The Short Answer: Success at Magic tournaments requires proper preparation. Bring the necessary equipment, back-up materials, & understand the rules of the event before attending. Preparation extends beyond physical items: practice your deck extensively, understand your tournament format, and arrive with backup plans for common problems like damaged sleeves or transportation issues.
The key to tournament success lies in bringing the right combination of game essentials, comfort items, and backup supplies. With the right checklist, you'll feel confident and ready to focus on what matters most—playing great Magic.
Essential Game Components You Can't Forget
Your Magic The Gathering tournament checklist starts with the absolute necessities; the items that determine whether you can even participate in the event.
1. Your Deck and Sideboard
Your deck forms the foundation of your tournament kit. Make sure your main deck contains exactly the number of cards required for your format (typically 100 for Commander, while Standard, Modern, and Pioneer have 60). Your sideboard should contain up to 15 cards for constructed formats. Double-check that all cards are tournament-legal for your specific format and that any older cards are in acceptable condition.
2. Sleeves and Deck Protection
High-quality card sleeves rank as critical components for any serious tournament play. They protect your investment and ensure smooth shuffling throughout long tournament rounds. Bring extras—sleeves can split or become marked during play, and judges may require you to replace damaged ones. Consider bringing 80-100 sleeves total to cover your deck, sideboard, and any replacements needed.
3. Dice and Counters
These help track life totals, +1/+1 counters, and various game states. Bring multiple d20s for life tracking, plus smaller dice for counters. Many Magic players prefer spindown life counters, but traditional d20s work just as well. Include additional counters for specific mechanics your deck uses, such as energy counters or poison counters.
4. Pen and Paper
A reliable pen and scorepad lets you track life totals, take notes, and record match results. Some players prefer digital life tracking apps, but physical backups prevent problems if your phone dies. Tournament organizers often provide match result slips, but having your own notepad helps with detailed game tracking.
Understanding Different MTG Tournament Formats
Each Magic tournament format comes with unique requirements and considerations that affect the victory conditions and what you need to bring.
Standard Format
Standard tournaments use cards from the most recent sets, typically covering about two years of releases. Your deck must contain exactly 60 cards with no more than four copies of any card except basic lands. Standard events often feature faster games and shorter tournaments, making them perfect for newer Magic players. Bring your current Standard-legal deck and ensure all cards are from legal sets—the format rotates annually, so double-check recent rotation changes.
Modern Format
Modern allows cards from Eighth Edition forward, creating a much larger card pool with powerful interactions. Modern tournaments tend to run longer due to complex gameplay and diverse strategies. Expect to face combo decks, aggressive strategies, and control builds all in one event. Pack extra sideboard cards for unexpected matchups and consider bringing reference materials for unfamiliar card interactions you might encounter against your opponent's deck.
Limited Formats
Limited formats like Draft and Sealed require different preparation entirely. For Draft tournaments, you'll build your deck from booster packs opened during the event, so you only need basic supplies like sleeves, dice, and lands. Sealed events provide you with six booster packs to build a 40-card deck, with each pack containing 15 cards from the current set. Bring extra basic lands since venues sometimes run short, and pack patience. Limited events require careful card evaluation and deck-building skills.
Commander Format
Commander tournaments feature 100-card singleton decks with unique social dynamics. These events often run longer and emphasize fun interactions. Bring tokens for creature-generating effects, extra counters for various mechanics, and consider a playmat since Commander games typically involve more cards on the battlefield than other formats.
