Yu-gi-oh Card Rules

The Card Zones

• Each Yu-gi-oh player's field of play consists of different card zones. In the field card zone, only one card can be played at a time. In the monster card zone, up to five cards can be played. In the fusion deck zone, monster fusion cards will be placed face down; the graveyard where cards that have left play have gone; and the spell and trap card areas. These cards get placed face down until they are activated.

The Draw Phase

• A card gets drawn from the main deck. If a player cannot draw a card from his deck, he loses the game.

The Standby Phase

• The standby phase only occurs when card abilities or effect dictate that something happens. If no cards require a player to take an action, he enters his main phase.

The Main Phase

• Traps can be set or laid down; magic cards can be laid or played; and a monster can be summoned. Some cards must be placed face down in the appropriate zone until their effect takes place. Only one monster and field spell card can normally be played on each turn. Monsters with more than four stars require the sacrifice of another monster to be brought onto the field.

The Battle Phase

• If a player wishes to attack his opponent, he announces his intent. If there are no monsters in defense or attack mode, the opposing player receives damage equal to the monster's attack power. A defending player's monster left in attack mode will be destroyed if his attack power is less than that of the attacking monster.

  Any remaining damage gets deducted from the opposing player's life points. Monsters in defense mode prevent the player from taking damage, and trap cards, special effect cards and monster abilities that affect the outcome of the battle are now played. Trap cards may be activated at this time.

The End Phase

• This usually occurs at the end of the battle phase. The player simply announces his desire to end his turn and control of the game passes to his opponent.