Last updated Feb 29, 2024
Introduction
The Magic™ Infraction Procedure Guide provides judges the appropriate penalties and procedures to handle rules violations that occur during a tournament held at Competitive or Professional Rules Enforcement Level (REL), as well as the underlying philosophy that guides their implementation. It exists to protect players from potential misconduct and to protect the integrity of the tournament itself. Rules violations usually require a penalty or they are unenforceable. Tournaments run at Regular REL use the Judging at Regular REL document.
Framework of this document
This document is divided into two major parts: General Definitions and Philosophy (section 1), and Infractions (sections 2-4). Infractions are broken down into general classes (Game Play Errors, Tournament Errors, and Unsporting Conduct), and further into subclasses for specific infractions.
See the Magic Tournament Rules for further definitions of terms in this document.
This document is published in multiple languages. If a discrepancy exists between the English version and a non-English version of this document, tournament participants must refer to the English version to settle disputes concerning interpretations of the Infraction Procedure Guide.
This document is updated periodically. Please obtain the most current version at http://www.wizards.com/wpn/Events/Rules.aspx.
Annotated IPG
The Annotated IPG is a line by line deconstruction of each sentence in the IPG. The IPG is a very dense document with very few extraneous words. Each sentence has meaning, and it’s the AIPG’s goal to call attention to the finer details hidden in those sentences. It can be used as a study guide for L2, a refresher for judges coming back, or to settle judge nerd-fights, but its primary focus is education.
If you have any questions or comments about the Annotated IPG text please contact MagicJudges.aipg@gmail.com. The Annotated IPG is the product of continuing hard work from a dedicated group of authors. If you are interested in reproducing or building the Annotated IPG into something that you’re doing, please contact MagicJudges.aipg@gmail.com first.
Contents
1. General Philosophy
1.1. Definition of Penalties
1.2. Applying Penalties
1.3. Randomizing a Deck
1.4. Backing Up
1.5. Sets
2. Game Play Errors
2.1. Game Play Error — Missed Trigger
2.2. Game Play Error — Looking at Extra Cards
2.3. Game Play Error — Hidden Card Error
2.4. Game Play Error — Mulligan Procedure Error
2.5. Game Play Error — Game Rule Violation
2.6. Game Play Error — Failure to Maintain Game State
3. Tournament Errors
3.1. Tournament Error — Tardiness
3.2. Tournament Error — Outside Assistance
3.3. Tournament Error — Slow Play
3.4. Tournament Error — Decklist Problem
3.5. Tournament Error — Deck Problem
3.6. Tournament Error — Limited Procedure Violation
3.7. Tournament Error — Communication Policy Violation
3.8. Tournament Error — Marked Cards
3.9. Tournament Error — Insufficient Shuffling
4. Unsporting Conduct
4.1. Unsporting Conduct — Minor
4.2. Unsporting Conduct — Major
4.3. Unsporting Conduct — Improperly Determining a Winner
4.4. Unsporting Conduct — Bribery and Wagering
4.5. Unsporting Conduct — Aggressive Behavior
4.6. Unsporting Conduct — Theft of Tournament Material
4.7. Unsporting Conduct — Stalling
4.8. Unsporting Conduct — Cheating
Appendices
Appendix A — Penalty Quick Reference
Credit
AIPG Authoring Credit
All trademarks are property of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. ©2023 Wizards.