The CardTrack blog
Guides and market analysis for trading card collectors — Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece and Lorcana — organised by what you want to know, and connected to the live data pages that answer the same question with numbers. 53 articles.
Latest
Featured · Guides
The Back of a Pokémon Card Explained
The back of a Pokémon card explained in one line: it's a dark navy blue design built around a centered Poké Ball, two mirrored Pokémon logos, and a…
1 Oct 2026
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Grading
Best Pokémon Cards to Grade Right Now — Q4 2026
The 12 Pokémon cards most worth grading this quarter — ranked by risk-adjusted return (raw → PSA 10, weighted by real gem rate, after cost).
1 Oct 2026
Market analysis
Pokémon Card Arbitrage — October 2026: The Biggest Cross-Market Price Gaps
The biggest cross-market price gaps in October 2026 — where the same Pokémon card is far cheaper on TCGplayer, Cardmarket or PriceCharting than the others. 12 arbitrage picks.
1 Oct 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 28, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
28 Sept 2026
Game-specific collecting
How to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards
If you're figuring out how to start collecting Pokémon cards, the short version is this: pick a focus, buy from sellers you trust, and protect what you…
27 Sept 2026
Selling
Where to Sell Pokémon Cards (Best Places)
eBay, TCGplayer, local card shops or collector groups on Reddit and Facebook — how each one works, what it costs you in fees, and which suits the cards you're selling.
23 Sept 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 21, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
21 Sept 2026
Selling
Best Place to Sell Pokémon Cards Online
The best place to sell Pokémon cards online really comes down to two names for most collectors: eBay and TCGplayer. I've moved cards through both over…
16 Sept 2026
Buying
Why the Photo You Buy From Isn't the Card the Grader Sees
Listing photos hide the glare, soft corners and surface wear that PSA, CGC and BGS catch in hand. How to read a photo honestly before you buy — or submit.
15 Sept 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 14, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
14 Sept 2026
Game-specific collecting
Pokémon Card Sizes & Dimensions
A standard Pokémon card measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches (63 x 88mm), the same size as a regular sports card or a Magic: The Gathering card. That's the number…
13 Sept 2026
Game-specific collecting
Best Pokémon Card Binders & Storage
The binders, sleeves and toploaders actually worth buying — plus the storage mistakes that quietly cost collectors money.
9 Sept 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 7, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
7 Sept 2026
Grading
Best AI Pokémon Card Grading Apps
The best AI Pokémon card grading apps give you a free or cheap estimate of your card's condition before you spend real money on PSA, CGC, or Beckett.…
4 Sept 2026
Market analysis
Pokémon Card Arbitrage — September 2026: The Biggest Cross-Market Price Gaps
The biggest cross-market price gaps in September 2026 — where the same Pokémon card is far cheaper on TCGplayer, Cardmarket or PriceCharting than the others. 12 arbitrage picks.
1 Sept 2026
Grading
How Does Pokémon Card Grading Work?
What actually happens to your card between posting it off and getting it back in a slab — what graders check, what the label means, and what to do once it's home.
1 Sept 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 31, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
31 Aug 2026
Grading
The PSA Grading Scale Explained (1-10)
What each PSA grade from 1 to 10 actually means, the centering tolerances behind them, and how much a grade really changes what a card is worth.
29 Aug 2026
Selling
How to Sell Pokémon Cards for the Most Money
Check the real value first, decide whether to grade, then pick the venue that suits the card. A full walkthrough of selling Pokémon cards — with current eBay, TCGplayer and GameStop terms, and what each one leaves you.
26 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 24, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
24 Aug 2026
Grading
How to Get a Pokémon Card Graded (Step by Step)
Grading a card is five steps: work out if it's worth it, pick a grader, fill in the submission, pack it properly, and post it. Here's each one, with current PSA, CGC and Beckett fees and turnarounds.
23 Aug 2026
Grading
How Much Does It Cost to Grade a Pokémon Card?
Grading a Pokémon card typically costs anywhere from about $15 to $600+ per card, depending on which company you use, how fast you want it back, and…
20 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 17, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
17 Aug 2026
Grading
Is It Worth Grading Your Pokémon Cards?
