Shufflin' on to Yugioh

Like many doolists, I am not happy with Konami’s decision to enforce the “Sleeving Rule”.  This policy sounds distinctively bureaucratic. In other words, it solves a problem that doesn’t exist.  I can think of no instance where having different extra deck sleeves benefits the player over the opponent.  The only card where this may be an issue is Magical Hats and in this case different sleeves benefits the opponent.  Using separate extra deck sleeves does lower the chance of including an extra deck card in the main deck. If anything, this practice speeds up the game, which is always a good thing.  

Truth be told, the real reason I’m a little salty is that I liked my extra deck sleeves.  I used Neo Sleeves shown below because I thought it looked kinda cool.  It was the unofficial uniform for my deck – main deck cards in white and extra deck with this Sorceress.   Unfortunately, Neo Sleeves don’t hold up well in regular play.  As a result, my deck is now all plain vanilla. 

My Favorite Extra Deck Card Sleeve

This policy change did get me to reread the KDE TCG Tournament Policy.  What will they hit us with next?

Consider the following scenario:  You just played Gold Sarc and begin searching for Blaster when you notice three Dragon Ravines all in a row.  Three turns drawing the same card is never a good thing.  So you pull two out and separate them while you continue your search.  You then shuffle up the deck, let your opponent cut it, and go on with your turn.  

Have you broken the rules? YES.  Part I of Section IV states the following: 

A player’s Deck must be randomized by using an accepted shuffling method (riffle, pile, Hindu, etc.) and then cut. This must be done at the start of every game, and whenever a game mechanic requires the player to shuffle their Deck.

Each player must thoroughly randomize (shuffle) their Deck where the opponent can see.

    · A player cannot check or order the cards when shuffling

    · A player cannot presort their Deck (sorting Monsters/Spell/Trap, etc) without thoroughly   

      shuffling the Deck afterwards.

After the Deck is thoroughly randomized, it must be presented to the opponent. The opponent must randomize (shuffle) the Deck further and then return it to the original owner. The owner may then “cut” their Deck. If they do, they must present it to the opponent who must “cut” the Deck again and then present it back to the original owner. No additional randomization may be done to the Deck after this point.

By presenting your Deck to your opponent, you agree that you have sufficiently randomized your Deck.

By reordering your Dragon Ravines you are “ordering your cards while shuffling”.  

I should also point out that you are not only allowed to shuffle your opponent’s deck, you must shuffle their deck.  Furthermore, if you cut after their shuffle, they can cut again.  

Enforcing this rule would have the same consequences as enforcing the sleeving rule.  In other words, it would be more annoying than substantive.  The issue should be somewhat moot after you “thoroughly randomize” your deck once you get your Blaster.  Still, it’s always good to know the policies.  You never know when some rule shark will forget that this is a children’s card game.