Card Grading Guide

Near Mint (NM)


Near Mint cards should show minimal to no wear but may have some minor imperfections. Generally Near Mint cards should look more or less like they have come directly from the pack with little to no play wear. Examples of some of the minor imperfections a Near Mint card can have are:

  • -A few light nicks or dings.
  • -Light minor edge wear.
  • -Light corner wear.
  • -Minor scratch or scuff.
  • -Other minor imperfection.


Three or more of these above imperfections and a card will be demoted to Lightly Played. Even if minor. 

Foils in Near Mint condition should show minimal to no wear

Lightly Played (LP)


Lightly Played cards can show minor wear and more of the same imperfections as Near Mint cards. Lightly Played cards can also have minor scratches and scuffs on the front and back from play wear. No additional imperfections for this category.

Foils in Lightly Played condition can show minimal wear and can have minor ‘clouding’, scratches or scuffs on the front and back from play wear. 

Moderately Played (MP)


Moderately Played cards can show moderate wear and more imperfections than Lightly Played cards. Moderately Played cards can have more moderate scratches and scuffs on the front and back from play wear. Examples of additional imperfections a Moderately Played card can have are:

  • -Binder dents.
  • -Minor shuffle creases.
  • -Minor dirt accumulation.
  • -Minor to Moderate Impressions'.
  • -“Clouding”.

 

A card that is clouded looks dull although no major damage can be observed in the clouded spots.

Heavily Played (HP)

Heavily Played cards can show significant wear with more significant imperfections than Moderately Played cards. Examples of additional imperfections a Heavily Played card can have are:

  • -Significant whitening on the back
  • -Minor to Moderate creases from folding

Heavily played cards at times will not be tournament legal as they can be viewed as marked cards.

 

Damaged (DMG)

Damaged Cards show extreme wear and more significant imperfections than Heavily Played cards. Examples of additional imperfections a Damaged card can have are:

  • -Tears.
  • -Extreme creases from folding.
  • -Extreme whitening front or back.
  • -Inking.
  • -Significant dirt accumulation.
  • -Water Damage.

Damaged cards are DAMAGED.