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Rules Q&A » Post: Are players entitled to know what position in a library a card is found at?

Are players entitled to know what position in a library a card is found at?

Nov. 5, 2015 02:51:07 PM

Alexander Traplin
Judge (Uncertified)

United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa

Are players entitled to know what position in a library a card is found at?

I've had situations where this could have been relevant come up every now and then.

For example, if AP casts Brainstorm and puts the only Island in his deck on top of his library and then uses a Polluted Delta to put one of them into play, is NAP entitled to know that the Island put into play was one of the top two cards of his library?

Conversely, would AP be entitled to obscure the position in the library the card was found at by having the opponent look away while retrieving the card? Or is it a case where NAP has to have sharp eyes to see that the card came off the top?

Thanks rules experts!

Nov. 5, 2015 03:04:15 PM

Scott Marshall
Forum Moderator
Judge (Level 4 (Judge Foundry)), Hall of Fame

USA - Southwest

Are players entitled to know what position in a library a card is found at?

Nothing in the rules entitles opponents to know where a card was located when it was searched for (and presumably found) in a hidden zone. Many “tutor” effects require you to reveal any card that's found, to verify that it meets the characteristics specified (e.g., “Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost …”).

If the player resolving the “tutor” effect thinks it's to their advantage, they can take reasonable steps to hide the previous location of the card (but let's not go off the rails, here).

d:^D

Nov. 5, 2015 03:05:05 PM

Scott Marshall
Forum Moderator
Judge (Level 4 (Judge Foundry)), Hall of Fame

USA - Southwest

Are players entitled to know what position in a library a card is found at?

Edit: unless, of course, you're restricted to searching the top 4 (think Aven Mindcensor) - even then, which of those top 4 isn't public.
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