MTG Judge Magic Tournament Rules (MTR) Level 1 Practice Exam 2025 - Free Magic Tournament Judge Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a player draws their opening hand before making a decision about whether to play or draw, it indicates that they wish to play first. According to the game rules, the act of drawing the opening hand is a part of the process that leads to deciding who goes first.

Typically, the player who gets to draw their hand first has the choice to declare whether they will play first or let their opponent go first. This choice is made after both players have drawn their hands but before the game officially begins. By drawing the hand, the player signals readiness to enter the match as the first player, possibly looking to leverage the advantages of being on the play, such as being the first to cast spells or establish board presence.

Other interpretations of the actions taken, such as being unsure of strategy or simply being ready to start the match, do not directly address the significance of the act of drawing the hand in the context of determining who plays first. Thus, the player's action of drawing their hand clearly reflects their intention to play first.