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We here at MatchPunk believe in the local game store. It’s a good place for supplies, mtg events, and to build community. In fact, we wrote a whole blog post about how the local game store is the best place for beginners to learn Magic 1v1 or Commander (read it here).
But the premise of that post depends on one very important thing: the behavior of the players.
There is a lot you can reasonably expect when you attend an MTG event. Lots of tables. Staff and judges will be there to help you get anything you need. Some people eager to help you learn. Others eager to put your deck building and skills to the test.
But the “wild card” in mtg events is whether or not the community of a particular local game store “has good manners”. And, yeah, that might sound aristocratic and posh… but it’s true.
Just like anything in life, the hobby is a lot less fun when people are rude. Another name for “good manners” is etiquette: the unwritten – but still agreed upon – social rules that govern behavior within a group.
This post outlines the proper mtg events etiquette. Lists of suggestions for all of Magic, and then some specific to Standard 1v1 and Commander.
Practices any player can take to make sure they (and everyone else) have a good time. It answers the questions: “How can I be considerate of everyone else?” and “How do I avoid annoying everyone else in the LGS?”.
“How Does Match Punk Make MTG Events Easier?”
Scorekeeper next to you, not in the middle of the table
Keeps everyones score… not just yours
Tracks wins/losses… and ranks them based on player skill
Allows for custom group for each individual event
Removes the majority or pre-event organization
Shows a continually updating leader board on your phone.
Instantly determines the winner after the event ends.
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General Player Manners for MTG Events
Say “Hi”: Magic is a game among people. You are playing WITH them, not USING them to have fun. So if they are your friend, take a moment to catch up. If they are a stranger, introduce yourself. Learn a little about them, how long they have been playing, and how they like the event so far. And if you are both using MatchPunk, ask them the story behind their personalized card.
Shuffle your Deck: The game is only fair if both players’ decks are randomized. Which means, if you intentionally do not shuffle, you are basically cheating. So give it 7 solid shuffles to truly randomize the whole deck. And if you want to be a bit theatrical or professional, present your deck to your opponent for a final cut or shuffle. Also, if you just added a bunch of card protectors, be sure to practice shuffling with the protectors. It can feel… different.
Don’t Cheat: On that note… don’t cheat. Ruins the fun. Pretty basic stuff. Not sure I should have to argue this one. If you really need to know why cheating is bad, learn about how “cheating is anti-play” from John Huizinga.
Avoid Slow Play: Free time is a precious resource. We want to spend it playing, not waiting impatiently for someone else to FINALLY take their turn. So strategize, but don’t spend 5 minutes breaking your brain over the perfect move. And if you need to search for a land, do it during the other players’ turn.
Respect Your Opponent: The player on the other side of the table is not your enemy. They are your fellow player. So don’t demonize them when they play well or beat you. Just treat them like a person. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to be stoic. If you have the perfect counter, it’s ok to celebrate. But don’t belittle or go overboard.
Play the Actual Game: When everyone is shuffling, you can talk all you want. But once the game starts, keep the convo to a minimum. Why? Because while it is legal, it’s not great manners to “play a game outside of the game”. Don’t try to distract them with weird conversation or anti-social antics. Reverse psychology through your cards is great! Mind games during their turn is off-putting. Keep respectfully quiet during their turn. This is especially true at mtg tournaments where turns are timed.
Appropriate Trash Talk: Some people love to trash-talk. And among close friends, it can be funny, innocent, even endearing. But many others find it extremely disrespectful and an unnecessary distraction. In this case, what is or isn’t appropriate is determined by how it is received by the other players. Monitor their reactions and adjust your “dissing” accordingly.
Be a Good Sport: How you handle victory and defeat says a lot about you as a player. Winning graciously is just as important as losing gracefully. When you win, be humble. Avoid rubbing it in or dissecting your “skillful” plays in a way that makes your opponent feel bad. Don’t shame the loser. Say “GG” and enter the winner/loser on the MatchPunk app.
“Should I say ‘good game’ after I win a game of Magic?”
