This format was originally invented by the Music City Old School Crew, all you do is add ante cards to the Eternal Central 93/94 restricted list and rules set. Below is basically a copy and paste job from both of their websites.
The rules for Alpha To Alliances can be found here:
https://musiccityos.com/mtg-formats/
The rules for Eternal Central Old School 93/94 here:
https://lordsofthepit.com/formats
Alpha To Alliances Ante Rules
Legal Sets
Alpha To Alliances Ante decks may consist of cards from these sets:
Alpha
Beta
Unlimited
Collector’s Edition
International Collector’s Edition (IE)
Arabian Nights
Antiquities
Revised
Legends
The Dark
Fallen Empires
Ice Age
Homelands
Alliances
Additional Sets and Cards Allowed (ie. REPRINTS)
All non-foil cards from the sets above, that were reprinted in any language with the original frame and original art. No proxies allowed unless approved by all players (IYKYK).
Deck Construction
Constructed decks must contain a minimum of 60 cards (no maximum deck size; however, you must be able to shuffle your deck with no assistance). No sideboards, lose a card = replace a card. With the exception of basic land cards (Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, Forest), a player’s deck may not contain more than 4 of any individual card ,except Aurochs.
The following cards are restricted in Alpha to Alliances tournaments (maximum of 1 of each card per deck):
Ancestral Recall
Balance
Black Lotus
Braingeyser
Chaos Orb
Channel
Demonic Tutor
Library of Alexandria
Mana Drain
Mind Twist
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Sapphire
Recall
Regrowth
Sol Ring
Time Vault
Time Walk
Timetwister
Wheel of Fortune
Demonic Consultation
Mana Crypt
Amulet of Quoz
Bronze Tablet
Contract from Below
Darkpact
Demonic Attorney
Jeweled Bird
Rebirth
Tempest Efreet
Timmerian Fiends
In keeping with the flavor of Ice Age, Homelands, and Alliances, decks may contain any number of the card Aurochs. Your 20-land, 40 Aurochs deck is legal in Alpha to Alliances Ante.
Notable Rules/Differences from Modern Era of Magic
- MANA BURN STILL HAPPENS (as in, players lose 1 point of life for each unused mana in the mana pool at the end of each phase)
- THE FOLLOWING CARDS WILL HAVE THE UPDATED ORACLE TEXT, AS SHOWN BELOW:
Chaos Orb
2
Artifact
1, Tap: Choose a nontoken permanent on the battlefield. If Chaos Orb is on the battlefield, flip Chaos Orb onto the battlefield from a height of at least one foot. If Chaos Orb turns over completely at least 360 degrees during the flip, and lands resting on the chosen permanent, destroy that permanent. Then destroy Chaos Orb. (Note: because of how Chaos Orb is worded, with it being destroyed after a flip, it can still be Disenchanted or Shattered in response to the activation, which will nullify the ability to flip, since it is no longer on the battlefield. This is consistent with the wording of Chaos Orb not being sacrificed upon activation, as it probably would with modern templating. Also note that Chaos Orb chooses, but does not target.)
Falling Star
2R
Sorcery
Choose any number of non-overlapping creatures on the battlefield. Flip Falling Star from at least a height of one foot. If Falling Star turns over completely at least 360 degrees during the flip, it deals 3 damage to each chosen creature it lands resting on. Any creatures damaged by Falling Star that are not destroyed become tapped. (Note: Falling Star chooses upon resolution, but does not target.)
Ring of Ma’rûf
5
Artifact
5, Tap, Exile Ring of Ma’rûf: The next time you would draw a card this turn, instead choose a card you own from exile or from your sideboard, and put it into your hand.
The Portland Addendum – Updated 7/30/23
The above rules are the same with some slight additions. Howl From Beyond #1 and The Horde discord referenced.
- 60 card deck minimum, 4 copies max of any 1 card. No Sideboards. No proxies.
- Deck must have a minimum total value of $100. Be reasonable and realistic with this. There is no maximum deck value. Play only what you’re willing to lose.
- Jeweled Bird may be removed from deck before game if both players agree to do so.
- London mulligan, Chaos Orb errata, and Mana Burn are all in effect.
- Tap Blockers deal no damage (Updated rule as of 7/30/23)
- Mishra’s Factory unrestricted (Updated rule as of 7/30/23)
ANTE:
- Ante 1 card face down at start of game after shuffling and before drawing the first hand.
- Ante card(s) are immediately forfeited to game winner upon conclusion of game. Loser is permitted to replace the missing card(s) with any other cards they currently have before next game.
- Cards lost to ante are given to opponent as-is, unless both players agree on alters, signatures, etc. No dick alters unless both players agree (be more creative!).
CARDPOOL:
Consists of cards originally printed in the sets listed below:
Limited Edition
Arabian Nights
Antiquities
Legends
The Dark
Fallen Empires
Ice Age
Homelands
Alliances
Reprints of cards originally printed in these sets are allowed, along with non-english cards, gold-bordered WC cards, etc. Cards reprinted with different art are legal (5ed+ City of Brass, 7ed all new arts, etc). If all backs do not match sleeves are encouraged to be used.
The ONE ADDITION to the cardpool from a set not listed above is that all 10 pain lands are allowed, both the 5 from Ice Age and the 5 from Apocalypse.
Restricted List:
Ancestral Recall
Balance
Black Lotus
Braingeyser
Chaos Orb
Channel
Contract from Below
Dark Ritual (Restricted on 7/30/23)
Demonic Consultation (Restricted on 7/30/23)
Demonic Tutor
Jeweled Bird
Library of Alexandria
Mana Crypt
Mana Drain
Mind Twist
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Sapphire
Recall
Regrowth
Sol Ring
Time Vault
Time Walk
Timetwister
Wheel of Fortune
The Cincinnati Addendum
The following addendum is from Brian Limbacher for the Cincinnati OH crew.
This Old Deck, The Website! 