New to collecting? Start here

Pokémon track

1. Step 1 Learn what you're buying

   Packs, booster boxes, ETBs and bundles: how many packs are in a booster box, how many are in an ETB. Guide: sealed product for beginners. Terms: booster box, ETB, sealed.

2. Step 2 Understand rarity

   Modern rarities explained, the rarity chart and our rarity tiers. Read next: how rare an SIR is. Terms: Double Rare, Illustration Rare, SIR, Hyper Rare.

3. Step 3 Read a checklist and a price

   How to read a pull checklist and how to read market prices. Read next: what Market Price means. Terms: market price, set number, reverse holo.

4. Step 4 Know the odds and the math

   Cited pull rates, odds of a specific card, average box value and open or keep sealed: the math. Try the pull-rate simulator. Term: EV.

5. Step 5 Protect and judge condition

   Storage and protection and the condition guide. Terms: penny sleeve, toploader, Near Mint.

6. Step 6 Avoid fakes

   How to spot fake Pokémon cards and fakes and fake slabs.

7. Step 7 Track your collection

   Log openings in the box logger (CSV import and export), chase a set with the completion assistant (why singles finish sets faster), and watch prices with the grail tracker and on-site alerts.

8. Step 8 Grading, when you're ready

   How grading works, grading scales, what PSA 10 means and how to check whether grading is worth it. Use the grading calculator.

Sports cards track

1. Step 1 Understand the market

   Sports card market overview with cited figures. Read next: how to start collecting sports cards.

2. Step 2 Learn the cards

   Rookie cards, numbered cards and parallels, plus reading checklists.

3. Step 3 Choose boxes wisely

   Retail vs hobby boxes and how to judge breaks. Term: break.

4. Step 4 Grading costs and verification

   Verified grading fees, the cheapest way to grade, PSA turnaround and checking a cert number.

5. Step 5 Condition and fakes

   Condition guide and spotting fakes.