103. Starting the Game
Rules in this chapter
- 103.1 Starting the Game At the start of a game, the players determine which one of them will choose who takes the first turn. In the first game of a match (including a single-game match), the players may…
- 103.2 Starting the Game Some games require additional steps that are taken after the starting player has been determined. Perform the actions listed in 103.2a–e in order, as applicable.
- 103.3 Starting the Game After the starting player has been determined and any additional steps performed, each player shuffles their deck so that the cards are in a random order. Each player may then…
- 103.4 Starting the Game Each player begins the game with a starting life total of 20. Some variant games have different starting life totals.
- 103.5 Starting the Game Each player draws a number of cards equal to their starting hand size, which is normally seven. (Some effects can modify a player’s starting hand size.) A player who is…
- 103.6 Starting the Game Some cards allow a player to take actions with them from their opening hand. Once the mulligan process (see rule 103.5) is complete, the starting player may take any such actions…
- 103.7 Starting the Game In a Planechase game, the starting player moves the top card of their planar deck off that planar deck and turns it face up. If it’s a phenomenon card, the player puts that card…
- 103.8 Starting the Game The starting player takes their first turn.