Sidedecks, spelled with two "d"s, refers to the deck areas on the sides of a ship. The word is pronounced /ˈsaɪdˌdɛks/ and the double "d" is necessary to differentiate it from "sidewalks," which can be easily confused due to their similar pronunciation. The suffix "-decks" comes from the Old English word "dæcca" meaning "covering," while "side" refers to the location of the deck. Sidedecks can be used for storage, as well as for walking and working areas when a ship is in port.
Sidedecks refer to an essential component in the game of collectible card games (CCGs), particularly in trading card games (TCGs) like Yu-Gi-Oh! or Magic: The Gathering. The term "sidedecks" originated from the practice of players having a deck on the side, separate from their primary playing deck, to use during tournament matches.
A sidedeck is a secondary deck of cards that a player has in addition to their main deck. It typically consists of 15 cards, but the number may vary depending on the specific game and its rules. The purpose of the sidedeck is to allow players to make adjustments to their deck between games in a match. The cards in the sidedeck are chosen before the game begins and are usually strategic in nature, intended to counter specific decks or strategies that the player may encounter during the tournament.
During a match, players can access their sidedeck to swap cards between their main deck and sidedeck in order to better adapt to their opponent's strategy or to counter certain types of cards. This strategic element adds depth and flexibility to the game, as players can leverage their knowledge of the metagame to make informed choices about which cards to include in their sidedeck.
Overall, sidedecks are a crucial aspect of competitive CCGs or TCGs, enabling players to adapt their deck to the ever-evolving landscape of tournament play and providing a means to counter specific strategies employed by opponents.
The term "sidedecks" originated in the context of card games, particularly in the game of Magic: The Gathering. It refers to a deck of cards that a player prepares to use alongside their main deck during a tournament or match.
The etymology of "sidedecks" can be understood by breaking it down into its components. The word "side" refers to an additional component that is supplementary or secondary to the main part. In card games, the "sideboard" is a term used to describe such a supplementary deck.
The word "deck" refers to a set of cards used for playing games. It can also be traced back to the nautical term "deck" which refers to different levels of a ship.
Therefore, "sidedecks" can be seen as a combination of "side" and "decks", indicating additional decks that players can use as an extension of their main deck during gameplay.