Almost every pack ripping platform sells graded cards: cards that a grading company has authenticated, scored for condition and sealed in a plastic case called a slab. The grade on that slab drives most of the card's price.
What a slab is
A slab is a tamper-evident hard case with a label showing the card, the grade and a certification number. You can look the certificate number up on the grader's website to confirm it's real. Graded cards are easier to price because identical cards in identical grades trade often, which is why platforms use them to set fair market value.
The four main graders
| Grader | Scale | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1 to 10 | The largest grader; a PSA 10 is "Gem Mint" |
| BGS (Beckett) | 1 to 10, half points | Subgrades for centering, corners, edges and surface; Black Label for perfect 10s |
| SGC | 1 to 10 | Fast turnaround and a black tuxedo-style label |
| CGC | 1 to 10 | Strong in TCG and comics; Pristine 10 above Gem Mint 10 |
Why grade matters so much
The jump from a 9 to a 10 can multiply a card's price, because 10s are scarce. When a pack lists a big max pull, it's usually a high-grade copy of a sought-after card. Two cards with the same name can be worth very different amounts.
What it means for your pulls
- Check the grade, not just the name. A PSA 8 of a chase card is a very different pull from a PSA 10.
- Know which graders a platform uses. Rips by Triumph uses PSA; Packz uses PSA, BGS, SGC and CGC; Arena Club also grades in-house.
- Shipping keeps the slab intact. When you redeem a card, you receive the sealed slab, so the grade travels with it.