Backup Supplies and Emergency Preparedness
Replacement Sleeves and Deck Protection
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Bring an extra set of sleeves in a different color as backup
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Pack extra deck boxes in case your primary one breaks or gets lost
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Judges may require sleeve changes if yours become marked or damaged
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Consider bringing 20-30 extra sleeves beyond your deck needs
Rules Reference Materials
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Download smartphone apps for quick card lookups during breaks
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Ensure your phone has sufficient battery life for the entire event
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Keep tournament organizer contact information easily accessible
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Bookmark official Magic rules websites for complex interactions
Basic Maintenance Supplies
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Pack a microfiber cloth for cleaning sleeves or cards
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Bring small tissues to handle spills or cleanup
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Include a few rubber bands for temporary repairs
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Consider bringing a small towel for hand drying
Contact and Transportation Backup Plans
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Save tournament organizer contact information in your phone
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Store venue addresses and directions for easy access
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Arrange backup transportation in case your original ride falls through
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Keep emergency contact numbers for friends readily available
Financial Contingencies
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Bring extra cash beyond entry fees for unexpected expenses
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Budget for food, emergency supplies, and last-minute purchases
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Research ATM locations, but be aware of potential fees
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Consider costs of travel, food, and additional events when planning
Tournament Checklist
Game Essentials
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Main deck (correct card count, format-legal)
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Sideboard (up to 15 cards for Constructed formats)
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Extra sleeves (80–100 total + 20–30 backups)
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Deck box (plus one spare)
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Dice, counters, tokens, life tracker
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Pen and paper (or notepad + digital backup)
Backup & Emergency Items
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Replacement sleeves (different color set)
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Extra deck box, microfiber cloth, tissues, rubber bands
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Phone with charger + rules apps bookmarked
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Tournament organizer and emergency contacts saved
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Cash for food, travel, and unexpected expenses
Comfort & Preparation
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Water bottle and snacks
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Playmat and towel
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Extra basic lands (for Limited formats)
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Practiced deck plans + matchup notes
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Printed schedule and directions to the venue
Final Tips for Tournament Success
Your preparation extends beyond just packing the right items; mental and strategic readiness matter equally.
Deck Familiarity and Practice
Deck familiarity and practice cannot be overstated. Spend time before the tournament practicing your deck's key interactions and sideboard plans. Review common matchups and practice difficult decision points. The more comfortable you feel with your deck, the better you'll perform under tournament pressure.
Tournament Etiquette and Rules Knowledge
Tournament etiquette and rules knowledge help create positive experiences for everyone involved. Review the Magic Tournament Rules and familiarize yourself with common penalties. Most tournaments provide a player pack containing essential tournament information, format details, and specific event rules—study this carefully before your first round. Practice clear communication during gameplay and maintain good sportsmanship regardless of match outcomes. Remember that tournaments bring together Magic players of all skill levels and backgrounds.
Time Management
Time management prevents unnecessary losses due to slow play. Practice efficient decision-making and learn to recognize when you're taking too long. Understand how to call a judge when needed and know the basic structure of tournament rounds and pairings.
Your tournament experience starts long before you sit down for Round 1. With proper preparation, you can focus on enjoying the strategic depth of Magic while connecting with fellow players in your local gaming community. Take time to organize your supplies the night before, get adequate rest, and approach your tournament with enthusiasm for both competition and camaraderie.
Join Us for On-Board Gaming's Premier Tournament Event
Ready to visit your next card game tournament? On-Board Gaming is hosting an exclusive event from November 14-16 in the Pomona/LA area that all TCG enthusiasts will want to attend. This premier tournament brings together players from across Southern California at the California Cup, with substantial prizes for the winner and top finishers.
Featured Events at the California Cup:
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Magic: The Gathering cEDH – $5,000 prize pool for competitive Commander play
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Disney Lorcana – $5,000 prize pool to showcase your deck-building skills in this fast-growing TCG
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One Piece Card Game – $5,000 prize pool for fans of the Straw Hat Crew and beyond
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Gundam TCG – $5,000 prize pool for tactical battles in the Mobile Suit universe
With $20,000 total in prize support across four headline tournaments, the California Cup offers something for every competitive player. Whether you specialize in Magic, Lorcana, One Piece, or Gundam, this event is the perfect chance to prove your skills and connect with fellow players in the community.
Visit On-Board Gaming, your local game store, to stock up on tournament supplies, register for upcoming events, and connect with other Magic players getting ready for their next big competition. We're here to help make your Magic journey both successful and enjoyable.
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