In this episode of the 3rd Down Podcast, Jordan (the Sports Card Rookie) sits down with our resident Pokemon Expert, Dan Johnson. Whether you stopped collecting in 1999 or you’re chasing the latest Charizard, this episode is a complete masterclass in the Pokemon hobby.

We dive deep into the current state of the market, how to handle "attic finds," and why Japanese cards are taking over. Dan also gives us the inside scoop on grading, the upcoming 30th Anniversary madness, and whether the "Gen 1 Bias" is actually real.

In this episode, we cover:

• [02:00] The feeling of pulling a Charizard: Then vs. Now.

• [09:20] Is the Pokemon "Bubble" about to burst? Scalpers vs. Collectors.

• [12:30] Why Japanese print quality is superior to English.

• [19:00] How to spot rarity and print runs (and what "Moonbreon" is).

• [38:20] The Grading Guide: Cleaning cards, PSA submissions, and why a "9" is okay.

• [44:30] The Attic Find: What to do if you find an old binder of cards.

• [49:00] The Future: 30th Anniversary leaks (McDonald's & Burger-Chu).

• [53:40] The Great Debate: Is Gen 1 actually the best design?

• [59:45] Dad Tips: The best value packs to buy for your kids.

• [01:05:00] Dan’s Top 3 Pokemon Sets of all time.

Links & Shoutouts:

• Follow Dan's advice and check out the Sub Centre for grading.

• Shop the latest Pokemon drops at 3rddown.co.uk

How to Start a Full-Time Trading Card Business & The Rise of Graded Tickets | ft. Collectible Corner UK

Description:In this episode of 3rd Down Pulled, we sit down with Rich (aka The Collectible Cowboy) from Collectible Corner UK. We discuss his incredible journey from finding a bag of old Pokémon cards in a removal job to running a full-time sports card business.

Rich breaks down how to transition from eBay to card shows and TikTok Shop, the importance of building relationships, and why Graded Tickets might be the next massive boom in the hobby. Plus, he shares honest advice on the risks of investing heavily in rookies and why you should "collect what you want, not what you’re told."

Timestamps:

• 01:35 - Intro: Meeting "The Collectible Cowboy"

• 03:09 - The Origin Story: Finding old Pokémon cards on a job

• 09:37 - Realising the hobby could be a full-time business

• 12:09 - Advice for New Sellers: Why your numbered card might not have value

• 16:30 - Why sports knowledge doesn't always equal card knowledge (The Son Heung-min effect)

• 22:38 - How to sell to vendors at card shows (The right & wrong way)

• 29:16 - The explosion of TikTok Shop for cards

• 35:52 - Why Graded Tickets are the next "1-of-1" investment

• 41:16 - How to value and price rare tickets

• 46:33 - Personal Collection Mistakes: Losing money on Garnacho

• 50:41 - Investment Strategy: Flipping Rookies vs. Holding GOATs

• 54:33 - Future Plans: USA Shows & Opening a Physical Shop

• 57:24 - Final Advice: "Collect what you want, not what you're told"

This week on the podcast, we’re switching gears and diving deep into the world of trading cards and content creation with special guest, EAB Skills.

EAB takes us through his journey from a professional football freestyler to becoming a heavyweight in the card scene. We chat about the reality of the grind, his partnership with Panini, and why the landscape of social media has changed so drastically since 2013.

Whether you're into NFL cards or EFL stickers, the principles are the same. EAB drops gems on "community over sales," navigating the pressure of working with pro athletes, and why the UK trading card scene is evolving differently from the US.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Pivot: Transitioning from freestyle skills to the business of The Hobby.

• The Strategy: How to tailor content for TikTok vs. YouTube without burning out.

• The Market: Differences between the UK and US scenes and making cards accessible for the next generation.

• The Future: What the 2026 World Cup means for creators and collectors.

Connect with 3rd Down UK:

• Web: 3rddown.co.uk

• Socials: Follow us @3rddownuk on all platforms for the latest updates.

Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: EAB Skills and early beginnings(02:25) The evolution of social media since 2013(05:29) Competition vs. Collaboration in the scene(11:26) Tailoring content: YouTube vs. The Rest(14:31) The pressure of working with top-tier athletes(20:02) Inside the Panini partnership(23:14) The impact of EFL stickers and collectibles(26:12) Future trends in the trading card market(33:09) The transition into trading cards(35:56) Building a community through value(42:53) Why "Community Over Sales" is the winning play(44:44) UK vs. US Trading Card Scene: What's the difference?(49:50) Making the hobby accessible for kids(56:12) Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup

If you don’t know your numbers, it’s impossible to make a fair deal.

Valuation is the hardest part of the hobby. Price it too high, and it gathers dust; price it too low, and you leave money on the table. On Episode 2 of 3rd Down Pulled, Jordan (@3rddownjordan) sits down with our Head Negotiator, Chris (@3rddownchris), to break down how we handle pricing in the shop to ensure both sides leave happy.

We aren't just guessing numbers—we look for the price that makes sense.

In this episode, we cover:

• The 'Comp' Trap: Why the last sold eBay price isn't always the full story.

• The "Fair" Buffer: How to structure a price that leaves room for negotiation without offending the buyer.

• Reputation over Quick Flips: Why a fair deal today is better than squeezing the last penny out of a customer.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your personal collection or trading up, this is how to price with confidence.

Check out the shop: 3rddown.co.uk

We're kicking off 3rd Down Pulled by diving into the begging of 3rd Down Trading Card Shop. Our host and novice collector, Jordan, sits down with the two guys who started it all: Ben and Chris.

Join us as they reveal what sparked their passion, the biggest challenges in starting a card shop, and their predictions for the future of the trading card market. Jordan asks the fundamental questions a newcomer needs to know, making this a perfect listen for new and old collectors alike.

3rd Down Pulled is starting next week, with the latest UK Hobby news & ongoings, as well as Jordon is having a crash course in the hobby, from sitting down with Chris & Ben, to interviewing some legends, he's deep diving to find out what the UK hobby is all about