Hope Dawson tells us how to look after trading cards

Pokémon cards are becoming more valuable by the day. So too are cards from Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Star Wars Unlimited, and other franchises. With the hobby becoming bigger, more people have become interested in playing, trading and collecting. But how do you look after these precious cards? Hope Dawson, an avid TCG player tells us how.

Q: Firstly, why should we look after our trading and collectible cards?

Looking after your cards ensures that they keep their value. If you want to retain value over time, putting your card in the right sleeve, double sleeving it and putting it in a box is very important.

Q: Are there different types of sleeves and files for displaying cards?

There are various files available for showcasing cards that you’re collecting, trading or showing off. There are sleeves for protecting the card and there are those with different colours that people use when they’re playing – thus protecting the cards during play.

Q: Do the sleeves come in different sizes?

Yes. Magic: The Gathering, Star Wars Unlimited and Pokémon use the standard American sleeve size. Yu-Gi-Oh! uses the Japanese size which is smaller. A standard sleeve is what fits most cards. A perfect fit sleeve fits tightly on a card, players use these sleeves and then add a coloured sleeve on top for double protection, so that it doesn’t get scratched during play.

Q: What about sorting and transporting cards?

Beyond sleeves and files, the Gamegenic range has a variety of cases, storage boxes and deck boxes. The Gamegenic castle has many slots for 100-card decks so it’s perfect for transporting cards for play. For those who don’t have a lot of decks there are single deck boxes. The deck boxes have strong magnetic clips, so the box won’t open by mistake. There are many storage solutions to keep cards in pristine condition. The Gamegenic playmat adds another layer of protection, because when you play on it you protect the sleeves from getting scuffed on the table.

Q: For a beginner, what’s your best advice in terms of keeping cards pristine?

Put your cards into standard sleeves, and then into a deck box, that way you’ll keep them looking new for years.

For more on the Gamegenic range, visit your nearest hobby store. For TCG inspiration follow @solarpopsouthafrica