A player's hand consists of cards that have been drawn. Hand size (starting and maximum) is usually seven cards.
Hand modifiers can modify the starting and maximum size of the hand.
There are cards that can change the maximum hand size.
Rules[ | ]
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Magic: The Gathering Foundations)
- Starting Hand Size
- The number of cards a player draws as a game begins. In most games, each player’s starting hand size is seven. See rule 103.5.
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Magic: The Gathering Foundations)
- Maximum Hand Size
- The number of cards in hand a player must discard down to during their cleanup step. See rule 402.2 and 514.1.
From the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Magic: The Gathering Foundations)
- 402.2. Each player has a maximum hand size, which is normally seven cards. A player may have any number of cards in their hand, but as part of their cleanup step, the player must discard excess cards down to the maximum hand size.
Cards that modify maximum hand size[ | ]
- Unlimited
- Ancient Silver Dragon
- Anvil of Bogardan
- A-Wizard Class
- Body of Knowledge
- Choice of Fortunes
- Curiosity Crafter
- Decanter of Endless Water
- Enter the Infinite
- Finale of Revelation
- Folio of Fancies
- Graceful Adept
- The Great Synthesis (Saga)
- Kruphix, God of Horizons
- Library of Leng
- The Lux Foundation Library (Planechase)
- Mine, Mine, Mine! (silver-bordered)
- Mordenkainen (emblem)
- Nezahal, Primal Tide
- Praetor's Counsel
- Price of Knowledge
- Reliquary Tower
- Sea Gate Restoration
- Spellbook
- Stairs to Infinity (Planechase)
- Tamiyo, the Moon Sage (emblem)
- The Magic Mirror
- Thought Vessel
- Tishana, Voice of Thunder
- Triskaidekaphile
- Venser's Journal
- Wizard Class
- Wrenn and Seven (Emblem)
- Fixed
- Cecily, Haunted Mage (to eleven)
- Cursed Rack (to four)
- Eleven, the Mage (to eleven)
- Null Profusion (to two)
- Recycle (to two)
- Sovereign's Realm (to five - Conspiracy)
- Increasing
- Minamo Scrollkeeper (by one)
- Trusted Advisor (by two)
- Reducing
- Gnat Miser (by one)
- Inspired Idea (by three)
- Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur (by seven)
- Locust Miser (by two)
- Midnight Oil (equal to the number of hour counters)
- Thought Devourer (by four)
- Thought Eater (by three)
- Thought Nibbler (by two)
Cards that modify starting hand size[ | ]
See hand modifier (Vanguard)