Ending the game

Typically, the game ends when one player wins and the others lose.

Regular play
The most common way to lose the game is to have one's life points reduced to zero, causing the other player to win. However, there are several other options how one might lose or win.

Alternate-win or -loss cards may introduce new ways of ending the game.

Rules
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Drawn game
undefined A game might also end with a draw. A drawn game is a game where the game ends and there is no winner. R&D avoids making draw effects.

See also: alternate-draw card

Conceding
undefined Conceding is, of course, always an option. To concede a game is forfeiting a game of Magic: The Gathering, often due to the belief that one will soon or ultimately lose. In competitive tournament play, players may do this during the first or second game of their match so that they can save time and not run out of time to play the rest of the games in their match. Conceding a game immediately causes that player to leave that game and lose that game.

Prevention of ending the game
Certain cards prevent ending the game.

Can't win the game and opponent can’t lose
This ability is used as a drawback in black.
 * Abyssal Persecutor

Can't lose the game and opponent can’t win
This is a defensive ability, and thus shows up in white. It also shows up in colorless
 * Angel's Grace
 * Gideon of the Trials
 * Platinum Angel

You don't lose with zero life
Certain permanents prevent you from losing the game for having 0 or less life, usually with an alternate means to lose. This started with Lich in Alpha and has continued to be used in black on rare occasion. More recently, white has also started using this ability, often with the flavor of protecting the player.
 * Lich
 * Lich's Mastery
 * Lich's Tomb
 * Phyrexian Unlife</c>
 * Soul Echo</c>
 * Transcendence</c>