If you drop a card while shuffling, whether it is your deck or your opponent’s, judges will treat it as if you looked at it.  Judges have no way to adequately determine whether you could have seen the card, so they will assume that you did.  Even if the judge believes you when you say you could not have seen the card, your opponent may not! 

The result is that you will receive a warning for looking at extra cards. 

There are other things that can earn warnings for looking at extra cards as well.  For example, looking at 8 cards for a resolved Summoning Trap is also looking at extra cards.  Be aware that these will count along with dropping cards for purposes of escalating penalties.

Looking at extra cards is usually not a critical issue.  Judges know this is bound to happen; you shuffle many times during a tournament and often cards or sleeves may stick together.  This is why the second time this happens you will also receive a warning.  After a second incident, be careful!  Each subsequent occurrence will earn you a game loss.

Today’s Rules Tip was submitted by David Hibbs, a level 2 judge from League City, Texas, United States.