17 Rules of Magic: The Gathering Proficiency 1. The best decks are focused and synergistic in their approach. 2. Mana problems are the source of most problems in deck design. 3. Practice is a bigger factor in long term success than anything else regardless of other aspects of the game. Those who practice improve. Those who don't languish. 4. The less color the better – MOST OF THE TIME. (See the Appendix for the discussion.) 5. Efficiency is by far the biggest factor in determing the useablity of a particular card in a particular deck. (NOTE: What is efficient in one deck may not be in another deck.) 6. The surprise factor of a deck often determines the difference between top tier decks and those just below top tier. 7. The ability to draw more cards than your opponent will win more games than anything else provided decks of comparable skill. 8. The difference between pro players and casual players is in the details. Pro players know more and know more about what they know on everything from the cards to the stack. 9. Learning when to say when on the mulligan is a bigger factor for success than most players realize. 10. Understanding the colors and their philosophy is underrated as a factor in successful magic play. 11. All magic deck design comes down to allocating resources (cards) among the six pockets of deck design: THINGS (Creatures/Land/Arts), DD (Direct Damage), ENHANCEMENTS (Auras), REMOVAL (Denying the other player resources), MANA FIXES (Fast mana or tutoring for mana) and TUTORING (Gaining access to more cards or finding a specific card). (This rule is inspired by George Baxter's books on magic!) 12. Mana curve is always a factor and should always be considered when designing a deck. By the same token one should also evaluate mana type and mana cost as a component of the overall analysis. 13. The matching of an individuals personality to a deck archetype is underrated. 14. Knowing your deck is an absolute MUST. If you can’t name the cards in your deck off the top off your head then you haven’t practiced enough. 15. Flexibility is important both in deck design and play style. 16. Intelligence is often a factor in top tier decks. The more you know about your opponents deck and hand, the better. 17. Any deck designed to compete at a professional level must be played a minimum of 10 times against each of the deck archetypes and each of the current top tier decks expected to be encountered.