Signing up for your first card tournament? Whether it's Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or One Piece, having the right gear makes all the difference between a great experience and a frustrating one.
This guide lists the essential and recommended accessories to arrive prepared and fully enjoy your tournament.
Must-have accessories
These accessories aren't optional: without them, you risk running into issues with judges or simply having a bad experience.
Quality sleeves
This is the number one accessory. Your cards must be protected and your sleeves must be:
- Opaque: The back of the card must not be visible through them
- Uniform: All identical, same brand, same color
- In good condition: No scratched, torn, or marked sleeves
- Legal: No offensive artwork
Pro tip: Bring a pack of fresh sleeves as a backup. If a judge asks you to swap out worn sleeves mid-tournament, you'll be ready.
🛒 Tournament sleeves
A sturdy deck box
Your deck will spend the day going in and out of its box. Choose a deck box that is:
- Large enough for your sleeved deck (double-sleeved if applicable)
- With secure closure: Magnetic or strong clip
- Rigid: Protects against impacts in your bag
For Commander (100 cards), make sure the deck box is sized for it. The "100+" deck boxes from Dragon Shield or Ultimate Guard are perfect.
🛒 Tournament deck boxes
Dice and counters
You'll need to track various information during the game:
- Six-sided dice (D6): For +1/+1 counters, tokens, etc.
- Spindown D20: For life points (handy but not required)
- Damage counters: Especially for Pokémon TCG
- Tokens: To represent tokens created by your cards
Heads up: Avoid dice that are too small or hard to read. Judges may require counters to be clear to everyone.
Something to track life points
In tournaments, it's crucial to track both players' life totals. Options:
- Pen and paper: The classic method, always reliable
- Mobile app: Convenient but watch your battery
- Physical counter: Spindown, dial counter, etc.
Tip: Write it on paper AND use a counter. In case of disagreement, the written record is what counts.
Strongly recommended accessories
Not strictly required, but they greatly improve your comfort.
A playmat
The playmat defines your play area and protects your cards from the table surface (often dirty at tournaments).
Benefits:
- Guaranteed clean surface
- Cards are easier to pick up
- Clearly defined play zones
- Personal style
Standard size: 60×35 cm for Magic/Pokémon. Larger sizes available for Commander.
🛒 Our playmats
A bag or carrying case
To safely transport all your gear:
- Deck(s) in their deck boxes
- Trade binder if you plan to trade
- Accessories (dice, playmat, spare sleeves)
- Personal items (wallet, phone, snacks)
Tip: A backpack with padded compartments is ideal. Avoid bags that leave your stuff loose.
Inner sleeves for double-sleeving
If you play with valuable cards, double-sleeving is strongly recommended at tournaments. Accidents (spilled drinks, clumsy opponents) happen.
A trade binder
Tournaments are the perfect opportunity to trade cards with other players. A small binder with your duplicates and tradeable cards will help you make great deals between rounds.
Pre-tournament checklist
Print or memorize this list so you don't forget anything:
Required
- ☐ Main deck (checked, legal, complete)
- ☐ Sideboard if applicable (15 cards max in MTG)
- ☐ Sleeves in good condition (+ backup)
- ☐ Deck box
- ☐ Dice / counters
- ☐ Pen and paper
- ☐ Photo ID (for some events)
- ☐ Registration confirmation
Recommended
- ☐ Playmat
- ☐ Inner sleeves (double-sleeving)
- ☐ Trade binder
- ☐ Snacks and water bottle
- ☐ Power bank (for your phone)
- ☐ Printed decklist (required at some tournaments)
Optional but handy
- ☐ Backup deck (for testing between rounds)
- ☐ Notebook for match notes
- ☐ Headphones (for waiting between rounds)
- ☐ Printed rules/FAQ for your deck
Tips for game day
Arrive early
Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before the official start time. This gives you time to:
- Get settled comfortably
- Double-check your decklist if needed
- Locate the restrooms and food spots
- Trade a few cards before the rush
Never leave your stuff unattended
Card theft at tournaments unfortunately happens. Always keep your bag with you or hand it to someone you trust.
Hygiene and comfort
A tournament can last 6 to 10 hours. Remember to:
- Eat light but regular meals
- Stay hydrated
- Take breaks
- Personal hygiene (tournament rooms are often poorly ventilated...)
Budget: complete tournament gear
Beginner kit (~€30-40)
- 100 basic sleeves: ~€3
- Simple deck box: ~€5
- Set of D6 dice: ~€3
- Notebook + pen: ~€2
- Basic playmat: ~€15
Intermediate kit (~€70-100)
- 100 Dragon Shield Matte sleeves: ~€8
- 100 inner sleeves: ~€3
- Premium deck box: ~€15
- Playmat with zones: ~€25
- Premium dice set: ~€10
- Carrying case: ~€25
Competitor kit (~€150+)
- Premium sleeves double-set (backup): ~€20
- High-end magnetic deck box: ~€25
- Custom playmat: ~€30-50
- Dedicated TCG backpack: ~€50
- Premium trade binder: ~€25
- Matching accessories: ~€20
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Are my old sleeves accepted at tournaments?
Judges can reject sleeves that are too worn, marked, or scratched. If certain sleeves are recognizable (scratches, marks), it's considered "marked cards" and can lead to penalties. Invest in fresh sleeves for important tournaments.
Can I use sleeves with artwork?
Yes, but they must not be offensive and must remain uniform (all identical). Official brand sleeves (Pokémon, MTG) are always accepted.
Do I need to bring my own decklist?
For competitive tournaments (Competitive REL), yes. Casual tournaments (Regular REL) usually don't require it. Check with the organizer.
What should I do if I break a sleeve mid-match?
Call a judge. They will allow you to replace the sleeve. That's why having a pack of identical backup sleeves is crucial.
Is a playmat required?
No, but strongly recommended. Tournament tables are often dirty and your cards slide better on a mat. It's a real comfort over a long day.
Can I use an app to track life points?
Yes, but always have a paper backup. In case of a life total dispute, the written record is what counts. Plus, your battery may die mid-day.
Conclusion
Solid tournament gear means:
- Fresh, uniform sleeves (+ backup)
- A sturdy deck box
- Dice and paper to track the game
- A playmat for comfort
- A suitable bag to carry it all
Invest once in quality gear and you'll be set for years of tournaments. Good luck at your next competitions!
