Whereas it might sound unimportant at first, the cardboard sizes and dimensions for Magic: The Gathering playing cards are literally crucial to aggressive play and equity inside the neighborhood. They not solely assist to keep away from dishonest, however additionally they stop you from getting scammed.

MTG playing cards are designed to be a selected measurement and weight to assist shield followers who purchase and promote them but in addition make sure the aggressive scene stays freed from any dishonest. Markedly totally different playing cards can have a severe influence on a sport, making it tough to inform what the cardboard does or if the textual content has even been altered to provide a participant a bonus by a totally faux rule. In the event you’re shopping for, promoting, or taking part in with MTG playing cards, it’s value checking in the event that they’re the suitable measurement and form to keep away from a humiliating loss.

What are the official MTG card sizes and dimensions for aggressive play?

In response to Wizards of the Coast, the official MTG card sizes and dimensions for aggressive play are 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) by 3.5 inches (8.8 cm). Whereas foil playing cards are barely thicker, most playing cards are 0.012 inches (0.305 mm) in thickness and weigh between 1.7 and 1.8 grams.

Nonetheless, there are a number of exceptions to those sizes and dimensions. For instance, printing errors can create playing cards which might be barely bigger and heavier. The 1997 MTG Vanguard set’s Vanguard playing cards are all 3 inches (7.6 cm) by 5 inches (12.7 cm), which means they’re all bigger however are technically tournament-legal. These get put aside at the beginning of a sport, in order that they’re extra of a gimmick and don’t influence the remainder of the sport that a lot.

Relating to these exceptions, they typically should be revealed to each the judges and the opponent earlier than a sport even begins. If each gamers agree {that a} card isn’t faux and can be utilized for a selected goal, then, more often than not, it may be.

Clearly, this isn’t all the time the case, however in the case of proxies and playing cards of that sort, the overall rule of thumb is that so long as you’re upfront about them together with your opponent and conform to work with them in your sport, they’re wonderful.

Why do MTG playing cards must be a selected measurement and weight?

The explanation MTG playing cards should conform to particular dimensions, measurement, and weight is as a result of it’s thought of marking in the event that they don’t. Card marking is prohibited in aggressive play as a result of it provides you an unfair benefit over your opponent.

You can evaluate this to drawing a black line on the again of a strong card or one you recognize you want to your deliberate technique. In the event you’ve received a hand that means that you can get your card, if you recognize that it’s doubtlessly solely 5 playing cards deep in your deck, that’s unfair in your opponent who doesn’t know the place their playing cards are of their deck.

Moreover, a weighted card, or one which’s barely greater than the remaining, may make it simpler to pick in circumstances the place your opponent provides you a set of face-down playing cards to choose from. There are a number of methods the place greater playing cards could be of assist in a sport, which is why all playing cards should keep on with the outlined sizing.

One other benefit of this strict rule on card sizes is that it makes it tougher for anybody to create faux playing cards and promote them for a revenue. This might turn out to be an actual drawback, particularly with playing cards just like the Considered one of One Ring from the Tales of Center-Earth set. If playing cards didn’t have a set weight, even for foil variations, then it will be far too straightforward to faux uncommon playing cards for a revenue.