The Hobby Glossary

1. Base Card
- A regular card from a set that is not a special or insert card. These cards typically make up the majority of any particular sports card collection.

2. Beckett Grading Services (BGS)
- A highly respected card grading company that assesses the condition and authenticity of sports cards and other collectibles.

3. Blaster Box
- A smaller box of trading cards typically available at retail stores. These boxes often contain exclusive inserts not found in larger, hobby-specific boxes.

4. Break/Breaking
- The process of opening packs or boxes of sports cards, often broadcasted live where participants buy a stake in the break (e.g., a specific team or a share of the cards).

5. Case Hit
- A rare card or insert that is guaranteed to be in each case of product, typically more valuable or sought after.

6. Chase Card
- A rare or highly desired card that collectors seek out, often the highlight of a trading card release.

7. Condition
- Refers to the physical state of a card. Condition is critical in determining a card’s value, with terms like mint (perfect), near mint, very good, good, fair, and poor describing its status.

8. Factory Set
- A complete set of cards offered directly by the manufacturer, usually sealed in a box and including all base and sometimes insert cards from a particular series or year.

9. Hobby Box
- A box of trading cards typically available in specialty or card shops. These boxes usually offer a higher chance of finding rare cards and inserts compared to retail boxes.

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10. Insert Card
- A special card that is placed into packs at a lower frequency than base cards and often features unique designs, themes, or materials.

11. Mint Condition
- Describes a card that is in perfect condition with no visible flaws in terms of edges, corners, surfaces, or centering.

12. Parallel Card
- A card that is similar to a base card but with some differences in color, foil, or numbering that makes it rarer and usually more valuable.

13. Patch Card
- A type of card that includes a piece of fabric from a player’s jersey, adding a tactile element that can increase the card’s value.

14. PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
- Another prominent grading service known for providing a numerical grade to cards which collectors use to determine value and condition.

15. Redemption Card
- A card found in packs that can be redeemed for a special card or item not available directly in packs, usually due to production issues or autograph delays.

16. Relic Card
- Similar to a patch card, this type of card includes a piece of memorabilia, such as a bat, glove, or jersey, used by the player.

17. Rookie Card
- A card that features a player in their first year of professional play, often highly sought after and valuable.

18. Serial Numbered
- Cards that are produced in limited quantities and are individually numbered, often increasing their collectibility and value.

19. Short Print (SP)
- A card that is printed in smaller quantities than other cards in the same set, making it rarer and typically more desirable.

20. Variation/Variants
- Alternate versions of a card, often with small changes in the image or text, that are randomly inserted into packs.

This glossary provides a basic understanding of the key terms used by sports card collectors and should be a useful resource for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts in the hobby.