Grading can multiply a card's value — or waste the fee entirely. Here's what PSA, BGS, CGC and TAG actually cost right now, when a card is worth submitting, and how to estimate the grade for free first.
17 Aug 2026
Market analysis
1st Edition Pokémon Cards: What They're Worth
The 1st Edition stamp tells you when a card was printed, not what it is worth. Here is where to find it, which vintage cards carry real value, and how to check what your copy is actually worth.
15 Aug 2026
Card values
Pokémon Error & Misprint Cards Worth Money
Pokémon error & misprint cards worth money are the ones where a genuine factory mistake happened during printing or cutting — not damage from a kid's…
12 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 10, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
10 Aug 2026
Game-specific collecting
1st Edition vs Shadowless vs Unlimited
1st Edition, Shadowless and Unlimited are three separate Base Set print runs with the same artwork. Here is how to tell them apart in seconds — and what each one is actually worth.
9 Aug 2026
Authentication
How to Tell if a Pokémon Card Is 1st Edition
The fastest way to tell if a Pokémon card is 1st edition is to check the left side of the card, just under the artwork, for a small black stamp with a…
8 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Authentication
How to Tell if a Pokémon Card Is Fake
If you're wondering how to tell if a Pokémon card is fake, the short answer is: check the back design, the text, the weight, and how light passes…
8 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Game-specific collecting
Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols Explained
The small icon next to the card number tells you how hard a card was to pull. Here's every Pokémon rarity symbol from black circle to three gold stars — and why it isn't the same as value.
7 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Game-specific collecting
What Is an SIR Pokémon Card?
SIR stands for Special Illustration Rare — the two-gold-star rarity introduced with Scarlet & Violet. Here's how SIRs differ from IRs and alt arts, and what they sell for.
7 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Game-specific collecting
What Is a Reverse Holo Pokémon Card?
If you've ever cracked a pack and pulled a card where the shine is everywhere except the picture, that's a reverse holo. A reverse holo Pokémon card is…
6 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Game-specific collecting
What Is a Shadowless Pokémon Card?
A shadowless Pokémon card is a Base Set card printed without the drop shadow behind the artwork box — the shading that most collectors are used to…
6 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Authentication
How to Tell if a Pokémon Card Is Rare
The rarity symbol next to your card number tells you the tier in one glance — circle, diamond, star, or gold star. Here's how to read it, and why rare doesn't always mean valuable.
6 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Pokémon Trainer Cards Worth Money
Yes, plenty of Pokémon trainer cards worth money exist, and some of them sell for more than the Pokémon they're paired with. If you've got a Full Art…
5 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Are New Pokémon Cards Worth Anything?
Yes, some new Pokémon cards are worth real money, but most of what you pull from a fresh pack is worth a couple bucks at best. I've been cracking packs…
5 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 3, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
3 Aug 2026
Card values
Rare Pokémon Cards Worth Money
Rare and valuable are not the same thing. How to read Pokémon card rarity symbols, which rare cards actually hold value, and how to price the one in your hand.
3 Aug 2026
Market analysis
Pokémon Card Arbitrage — August 2026: The Biggest Cross-Market Price Gaps
The biggest cross-market price gaps in August 2026 — where the same Pokémon card is far cheaper on TCGplayer, Cardmarket or PriceCharting than the others. 12 arbitrage picks.
1 Aug 2026
Card values
Are Korean & Chinese Pokémon Cards Worth Anything?
Korean and Chinese Pokémon cards are official releases — but both languages are full of bootlegs. How to spot a fake, and what the real ones are actually worth.
30 Jul 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 27, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
27 Jul 2026
Game-specific collecting
What Makes a Pokémon Card Valuable?
Rarity, condition, print run, demand, edition, and errors — the six factors that decide whether a Pokémon card is worth thousands or a few cents, with live-price examples.
27 Jul 2026 · updated 30 Jul 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 20, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
20 Jul 2026 · updated 27 Jul 2026
Card values
Are Gold Pokémon Cards Worth Anything?
