How many cards in a draft deck?

Minimum 40 cards, typically 23 nonlands and 17 basic lands.

What is wheeling in draft?

When a strong card comes back to you late in the pack, suggesting others are not in that color.

2026-08-10

Draft is limited Magic at its best: build a fresh deck from booster packs each event. No collection required — just reading packs well.

Open three packs with 7–8 players. Pick one card per pack, pass left-right-left. Build 40 cards minimum (usually 17 lands, 23 spells).

Arena draft follows the same flow digitally — great practice before paper.

BREAD: Bombs, Removal, Evasion, Aggro, Duds — rough pick order. Watch what comes back late — if premium removal wheels, the color may be open.

Stay open first pack: take the best card, commit to colors pack two when you see depth.

Curve out 2–4 drops. Play 17 lands in 40 cards. Main removal and combat tricks. Sideboard is unused in most casual drafts.

Our limited guides cover set-specific mechanics — check the guides hub when a new set launches.

How many cards in a draft deck?: Minimum 40 cards, typically 23 nonlands and 17 basic lands.
What is wheeling in draft?: When a strong card comes back to you late in the pack, suggesting others are not in that color.