastructure provided by the Tabletop MTR, but with a
focus on digital tournaments and the unique challenges that come with running an event with
players spread out all over the world.
As much as possible, digital 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. It is our expectation that players are treated equally and share
responsibilities that are called out in this document. Both players and officials should cooperate
to achieve their common goal of running a smooth digital 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. Players are responsible for following the most current version of the
Digital Magic Tournament Rules and
Magic: The Gathering
Comprehensive Rules. Spectators
have their own set of responsibilities. Individuals violating these rules are subject to penalties
defined by the appropriate document(s).
Information in this document may contradict (or have information not contained in) the
Comprehensive Rules. In such cases, this document takes precedence.
This document is meant to be the default rules for digital tournaments. Tournament Organizers
may have Official tournament fact sheets for specific tournaments that define alternative or
additional policies or procedures. If a contradiction exists between this document and an official
fact sheet, the information in the fact sheet takes precedence.
Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to alter these rules, as well as the right to interpret,
modify, clarify, or otherwise issue official changes to these rules without prior notice.
Updates will be made to this document as necessary. The dates for updates to the legality of
individual cards in formats contained in this document will be communicated with at least one
week’s notice. Other updates not involving changes to card legality may occur without prior
announcement.
This is meant to be a supplement to the Magic Tournament Rules published under the Tabletop
and In-Store Policies section,
found under the Policy tab of magic.gg
.
1. Tournament Fundamentals
1.1. Tournament Types
Digital events governed by this document are run using the
Magic: the Gathering Arena
(
MTG
Arena
) Game Client.
There are currently two major types of digital events: Online and LAN. In Online events, players
are generally playing from remote locations using their own device and connection to play. In
LAN events, players are generally playing in the same place using the same network
connection.
Sanctioned tournaments, including both tabletop and digital events, are divided into two types:
Premier and non-Premier. Premier tournaments are run by Wizards of the Coast or select
Tournament Organizers. They have unique names and features. Non-Premier tournaments
include all tournaments that are not explicitly Premier.
Some Premier tournaments may consist of both Online and LAN stages within the same
tournament.
There are two major tournament formats: Limited and Constructed. Each tournament format has
rules specific to its format. In Limited tournaments, all product for play is provided during the
tournament. In Constructed tournaments, players compete using decks prepared beforehand.
Some Premier tournaments may consist of multiple formats and stages within the same
tournament.
1.2. Publishing Tournament Information
Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to publish tournament information at any time (including
during the tournament). Tournament information includes, but is not limited to, the contents of
one or more players' decks, descriptions of strategies or play, transcripts, and video
reproductions. Tournament Organizers are also allowed to publish this information once their
tournament is complete.
Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to publish penalty and suspension information.
1.3. Tournament Roles
The following roles are defined for tournament purposes:
Tournament Organizer (or TO)
Head Judge
Judge/Tournament Admin
Lead Admin
Player
Spectator
The first four roles above are considered tournament officials. The Head Judge and
judges/tournament admins are collectively considered judges. A single individual may act in any
combination of tournament official roles. Individuals who are not judges at a tournament are
spectators in any match in which they are not playing. Members of the press are also
considered spectators.
1.4. Participation Eligibility
Anyone is eligible to participate as a player in a DCI-sanctioned tournament except for:
Individuals currently suspended by the DCI. Players suspended by the DCI cannot be
registered in tournaments using Wizards-owned tournament software, and organizers
are expected to make a good-faith effort in ensuring suspended players do not compete
in sanctioned events should a tournament be run on alternative software. Individuals
currently suspended from the DCI may not act as tournament officials
Other individuals specifically prohibited from participation by Wizards of the Coast policy
(such determination is at Wizards of the Coast’s sole discretion);
Individuals under the age of 13 cannot participate in any DCI-sanctioned digital
tournament, and additional restrictions may apply to individuals under the age of 18 if the
digital tournament awards prize money or feeds an event offering prize money.
Anyone prohibited by federal, state, or local laws, the rules of the Tournament
Organizer, or by a venue’s management.
Tournament Organizers may choose to further restrict eligibility for any events that they
organize. They must clearly indicate this in their marketing for the event as well as any
other place they display the event information. (i.e. Tournament Organizers may
advertise an age-16-and-under event).
