Cards in play, but not using

[yersiniapestis]

So my group and I have been playing Munchkin for a number of years and I'm not sure how this rule came about, but we have a question about its validity. A few members in our group have said that it is legal to have your normal cards in play (like your armor, footgear, whatever you have on your person, etc...) and then be able to lay down any items on the table that you cannot currently use, but that you might in the future if you just turn it sideways. That way it's known that it can't be used at this time, but it doesn't count as your cards in hand. Some of them lay down full sets of items (armor, footgear, headgear, weapons and one-shot items like loaded dice) and just turn them sideways so they're not in use and call it legal, but they still have a full hand. This isn't legal is it? This is like being able to have an entire other hand on the board and one in your hand (some of them keep as many as 15 cards turned sideways + the cards they have in play). Just need some clarification. Thanks!

[Bampop]

Perfectly legal.

Originally Posted by Rules

An item card in your hand does not count until you play it; at that point, it is “carried.” You may carry any number of small items, but only one Big one. (Any item not marked Big is considered Small.) You may not simply discard one Big item to play another; you must sell it, trade it, lose it to a Curse or Bad Stuff, or discard it to power a Class or Race ability.

As long as it has a gold value printed on it (including No Value.)

[yersiniapestis]

So the items "carried" is different from the ones that you have on your character and use in battle? As in, you can have one armor "on" and use it in combat but at the same time carry another that you can't use for some reason? Just making sure I've got this right.

[Enzzo]

Yep, that is absolutely right :)

Be aware of these stipulations (of which Bampop already mentioned 1 and 2):

1. Big items, of which you can normally only carry one
2. Treasure cards without a Value are not Items and cannot be carried on the table this way
3. Enhancers (Item Enhancers, Hireling Enhancers, Steed Enhancers, Ship Enhancers, etc) cannot be carried this way. They must be attached to an appropriate card, as stated on the card.

[yersiniapestis]

Thanks for help guys!!

[arnej]

Just to continue with the examination of the "turned-sideways" card, can they be stolen? I could see that as a definite disadvantage of laying things out unnecessarily.

arnej