Limited tournaments are some of the most exciting ways to play Magic: The Gathering. I’ve been playing since the days of drafting around kitchen tables, and even now with Commander dominating the scene I still build most of my decks from cards I picked up in sealed or draft formats. One of the best parts of limited events is how accessible they are. Whether you're a veteran who’s been watching spoilers or someone jumping in for the first time because your favorite Final Fantasy or Marvel character just hit the card frame, limited tournaments help level the playing field and gives skill room to shine.
Sealed is a type of limited tournament done at most pre-release events. If you’ve never played sealed before, here’s the gist: you’ll open six packs of cards and build a 40-card deck using only what you pull. There’s no drafting, no pre-planning; just you, your card pool, and your ability to spot synergies on the fly. That uncertainty is part of the magic of Magic. Here's a few tips to get the most out of your sealed experience at pre-release events at Gamers Guild.
Evaluate Your Card Pool Thoughtfully
Start by sorting your cards by color and checking for “bombs”—those rare or mythic cards that can take over a game if unanswered. A card like Lightning, Army of One brings strong keywords in a low-cost package. If you open her, look carefully at your red and white cards to see if you can support her properly. Build your deck around your best cards, but also pay attention to which colors have the strongest overall support.
Removal and Evasion Are Key
With fewer tools than a constructed deck, you’ll want flexible cards that can handle multiple threats. Look for removal spells like Fire Magic, which can be scaled to your situation and potentially wipe out several creatures at once. You’ll also want evasive creatures, those with flying, menace, or unblockable, because in sealed your opponent is less likely to have the tools to stop them.
Stick to the 40 and Mind Your Curve
Yes, you can play more than 40 cards, but don’t. You want your best cards showing up as often as possible. Most sealed decks run about 23 spells and 17 lands, with a solid mana curve of low to mid-cost cards to keep plays consistent. It’s tempting to splash a third color when you have flashy cards, but unless you’ve pulled mana-fixing tools like Starting Town, it’s better to stay focused and consistent.
Creatures Win Games
In sealed formats, creature combat is the name of the game. Big combos and fancy synergy engines are harder to pull off with a limited selection of cards, so stick to what works: board presence. Cards like Cargo Ship are inexpensive and hard to block once crewed. A steady stream of resilient or evasive creatures will win you more games than niche strategies.
Above all, stay flexible and enjoy yourself. Sealed is a great way to discover new cards, meet other players, and sharpen your deckbuilding instincts. Sometimes the cards just won’t break your way—but the fun is always in the challenge. We’ll see you at the table.