Anyone is eligible to participate as a tournament official (Tournament Organizer, Head Judge,
judge/tournament admin or Head Admin) for a tournament except for individuals currently
suspended by the DCI.
If tournament officials play in the tournament, the tournament will be invalidated. Tournament
officials are required to officiate tournaments fairly and without regard to their own self-interest.
The owners of organizations that run Premier Events are not permitted to play in those
tournaments, even if the owner is not listed as a tournament official (organizer, judge, and/or
scorekeeper) for that tournament.
Some tournaments have additional criteria regarding player and tournament official eligibility
(e.g. invitation-only tournaments, such as Championships).
The Premier Invitation Policy defines specific eligibility rules with regards to certain types of
invitation-only Premier Tournaments (e.g. Qualifier Weekend, Championships).
Individuals with questions regarding their eligibility to compete in Premier Tournaments should
contact the Wizards of the Coast by emailing
esports@wizards.com
.
1.5. Wizards Account
Tournament participants must have a Wizards Account, which is required to play
MTG Arena
, in
order to register. Players without a Wizards Account can obtain one by registering for an
account through the
MTG Arena
game client. Players agree to all
Terms of Use
,
Privacy Policy
,
and
Code of Conduct
by signing up for an account
1.6. Tournament Organizer
The Tournament Organizer of a tournament is responsible for all tournament logistics including:
Securing a sanctioning number from the Wizards of the Coast.
Choosing a platform for the tournament to run that meets the tournament’s expected
needs.
Advertising the tournament in advance of the tournament date.
Staffing the tournament with appropriate tournament officials.
Providing a hub for communication for Players and Staff necessary to operate the
tournament (e.g. a TO-owned Discord Server).
Reporting the tournament results to Wizards of the Coast.
1.7. Head Judge
Sanctioned tournaments require the presence of a Head Judge during play to adjudicate
disputes, interpret rules, and make other official decisions. The Head Judge is the final judicial
authority at any tournament and all tournament participants are expected to follow their
interpretations.
The Head Judge’s responsibilities include:
Issuing the final ruling in all appeals, potentially overturning the ruling of another
Judge/Tournament Admin.
Coordinating and delegating tasks to judges as needed.
If necessary, the Head Judge may temporarily transfer their duties to any judge if they are
unable to fulfill them for a period of time. Also, in exceptional circumstances, if the tournament’s
integrity would be damaged otherwise, the Tournament Organizer may replace the Head Judge.
Certain Premier tournaments have multiple and/or different Head Judges for different portions of
the tournament. All Head Judges share the same responsibilities and exercise the same
authority while they are serving as a Head Judge.
1.8. Judges/Tournament Admins
Judges/Tournament Admins are available to players to answer questions, help resolve issues,
or assist with reasonable requests.
1.9. Lead Admin
The Lead Admin ensures the correct generation of pairings and all other tournament records
throughout the tournament. The Lead Admin’s responsibilities include:
• Generating correct pairings each round and accurately entering the results of those rounds.
• Generating standings and brackets where appropriate.
• Solving all scorekeeping problems that arise in consultation with the Head Judge.
• Recording and tracking Penalties throughout the Tournament.
The Head Judge has the final authority in determining corrective action for scorekeeping errors.
1.10. Players
Players are responsible for:
Behaving in a respectful manner toward tournament officials, other tournament
participants, and spectators and refraining from unsporting conduct at all times.
Complying with announced start times and time limits.
Calling attention to any rules or policy infraction they notice in their matches.
Bringing to a judge’s attention any discrepancies in their tournament match record.
Having a single Wizards Account in good standing that is theirs and not shared by
anyone else
Joining the communication channel required by the Tournament Organizer
Refraining from enrolling in tournaments in which they are not allowed by policy to
participate.
Being familiar with the rules contained within this document.
Being present/online and actively responsive for the tournament
The following is required in order for a player to participate:
A stable internet connection
An up-to-date
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Game Client and a device that will properly
run the program at the recommend hardware specifications for that device.
(See
https://magic.wizards.com/en/MTG Arenarena/faq
for hardware specifications)
It is not recommended that players compete in tournaments on a mobile device or any platform
in early access. Players who elect to do so assume all responsibility for gameplay or connection
issues they experience.
