If you’ve ever Googled are sideboards allowed in Commander, the short answer is: No—Commander (EDH) doesn’t use sideboards in normal, rules-as-written play. Wizards of the Coast’s current rules language explicitly clarifies that Commander games do not use sideboards; this matches long-standing community practice. 

That said, you’ll see older forum threads and local events mentioning 10-card sideboards, “wishboards,” or cEDH tournament exceptions. This guide cuts through the confusion: we’ll explain what the official rule is, how wish cards work (or don’t), when house rules might add a sideboard in Commander, and what to expect at LGS events vs. kitchen table games.

Fun aside: if you landed here while shopping for furniture sideboards (the storage kind), you want this page instead: Sideboards—beautiful cabinets for living and dining rooms. Different “sideboard,” same organizational joy.

• Does Commander have a sideboard? No, not in regular play. The current rules clarify no sideboards for Commander.
• Is there a sideboard in Commander tournaments? Typically no, unless a specific event’s rules say otherwise (rare).
• Do wish cards work in Commander? By default, no—with no sideboard, traditional “outside the game” fetching doesn’t function unless a rule or card explicitly creates a Commander-specific exception (e.g., companions have special handling). 
• Can we house-rule a Commander sideboard? Yes, your playgroup can agree to one, but it’s not the official default. 

The Official Ruling (2025): No Sideboards in Commander

Wizards’ most recent rules/updates clarify what most players already assumed: Commander games don’t use sideboards. This aligns with current community Q&A and third-party rules explainers that summarize EDH as a 100-card singleton format with no sideboard (outside of house rules). 

Historically, EDH had optional sideboards in certain posts or old guidance (you may still find references to “10-card sideboards”), but that’s not part of the current official default. Always check the event page or TO announcement if you’re entering a tournament; otherwise, assume no sideboard. 

Why Commander Doesn’t Use Sideboards

Commander is typically one game among 3–5 players (not best-of-three matches). Sideboards exist in competitive constructed formats primarily to swap cards between games of a match. Since Commander isn’t structured around multi-game matches, and deck construction is already constrained by 100-card singleton and color identity, sideboards aren’t part of the baseline rules. (Wizards’ clarifying note simply codifies the norm.) 

“Wish” Cards and “Outside the Game” Effects in Commander

Classic “wish” effects (e.g., Burning Wish, Cunning Wish) fetch cards from outside the game—normally from your sideboard in sanctioned play. With no sideboard in Commander, the usual wish functionality doesn’t work unless a card or rule explicitly says it does for Commander (compare this to companions, which have special Commander handling). Many judge and rules resources boil this down to: wishes don’t do anything by default in EDH. Some groups house-rule a small wishboard; that’s not official, but Rule 0 can allow it if everyone agrees before play. 

But I Saw a 10-Card Sideboard Post—What Gives?

You’ll find older threads describing optional EDH sideboards (often 10 cards) and how players could do 1-for-1 swaps or use them for wish targets. Those references reflect past or house practices, not the current default. Today’s official stance is simpler: no sideboards in Commander, unless a specific event or your Rule 0 table says otherwise. 

Event & cEDH Considerations

• Local events: If your LGS is running a unique Commander event, the announcement will spell out any deviations (like a special “wishboard” or sideboarding between games). If nothing is stated, assume no sideboards.

• cEDH (competitive pods): Most cEDH tournaments still follow no sideboard rules; deck checks assume 100 cards + commander (plus companion if used under the Commander companion rule). Always read the event doc.

Community judge threads in 2025 reiterate this: “Sideboards are not currently allowed.” If an organizer wants a variant, they’ll say so explicitly. 

Commander Deck Construction Refresher (So You Don’t Miscount)

• 100 cards exactly, including your commander.
• Singleton (no duplicates except basic lands or specific exceptions like Relentless Rats-style text).
• Color identity constraints apply to all 100 cards.
• Companions have special Commander-specific handling (they’re not a sideboard). Check current rules if you use one.

Popular Optional Variants You Might See (House Rules)

While the official answer to does Commander have a sideboard is “no,” Rule 0 tables sometimes agree to these:

• 10-Card Wishboard (Casual Tables Only)
  • Used purely as an outside-the-game pool for wish effects (not for between-game sideboarding).
  • Must obey color identity/singleton rules.
  • Announce it before the game and ensure all players consent. (Again, not official; some groups enjoy it.)
• Match-Style Commander Nights
  • An LGS might run best-of-three pods and allow limited sideboarding between games. Treat this as an event-specific variant, not Commander default. The TO’s page is your authority here.
• Targeted Hate Swap
  • A few groups permit swapping a tiny number of cards if a deck is nonfunctional against a specific table (e.g., an anti-combo silver bullet). This is entirely house-rule territory; get table buy-in first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sideboards allowed in Commander?

No. Commander does not use sideboards in normal, rules-as-written play.

Does Commander have a sideboard at tournaments?

Only if an event explicitly says so (uncommon). Otherwise, assume no sideboard.

Is there a sideboard in Commander for wish cards?

No by default—wishes don’t work the usual way in EDH because there’s no sideboard to fetch from. Your group can house-rule a wishboard, but that’s not official. 

Commander sideboard rules—what are they?

Officially, there aren’t any. Some shops or tables create variants (10-card wishboards or match-style sideboarding), but those are event- or group-specific. 

Can you have a sideboard in Commander if everyone agrees?

Yes—under Rule 0. Make sure all players consent before the game. (That’s casual variant territory; don’t assume strangers are on board.) 

What about companions in Commander—aren’t they “outside the game”?

Companions have explicit Commander handling; they’re not a sideboard. Follow the current Companion + Commander rules. 

A Note on Rules Sources (Why Things Look Messy Online)

• Official updates: Wizards’ bulletins and Comprehensive Rules updates are the current source of truth; recent notes clarify no sideboards in Commander. 
• Older posts/blogs: You’ll still find 2010s-era threads discussing optional sideboards/wishboards. Treat those as historical or house-rule references, not current default policy. 
• Third-party explainers (Draftsim, Q&A sites): Most summarize the same modern takeaway: “no sideboard in Commander,” with house rules at table discretion. 

Practical Tips (So You’re Never Caught Off-Guard)

• Ask before shuffling up. If someone wants to use a wish card or presents a 10-card sideboard, clarify the table’s rule before you start.
• For store events: Read the event page. If nothing is stated, assume no sideboards.
• Deck-building mindset: Build your 100 to be resilient without sideboarding—flexible interaction, card advantage, and proactive win conditions matter more than silver bullets you can’t access.
• Social contract: Commander thrives on Rule 0. If your pod likes wishboards or match-style nights, codify the variant and keep it consistent within that group.

The Bottom Line

• Are sideboards allowed in Commander? No in regular play; that’s the official stance today. 
• Wish cards generally don’t function in EDH because there’s no sideboard—unless a rule or card text explicitly provides Commander-specific handling, or your table adopts a house rule.
• Event exceptions can exist, but they must be clearly stated by the organizer; don’t assume.
• Commander’s heart is Rule 0—so communicate, agree, and have fun.