I'm a casual magic player only and I have no intention to participate in tournament play, but I have a question to do with priority and declaring the phases of a player's turn.
My question is: does the active player have to declare each phase of their turn as they go, and everytime they get priority do they need to say 'pass' in order to tell the non-active player they have priority?
This issue comes up regularly in casual magic games I participate in. For example, sometimes as the non-active player I plan on casting instant spells or abilities during the active player's upkeep step, however, a lot of the time people rush through their untap step and then go straight to their draw step, and I find I have to interrupt them (verbally) and be quick about letting them know my intentions before they draw a card and rush onto their main phase.
This seems ridiculous, kind of like playing a game of snap.. and I'm just wondering if there is correct protocol to follow in order to avoid this.
To answer your question: No; rather, the active player can use shortcuts instead (C.R. 720.1; for sanctioned tournaments, see M.T.R. 4.2). What you did as described in your fourth paragraph, however, is acceptable under the rules (C.R. 720.2b).
In general, a player can't end a step or phase where players get priority unilaterally; rather, all players must pass in a row while the stack is empty for the step or phase to end (C.R. 500.2, 116.4; for passing, see C.R. 116.3d). (Players don't get priority during the untap step or, in most cases, the cleanup step [C.R. 502.3, 514.3].) However, a player doesn't necessarily have to signal a priority pass explicitly (by saying "pass" for example) (C.R. 720.1). Rather, that player can propose to move to the desired point in the game sequence, for example, by saying "your turn" or "I'm ready to attack", or by proposing to play a land or cast a sorcery or creature spell right after they draw (a shortcut to move to the main phase where the player will play or cast it [C.R. 116.1a, 116.1c, 115.2a]) (C.R. 720.2a). If other players (in turn order) don't want the player to move to that point yet, they can shorten that shortcut by saying, for example, "Before you draw, I...", "Before you attack, I...", or something similar (C.R. 720.2b). After that, the game will move to the last proposed point in the game sequence (C.R. 720.2c).
EDIT (Nov. 28, 2018): Some rules were renumbered with Dominaria; added rule citation.
This is probably out of the bounds of rules question, as it seems to be a problem with the players in your group. You could try to talk to them to play a little bit slower, so people have a chance to respond to things. But I would recommend to ask this kind of question in the Magic General forum to get more fitting answers.
I find I have to interrupt them (verbally) and be quick about letting them know my intentions before they draw a card and rush onto their main phase.
This seems ridiculous, kind of like playing a game of snap.. and I'm just wondering if there is correct protocol to follow in order to avoid this.
What people usually do is to wait until the very end of the previous player's turn and then warn the next player not to draw 'because I wish to play something during your upkeep'.
Yes, one often needs to be quick on the start-gun.
I've done a lot of reading, and still am uncertain on a few things as far as priority goes. I understand the basics, but am confused as to EXACTLY when it is passed. I was under the assumption that if there are no upkeep triggers on the battlefield then as my opponent passes his turn, I start mine. I untap, no upkeep trigger, so then I draw. It's my turn, so I have priority. I then decide to cast a spell, then priority gets passed for the first time? My question is... EXACTLY when does priority get passed to my opponents during my entire turn? If all I did was untap, draw a card, then end my turn, when would my opponents get priority if nothing triggers? 1- after I entered into combat and then 2-as I end my 2nd main phase (my end step) I understand if I was casting spells, then it gets passed, but I just want to know EXACTLY how many times priority gets passed if there are no other actions. Can an opponent activate an ability of his creature during my upkeep? What about after I draw. I thought that was a turn based action that didn't use the stack.
If all I did was untap, draw a card, then end my turn, when would my opponents get priority if nothing triggers?
During every phase and step other than the untap step and the (last) cleanup step. And in the situation you describe, the only steps to be skipped would be the declare blockers and combat damage steps in the combat phase.
500.2. A phase or step in which players receive priority ends when the stack is empty and all players pass in succession. Simply having the stack become empty doesn’t cause such a phase or step to end; all players have to pass in succession with the stack empty. Because of this, each player gets a chance to add new things to the stack before that phase or step ends.
