What is the “Mulligan” rule in tournaments?

The Mulligan rule in tournaments allows a player who is not satisfied with their initial hand to shuffle that hand back into their deck and draw a new hand. This rule is crucial as it ensures that players do not start the game at a significant disadvantage due to a poor initial draw. The Mulligan process typically allows players to continue drawing new hands until they are satisfied, although each subsequent Mulligan typically results in the player drawing one fewer card than the original hand size. This systematic adjustment helps maintain fairness in gameplay, as players can optimize their opening hands according to their strategy and deck composition.

In a tournament setting, this mechanic is vital to ensure that players have a fair chance to compete, as it mitigates the impact of luck at the beginning of the game. The specific structure of the Mulligan process and the strategic implications of each decision can also lead to interesting gameplay scenarios and decision-making moments.