Players may be required to use equipment provided by a Tournament Organizer. If this is the
case, it is the responsibility of the Organizer to ensure that the provided equipment is functional.
If an Organizer does not explicitly say they are providing equipment or internet, Players should
assume they need to provide their own.
Players who do not fulfill their responsibilities may be subject to penalties and review. Wizards
of the Coast reserves the right to suspend or revoke a player's account without prior notice for
any reason they deem necessary.
1.11. Spectators
Any person physically present at a LAN tournament, or present in the channel the Tournament
Organizer identifies as the place Official Tournament information is posted, and not in any other
category above is a spectator. If spectators believe they have observed a rules or policy
violation, they are encouraged to alert an Admin as soon as possible.
2. Tournament Mechanics
2.1. Match Structure
A Magic match consists of a series of games that are played until one side has won a set
number of games, usually two. Drawn games do not count toward this goal. If both players have
equal game wins when an untimed round concludes, the match is a draw.
A Tournament Organizer may choose the number of game wins required to win a match
provided
MTG Arena
can support that number of games. Any number other than two must be
annnounced before the tournament begins. Note: Tournament Mode games only supports two
wins as a goal.
For sanctioned tournaments, only match results — not individual game results — are reported
to Wizards of the Coast.
2.2. Play/Draw Rule
For the first game of a match in Swiss rounds,
MTG Arena
randomly chooses which player gets
the choice to play first or second.
In a tournament’s playoff rounds, before a match begins, the player who was seeded higher
entering the playoff chooses whether to play first or second. This decision should be
communicated to an Admin
(or to the opponent directly, if possible)
before players see their
opening hands. If
MTG Arena
randomly gives the lower-seeded opponent the play-draw option,
that opponent must select the option that enables the higher seed’s choice.
After each game within a match, following sideboarding,
MTG Arena
gives the loser of that
game the play-draw choice in the next game. If the previous game was a draw,
MTG Arena
will
prompt the player who made that decision in the drawn game to make the choice.
2.3. Pregame Procedures —
MTG Arena
Challenge Info
The following steps must be performed in a timely manner before each game begins:
1. Find the
MTG Arena
ID of your opponent.
2. Open the
MTG Arena
game client and select Direct Challenge
(crossed-swords icon)
3. Enter your Opponent’s
MTG Arena
ID
(case-sensitive)
4.
Make sure the settings correct for the Tournament Stage
(usually Standard Tournament
Match, Limited Tournament Match, etc.)
5. Select the deck you registered for the tournament.
6. Send the challenge
Once both players have challenged, the
MTG Arena
game client will manage the rest of the
process.
2.4. Conceding or Intentionally Drawing Games or Matches
Matches are considered complete once the result is reported to the Lead Admin.
If a match has not yet completed, a player may concede that match. If the conceding player won
a game in the match, the match’s result must be reported as 2-1.
Premier Events do not permit matches to end in a draw.
In non-Premier tournaments, if the event’s scorekeeping system permits draws, players may
agree to intentionally draw the match.
Players may not agree to a concession or draw in exchange for any reward or incentive. Doing
so will be considered Bribery (see section 5.2).
2.5. End-of-Match Procedure
In
MTG Arena
, Tournament Matches give both players 30 minutes to complete their match. This
timer is specific to each player, and only ticks down when the player has priority or a decision to
make. If a player’s timer runs out, that player loses that entire match.
The Lead Admin of your online tournament may ask Admins to reach out to matches that have
not reported results after 50 minutes to confirm players are still playing. Failure to respond may
result in penalties.
(See: Magic Digital IPG 3.5 - Disconnects)
2.6. Deck Registration
Players may be required to register their decks and sideboards.
Registered decklists record the original composition of each deck and sideboard (if applicable).
Once your decklist has been accepted by a Tournament Official it may not be altered.
Players may review their own decklist at any time.
Decklist submission deadlines will be defined by the Tournament Organizer. Note that multi-day
or Premier events can require deck submission several days in advance.
Unless otherwise stated, decklists are due before the start of Round 1 on the day of the event
(whether upon registration or when registration closes).
2.7. Open / Closed Decklist
Tournaments that require decklists generally have two ways those lists are handled during the
event. Decklists are either kept secret from players (Closed Decklist) or they are revealed to
players during the tournament (Open Decklist).
