This guide outlines the standard card conditioning criteria based on TCGPlayer’s Card Conditioning Standards. These are general industry guidelines - individual stores and vendors may have stricter or more lenient standards.

Condition Categories

Near Mint (NM)

The card looks like it was just opened from a pack.

• No visible wear or damage
• Sharp, clean corners with no whitening
• Clean edges with no nicks or wear
• Smooth surface with no scratches, scuffs, or indentations
• No creases, bends, or folds
• Centering may be slightly off but not dramatically
• Print lines and minor print defects are acceptable if they occurred during manufacturing

Lightly Played (LP)

The card shows minor wear but still looks great in a sleeve.

• Slight edge wear or minor corner wear
• Light surface wear that doesn’t detract from the artwork
• Very minor whitening on corners or edges
• Slight scratches that are only visible under close inspection
• Minor print defects
• No creases, bends, or folds
• Card may have been played but was well cared for

Moderately Played (MP)

The card shows moderate wear but is still tournament legal.

• Noticeable edge wear and corner wear
• Moderate whitening on corners and edges
• Light scratches or scuffs on the surface
• Minor creases that don’t break the card surface
• Some dirt or grime that could potentially be cleaned
• Artwork is still clearly visible and attractive
• Card structure remains intact

Heavily Played (HP)

The card shows significant wear but artwork is still recognizable.

• Heavy edge wear and corner wear with significant whitening
• Major scratches, scuffs, or surface wear
• Creases that may break the surface but don’t go completely through
• Noticeable dirt, staining, or discoloration
• Possible minor tears that don’t affect card integrity
• Artwork may be somewhat obscured but still identifiable
• Card remains structurally sound

Damaged (DMG)

The card has major defects that significantly impact its appearance or structural integrity.

• Severe creases, bends, or folds
• Tears, holes, or missing pieces
• Major staining, water damage, or discoloration
• Ink marks, writing, or other markings
• Severely rounded or damaged corners
• Any damage that affects the card’s structural integrity
• Artwork may be significantly obscured or damaged

Special Considerations

Foil Cards

Foil cards are held to the same standards but may show additional wear patterns:

• Foil clouding or hazing
• Scratches that are more visible due to the foil surface
• Edge wear that affects the foil layer

Older Cards

Cards from older sets may have different manufacturing standards:

• Print quality variations were common
• Centering issues were more frequent
• These manufacturing variations don’t affect condition grades

Language and Variants

• Foreign language cards follow the same condition standards
• Promotional and special variant cards use identical grading criteria
• Misprints and errors are graded based on their physical condition, not the error itself

Important Notes

• Store Variations: Individual stores may have stricter or more lenient standards than these guidelines
• Subjective Nature: Card condition assessment can be somewhat subjective
• Lighting Matters: Always examine cards under good lighting conditions
• Sleeve Recommendations: Cards LP and better should be kept in sleeves to maintain condition
• When in Doubt: If unsure between two grades, it’s often better to grade conservatively

Tips for Buyers

• Always check a store’s specific condition standards
• Ask for additional photos if buying online
• Understand that “Near Mint” doesn’t mean “perfect” and “never played”/“straight from booster” does not mean “Near Mint”!
• Consider the card’s age when evaluating condition
• Remember that tournament legality isn’t affected by condition (except for marked cards)

Store-Specific Condition Guides with Photos

While this guide provides general industry standards, major card stores often have their own specific grading criteria. Here are links to condition guides from some of the top retailers:

Card Kingdom

Card Kingdom uses a 4-tier system (NM, EX, VG, G) with detailed percentage-based pricing for different conditions.

• Condition Guide: Card Kingdom Grading Guide
• Key Differences: Uses “Excellent” and “Very Good” instead of “Lightly Played” and “Moderately Played”
• Pricing: Condition-based percentage system with different rates for card value tiers

Star City Games

Star City Games uses a 4-tier system (NM, PL, HP, DMG) with very detailed wear type definitions.

• Condition Guide: Star City Games Card Conditions & Grading
• Key Differences: Uses “Played” instead of “Lightly Played”, focuses heavily on back-side grading
• Special Notes: Grades primarily by card back condition, except for double-faced cards and foils

ABU Games

ABU Games provides detailed condition standards with specific examples and measurements.

• Condition Guide: ABU Games Condition Guide
• Key Differences: May have more specific tolerances for older cards and manufacturing variations
• Focus: Emphasizes consistency across different card eras and sets

Important Reminders

• Always check the specific store’s guide before buying or selling
• Grading can be subjective - what one store calls “Near Mint” another might grade as “Excellent” or “Lightly Played”
• Store policies vary - some stores and individual graders are more strict, others more lenient than these general guidelines