The Phases of a Turn

A turn in Magic consists of several phases, each with a specific purpose. Understanding these phases is crucial to mastering the game.

1. Untap Phase
This is the first phase of every turn. During this phase, you untap all your tapped cards. Tapping a card means turning it sideways to show it has been used, such as when you’ve used lands for mana or creatures to attack.

• You cannot play spells or activate abilities during this phase.
• Untapping resets your resources, allowing you to use them again later in the turn.

Think of the untap phase as preparing for the turn ahead.

2. Upkeep Phase
The upkeep phase happens immediately after untapping. While it might seem uneventful, many cards have effects that activate during this phase. For instance, some cards require you to pay mana to maintain their presence on the battlefield, or you might gain bonuses from certain enchantments.

• Check for any “at the beginning of your upkeep” triggers.
• You can cast instant spells or activate abilities during this phase.

The upkeep phase often sets the stage for your turn.

3. Draw Phase
During the draw phase, you draw one card from your library (your deck). This is one of the most exciting parts of the game because it provides new options for your turn.

• Each player draws one card per turn unless a card effect says otherwise.
• If your library is empty and you cannot draw a card, you lose the game.

The draw phase gives you the tools you need to build your strategy.