Shuffling a 100-card Commander deck is awkward. It's far bigger than a standard deck, it doesn't sit comfortably in two hands, and the wrong technique bends cards you've spent real money on. A few simple habits fix all of that.
The short answer: split the deck into two or three manageable stacks, mash shuffle them together gently, repeat several times, then offer an opponent a cut. Keep your cards sleeved and you can shuffle as thoroughly as you like without damage.
What is the best way to shuffle a Commander deck?
The mash shuffle, where you push two face-down halves into each other, is the most popular method because it's gentle on sleeved cards and works with big decks. With 100 cards, split the deck into smaller stacks first so you're never forcing too many cards together at once. Repeat it several times for a properly random deck.
How many times should I shuffle a 100-card deck?
More than most players do. Research on card shuffling suggests a 52-card deck needs around seven riffle shuffles to be properly mixed, and a 100-card deck needs more. Mash shuffles mix less per pass than a riffle, so aim for at least eight to ten, broken up with a cut or two.
Does riffle shuffling damage MTG cards?
Riffle shuffling unsleeved cards bends them and wears the corners over time. Sleeved cards cope much better, but a hard riffle still stresses the sleeves and can split them. If you riffle, keep it low and gentle, and never bridge the cards back together with a hard bend.
Is pile shuffling enough on its own?
No. Dealing cards into piles is a handy way to count your deck and break up clumps after a game, but it follows a fixed pattern, so it doesn't randomise anything by itself. Use a pile shuffle first if you like, then follow it with proper mash or riffle shuffles.
How do I shuffle a deck that's too big to hold?
Split it into two or three stacks on the table and mash shuffle pairs of stacks together, then recombine and repeat. You can also shuffle half the deck at a time, swapping cards between the halves each round. Shuffling on a playmat rather than a bare table protects the edges of your sleeves.
Should I let my opponent cut my deck?
In casual Commander it's good etiquette to offer your deck to an opponent for a cut or a quick shuffle once you've shuffled it yourself. It removes any suspicion and is expected at most tables. Ask them to shuffle gently, especially if your cards aren't sleeved.
Do sleeves make shuffling easier?
Yes. Sleeves give every card the same thickness and surface, so cards slide past each other evenly and nothing gets marked. Matte sleeves usually shuffle more smoothly than glossy ones, and fresh sleeves make a noticeable difference once old ones go cloudy and sticky. Our guide to single versus double sleeving covers what fits where.
Why do my sleeved cards clump together after shuffling?
Clumping usually comes from not shuffling enough after a game where lands and spells were stacked in separate piles, or from worn sleeves catching on each other. Break clumps up with a quick pile shuffle, then add a few extra mash shuffles. Replacing tired sleeves helps too.
How do I stop cards getting damaged between games?
Most damage happens in the bag, not at the table. A loose deck in a soft pocket picks up bent corners and scuffed sleeves, so keep it in a hard deck box that holds the cards snugly upright. SquadPod Slim was designed for exactly this: it holds a single-sleeved 100-card deck plus ten tokens in two side-by-side stacks, with a click-shut latch so nothing slides around in transit.
How should I shuffle unsleeved cards?
Gently, and never with a riffle. A careful mash shuffle or an overhand shuffle keeps bending to a minimum. If you play regularly, sleeves are worth it for any deck you care about; they cost little compared with the cards inside.
How do I shuffle quickly mid-game after searching my library?
Search effects end with a shuffle, and these can slow a game down. Split the deck into two stacks, do four or five quick mash shuffles, then offer it for a cut. Keep the cards face down throughout and don't look at the bottom card while you shuffle.
How often should I replace my sleeves?
Replace them when the edges split, the backs go cloudy or the cards start sticking together during shuffles. For a regularly played deck, that's often every few months. Replace the whole set at once so every card still looks identical from the back.
Is there a quick routine to use before every game?
This takes under a minute and gives a properly mixed deck.
- Pile shuffle into six or seven piles to break up clumps from the last game.
- Split the deck into three stacks and mash shuffle them together in pairs.
- Recombine, cut, and repeat the mash shuffles another five or six times.
- Offer the deck to an opponent to cut.
What else should I bring to keep my deck in good shape?
Spare sleeves, a playmat and a proper deck box cover most problems. Our Commander night packing list runs through the full kit, and our guide to slim deck boxes for travel explains why a slimmer box makes game night easier.
SquadPod Slim Commander deck box
Holds 100 single-sleeved cards and 10 tokens in two side-by-side stacks, with your commander displayed in an included toploader behind the front window. Hinged lid, click-shut latch, five colourways.
More Commander guides
- How Many Cards Fit in an MTG Deck Box? Single vs Double Sleeving Explained
- What to Pack for MTG Commander Night at Your Local Game Store
- The Best Slim MTG Deck Box for Travel: Why Slim Beats Bulky
- Introducing SquadPod Slim by WarSplay: The Slim MTG Commander Deck Box
Magic: The Gathering is a trade mark of Wizards of the Coast LLC. This is an unofficial guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Wizards of the Coast. SquadPod® is a registered trade mark of Blubbercove Ltd.