What’s acceptable and what isn’t? We should all know by now that ignorance of the law is no excuse on the tournament floor, so you need to know what’s permissible before you mark up your expensive cards and possibly render them useless for tournament play. Put down that marker and don’t color in the background on that ultimate rare Cyber Dragon until you’ve read this article!

First, let’s see what the official tournament policies have to say on the subject. When in doubt, you should read the instruction manual, right?* Entry 12 in the Upper Deck Entertainment Tournament Policy document has this to say about marked cards.

Marked Cards

Players must ensure that their cards are in good condition and do not have markings that would allow the cards to be identified from looking at the backs of the cards. Players should check their cards after every round and replace cards that are worn or marked.

Players may not apply decorations to a card that obscure a significant portion of the card’s image or text. This includes significant art modification or art replacement.

Exactly what constitutes an illegally marked card?

Replacing or Modifying the Card’s Artwork

Lots of players rely on the card illustration to recognize what’s being played. Before you say “Why would anyone have to recognize the picture to know what card I’m playing?” stop and think about it. Do you read the name of the card upside down when your opponent slaps it down on the field, or do you look at the picture? While I can read upside down (and backwards, too), I always look at the picture to see what cards my opponent’s putting down, especially when he or she doesn’t announce what they are. If you change the card’s art, it’s hard to identify the card with that one quick glance. While it’s tempting to replace artwork on cards, resist that temptation. Rounds only last for 40 minutes—why drag them out by forcing your opponent to peer doubtfully at your unidentifiable cards? The tournament policy document states that you may not alter your cards in this fashion. If you do, and you get called on it, you’re likely to face a penalty. If you just have to slap a picture of Link on top of Celtic Guardian, save it for casual play when you’re among friends.

Obscuring Card Art or Text

There’s a growing trend toward coloring out parts of card illustrations, but don’t do it. It makes the card hard to recognize, and your opponent and the judges (as well as the Metagame.com reporters) need to be able to see what you’re doing. Likewise, don’t ever cover up any portion of the card text, even if it’s a card you are certain that everyone knows. You might automatically assume an opponent who complains that he or she can’t tell what your cards are or what they do is just trying to get you in trouble, but if he or she can’t tell what your card is or what it does, there’s a legitimate concern. Some people haven’t actually memorized lots of cards, and you can’t always blame those people for not wanting to take your word on what an unfamiliar card does. Also, you can be assured that the judge has better things to do than try to sort out if your opponent honestly can’t tell what you are playing, and subsequently can’t make correct play decisions; or, if he or she is just trying to get you a game loss.

Using Ball Point Pens or Pencils to Sign or Doodle on Cards

Hard-tipped pens or pencils can mark through to the back of a card. What do we call a card with markings on the back? We call it a marked card! Even if your intention is not to know when a certain card is coming up, your deck is now marked in a non-random manner, and you could face a hefty penalty. Only make markings on your cards with fine point, soft-tipped pens, and only mark on the front of cards. The back of the card should never, never be marked in any way. Even if you’re playing with sleeves, a translucent sleeve will show the markings, and you’re going to have a hard time making it look harmless. Avoid using paint pens, too. They tend to smear, stick to your card sleeves, and can leave a raised surface, which could all result in a verdict of “marked cards.”

Applying Stickers or Tape to the Fronts or Backs of Cards

A card with anything adhering to it is a marked card, end of story. It makes a difference when you shuffle, it makes a difference when you cut, and if you have one in your deck now, replace it immediately—because you’re going to have a very hard time convincing the judges that it’s harmless when you get deck checked. The same thing goes for stickers on your card sleeves. They should never be there.

Now you know what you shouldn’t do to your cards. In contrast, what are you allowed to do? The rules say that you may do the following things, but bear in mind that a TO or head judge may decide not to allow any altered cards at a given event.

Adding Signatures or Small Doodles

You can add these only if the picture and card text are still easy to see and read. Make sure you only use fine, felt-tip pens. Soft-tipped pens won’t mark through the backs of the cards or indent the front. If you want to collect signatures, bring a fine-tipped permanent marker with you to the event, and remind the person who’s signing your card not to cover up the picture or the text. Remember, fine-tip, soft-tip, permanent markers. Fine tipped pens won’t risk covering up important text. If you use a water-based marker, the signature will blur and smear all over your card, and it may make it unreadable. By now, I know that this should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway. Only, only, only on the front of the card. Never, never, never write anything on the back of the card or on the side edges.

Honestly, that’s about the only thing you’re allowed to do. Err on the side of caution, and keep any signatures or logos drawn on your cards as small and out of the way as possible. Don’t write anything obscene or objectionable on your cards, or add risque embellishments to the pictures. Depending on the TO, you could earn yourself an unpleasant penalty.

While we’re at it, what about your sleeves? Can you sign or draw on those? The answer is: no, you should not! The ink has a tendency to rub off and smear onto the backs of other sleeves. One more time, what do we call cards with marks on their backs? You said it.

Signing cards has really increased in popularity. Players sometimes even ask me to sign them. If you’re going to include signed or altered cards in your deck, then make sure you know exactly when to pull back so you don’t end up with an unplayable card or a penalty. It’s certainly possible that you can make it through an event or two without any problems, but if you’re up against an opponent who really does need to use the pictures to recognize a card, or is unfamiliar with a card and can’t read it cause you’ve got a signature covering up the card text, then there’s a problem. You’ll also run into trouble if you’re faced with an opponent who’s looking for ways to get you penalized. Show off your collection of autographs, if you must, but make sure you’re in the clear as far as tournament policy goes.

Sadly, I’m currently drowning in email! If I haven’t answered yours yet, I’m dreadfully sorry, and I’m struggling to the top of the inbox. Thank you to everyone who sent me that Nokia ringtone information! It was definitely time for a new song on my phone. I’m still at MetagameJulia@gmail.com. I’m buried very deeply, but I’m still there, somewhere . . .

*Hopefully, it isn’t longer than three pages.