All players should have the same level of access to decklists or other information that other
players in the same stage of the event have.
2.8. Appeals to the Head Judge
If a player disagrees with a Admin’s ruling, they may appeal the ruling to the Head Judge.
Players may not initiate an appeal before the responding judge completes their full ruling.
The Head Judge may designate additional Appeals Judges empowered to hear appeals.
Rulings made by the Head Judge or an Appeals Judge are final.
2.9. Dropping from a Tournament
Players may drop from a tournament at any time. If a player drops from a tournament before the
first round of play has started, they are considered to have not participated in the tournament.
Players choosing to drop from a tournament must inform the Lead Admin by the means
provided for that tournament before the next round’s pairings are generated – otherwise they
will be paired for that round.
If a player does not show up for their match, they will be automatically dropped from the
tournament unless they report to the Lead Admin by the end of that round and ask to continue
play.
Players who have dropped may rescind that decision only before the next round is paired, and
only at the discretion of the Head Judge.
Players that repeatedly and/or intentionally drop from tournaments without informing the Lead
Admin of those tournaments may be the subject of penalties, up to and including suspension.
If a player drops from a tournament after a playoff cut has been finalized, no other player is
advanced as a replacement. The playoff will continue as planned with the dropped player given
Match Losses until they are eliminated.
Players may not drop from a tournament in exchange for any reward or incentive. Doing so is
considered Bribery (see section 5.X).
2.10. Taking Notes
Players are allowed to take written notes during a match and may refer to those notes. They are
not required to reveal these notes to their opponents.
LAN events may restrict the use of notes. In this situation, the Tournament Organizer must
announce this restriction prior to the start of the event.
2.11. Video Coverage
Some tournaments use video for live streaming or replay broadcast of matches. Video
commentators are considered spectators for the purpose of the tournament. They are
responsible for behaving respectfully to all tournament participants during coverage.
Players who are featured on Video Coverage may have additional procedures they need to do
to accommodate being featured. Those procedures will be explained clearly to the player before
they begin playing by Tournament Officials. These procedures should not change the level of
access to decklists or other information these players have compared to other featured players
in the same stage of the tournament.
Spectators are also permitted to record matches provided that they do so unobtrusively.
The Head Judge may, at their discretion, use video replays to assist in making rulings in
tournaments. Video replays may also be used for investigative purposes at a later time.
A minimum delay of 10 minutes on any live streams is recommended to reduce the possibility
and effectiveness of seeking or soliciting outside assistance.
(This is a requirement for Premier
event broadcasts.)
2.12. In-Event Communication
Most Digital tournaments will advertise a platform where official tournament information will be
posted. Players are required to have access to that platform in order to participate in the event.
Aside from having access to that platform, players must also be responsive to communication
from Judges and other Tournament Staff. Failure to respond to a Tournament Official may result
in a penalty (See Magic Digital IPG 3.5 — Disconnect)
3. Tournament Rules
3.1. Tiebreakers
The following tiebreakers are used as the default to determine how a player ranks in a
tournament:
1. Match points
2. Opponents’ match-win percentage
3. Game-win percentage
4. Opponents’ game-win percentage
Definitions of these tiebreakers can be found in Appendix C. Events using single-game matches
will omit tiebreakers 3 & 4.
Organizers and platforms may use different Tiebreakers. If they do, those details must be
published for their event either in the organizer’s tournament rules or on the platform’s website
and be visible in all standings as the tournament progresses.
3.2. Formats
These are the formats currently supported by this document and available on
MTG Arena
:
Constructed Formats
Standard
Historic
Limited Formats
Sealed Deck
Booster Draft
3.3. Card Legality — New Releases
Cards become legal for digital tournaments upon release on
MTG Arena
. Certain sets are not
legal in Standard upon release
(i.e. Historic Anthologies, Jumpstart, Remastered sets, etc)
–
review the individual set’s product page at mtgarena.com for specifics.
3.4. Sideboard
A sideboard is a group of additional cards the player may use to modify their deck between
games of a match. The player may use these cards in their main deck during all games after the
first one in a match.
Players must begin each match with the deck and sideboard in their original configurations.
