Let’s speak the same
game language.
A few definitions to help you move from discovering cards to playing on MainTable. The same word can describe a site resource or an in-game zone: here is the difference.
TCG and format
A TCG is a trading card game, such as Magic: The Gathering. A format defines permitted cards, deck construction and gameplay conditions.
Deck, deckbuilder and preconstructed deck
A deck is the card list you prepare for play. A deckbuilder is the tool used to build and edit it. A preconstructed deck is a published ready-to-play list; its presence in the catalogue does not imply that you own the physical cards.
Explore, collection and in-game library
Explore is the site’s card catalogue. At the table, your library is the pile of deck cards you draw from. Your personal collection tracks your cards and is distinct from both libraries.
Commander and commander cards
Commander is a Magic format frequently played in multiplayer. A commander is a designated card that starts in the command zone. Duel Commander is a distinct two-player format: use its profile instead of assuming multiplayer Commander rules apply.
Hand, battlefield, graveyard and exile
Your hand contains cards you can play. The battlefield holds permanents. Graveyard and exile are separate zones. The command zone holds commanders, among other objects. Visibility and movements depend on the zone and applicable rules.
Sideboard and maybeboard
The sideboard contains cards you may use between games where the format permits. The maybeboard holds deckbuilding ideas; those cards are not automatically part of your played deck.
Opening hand and mulligan
Taking a mulligan means drawing a new opening hand. The table guides shuffling, redrawing and putting cards on the bottom according to its profile. A free mulligan depends on mode and format.
Table, match, game and turn
A table is the room hosting players. A match contains one or more games. A game uses a frozen deck composition; a turn is the active player’s sequence of steps. BO1 means one game; BO3 aims for two game wins.
Mana, counters, tokens and tapping
Mana is a Magic resource tracked in your mana pool. Counters track values on cards or players. A token represents a game object created by an effect. Tapping marks a card as tapped; untapping returns it to its untapped state.
Concession and confirmed result
Conceding means giving up according to the table context. Other active participants must accept a proposed result to confirm it. Solo or cancelled sessions are not treated as competitive wins.
Explore, prepare your deck and choose your table.
Guide updated on 7 October 2026