Not every shiny gold Pokémon card is valuable. Here's how to tell official gold Secret Rares from fake 'metal' novelties — and how to check exactly what yours is worth.
20 Jul 2026 · updated 30 Jul 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 13, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
13 Jul 2026 · updated 27 Jul 2026
Market analysis
The 100 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards (Live Rankings)
Every one of the 100 most expensive Pokémon cards, ranked by live market value — plus exactly how to check whether your own cards are worth money.
12 Jul 2026 · updated 30 Jul 2026
Market analysis
Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 7, 2026
The 10 most talked-about Pokémon this week, scored from Reddit chatter and search interest — where collector attention (and prices) may be heading next.
7 Jul 2026 · updated 27 Jul 2026
Card values
Are Japanese Pokémon Cards Worth More?
Are Japanese Pokémon cards worth more than English? Sometimes. Here's when Japanese wins (rarity, promos, print quality) and when English does (demand, pull rates).
6 Jul 2026 · updated 27 Jul 2026
Card values
Old Pokémon Cards Worth Money (90s & 2000s)
Which vintage Pokémon cards from the '90s and 2000s are actually worth money — Base Set chase cards, 1st Edition and Shadowless — plus how to check what yours are worth.
6 Jul 2026 · updated 27 Jul 2026
Authentication
How to Tell if Your Pokémon Cards Are Worth Money
A beginner-friendly five-point checklist for telling whether your Pokémon cards are valuable — rarity symbol, holo/edition, condition, demand, and how to scan to confirm the price.
1 Jul 2026 · updated 13 Sept 2026
Card values
How Much Are My Pokémon Cards Worth? (How to Check)
How much are your Pokémon cards worth? Scan them for an instant blended market value, then learn how condition, rarity, raw vs graded and bulk vs chase set the price.
29 Jun 2026 · updated 13 Sept 2026
Card values
Are Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? What Makes Them Valuable
Are Pokémon cards worth anything? Often yes — it comes down to rarity, condition, grade, the Pokémon and demand. Here's exactly what makes a Pokémon card valuable, and how to check what yours are worth.
27 Jun 2026 · updated 13 Sept 2026
Most read
By reader views recorded on CardTrack.
- Old Pokémon Cards Worth Money (90s & 2000s) · Card values · 107 views
- The 100 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards (Live Rankings) · Market analysis · 65 views
- Are Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? What Makes Them Valuable · Card values · 64 views
- How to Tell if a Pokémon Card Is 1st Edition · Authentication · 46 views
- Best Pokémon Card Binders & Storage · Game-specific collecting · 38 views
- Are Korean & Chinese Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? · Card values · 32 views
Market reports
Generated from CardTrack's own price data on the 1st of each month, with a written analysis.
Pokémon — September 2026
Vintage Pokémon cards outpaced modern chase by 12 points over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 4,493 cardsMagic — September 2026
Cavern of Souls (The Lost Caverns of Ixalan) led the Magic: The Gathering card market, up 36.1% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 1,164 cardsYu-Gi-Oh! — September 2026
Pyramid Turtle (Champion Pack 2) led the Yu-Gi-Oh! card market, up 55.7% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 1,130 cardsOne Piece — September 2026
Nico Robin (Emperors In The New World) led the One Piece Card Game card market, up 73.7% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 369 cardsLorcana — September 2026
Mickey Mouse (Archazia's Island) led the Disney Lorcana card market, up 44.4% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 293 cards
Vintage Pokémon cards outpaced modern chase by 12 points over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 4,493 cardsMagic — September 2026
Cavern of Souls (The Lost Caverns of Ixalan) led the Magic: The Gathering card market, up 36.1% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 1,164 cardsYu-Gi-Oh! — September 2026
Pyramid Turtle (Champion Pack 2) led the Yu-Gi-Oh! card market, up 55.7% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 1,130 cardsOne Piece — September 2026
Nico Robin (Emperors In The New World) led the One Piece Card Game card market, up 73.7% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 369 cardsLorcana — September 2026
Mickey Mouse (Archazia's Island) led the Disney Lorcana card market, up 44.4% over the past 30 days