Restrictions on the composition and use of a sideboard can be found in the deck construction
rules for a particular format type
(Example: single-game matches allow 7-card sideboards
instead of 15 cards)
.
Certain cards refer to “a (card or cards) from outside the game.” In tournament play, these are
cards in that player’s sideboard.
4. Sanctioning Rules
4.1. Sanctioning Minimums
A minimum of four players must participate in a sanctioned tournament. If four players are not
involved, the Tournament Organizer should report the tournament as “Did Not Occur.”
4.2. Number of Rounds
A minimum of two rounds must be played in a sanctioned tournament. If two rounds are not
played, the Tournament Organizer should report the tournament as “Did Not Occur.”
The number of rounds should be announced at or before the beginning of the first round; once
announced, it cannot be changed. A variable number of rounds can be announced instead, with
specific criteria for ending the tournament. For example, a tournament with 20 players can be
announced as five rounds unless only one player has four match wins after four rounds.
The recommended number of rounds for Swiss tournaments can be found in Appendix D.
4.3. Invitation-Only Tournaments
Invitation-only tournaments have additional qualification criteria for player participation. The
invitation list for Premier tournaments is defined in the Premier Event Invitation Policy document
for the appropriate time period. These documents can be found in the
Policies section of the
Magic Esports website
.
4.4. Pairing Algorithm
Unless otherwise announced, tournaments are assumed to follow the Swiss pairing algorithm.
Some tournaments may proceed to single-elimination playoff rounds between the top 2, 4, or 8
(or other number) players after the Swiss rounds are over. The Swiss pairing algorithm is
modified in Booster Draft tournaments as explained in section 7.6.
For constructed tournaments that have a single-elimination playoff (or sealed deck tournaments
that do not use a booster draft for the playoff), the recommended pairing method is to pair the
playoff players by the final Swiss standings.
8-player Single-Elimination Playoff
(Constructed or Sealed – no draft)
Round 1: 1
st
seed vs. 8
th
seed, 2
nd
vs. 7
th
, 3
rd
vs. 6
th
, 4
th
vs 5
th
Round 2: Winners 1
st
-8
th
/ 4
th
-5
th
in one match, winners of 2
nd
-7
th
/ 3
rd
-6
th
in the other match
Round 3: Winners of the Round 2 matches
4-player Single Elimination Playoff
Round 1: 1
st
vs. 4
th
, 2
nd
vs. 3
rd
Round 2: Winners of the Round 1 matches
8-player Single-Elimination Draft Playoff
(only recommended number for Draft)
1) Use a random method to seat players around the draft table,
assigning one player as Seat 1
and continuing clockwise to Seat 8.
2) After drafting and deckbuilding concludes, matchups are:
Round 1: Seat 1 vs. Seat 5, Seat 2 vs. Seat 6, Seat 3 vs. Seat 7, Seat 4 vs. Seat 8
Round 2: Winners 1-5 / 3-7 in one match, winners of 2-6 / 4-8 in the other match
Round 3: Winners of the Round 2 matches
For Double-Elimination playoffs, the recommended pairing method is to pair the playoff players
by the final Swiss standings.
5. Tournament Violations
5.1. Cheating
Cheating will not be tolerated. The Head Judge reviews all cheating allegations, and if they
believe that a player has cheated, they will issue the appropriate penalty based on the Infraction
Procedure Guide or Judging at Regular Rules Enforcement Level document. All disqualifications
are subject to DCI review and further penalties may be assessed.
5.2. Bribery
The decision to drop, concede, or agree to an intentional draw cannot be made in exchange for
or influenced by the offer of any reward or incentive, nor may any in-game decision be
influenced in this manner. Making such an offer or enticing someone into making an offer is
prohibited and is considered Bribery. Players may not make any offers to tournament officials in
an attempt to influence the outcome of a ruling.
It is not Bribery when players share prizes they have not yet received in the current tournament
and they may agree to such before or during their match, as long as any such sharing does not
occur in exchange for any game or match result or the dropping of a player from the
tournament.
It is also not Bribery when players in the announced last round of the single-elimination portion
of a tournament agree to a winner and how to divide the subsequent tournament prizes. In that
case, one of the players must agree to drop from the tournament. Players receive the prizes
according to their final ranking.
