Today we're publishing a set of updates to the Bo Jackson Battle Arena Tournament Rules and Comprehensive Rules. This includes two new tournament integrity policies, two gameplay clarifications, and two documentation corrections.
Improper Card Concealment (new)
Hidden cards — the cards in your hand and Bench — must stay above the surface of the table and clearly visible to your opponent and judges at all times while you're handling or reviewing them. If you need to move hidden cards out of view for a legitimate reason, ask a Judge first.This gives judges a clear, consistent standard for handling hidden-information concerns, rather than relying on case-by-case discretion.📖 Tournament Rules §5.12 · Penalty Guide §4.5
Bags and Personal Belongings (new)
Bags and other personal storage items are no longer permitted at the table during a match. They must be placed on the floor underneath the table, out of your immediate reach, and kept fully closed or zipped for the duration of the match. Accessing a bag during a match requires a Judge's permission. This doesn't apply to gameplay materials like deck boxes, dice, counters, or scorepads.A Player who refuses to comply with this policy after being instructed by a Judge will be disqualified.📖 Tournament Rules §4.10
Who Goes First in Games 2 and 3 (clarified)
Starting now, the player who lost the previous game chooses who goes first and which direction Battles will resolve in the next game of the match.📖 Tournament Rules §3.3
Top Cut Game 1 Starting Player (new)
In top cut (single-elimination) matches, the player with the higher standing now chooses who goes first and the Battle direction for Game 1, instead of a coin flip.📖 Tournament Rules §3.3
Ties Are Not Possible (corrected)
We fixed a documentation error that implied a game could end in a tie. To be clear: a game can never end in a tie. When the Battle score is tied, Sudden Death determines the winner — in both timed and untimed rounds.📖 Comprehensive Rules §4.4.2 · Tournament Rules §3.4
What Counts as "Revealed" (clarified)
A Hero only counts as revealed while it's currently face-up in a Battle Zone. You're never required to track or remember the identity of a card that was only briefly shown and then moved away (for example, cards revealed and shuffled back into a deck).📖 Comprehensive Rules §6, Glossary — "Reveal"These changes are as of July 7, 2026.As always, you can find the complete, up-to-date rules atrules.bobattlearena.com.Questions about any of these changes? Reach out to us at op@bobattlearena.com.