1 Sept 2026 · 293 cards
Card values 8
What a card is worth and why. Data pages: Card value checker · Most expensive cards · Compare two cards
- Pokémon Error & Misprint Cards Worth Money · Pokémon
- Rare Pokémon Cards Worth Money · Pokémon
- Are Korean & Chinese Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? · Pokémon
- Are Gold Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? · Pokémon
- Are Japanese Pokémon Cards Worth More? · Pokémon
- Old Pokémon Cards Worth Money (90s & 2000s) · Pokémon
- How Much Are My Pokémon Cards Worth? (How to Check) · Pokémon
- Are Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? What Makes Them Valuable · Pokémon
Grading 7
PSA, CGC and BGS — costs, odds and whether it pays. Data pages: Best cards to grade · PSA population report · Grading cost guide · Grading ROI calculator
- Best Pokémon Cards to Grade Right Now — Q4 2026 · Pokémon
- Best AI Pokémon Card Grading Apps · Pokémon
- How Does Pokémon Card Grading Work? · Pokémon
- The PSA Grading Scale Explained (1-10) · Pokémon
- How to Get a Pokémon Card Graded (Step by Step) · Pokémon
- How Much Does It Cost to Grade a Pokémon Card? · Pokémon
- Is It Worth Grading Your Pokémon Cards? · Pokémon
Market analysis 20
Where prices are moving and what the index says. Data pages: Market reports · Biggest movers · Market hub · CardTrack 100 index
- Pokémon Card Arbitrage — October 2026: The Biggest Cross-Market Price Gaps · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 28, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 21, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 14, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — September 7, 2026 · Pokémon
- Pokémon Card Arbitrage — September 2026: The Biggest Cross-Market Price Gaps · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 31, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 24, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 17, 2026 · Pokémon
- 1st Edition Pokémon Cards: What They're Worth · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 10, 2026 · Pokémon
- Pokémon Trainer Cards Worth Money · Pokémon
- Are New Pokémon Cards Worth Anything? · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — August 3, 2026 · Pokémon
- Pokémon Card Arbitrage — August 2026: The Biggest Cross-Market Price Gaps · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 27, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 20, 2026 · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 13, 2026 · Pokémon
- The 100 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards (Live Rankings) · Pokémon
- Most Hyped Pokémon Cards This Week — July 7, 2026 · Pokémon
Selling 3
Getting the most out of a sale, after fees. Data pages: Selling fee calculator · Cards to flip on eBay · Collection tracker
Buying 1
Finding a fair price and a real deal. Data pages: Deal finder · Budget builder · Live marketplace
Authentication 4
Fakes, reprints and condition. Data pages: Fake card checker · Condition guide · Centering calculator
Game-specific collecting 10
How each game's collectors actually collect. Data pages: Pokemon hub · Collection tracker
- The Back of a Pokémon Card Explained · Pokémon
- How to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards · Pokémon
- Pokémon Card Sizes & Dimensions · Pokémon
- Best Pokémon Card Binders & Storage · Pokémon
- 1st Edition vs Shadowless vs Unlimited · Pokémon
- Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols Explained · Pokémon
- What Is an SIR Pokémon Card? · Pokémon
- What Is a Reverse Holo Pokémon Card? · Pokémon
- What Is a Shadowless Pokémon Card? · Pokémon
- What Makes a Pokémon Card Valuable? · Pokémon
What every article has to meet
- Original data
- Every price, count or rate comes from CardTrack's own catalogue, sales ledger or population data, or from a named external source.
- Expert analysis
- Written by a named author with a stated role; opinion is labelled as such and separated from the numbers.
- Live figures are marked
- Card values embedded in an article update from the catalogue and say when they were last refreshed; a figure quoted in prose is dated to publication.
- Sources and data pages
- Each article lists the CardTrack data pages and any external sources it relies on, so a claim can be checked in one click.
- Original images
- Screenshots and photographs are CardTrack's own where they show a tool, a listing or a card in hand.
- Dated and reviewed
- Every article shows its publication date and, when edited since, its last update.