500.3. A step in which no players receive priority ends when all specified actions that take place during that step are completed. The only such steps are the untap step (see rule 502) and certain cleanup steps (see rule 514).
I thought that was a turn based action that didn't use the stack.
And then, players get priority.
503. Upkeep Step
503.1. The upkeep step has no turn-based actions. Once it begins, the active player gets priority. (See rule 116, “Timing and Priority.”)
504. Draw Step
504.1. First, the active player draws a card. This turn-based action doesn’t use the stack.
504.2. Second, the active player gets priority. (See rule 116, “Timing and Priority.”)
Private Mod Note
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Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
Can an opponent activate an ability of his creature during my upkeep?
Yes. The first time in your turn opponent receives priority is during your Upkeep. EVERY Upkeep, no exception.
If they wish to play something during your upkeep, you CANNOT rush by and draw; you must allow them time to play.
500.1. A turn consists of five phases, in this order: beginning, precombat main, combat, postcombat main, and ending. Each of these phases takes place every turn, even if nothing happens during the phase. (…)
What about after I draw. I thought that was a turn based action that didn't use the stack.
504. Draw Step
504.1. First, the active player draws a card. This turn-based action doesn’t use the stack.
504.2. Second, the active player gets priority. (See rule 116, “Timing and Priority.”)
116.3d (…) Then the next player in turn order receives priority.
I've done a lot of reading, and still am uncertain...
May I recommend reading the actual rulebook?
It's called 'Comprehensive Rules'. (admitted, it's a lot of reading! )
Priority is covered by rules 116 & 500.
I'm a casual magic player only and I have no intention to participate in tournament play, but I have a question to do with priority and declaring the phases of a player's turn.
My question is: does the active player have to declare each phase of their turn as they go, and everytime they get priority do they need to say 'pass' in order to tell the non-active player they have priority?
This issue comes up regularly in casual magic games I participate in. For example, sometimes as the non-active player I plan on casting instant spells or abilities during the active player's upkeep step, however, a lot of the time people rush through their untap step and then go straight to their draw step, and I find I have to interrupt them (verbally) and be quick about letting them know my intentions before they draw a card and rush onto their main phase.
This seems ridiculous, kind of like playing a game of snap.. and I'm just wondering if there is correct protocol to follow in order to avoid this.
Cheers
In general, a player can't end a step or phase where players get priority unilaterally; rather, all players must pass in a row while the stack is empty for the step or phase to end (C.R. 500.2, 116.4; for passing, see C.R. 116.3d). (Players don't get priority during the untap step or, in most cases, the cleanup step [C.R. 502.3, 514.3].) However, a player doesn't necessarily have to signal a priority pass explicitly (by saying "pass" for example) (C.R. 720.1). Rather, that player can propose to move to the desired point in the game sequence, for example, by saying "your turn" or "I'm ready to attack", or by proposing to play a land or cast a sorcery or creature spell right after they draw (a shortcut to move to the main phase where the player will play or cast it [C.R. 116.1a, 116.1c, 115.2a]) (C.R. 720.2a). If other players (in turn order) don't want the player to move to that point yet, they can shorten that shortcut by saying, for example, "Before you draw, I...", "Before you attack, I...", or something similar (C.R. 720.2b). After that, the game will move to the last proposed point in the game sequence (C.R. 720.2c).
EDIT (Nov. 28, 2018): Some rules were renumbered with Dominaria; added rule citation.
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Level 2 Judge
Yes, one often needs to be quick on the start-gun.
RULES OF MAGIC :
http://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/rules-and-formats/rules
Assuming it isn't something like Undercity Necrolisk or Duskborne Skymarcher, yes.
And then, players get priority.
If they wish to play something during your upkeep, you CANNOT rush by and draw; you must allow them time to play.
504.1. First, the active player draws a card. This turn-based action doesn’t use the stack.
504.2. Second, the active player gets priority. (See rule 116, “Timing and Priority.”)
116.3d (…) Then the next player in turn order receives priority.
May I recommend reading the actual rulebook?
It's called 'Comprehensive Rules'. (admitted, it's a lot of reading! )
Priority is covered by rules 116 & 500.
https://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/rules-and-formats/rules
RULES OF MAGIC :
http://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/rules-and-formats/rules