Card Condition Guide
Understanding card condition is essential when buying and selling TCG singles. This guide covers the industry-standard grading scale used across platforms like TCGPlayer, so you know exactly what to expect from every purchase.
Near Mint (NM)
Perfect or near-perfect. No visible wear. Front is clean, back has no whitening. This is a freshly pulled or well-protected card.
What to look for
- No edge whitening whatsoever
- No surface scratches or scuffs
- Corners are sharp and intact
- No bends, creases, or dents
- Print is clean with no smudging
Price Impact
Full market price (100%)
Tournament Playability
Tournament legal — no sleeves required for condition.
Lightly Played (LP)
Minor wear visible on close inspection. Slight edge whitening, very minor surface scratches. Card is still in great shape.
What to look for
- Slight edge whitening on one or two edges
- Very minor surface scratches visible under light
- Corners may show minimal rounding
- No creasing or bends
- Card face is still vibrant and clean
Price Impact
Typically 80–90% of NM price
Tournament Playability
Tournament legal — opaque sleeves recommended.
Moderately Played (MP)
Noticeable wear. Edge whitening, minor creasing, light scratches visible. Card is fully playable but shows clear use.
What to look for
- Moderate edge whitening on multiple edges
- Light scratches visible without close inspection
- Minor creasing or small bends
- Slight corner wear or dings
- Print may show minor fading
Price Impact
Typically 60–70% of NM price
Tournament Playability
Tournament legal in opaque sleeves.
Heavily Played (HP)
Significant wear. Heavy whitening, creases, scuffs, or bends. Card is playable but heavily used.
What to look for
- Heavy edge whitening across all edges
- Visible creases or fold marks
- Surface scuffs or scratches noticeable at a glance
- Corners may be rounded or dinged
- Card may have slight warping
Price Impact
Typically 40–50% of NM price
Tournament Playability
Playable in opaque sleeves — may draw judge attention in tournaments.
Damaged (DMG)
Major damage. Large creases, tears, water damage, writing, or missing pieces. Card may not be tournament legal.
What to look for
- Large creases, tears, or rips
- Water damage or staining
- Writing, ink marks, or stickers
- Pieces of the card missing or peeling
- Severe warping or structural damage
Price Impact
Typically 10–30% of NM price
Tournament Playability
May NOT be tournament legal — best for casual play or collecting.
Condition Comparison
| Grade | Edge Wear | Surface | Creasing | Playability | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NM | None | Clean | None | Legal | 100% |
| LP | Slight | Minor scratches | None | Legal | 80–90% |
| MP | Moderate | Light scratches | Minor | Legal | 60–70% |
| HP | Heavy | Scuffs / scratches | Visible creases | Legal | 40–50% |
| DMG | Severe | Major damage | Large creases / tears | May not be legal | 10–30% |
Card Care Tips
Always sleeve your cards
Use inner sleeves for double-sleeving valuable cards. This prevents surface scratches and edge wear during play and storage.
Use top-loaders for shipping
Top-loaders protect cards from bending during transit. Pair with a penny sleeve inside for maximum protection.
Store in a cool, dry place
Humidity and heat can warp cards and cause foil peeling. Keep your collection away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Check condition under good lighting
Use bright, even lighting when inspecting cards. Angling the card under light reveals surface scratches and creases that are otherwise hard to spot.
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