We all know deckchecks and most of us have performed them multiple times. But are you doing it fast enough? Are you checking for everything? Oh and since we are on it, why do they exist?

1. Deck checks
Nenad Čizmić Judge conference Turkey
2015

2. Seminar structure:
1. Why we do DC?
2. Important parts in MTR and IPG
3. Sorting deck lists and first checking
4. Procedure
5. Australian method
6. After DC
7. Practice
8. Questions ???
2

3. Why we do DC ?
3
• we want players to play with the same deck for the
duration of the tournament
• If there were no penalties why not build a deck with
10 copies of your win condition
• Playing a deck that matches the deck list is important
to maintain tournament integrity
• The deck check team will focus on checking decks to
preserve the tournament integrity, keeping players
from taking advantage of manipulating tournament
materials or not presenting a fully randomized
deck.

4. Important parts in MTR
4
2.7 Deck Registration
•players are required to register their decks and
sideboards (if applicable) in Competitive and
Professional REL tournaments
•once your decklist has been accepted by a Tournament
Official it may not be altered. Players have the right to
request to see their decklist between matches
2.8 Deck Checks
•the DCI recommends that at least ten percent of all
decks be checked over the course of the tournament
•Players may not sideboard after a deck check

5. Important parts in MTR
5
3.9 Card Shuffling
•decks must be randomized at the start of every game
•once the deck is randomized, it must be presented to an
opponent
•Players may request to have a judge shuffle their cards
rather than the opponent
•At Competitive and Professional REL tournaments, players
are required to shuffle their opponents’ decks after their
owners have shuffled them
3.11 Marked Cards
•players are responsible for ensuring that their cards and/or
card sleeves are not marked during the course of the
tournament
•judges may request that a player remove his or her current
sleeves or replace it
6.1 Deck Construction Restrictions

6. Important parts in IPG
6
• 3.5. Tournament Error — Deck/Decklist
Problem (Penalty - Game Loss/HJ downgrade)
• 3.8. Tournament Error — Marked Cards
(Penalty – Warning/HJ upgrade)
• 3.4. Tournament Error — Insufficient Shuffling
(Penalty – Warning)

7. Sorting decklists
7
The main task for the judge (deck check team) at
the beginning of the tournament is to sort
decklists as soon as possible to be able to start
checking decks
•Collect decklists
•Sort it + find missing
•Check decks
•Count decklists
System at GP: Counting all decklists is not
mandatory anymore

8. Procedure
8
We assume two-judges in our DC team:
JUDGE #1
•Checking players how they shuffle
•Which cards are presented to opponent
•Make note when you take decks from players and
who is owner of first and second deck and a
number of a table (or take slip with you)
JUDGE #2
•Fetch for both decklists
•If it is not allready counted, count them

9. Procedure
9
• Quick check condition of sleeves
• Check stacking deck and start sorting
• When the deck is sorted by decklist it is good
time to check again sleeves for pattern
• Check sideboard

10. Australian method
10
• Have prepared and counted deck lists by other
judge
• Face down count the cards and quickly check
the sleeves
• Turn the deck face up and count basic lands
(skip this step if it is mid round DC)
• On second sweep check all other cards, if there
are 2 or more copies rise them up slightly
• Fast check of sideboard of anything unusual
(first cards or sleeved cards)

11. Advantage of A DC
11
• Very fast method
• You DON‘T add 3 min extension, as you don‘t
change the order of deck (inform players that
they don’t shuffle their deck, they continue on
presenting deck)
• Can be performed on limited space and close to
tables
• Suitable only for Limited events

12. After DC
12
• Never use name of cards
• Ask the player separately
• Tell players that their decks are sorted
• Add extra time

13. Practice
13
Now we will do a real deck check…
…any volunteers?
Summary
• Was everything all right ?

14. Questions ???
14
More informations and
resources
• http://blogs.magicjudges.org/whatsupdocs/2012/06
/12/tournament-error-deck-decklist-problem/
• http://blogs.magicjudges.org/whatsupdocs/2013/09
/20/sorting-decklists-efficiently/
• http://blogs.magicjudges.org/whatsupdocs/2013/08
/13/lowering-priority-on-decklists-counting/
• http://blogs.magicjudges.org/articles/2015/07/06/th
e-australian-deck-check-technique/