Desperate Gambit
WTHWeatherlight/#96/1997Uncommon
Colour IDMV 1
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.79
Cardmarket€0.54
ManaPool$0.17
TCGplayer$0.60
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.12
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.05 tix
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.79High $1.99Low $0.79▼ 47.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.60TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 1.7%30d▼ 1.6%90d▲ 1.7%
90d high
$0.61
90d low
$0.58
Paper printings priced
1
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$0.60
Weatherlight
- Down 1.6% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
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Play
Compare printings (1 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Instant
Choose a source you control and flip a coin. If you win the flip, the next time that source would deal damage this turn, it deals double that damage instead. If you lose the flip, the next time it would deal damage this turn, prevent that damage.
Keywords
Double
Card capabilities
Instant
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Digital formats
Rulings (2)
wotc1 Apr 2008
The chosen source may be a permanent, a spell on the stack, or anything referred to by something on the stack (such as a Prodigal Pyromancer that’s left the battlefield while its ability is still on the stack)
wotc4 Oct 2004
The coin is flipped during resolution of this spell, so you know in advance what will happen when the source deals damage the next time.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
About this card
Desperate Gambit
Desperate Gambit is an Instant, with mana cost {R} (mana value 1).
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: not_legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.60 (down 1.6% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Desperate Gambit FAQ
How much is Desperate Gambit worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Desperate Gambit is $0.60. It is down 1.6% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.58 to $0.61.
What is the cheapest printing of Desperate Gambit?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Weatherlight at $0.60 on TCGplayer.
What set was Desperate Gambit first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from WTH #96, released 1997-06-09.
Is Desperate Gambit legal in Commander?
Yes, Desperate Gambit is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Desperate Gambit legal in Modern?
Desperate Gambit is not currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Desperate Gambit legal in Standard?
Desperate Gambit is not currently legal in Standard per Scryfall's legality feed.
What does Desperate Gambit do?
Desperate Gambit is an Instant with mana cost {R}. Its Oracle text reads: "Choose a source you control and flip a coin. If you win the flip, the next time that source would deal damage this turn, it deals double that damage instead. If you lose the flip, the next time it would deal damage this turn, prevent that damage.".