What does "deck checking" involve in a tournament setting?

Deck checking in a tournament setting is an important procedure that ensures the integrity of the game and compliance with tournament rules. It primarily involves verifying that a player's registered deck matches their physical deck. This process is crucial because it ensures that players are competing with the correct cards as submitted in their deck list.

When a player registers for a tournament, they provide a list of the cards they will be using. During a deck check, judges will compare this list against the actual cards in the player's deck. This helps to prevent issues such as unauthorized card additions or substitutions, which can interfere with fair play and the competitive nature of the tournament.

The other options do not accurately describe the process of deck checking. Counting the number of cards in a player's hand refers to a different part of the gameplay and does not address the integrity of the deck used in the tournament. Assessing the condition of the cards may be part of general tournament regulations but is not the main focus of deck checking. Allowing players to exchange cards does not align with tournament rules, as players must use their registered decks without modification during the matches.