The result of a match or game may not be randomly or arbitrarily determined through any
means other than the normal progress of the game in play. Examples include
(but are not
limited to)
rolling a die, flipping a coin, using a random number generator, or playing any other
game.
Players may not reach an agreement in conjunction with other matches. Players can make use
of information regarding match or game scores of other tables. However, players are not
allowed to go to great lengths to obtain this information.
Players in the single-elimination rounds of a tournament offering only cash, store credit, prize
tickets, and/or unopened product
(and not invitations to future events)
as prizes may, with the
permission of the Tournament Organizer, agree to split the prizes evenly. The players may end
the tournament at that point or continue to play. All players still in the tournament must agree to
the arrangement.
Example: Before the semifinals of a tournament
(in which first place gets 4000 Gems, second
place gets 2000 Gems and 3rd and 4th get 1000 Gems each)
begins, the players may get
permission from the Tournament Organizer to end the tournament, with each player receiving
2000 Gems, so long as the Organizer has the ability to assign prizes at these amounts
(Gem
codes, etc)
.
Example: In the finals of a 1-slot Championship Qualifier that offers an invitation to the winner,
the two finalists may agree to split the tournament prizes, but this agreement cannot alter the
results of the match. One player must drop from the tournament, leaving the invitation to the
player who did not drop from the tournament. That player is then free to split the remainder of
the prizes as agreed.
5.3. Wagering
Tournament participants, tournament officials, and spectators may not wager, ante, or bet on
any portion (including the outcome) of a tournament, match, or game.
5.4. Unsporting Conduct
Unsporting conduct will not be tolerated at any time. Tournament participants must behave in a
polite and respectful manner. Unsporting conduct includes, but is not limited to:
Using profanity in shared tournament spaces
(Discord, etc)
.
Engaging in behavior that could reasonably be expected to create a feeling of being
harassed, bullied, or stalked.
Arguing with, acting belligerently toward, or insulting tournament officials, players or
spectators.
Violating the personal privacy or safety of any participant, including spectators and staff
such as, but not limited to, publishing a person’s full name or photo without their
permission (i.e. doxxing).
Using social media or public chats to bully, shame, or intimidate other participants.
Failing to follow the instructions of a tournament official.
Officials are expected to investigate potential matters brought to their attention as soon as
possible and take actions to discourage repeat behavior. All incidents of Unsporting Conduct
are subject to further review.
5.5. Slow Play
For most matches, players play using the Tournament Match feature which has a timer that will
limit the time each player can take to make choices. However, some events will use the
Challenge Match, which does not have a timer in-client. In these cases all players still have the
responsibility to play at a reasonable pace. Stalling is not acceptable. Players may ask an
Admin to watch their game for slow play; such a request will be granted if feasible.
5.6. Outside Assistance
During matches, players may not seek play advice from spectators and spectators may not give
play advice to players. Players may not seek out in-game information that is not provided to
them by the game client, such as unrevealed cards in their opponent’s hand.
During deck construction, players and spectators may not provide any advice or commentary to
a player until that player’s decklist has been submitted.
Players and spectators will refrain from providing any information about draft selections or
strategies between pod announcement and the end of the draft.
Some of these restrictions may be waived due to official press or coverage; in these situations,
the player will be informed of the revised expectations.
6. Constructed Tournament Rules
6.1. Deck Construction Restrictions
Constructed decks must contain a minimum of sixty cards. There is no maximum deck size. If a
player chooses to use a sideboard, it may not contain more than fifteen cards for multi-game
matches, and not more than seven cards for single-game matches.
Except for cards with the basic supertype or cards with text that specifies otherwise, a player’s
combined deck and sideboard may not contain more than four copies of any individual card,
based on its English card title.
6.2. Card Legality
A card may only be used in a particular format if the card is from a set that is legal in that format
or has the same name as a card from a set that is legal in that format. Cards banned or
suspended in a specific format may not be used in decks for that format. Cards restricted in a
specific format may only have one copy in a deck, including sideboard.
6.3. Standard Format Deck Construction
The list of card sets permitted in Standard tournaments can be
found at
https://magic.wizards.com/content/standard-formats-magic-gathering.
