Dangerous Wager MTG Card

Enables discarding a spent hand to draw two cards, potentially altering game momentum. Instant speed use offers flexibility, crucial for response plays without losing pace. While powerful, the discard requirement demands thoughtful timing to avoid pitfalls.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Avacyn Restored
Set code	AVR
Number	131
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Drew Baker

Text of card

Discard your hand, then draw two cards.

"C'mon friend, take a turn tossing the knucklebones. What've you got to lose?" —Tobias, trader of Erdwal

Cards like Dangerous Wager

In Magic: The Gathering, Dangerous Wager offers players a peculiar twist in the realm of card draw mechanics. This card finds its siblings in actions such as Wild Guess and Faithless Looting, which both incorporate the notion of discarding before drawing. Dangerous Wager, distinct for requiring the player to discard their entire hand before drawing two cards, might seem risky but pairs well in decks that maximize graveyard strategies or those designed to operate with few cards in hand.

Likewise, Cathartic Reunion stands as a comparable choice, though it requires the discard of two cards as part of its additional casting cost, immediately drawing three cards as a reward. While Dangerous Wager is more of a last-ditch effort to refresh your hand, Cathartic Reunion allows for greater control over what you discard and what you draw. Meanwhile, Tormenting Voice serves a simpler purpose—discard a single card and draw two—making it a more predictable, if less dramatic, option.

Weighing the conditions and outcomes of these similar cards, Dangerous Wager might appeal to those looking for a more daring approach to refilling their hand, especially in situations where the graveyard can be leveraged or when the hand is empty.

Cards similar to Dangerous Wager by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dangerous Wager encourages strategic hand depletion to then refuel your resources by drawing two new cards, potentially swinging the late-game momentum in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of acceleration, by cycling through your deck with Dangerous Wager, you increase the likelihood of drawing into your resource-accelerating spells, thereby indirectly supporting mana ramp strategies.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Dangerous Wager at instant speed means you can adapt to the ebb and flow of battle, waiting until the last feasible moment to maximize the card’s potential without disrupting your own pace of play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Dangerous Wager is the obligatory discard of your hand. This non-negotiable cost might leave you vulnerable if you’re forced to throw away crucial cards, making the strategy around when to play it quite critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Dangerous Wager requires two specific red mana to cast. This can restrict its inclusion to decks that are either mono-red or heavily slanted towards red mana, potentially excluding it from various multicolored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana may not seem excessively high, in a game where speed and efficiency are paramount, it is noteworthy that there are alternative draw options available. Some cards offer similar or better effects at a lower cost, making Dangerous Wager’s place in a deck a topic for careful consideration among MTG players.

Reasons to Include Dangerous Wager in Your Collection

Versatility: Dangerous Wager offers a unique discard-and-draw mechanism that can be seamlessly integrated into decks that capitalize on having no cards in hand or need emergency refueling of options.

Combo Potential: This card is a boon for decks featuring cards with madness or graveyard synergies, facilitating powerful plays and unexpected comebacks.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where hand disruption is prevalent, Dangerous Wager ensures you’re never out of action, maintaining pace in a constantly evolving battlefield.

How to beat

When facing off against a card like Dangerous Wager in Magic: The Gathering, understanding the mechanics and optimal timing is crucial for gaining the upper hand. This card allows a player to discard their hand and draw two new cards. While this can be a risky move, especially if your opponent activates it at a moment where they have little to lose and much to gain, it can be countered efficiently.

To mitigate the card’s potential, pressure your opponent to keep a larger hand, reducing the attractiveness and effectiveness of Dangerous Wager. Aim to use instant speed removals or hand disruption to force plays that maintain card parity. Additionally, strategic graveyard management can dampen its impact, considering that your opponent may set up their graveyard for potential reanimation or flashback strategies that synergize with discarding.

Ultimately, keeping your opponent on the back foot and their hand full makes Dangerous Wager less of a game-changer and more of a gamble they might hesitate to take. With careful play and a keen eye on resource control, you can navigate around the hurdles this card presents and maintain your position in the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dangerous Wager MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Dangerous Wager and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dangerous Wager has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dangerous Wager card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2012-05-01	If you have no cards in hand when Dangerous Wager resolves, you’ll simply draw two cards.