What do you need to build a Yu-Gi-Oh! deck, and how do you win a duel?
Summary
A Main Deck is 40 to 60 cards made from three kinds of cards: Monsters, Spells, and Traps. Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and Link Monsters go in a separate Extra Deck of up to 15 cards, and you can run no more than three copies of any card. Both players start at 8000 Life Points, and you win by reducing your opponent to 0 or when they have to draw from an empty deck.
How a turn runs
Each player starts with a five-card hand. A turn moves through the Draw Phase, Standby Phase, Main Phase 1, Battle Phase, Main Phase 2, and End Phase, and the player going first does not draw on their first turn. You can Normal Summon or Set a monster once per turn. Level 5 and 6 monsters need one Tribute, and Level 7 or higher need two. Some cards let you win by their own effect, and if both players hit 0 LP at the same moment, the duel is a draw.
Cards you can't run three of
As of November 2, 2026, the current TCG Forbidden & Limited List took effect October 19, 2026, and Japan's current OCG list took effect October 1, 2026. Pot of Greed is Forbidden in the TCG's Advanced Format and in the OCG. Exodia the Forbidden One and each of its four limbs, the left and right arms and legs, are Limited to one copy in both. Dates for the next OCG and TCG products are on the Yu-Gi-Oh! release calendar.
Sources
- Official Rulebook Version 10
- Forbidden & Limited Lists (October 19, 2026) (checked 2026-11-02)
- OCG Limit Regulation (Japanese) (checked 2026-11-02)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Database, OCG Forbidden & Limited list (Japanese) (checked 2026-11-02)
Details are as published on these pages on the date above and can change. Check the official page before you buy or submit.