Condition is one of the biggest factors in what a card is worth. Whether you're buying singles or selling to us, here's what each condition means and how to check your own cards. We follow TCGplayer's condition standards.
The five conditions
NM: Near Mint
Looks like it just came out of a pack. No visible wear, scratches or bends. A tiny edge fleck at most.
LP: Lightly Played
Minor wear, like light edge whitening or a few small surface scratches. No creases.
MP: Moderately Played
Clear wear: noticeable whitening, scuffs or minor edge dings. May have a light bend.
HP: Heavily Played
Heavy wear: significant whitening, creases or surface damage, but the card is intact.
DMG: Damaged
Major damage such as tears, water damage, heavy creasing, writing or missing pieces.
How to check a card yourself
- Use good light. Tilt the card under a bright lamp. Scratches and dents show up at an angle.
- Check the back first. Edge whitening is easiest to spot on the back border.
- Look at the corners. Rounded, frayed or bent corners drop a card out of Near Mint.
- Check the surface. Look for scratches, print lines, dents and clouding on holo areas.
- Look for bends. Lay the card flat or look along its edge. Any crease means Heavily Played or lower.
Why it matters
- When you buy: every single in our store lists its condition, so you know exactly what you're getting. Near Mint costs more; played copies are a great way to save on cards for your deck.
- When you sell: your offer is based on condition. Pick the closest match when you request a quote, and we confirm it when your cards arrive.
- When you grade: only true Near Mint cards are usually worth sending to a grading company. See our guide to grading.
Keep your cards in top condition
Most wear happens from shuffling and storage, not play. Sleeve your cards, use top loaders for valuable ones, and store them away from heat and moisture. Our card protection guide covers it all.