Cards that are banned in Standard Constructed tournaments can be found at
https://magic.wizards.com/game-info/gameplay/rules-and-formats/banned-restricted
.
6.4.
Historic Format Deck Construction
Historic Constructed is a non-rotating format featuring cards released on
MTG Arena.
In Historic tournaments, cards may be suspended or banned. Suspended cards are temporarily
unavailable for play in Historic tournaments but may be removed from the suspended list or
moved to the banned list at any time.
The most up-to-date Banned and Suspended card list for Historic Constructed can be found at
https://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/formats/historic
.
7. Limited Tournament Rules
7.1. Deck Construction Restrictions
Limited decks must contain a minimum of forty cards. There is no maximum deck size. Any
drafted or opened cards not used in a player’s Limited deck function as their sideboard. If a
player Sealed or Draft card pool contains more than four copies of a card, the player can use all
copies available.
7.2. Card Use in Limited Tournaments
Only cards from the expansions of the boosters opened (and only cards opened or drafted in
that player’s pool) may be used in a player’s deck. The following are exceptions to this rule:
Players may add an unlimited number of cards named Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain,
or Forest to their deck and sideboard. They may not add additional snow basic land
cards (e.g. Snow-Covered Forest, etc) or Wastes basic land cards, even in formats in
which they are legal.
7.3. Continuous Construction Option
Players participating in Limited tournaments on
MTG Arena
may freely change the composition
of their decks between matches by exchanging cards from their deck for cards in their sideboard
without being required to return their deck to its original composition before their next match.
This option is not available in Premier events.
7.4. Abnormal Product
Neither Wizards of the Coast nor the Tournament Organizer guarantee any specific distribution
of card rarities or frequency in a particular booster pack. If a player receives an unconventional
distribution of rarities or frequencies in a particular booster or Sealed pool, they must call an
Admin. The final decision to replace or allow the atypical product is at the discretion of the Head
Judge and the Tournament Organizer.
Appendix A — Changes from Previous Versions
Only changes from the current version and the previous version of this document will be
displayed in this appendix.
November 15, 2021
Document published on magic.gg.
Sections with out-of-date information regarding format legality now instead house links to
web pages that reflect up-to-date information on banned or suspended cards.
Section 1.6 – Deleted requirement for organizers to save event data for 6 months
Section 2.12 - Changed streaming delay recommendation to 10 minutes
Section 5.4 was updated to specifically note behavior that falls under the definition of
doxxing.
Section 6.1 – Added Best-of-One Constructed sideboard capacity limit
Sanctioning Rules section renumbered (was 10, now 4)
Additional links have been embedded in this document to point to key pages which
house policy or information regarding programs that cover Magic Esports tournaments or
events that reference this document as its key rules source.
General language and formatting has been cleaned up in case errors persisted in this
document. This will remain an ongoing aspect of the appendix and general typos or
formatting issues can and will be addressed in future versions of this document.
Appendix B — Round Timing
In
MTG Arena
, using Tournament Challenge gives each player a 30-minute clock. It is
recommended that you use this method to manage time whenever possible.
It is recommended that Admins reach out to players who have not reported a result for each
round of a tournament after 50 minutes. If a player fails to respond to the Admin who reached
out to them after this time, they may be subject to penalties. (See Magic Digital IPG 3.5 —
Disconnects.) These are not time limits for players to complete their matches, only times that
Admins should begin verifying that players are still playing.
The Head Judge of the tournament is the final authority on time limits for a tournament.
However, any deviation from these recommendations must be announced prior to and during
tournament registration.
Magic Premier Tournaments may have different time limits. These time limits can be found in
the tournament or tournament series fact sheet.
Appendix C — Tiebreaker Explanation
Match Points
Players earn 3 match points for each match win, 0 points for each match loss and 1 match point
for each match ending in a draw. Players receiving byes are considered to have won the match.
A player's record is 6–2–0 (Wins–Losses–Draws). That player has 18 match points
(6*3, 2*0, 0*1).
A player's record is 4–2–2. That player has 14 match points (4*3, 2*0, 2*1).
Game Points
Game points are similar to match points in that players earn 3 game points for each game they
win and 1 point for each game that ends in a draw, and 0 points for any game lost. Unfinished
games are considered draws. Unplayed games are worth 0 points.
