What Does Sideboard Mean In Magic The Gathering

Magic The Gathering has a few different mechanics that aren't really explained unless you need to use them, and even then they're not explained well. The sideboard is one of these mechanics, and we've got the full rundown of what the sideboard actually is, how you use it, and what you need to know about it. 

What is the Sideboard?

In Magic The Gathering, the Sideboard refers to a selection of cards that exist outside of your deck. If you're playing in a format in which you have multiple different games (perhaps a best-of-three format), then you'll be able to switch your deck around during gaps between games. In a best-of-three match scenario, you're allowed fifteen cards that you can switch in and out of your deck, and in best-of-one you can have up to seven cards.

Importantly, you have to make sure that your deck contains the same amount of cards before and after you edit your deck. The deck also has to remain legal, as does the sideboard. You can't have illegal cards in your sideboard at any point, as is the same with your deck. The sideboard is usually only used in Standard Formats, with Commander Format tending to not have a sideboard due to the sheer size of the deck.