In Magic: The Gathering, holding eight, ten or fifteen cards during a turn is legal. Maximum hand size is normally seven, but you do not discard as soon as you exceed it. The check happens in the active player’s cleanup step, after the end step.
Three different numbers
| Concept | When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Starting hand size | Start of game | Cards drawn before mulligans |
| Current hand size | Any time | Cards actually held |
| Maximum hand size | Cleanup | Discard threshold, normally seven |
The London mulligan changes the opening process, not a permanent duty to remain at seven.
End step is not cleanup
The ending phase contains the end step and cleanup step. End-step triggers occur first and players normally get priority. During cleanup, the active player discards to their maximum, damage is removed from permanents and “until end of turn” effects end. These turn-based actions do not use the stack.
When do you discard?
You discard for hand size only during your own cleanup. If you draw eight cards during an opponent’s turn, you keep them until your cleanup unless another instruction makes you discard sooner.
Count the difference between your current hand and the maximum that applies as cleanup begins. A modified maximum replaces the normal value for that check.
Five-step routine
- Announce the end of the main phase.
- Handle end-step triggers.
- Let every player pass priority.
- Count the active player’s hand and discard excess cards.
- Remove damage and end temporary effects.
Review responses in our guide to the stack and priority.
Cleanup discard does not use the stack
Choosing and discarding excess cards is a turn-based action. Players do not normally receive priority between the count and discard, so they cannot respond to that choice as if it were a spell.
A discard or expiring effect can still create a trigger or state-based action. In that exceptional case, triggers go on the stack and the active player receives priority.
More than one cleanup step
If players receive priority during cleanup and act, another cleanup step begins after the stack becomes empty and everyone passes. The active player’s hand may therefore be checked again.
Maximum hand size can change
Effects may increase, reduce or remove the limit. Read active effects before discarding. Starting hand size and maximum hand size are separate values and do not automatically change together.
Common mistakes
- Discarding immediately after drawing an eighth card.
- Combining end step and cleanup.
- Making a nonactive player discard during your turn.
- Trying to respond to the turn-based discard.
- Missing a modified maximum.
- Skipping a repeated cleanup after a trigger.
Checklist
- Were end-step triggers handled?
- Did all players pass priority?
- What is the current maximum?
- How many cards must be discarded?
- Did damage and temporary effects end?
- Is another cleanup required?
Browse the Magic collection and practise announcing current hand size and maximum before cleanup.