This is a surprising but polarizing debate within the Magic community. On the one hand, there is no harm in thanking someone for playing with you. On the other hand, if it WASN’T a good game… if you got lucky or they played terrible… then saying “good game” can feel like rubbing salt in the wound.
A good rule of thumb is this:
- If you are the loser, ALWAYS be the first to extend your hand for a shake and say “good game”.
- If you are the winner, WAIT to see how they respond. If they seem positive, say “good game”. If not, simply wish them luck for the rest of the mtg event.
- Regardless, be genuine, not sarcastic. The goal is to show respect for the time and effort both of you put into the match.
“Why does sportsmanship matter?”
Because sportsmanship keeps the game in a proper context. We are not at war… we are playing a game. It is fun, not life or death. In our opinion, good sportsmanship allows us to enter a competitive environment and honor the hard work of the other side.
“What types of MTG events are available for new players?”
You can find a regularly occurring “Friday Night Magic” at nearly every local game store across the world. But if you are near a city, then Magic nights and Commander nights will be held almost every night of the week. Any of these events is more like a low-stakes meetup, and perfect for beginners.
“What should I bring to be a ‘good Magic player’ at my first event?”
- Your main deck (deck box and sleeves optional)
- A playmat
- Dice for life counters, tokens, etc.
- Pen and paper, life tracker dice, or an mtg life counter app (download Match Punk for free).
Great Reddit quote on bringing your own stuff: “It is very, very annoying when you’re concentrating and the guy beside you is bumming for pen, dice or whatever. Don’t be that guy. Have your own supplies”
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Manners Specifically for Standard Magic Events
NO TOUCHY!!!!: For the love of all that is good and holy… do not just reach across the table and start fiddling around with your opponent’s cards or deck. A player’s cards are important to them. Aesthetically. Monetarily. Sentimentally. And it feels uber-duper weird for a stranger to manhandle them. Even if it’s way easier for you to flip their card near you, ask before touching your opponent’s stuff (If there is one takeaway you must learn from this blog post, it’s THIS one!).
This Applies to the Graveyard too: On that same note, ask your opponent to see what is in their graveyard. Yes, it is within your rights to know… they have to tell you. But it’s kind and polite to still ask with a please and thank you. Wait for them to turn the card toward you or hold it in front of you. If they hand you their card, handle it with care, and then quickly hand it back.
Inform Your Opponent: You can only strategize if you know what you are playing against. And no one has all 20,000+ magic cards memorized. Make sure the opponent knows what your cards do. Read it out loud. Clearly. And let them take a look at it if they are unfamiliar or confused.
Admire the Cards Later: Cards are cool, we all know that. But you know what is also cool? PLAYING the cards. Doesn’t matter if you are gazing upon some pre-release for the first time. Play the game, and then … when it’s all over… admire the cards. If you simply cannot wait, then at least restrain yourself until your turn is over.
Don’t Eat at the Table: We specifically reserve this suggestion for official (or at least more serious) Magic: The Gathering events. Because odds are, the average weekly magic night is going to have snacks and drinks galore. But if you are at a meaningful, competitive tournament, then wait to eat and drink until after the match is over. It’s just way too easy for spills to ruin a really expensive deck. If you have to stay hydrated, keep it in a spill-proof water bottle.
Don’t Interfere with Other Games: If your game ends before other matches… or you are taking a break… you might pass the time watching others play. Great! But you know what’s not so great? Commenting (or criticizing) the players in any way. Even encouragement can be a distraction. But don’t talk directly to them until their match has ended.
Consult the Judge: During MTG events, there will be judges nearby to adjudicate various cards and rules. They are the authority. Not you. Not your opponent. Not bystanders. Not ChatGPT. Lean on the judges to provide the correct ruling. This is especially true if you are a young player… do not let some arrogant vet boss you around.
No Take Backs: Its the timeless Chess rule; so long as your hand remains on the piece (in this case… card), you can continue your move. But in Magic, as soon as you have finished your turn, you are done. You can’t go back and untap your mana. Some Commander pods might let you do something obvious, but Magic is much more competitive… you should play as though all of your decisions are final.
