Next, you'll want to find someone to play the game against (it might get pretty boring playing against yourself). Before you read the rulebook, play a few games using the rules on the playmat. The playmat provides you with the basic rules you need to understand the game and get started. Once you get used to the game and these basic rules, you can read the rulebook and try out some of the advanced rules.

The beginning rules are fairly simple. You and your opponent are wizards dueling at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During the duel, you can use magical creatures or spells to "damage" your opponent. For each point of damage you do, your opponent has to discard that many cards from his or her deck. You win the game when your opponent's deck runs out of cards! Now, just follow the rules on the playmat, and you're ready to play the Harry Potter trading card game!