If a deck check is done after the opening hand is drawn, what should be preserved?

In the context of a deck check conducted after the opening hand is drawn, the focus is on maintaining the integrity of the game state as it relates to the player's starting position. Preserving the opening hand is crucial because it is part of what has been determined for that player right before the game started. This hand consists of the initial seven cards that are drawn at the beginning of the game and could influence any ruling or interactions, particularly if issues arise later regarding the legality of the deck stack or card count.

During a deck check, the opening hand serves as a reference point for what cards the player has chosen to keep and can also be essential for ensuring that any game's progress is accurate up to that point. Any discrepancy involving cards that were part of the opening hand can significantly affect the outcome of the match and potential rulings.

The other options maintain importance within game rules but do not hold the same level of specificity for this particular phase of the game. While the player’s life total and deck list are definitely relevant for broader game tracking and compliance, they do not directly relate to the immediate circumstances of the drawn opening hand. All cards in hand includes more than just the opening hand, which may lead to a more complex situation than warranted during a check.