The Unwritten Rules of the MTG Play Table

You don't need to know all Magic cards to be a pleasant person to play with. Handling cards with care, communicating clearly, and leaving room for questions will get you a long way.

Below you will find ten practical table agreements, followed by an explanation of Rule 0. The advice is primarily intended for casual multiplayer Commander, but much of it works at every Magic table. Where an official game rule or tournament rule applies, it is noted separately.

To the ten table agreements · To Rule 0 · To Commander Brackets

Respect for the cards

1. Protect your cards and keep your deck recognizable

Sleeves are a practical way to limit wear and tear. Use the same backing for the cards in your deck and replace damaged sleeves that make a card recognizable. A playmat can help keep cards off a rough or dirty table.

That is a recommendation for careful play, not an entry requirement for a fun game. Want to know what suits your collection? Read the guide on protecting and storing cards.

2. Ask before picking up someone else's cards

A simple “May I read that?” is enough. Let the owner point out the card or read the text aloud. This also applies to a deck, deck box, or binder: interest is nice, but permission remains important.

3. Shuffle carefully and thoroughly

Shuffle your own deck well when necessary. According to the rules, shuffling must randomize the order; merely cutting a deck does not accomplish this. There is no fixed number of hand movements that is sufficient for every shuffling method.

Handle someone else's deck with care. When in doubt, ask how to handle it safely. Furthermore, tournaments have procedures for presenting and shuffling decks; follow the judge's instructions.

4. Keep the play area clean and organized

Keep drinks out of reach of cards and play with clean hands. Give everyone enough space for the battlefield, graveyard, and other zones. Be clear about which tokens and counters you are using and tidy up your things afterwards.

Respect for time

5. Stay engaged and communicate your steps

Think about your options during other turns, but keep track of what is happening. Clearly state which card you are playing, what your target is, and when you are finished. Give others the opportunity to respond; “I already did everything” does not prevent a valid reaction.

A complex turn may take time. For example, say: “I need to look at how this interaction works.” New players and players who need more processing time deserve patience. A friendly explanation helps more than sighing or taking over their turn unasked.

6. Be prepared and discuss how much time you have

If possible, bring tokens, counters, and something to track life totals. Forgot something? Feel free to ask if you can borrow it. If you don't know your deck well yet, mention that beforehand.

Arrive at the agreed time or let someone know if you are running late. If you have to leave at a certain time, mention that before the game. For a hard end time, agree on what you will do if the game is still in progress; a more powerful deck does not guarantee a short game.

Respect for each other

7. Solve rules questions together

Asking for a clarification is not unsportsmanlike. Read the card, check the current card text or rule if necessary, and calmly explain where the doubt lies. “I think it works differently; shall we check?” keeps the conversation open.

At a tournament, ask a judge for help. During a learning game, you can provide more explanation together, but be clear about when you are following the official rule and when you are deliberately making a house rule.

8. Keep politics within the game

Commander offers room for negotiation: “If you remove that threat, I won't attack you this turn.” Make clear exactly what you are agreeing to. This prevents two players from interpreting the same deal differently.

An attack, counterspell, or removal spell is not automatically personal. Discuss frustration about the game without belittling anyone. You also don't have to accept a deal just because the rest of the table is insisting.

9. Win and lose without putting anyone down

Being happy about a good move is fine. Laughing at someone for a mistake or insulting them because they removed your commander does not help the atmosphere. If you can't play calmly anymore, take a break.

Official game rule: you may concede at any time. You are therefore not obligated to sit through a game. Announce your departure calmly where possible; sportsmanship doesn't mean you have to stay if you have to leave or don't feel comfortable.

10. Help beginners without playing their deck for them

Ask: “Would you like a tip, or would you like to look yourself first?” Explain terms when that helps and give someone space to make their own choices. Not every less-than-optimal move needs to be corrected immediately.

A learning game works best when everyone knows that learning is the goal. It makes it easier to pause briefly to explain an interaction.

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Rule 0: what kind of game do you want to play?

