Can I mark my sleeves?
Asked by frank_chvz 9 years ago
I was wondering if its okay to mark my sleeve on the clear plastic side so as to make it easier to get my sideboard out of my deck. Just a dot nothing major.
TheRedMage says... #2
Small marks on the front seem fine in the same vein that altered cards are fine. The important part there is that the sleeves should be completely undistinguishable when you looked to the back, and also to the touch (so for example I would not allow sleeves that had the front marked with a small sticker, as that would make the slightly thicker in that region.
Long story short, if I was head judging my local FNM and someone asked me if their sideboard sleeves with a marker dot to the front I'd allow it. At a comp-REL event... It'd still probably be fine? This question is something that would need to be answer on a case-by-case basis depending on the markings. I am not sure there is a correct answer (in fact, different head judges might go either way). Note that this is really just speculation on my side - as a level 1, I can't really head judge any comp-REL event except for GPTs (which are smaller, slightly more casual tournaments anyway).
I remember that this same question was addressed in an episode of JudgeCast, the Judge podcast, and if I remember correctly the three hosts were not actually agreeing. If I manage to find that episode I'll let you know.
I would recommend not doing this just to be safe (and to make the Judge's life easier. We are people too!)
June 24, 2015 4:42 a.m. Edited.
Epochalyptik says... #3
The major argument against marking sleeves on the front side is that, because the markings would not be uniform, this could still be providing extra tactical information to a player (Such as reminding him or her to use a certain card at a certain time; judges have no way of determining the honesty of your motives). Memorize your sideboard and make the process simpler.
June 24, 2015 6:40 a.m. Edited.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #4
Adding small "reminder dots" to the front of a sleeve is most likely covered by this statement from the Magic Tournament Rules: "Artistic modifications to cards that indirectly provide minor strategic information are acceptable. The Head Judge is the final arbiter on what cards and notes are acceptable for a tournament."
June 24, 2015 9:48 a.m.
TheRedMage says... #5
I am going to agree with Rhadamanthus on this one (could not be bothered to fetch the relevant passage of the MTR at the time but my previous post basically says the same thing). Of course, it's in the end the head judge's decision, but it should be fine most of the time.
My reasoning was pretty simple - let's say someone shows up with a similar sideboard, except that, instead of the sleeves, there is a marker dot on the each of the sideboard cards themselves. That, to me, falls pretty obviously under the alter policy (the cards are allowed as long as they are clearly recognizable, which, if it's only a dot, they should be). However, this is functionally identical to having the sleeves marked in that way! I have a hard time seeing why one would be allowed and one wouldn't.
So, yeah, as long as you can't tell whether the card on the top of your library is a sideboard card or mainboard card you should be fine.
June 24, 2015 11:27 a.m.
TheRedMage says... #6
@ frank_chvz: please remember to mark an answer as correct so this question is removed from the queue. I understand that the shocking answer we came to is "it depends from the head judge and the situation" but policy questions tend to be like that.
DJSeras says... #1
3.9 Sleeves
Players may use plastic card sleeves or other protective devices on cards. If a player chooses to use card sleeves, all sleeves must be identical and all cards in his or her deck must be placed in the sleeves in an identical manner. If the sleeves feature holograms or other similar markings, cards must be inserted into the sleeves so these markings appear only on the faces of the cards.
During a match, a player may request that a judge inspect an opponents card sleeves. The judge may disallow the card sleeves if he or she believes they are marked, worn, or otherwise in a condition or of a design that interferes with shuffling or game play. In the interest of efficiency, the judge may choose to delay any change of sleeves until the end of the match.
Competitive and Professional REL tournaments impose additional restrictions on sleeves. Highly reflective backs are not allowed; sleeves with artwork on their backs are only acceptable if there is a single color at the sleeves edges; sleeves with holograms across some or all of the sleeve front or back are not allowed.
The Head Judge is the final authority on what sleeves are allowed.
These are the rules in regards to sleeves, the general answer to your question I believe would be no you may not mark your sleeves in any matter whatsoever, but your local judge may permit it under their discretion if they inspect it and find nothing wrong.
June 24, 2015 3:18 a.m.