MTR 3.13 Hidden Information

Hidden information refers to the faces of cards and other objects at which the rules of the game and format do not allow you to look.

Cards in the library, cards in the opponent’s hand, cards exiled face down (such as from Pyxis of Pandemonium), and cards other players are drafting, are all examples of hidden information.

Throughout the match, a draft, and pregame procedures, players are responsible for keeping their cards above the level of the playing surface and for making reasonable efforts to prevent hidden information from being revealed. However, players may choose to reveal their hands or any other hidden information available to them, unless specifically prohibited by the rules. Players must not actively attempt to gain information hidden from them, but are not required to inform opponents who are accidentally revealing hidden information.

Players can show their opponent any information that that player is allowed to see. This means they cannot show the opponent the contents of their deck unless they are currently allowed to see it (i.e. searching). Players cannot try to look at the opponent’s hand, but if the opponent has it revealed they don’t need to inform them. It is also possible to accidentally reveal information. Maybe they are playing with their hand tilted too far forward, or maybe they are wearing reflective sunglasses. This rule covers situations such as “show me the lightning bolt and I’ll concede” and accidentally dropping their hand on the table.

Note for Multiplayer play: The MTR is written predominately for 1v1 play, or 2v2 in the case of 2HG. It has not been given an overhaul for pod formats like Commander. To that end, parts of the MTR are written using language assuming one opponent or opposing team. In a game with multiple opponents, if a player is controlling another player, the controlling player cannot force the controlled player to reveal their hand to the other opponents. The controlling player may say what cards they can see, but they may not physically show the controlled players cards to other players or direct the controlled player to show the cards, outside of executing a game effect that requires the cards to be revealed.