Basic Advice in Creating a Deck (4 of 5)
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Card Ratio...How many cards should you put in your Deck?

   In the official rulebook, it's recommended to have a card ratio of 1:1. For example, if you have a 40-card Deck, then there should be at least a total of 20 Monsters in the Deck and a total of 20 Magic/Spell and Trap Cards. When I first started playing, I made my 42-card Deck have a card ratio of 1:1 (21 Monsters, 11 Magic/Spell, 10 Traps). Even my Magic/Spell and Trap Cards were 1:1 as well. As I gained more experience, I learned that the card ratio of 1:1 was more a guideline than a set rule. Having a card ratio of 1:1 is a good balance in your Deck, but it's only an ideal concept.

   One rule that you can’t ignore is that your Deck has to have a minimum of 40 cards. You could have more than 40 cards in your Deck but be careful. Most Duelists want to put a lot of the cards they see on the TV show or some just put in cards because it looks cool. In the rulebook it states,

   "Keep in mind that Decks with too many cards mean you will have a smaller chance of drawing the cards you need, so its best to limit your cards to around 40." (Page 34, Official Rulebook)

   This tip is one of the most helpful and maybe the most important in creating your Deck. In my experience, having a Deck size between 40 – 43 cards is good. The maximum card limit in a Deck should be 45 cards, but try to keep it around 40 cards.

In regards to Deck-Type:
Beat-Down Decks_____________Recommend 40 - 45 cards; This is flexible, but keep it between 40 - 43 cards
Burn Decks___________________Recommend 40 - 42 cards; You want to draw Direct Damage cards quickly
Hand/Deck Destruction Decks______Recommend 40 - 45 cards; The reason for a max. of 45 because you don't want to "deck" yourself.
Auto-win Decks__________________Recommend 40 - 42; This you want to be 40 cards, especially for "Exodia".

Strategies & Combos...Making your Deck Lean and Mean

   Previously, I talked about card ratios and the total number of cards that’s recommended in a Deck. One of the best ways to trim your Deck around 40 cards is by looking at each card and creating combos of attack or defense. If you notice cards that "don’t get along" with other cards or only have one combo that's not make a big contribution to winning your duel, take it out. To demonstrate, I’ll use one of my favorite combo cards, "Cyber Jar (MRL-077)":
Cyber Jar Combo
+ Raigeki Flip Summon Cyber Jar, get monsters to set up for attack or for Tribute.
Play Raigeki to destroy you opponent's monsters. Now only you have monsters on
the field.
+ Raigeki/Dark Hole
+ Monster Reborn		 Cyber Jar is flipped by your opponent's attack with his strong monster.
The monster is destroyed, and new monsters are on the field.
On your turn, use either Raigeki or Dark Hole. His monsters
are destroyed. Then use Monster Reborn and revive his strongest
monster on your side of the field. Now you control the strongest monster
+ Ceasefire Ceasefire must be set before Cyber Jar is flipped. Once all new monsters
are set by Cyber Jar's effect, activate Ceasefire. Each monster (yours and his/her)
with effects inflict 500 points of Direct Damage to your opponent, and negates effects
as well.

   I have more combos with "Cyber Jar" (actually 6 more), but do you see the point I am trying to make? With "Cyber Jar", I made at least 4 effective combos. So, I need those 5 cards necessary to play the combo; 5 cards down, 35 more cards to fill my Deck.
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