G.18 - Infinity


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G.18.1- There is no such thing as "infinity" in Magic. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.18.2- If a combination occurs which is completely under one player's control, it could potentially be repeated an infinite number of times. If this happens, the player should demonstrate the cycle a few times, then state how many times they want to do this. This must be a positive, finite integer. If the opponent does nothing to interfere, then the actions occur the stated number of times. Any player may say that after some smaller number of times they want to stop the loop to take some action (which is legal at that time). This causes the additional loops to not happen, but does not stop the player from starting the loop again if they can. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.18.3- If a combination occurs which contains options for both players, the current player chooses a number. The other player can either accept this number or choose a lower number of times for the loop to run. [CompRules 1999/04/23] For example, if the current player has a card with "{0}: This creature gains flying" and the other player has a card with "{0}: Target creature loses flying", this rule ensures that the other player always has the final choice and can make it not have flying. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.18.4- If a loop occurs for which neither player has control, the game ends in a draw. Neither player wins or loses. [CompRules 2001/07/23 - 102.6]

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G.18.Ruling.1- You cannot use the "pick a number" rule (Rule G.18.3) for loops which are not really infinite. If a loop will end, the game will run it to completion. [bethmo 1998/11/03] For example, a loop in which a player loses life each time will end once the player reaches zero or less life.

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Note- There is no ruling for loops where a loop consists of player actions, but there is an element of randomness involved, such as coin flipping or deck shuffling. If a player wants to repeat until a certain condition occurs, the result will be up to the judge at any particular tournament. [WotC Rules Team 1998/03/31]

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