Rule 0 is the common term for the conversation before a game of Commander about expectations and any house rules. For example, you discuss how strong the decks are, which playstyles you are bringing, and whether someone is still learning the format.

In a familiar group, this can be brief. With new players or unknown decks, a bit more explanation is wise. The goal is not to make a perfect prediction, but to prevent big surprises about the type of game.

Why “my deck is a 7” provides little guidance

A number only works if everyone uses the same scale. What one group calls a 7 might mean something completely different to another group. Also, “a modified precon” doesn't tell much without knowing what has been changed.

Therefore, describe what your deck actually does. The name of your commander, the price of your cards, or one well-known staple doesn't tell the whole story.

You don't have to reveal your full decklist or secret hand. Do be honest about important characteristics of your deck. “There is a fast combo in it, but I won't play it” is a less clear solution than choosing a compatible deck together.

Commander Brackets: a tool, not a math problem

Wizards uses five Commander Brackets as an optional tool to align expectations. The system is still in beta. This short comparison shows the focus and the allowed numbers of Game Changers; it is not a complete classification test.

The numbers are boundaries, not an automatic result. Zero Game Changers does not automatically make a deck Bracket 2. Four or more only fit within the standard classification at Bracket 4 or 5, but do not automatically make a deck cEDH. Look at the whole deck and the intended play experience.

Speed, consistency, combos, extra turns, and removing access to lands also count. A deck that wins very early on a regular basis does not suddenly become suitable for a lower bracket because you wait to win on purpose. And an unmodified precon does not automatically belong in Bracket 2.

Use the official Commander page with Brackets and Game Changers for the current principles. A broader explanation can be found in the Commander guide by SpellArmory.

The images link to the respective card versions.

None of these examples by themselves determine whether a whole deck fits the table. A single restrictive card is different from a deck that constantly searches for and combines such effects. Removal and counterplay are also not automatically unsportsmanlike just because they disrupt your plan.

What do you agree on beforehand?

These topics can help. You don't have to tick them all off every evening; just discuss what is relevant to your game.

Note for events: an agreement about proxies at the kitchen table does not grant permission to use them everywhere. At tournaments following the Magic Tournament Rules, only the Head Judge can issue an official proxy under specific conditions. Ask what rules apply at an event beforehand.

A short example conversation

This fictional conversation shows how to make expectations concrete:

After that, you check if everyone is comfortable with that choice. It doesn't have to sound exactly like this. The benefit lies in the information you share, not in using the correct terms.

And if the decks don't match?

• Switch if possible. Choosing a different deck is a practical solution. Not everyone has multiple decks; borrowing is only possible if both the owner and the player are comfortable with it.
• Discuss a different play experience. A stronger or more competitive game is fine if everyone is in the mood for it.
• Find another table. Different preferences do not mean someone is playing Magic wrong.

Don't pressure someone with “the rest of us think it's fine.” For a deviating house rule, you want consent from everyone in advance. A new disappointment during the game is not an automatic reason to ban a legal card on the spot.

A pleasant table doesn't require flawless players. It requires people who listen, are honest about their deck, and are considerate of each other. You can contribute to a fun evening without being responsible for every outcome or every emotion at the table.

Read more at SpellArmory Academy

• Commander (EDH) explained
• MTG deck archetypes explained
• Protecting and storing cards
• The best MTG resources and creators

Sources and current status

The rules and bracket information were verified on September 26, 2026. The etiquette advice and suggested agreements are recommendations from SpellArmory, not an official code of conduct from Wizards.

• Wizards of the Coast: Commander, Brackets, and Game Changers.
• Commander Brackets update of October 21, 2025: starting points, speed, and the role of precons.
• Commander Brackets update of February 9, 2026: further explanation and changes to Game Changers.
• Official Magic rules: Comprehensive Rules 103.5c regarding mulligans, 104.3a regarding conceding, and 701.24a regarding shuffling.
• WPN rules documents: Magic Tournament Rules, including 3.4 regarding proxies, 3.10 regarding shuffling, and 4.8 regarding taking back decisions.