Praetor’s Grasp allows you to search through an opponent’s library, choose a card, exile it and play the card as long as it is exiled. This effect does a couple of things that are important to point out. First of all, as the card is exiled face down normally no players can look at it. However this effect does specifically state that the controller of the Grasp can look at it.

One reason that you are able to look at it is because this effect allows you to play the exiled card. This effect does not say you can play it without paying its mana cost, so you will have to pay the mana cost of this card. In order to make sure that you have the proper mana you will need to look at the card before playing it.

The example from today’s Rules Tip was suggested by George FitzGerald, a level 1 judge from Sarasota, Florida, United States.