If you've ever bought or sold Pokémon singles online, you've encountered condition grades: NM, LP, MP, HP. These abbreviations are the universal language of the TCG secondary market — and understanding them means you'll never be surprised by what shows up in the mail. Why Card Condition Matters Card condition directly affects value. A Near Mint copy of a popular card can be worth significantly more than a Heavily Played version of the same card. For competitive players, condi

Whether you're sitting on a handful of singles or a collection worth thousands of dollars, proper storage is what separates cards that stay Near Mint for decades from ones that show wear after a few months. Here's a practical guide to storing and protecting your Pokémon cards the right way. Sleeves: Your First Line of Defence Every card that matters should be in a sleeve. The type of sleeve depends on how you're storing it: Penny Sleeves Thin, inexpensive polypropylene sleeve