“What is expected tournament etiquette at Magic: The Gathering events?”
Be friendly and respectful before, during, and after the game. Keep everything above board; make sure your opponent knows your move and what your cards do. Don’t be a bad sport and don’t eat food at the table. Shuffle your deck, play at a reasonable pace, and follow the rules… asking a judge to make a ruling if necessary.
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What Makes a Good Commander Player?
Commander is a unique format. It’s often described as being governed by a “social contract” more than a rigid set of rules. Its goal is simple: hang out and have fun. And because of this, there are some good gamer manners specific to Commander:
Allow Pre-Game Conversation: Commander is a social game. You aren’t just expected to play… you are expected to play with friends or make new ones. Engaging in pre-game conversation fosters a sense of community and connection among players.
Welcome New Players: And as helpful as blog posts like this one can be for beginners… it’s by engaging with other players that the game grows. And that starts with welcoming everyone. Don’t roll your eyes when they are trying to figure out a move… be patient. Don’t mock them for not knowing jargon… be helpful. And don’t roll your eyes when they ask for rules clarification… be helpful.
Match the Pod’s Tone: Commander is less one-dimensional than standard. There is one set of rules but a lot of ways to play. Which is why every pod has a different vibe. Some are experimenting with decks or strategies. Others are open to a ruthless 3-hour slog. Match the energy of the group you’re with. Don’t throughout your high-power deck and pub stomp a bunch of people just having a good time.
Let Cooler Heads Prevail: Understand that in Commander, it often occurs that players will gang up on someone who is in a weak position. DO NOT TAKE THIS PERSONALLY. Just relax and at least take solace knowing that some players consider you enough of a threat to want to eliminate early. If you play your cards right, the tides will shift back in your favor.
Discuss Decks BEFORE Playing: To elaborate on the point above, different decks result in different games. An overwhelming stax deck might give you the win, but will guarantee the player planning a lot of landfall will have zero fun. So before playing, discuss the deck you are planning on using, and make sure no deck negates an opponent’s too much. A friendly conversation about mana curves and sideboard inclusions can enhance mutual respect while keeping the game enjoyable for all participants.
“How can I avoid being seen as a difficult player in Commander?”
Don’t take it too seriously. Don’t ignore the social dimension. Don’t play a deck that will keep others from playing and having fun. Don’t play the whole game defensively. Keep the game moving; pick a play that makes sense and go for it.
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Conclusion: Hygiene MATTERS
No…this isn’t just a snide joke. “Con funk”, “store stench”, whatever you want to call it, is a VERY real thing. It could be a very NON-real thing if everyone would just bathe, deodorize, wear clean clothes. Being mindful of your personal grooming is a simple act of courtesy. Staying clean. Smelling good. In public. It matters.
Shower within 24 Hours: This isn’t a royal ball; you don’t have to get all dolled up to sit on a plastic table and throw down some cards. But this also isn’t a gym or worksite. You’re in public with fellow humans with noses. You have to bathe.
Mind the Bad Breath: You’ll be playing across the table from a fellow human being. Good chance they might catch a whiff of your heavy breathing after they play a board wipe card. Brush your teeth. Pop a tic-tac. Choose “Mentos: the Freshmaker”. Or at least have them on hand after you finish your extra-loaded chorizo nachos.
If Necessary, Wear Deodorant: Some people shower and are pretty much set for a whole day. Others have some body odor and need a little extra help after hopping out of the shower. If that’s you, there is zero shame in wearing some deodorant or body spray. If you need it, then it is as essential for MTG events as your deck or Commander card (NOTE: this does not replace the need for a shower).
Wear Appropriate Attire: “Appropriate” for a local game store is going to be different than for school or a funeral. Your Iron Maiden t-shirt is perfect. But don’t wear something weirdly violent, obscene, sexual, or revealing. Remember, there are going to be some kids there having fun. Which means that a fishnet mesh shirt with fluorescent tape over the nipples would be an excellent example of “inappropriate”.