The DCI received numerous inquiries this week from Magic: The Gathering® tournament participants, tournament organizers, and retailers regarding the acceptability of opaque-backed card sleeves recently introduced into the marketplace. These sleeves are much like the transparent protective devices for trading cards, but they differ in that one side is a solid color, usually black.

After examining, discussing, and considering these new sleeves, the DCI has decided that they will be permitted in sanctioned tournaments. One of the major factors in this decision is the strong support among our members and customers for the use of these devices. This decision requires some clarification, however.

The DCI is aware that the new sleeves make it much easier to counterfeit cards, which is both an unfair practice and a violation of Wizards of the Coast copyrights. To prevent anyone from being victimized by counterfeiters, we want to encourage tournament participants to exercise their rights under the DCI Standard Floor Rules to require an opponent to de-sleeve or have an opponent's deck checked for counterfeit cards.

We also want to remind tournament participants that it is never appropriate to use cards that are designated as non-tournament-legal. The Collectors' Edition^TM and International Collectors' Edition^TM were designed as just that: card sets specifically for collectors. Neither they nor the Pro Tour Commemorative Set^TM were designed for sanctioned tournaments.

Taking these points into consideration, the DCI would like to remind its members, and all sanctioned tournament participants, of the following rules:

1. Sanctioned tournament participants may use only genuine, tournament-legal Magic: The Gathering cards. Participants who use counterfeit or non-tournament-legal cards are subject to penalization under DCI Standard Floor Rules 1.2.2 (Cheating) and 1.2.3 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct). Participants who use counterfeit cards in their decks or sideboards will face criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. 2. DCI Standard Floor Rule 1.2.6 (Card Sleeves) remains in effect; players may still require their opponents to de-sleeve. Players who de-sleeve must always have a tournament-legal deck, regardless of the type of card sleeve they use. 3. Tournament participants may always request that a Judge check an opponent's deck to ensure that only genuine Magic: The Gathering cards are used.

We hope this policy addresses our customers' legitimate concerns about this topic. As always, the DCI welcomes your suggestions and opinions. Please do not hesitate to send us your comments!

Sincerely,

Jason Carl
Director, DCI
Wizards of the Coast