Historical Rules · 30 September 2016
Rule 718.1a
Official source text from the 30 September 2016 Rules release
A “subgame” is a completely separate Magic game created by an effect. Essentially, it’s a game within a game. The “main game” is the game in which the spell or ability that created the subgame was cast or activated. The main game is temporarily discontinued while the subgame is in progress. It resumes when the subgame ends.