A player wins a match 2–0–0, so they earn 6 game points and their opponent
receives 0 game points from the match.
A player wins a match 2–1–0, so they earn 6 game points and their opponent earns
3 game points from the match.
A player wins a match 2–0–1, so they earn 7 game points and their opponent earns
1 game point from the match.
Match-win percentage
A player’s match-win percentage is that player’s accumulated match points divided by the total
match points possible in those rounds (generally, 3 times the number of rounds played). If this
number is lower than 0.33, use 0.33 instead. The minimum match-win percentage of 0.33 limits
the effect low performances have when calculating and comparing opponents’ match-win
percentage.
Examples:
These three players competed in an 8-round tournament, although only the first player
completed all rounds.
Tournament
Record
Match Points
Rounds Played
Match-win
Percentage
5-2-1
16
8
16/(8*3) = 0.667
1-3-0, then
withdraws
3
4
3/(4*3) = 0.25, so
0.33 is used.
3-2-0, including a
first-round bye, then
withdraws
9
5
9/(5*3) = 0.60
Game-win percentage
Similar to the match-win percentage, a player’s game-win percentage is the total number of
game points they earned divided by the total game points possible (generally, 3 times the
number of games played). Again, use 0.33 if the actual game-win percentage is lower than that.
These two players competed in a four-round tournament:
Game Record by Match
Game Points
Games
Played
Game-win
Percentage
Round 1: 2 wins (6 game points)
Round 2: 2 wins and 1 loss (6 game
points)
Round 3: 1 win and 2 losses (3 game
points)
Round 4: 2 wins (6 game points)
21
10
21/(3*10) = 0.70
Round 1: 1 win and 2 losses (3 game
points)
Round 2: 1 win and 2 losses (3 game
points)
Round 3: 2 losses (0 game points)
Round 4: 1 win and 2 losses (3 game
points)
9
11
9/(3*11) = 0.27, so
0.33 is used.
Opponents’ match-win percentage
A player’s opponents’ match-win percentage is the average match-win percentage of each
opponent that player faced (ignoring those rounds for which the player received a bye). Use the
match-win percentage definition listed above when calculating each individual opponent’s
match-win percentage.
Examples:
A player’s record in an eight-round tournament is 6–2–0. Her opponents’ match records were:
4–4–0, 7–1–0, 1–3–1, 3–3–1, 6–2–0, 5–2–1, 4–3–1, and 6–1–1, so her opponents’ match-win
percentage is:
Another player’s record at the same tournament was 6–2–0. His opponents’ records were: bye,
7–1–0, 1–3–1, 3–3–1, 6–2–0, 5–2–1, 4–3–1, and 6–1–1, so his opponents’ match-win
percentage is:
Opponents’ game-win percentages
Similar to opponents’ match-win percentage, a player’s opponents’ game-win percentage is
simply the average game-win percentage of all that player’s opponents. As with opponents’
match-win percentage, each opponent has a minimum game-win percentage of 0.33.
Byes
When a player is assigned a bye for a round, they are considered to have won the match 2–0.
Thus, that player earns 3 match points and 6 game points. A player’s byes are ignored when
computing their opponents’ match-win and opponents’ game-win percentages.
Appendix D — Recommended Number of Rounds in
Swiss Tournaments
The following number of Swiss rounds is required for most premier-level tournaments unless
changes are specified in a tournament’s event information page before the start of the event. It
may also be used at the Tournament Organizer’s discretion for non-Premier tournaments.
Players
Swiss Rounds
Playoff
4
2 Single-Elimination
Rounds (No Swiss)
None (Run Single
Elimination)
5-8
3 Single-Elimination
Rounds (No Swiss)
None (Run Single
Elimination)
9-16
4 (if Limited Format with
Booster Draft in Playoff)
5 (All Other Formats)
Top 8 (If Limited Format with
Booster Draft in Playoff)
Top 4 (All Other Formats)
17-32
5
Top 8
33-64
6
Top 8
65-128
7
Top 8
129-226
8
Top 8
227-409
9
Top 8
410+
10
Top 8
In tournaments where awarded byes are used, each player with a 1-round bye should count as
2 players, each player with a 2-round bye should count as 4 players, and each player with a 3-
round bye should count as 8 players when using the above chart.