MtG Cabal Cast

MtG Cabal Cast episodes:

• 04.28.2024

  Episode 285 - The Power of an Online Buylist

  In the past we've discussed the utility of "hot lists" and generic buy lists as backpackers, vendors, and at the LGS level; effectively all levels of the singles selling ecosystem. Their importance to the health and growth of any business...

  
• 04.21.2024

  Episode 284 - Outlaws of Thunder Junction Hype Preview

  Yeehaw... This week we look at Outlaws of Thunder Junction. So saddle on up and hear us spin yarns about tales from out yonder. What cards do we think are prices well? Which are priced poorly? What's a "case" and how...

  
• 04.14.2024

  Episode 283 - Murders at Karlov Manor Set Review

  With Outlaws of Thunder Junction set to release shortly, we look back at our Murders at Karlov Manor card assessment to see how discerning an eye we cast at the set. It feels like we just did this...

  
• 04.07.2024

  Episode 282 - Identifying Trusted Vendors

  Usually we discuss how to protect yourself while speccing and in the past have discussed protecting your physical assets but we have no talked about how we, personally, identify vendors we like working with. Until now. We breakdown not just some of...

  
• 03.31.2024

  Episode 281 - Is WotC Running Out of Reprint Equity?

  That's a big question but an important one. An idea born out of an older Reddit thread (link below), we decided to take a look at what WotC has left in the tank for chase reprints in supplemental sets. What does...

  
• 03.24.2024

  Episode 280 - Fallout Set Discussion

  Stepping outside our normal procedure of, "skip the supplemental analysis" we found a desire to discuss the Fallout product. There were a number of interesting and likeable things we saw within the set as well as some details surrounding the...

  
• 03.17.2024

  Episode 278 - Earnings Call pt2: The Review

  We've covered the numbers, the jargon, and the delviered outlook but now it's time for us to give out actual reviews and thoughgs. Strap in as we discuss our thoughts on not only the earnings report but the future of...

  
• 03.10.2024

  Episode 278 - Earning Call pt1: The Breakdown

  The 2023Q4 earnings call is rough read. Full of business jargon about writedowns and "goodwill" Hasbro put on paper an over $1 billion dollar loss. Once you cut through that, there are number of important take away, especially surrounding eOne...

  
• 03.03.2024

  Episode 277 - What are the Hardknock Lessons you Learned as a Financier

  There's a lot that goes into being a successful financier, regardless of that product(s) that you are dealing with. A lot of lessons learned come from exposure and failure and we're here to discuss a number of the lessons we...

  
• 02.25.2024

  Episode 276 - Murders at Karlov Manor Hype Preview

  With full spoilers, a prelease, and several high profile events behind us, this week we look at and discuss the Murders at Karlov Manor. What cards do we think are prices well? Which are priced poorly? What's a "case" and how...

  
• 02.18.2024

  Episode 275 - Lost Cavers of Ixalan: Hype Review

  With Murders at Karlov Manor set to release shortly, we look back at our Caverns of Ixalan to see how discerning an eye we cast at the set. Were we right, were we wrong? Are we out of touch, or is...

  
• 02.11.2024

  Episode 274 - Keeping Your Players Engaged and Returning

  Keeping people engaged at the LGS level can be one of the most difficult things to do but one of the most rewarding as you see your players returns, bring new people, or covert walk-ins to lifers. This week we discuss...

  
• 02.04.2024

  Episode 273 - Adding a New Vertical: What Do We Look For

  Adding a new vertical to your current product selection is never a simple or easy task, whether your an LGS or a vendor, but it is something you will be tasked to do. We break down some of the more important...

  
• 01.25.2024

  Episode 272 - Honest Review of Rav Remastered

  Ravnica Remastered is upon us and Murders at Karlov Manor is rapidly approaching; spoiler season clobbering the landscape. But what was the reception to RVR like compared to Timespiral Remastered and Dominaria Remastered before? From a player perspective, how did the...

  
• 01.21.2024

  Episode 271 - How's WotC's Recent String of Good Decisions Impacts Vendors and LGS's

  With MaRo telling players to continue to voice their contempt for the current product schedule, WotC walking back their double down that they totally didn't use AI art, combined the OpenGL walk back, WotC has had a string of good...

  
• 01.14.2024

  Episode 270 - If we ran Hasbro (2024) pt2

  It's 2024 and we're back with our yearly tradition of discussing what we would do if we ran Hasbro. Somehow we're back to talking about how Alta Fox was right, some rather obtuse earnings calls, and a product release schedule bordering...

  
• 01.07.2024

  Episode 269 - If we ran Hasbro (2024) pt1

  It's 2024 and we're back with our yearly tradition of discussing what we would do if we ran Hasbro. Somehow we're back to talking about how Alta Fox was right, some rather obtuse earnings calls, and a product release schedule bordering...

  
• 12.31.2023

  Episode 268 - 2024 Look Ahead

  With 2024 approaching rapidly we go through a few "thought experiments" and discuss what we expect to happen, what we want to happen, where we want to be... even what we want from Organized Play. All in the hopes that our...

  
• 12.24.2023

  Episode 267 - 2023 Annual Over Under

  This week we circle back to our Annual Over Under lead in to the next calendar year and make wild bets about even wilder events. Taking into account both recent and historic events, we put together a list of items worth...

  
• 12.14.2023

  Episode 266 - Eternal Weekend Rundown

  Our yearly pilgrimage to Eternal Weekend is complete, the champions crowned, and a bunch of people got to play one of the best team trios format of all time. But what was it like as a vendor and what can...

  
• 12.10.2023

  Episode 265 - What Are Some of the Biggest Mistakes That Cause Shops to Fail

  This week, we discuss a comment left by YouTube viewer bmatth06. What would you say your biggest mistakes were that caused your shop to fail? It's not something we talk about all that often but with the ever changing landscape of the...

  
• 12.03.2023

  Episode 264 - WHO and LTC Scene Box Discussion

  Consider this a retrospective. What has happened with the Doctor Who set from a retail standpoint and a finance standpoint? Was it a hit or a miss? Do people even remember it? Also, what the hell are Lord of the Rings...

  
• 11.26.2023

  Episode 263 - Lost Cavers of Ixalan: Hype Review

  With full spoilers, a prelease, and several high profile Pioneer events behind us, this week we look at and discuss the Lost Cavers of Ixalan. What cards do we think are prices well? Which are priced poorly? Is there enough...

  
• 11.19.2023

  Episode 262 - Wilds of Eldraine Set Review

  With Caverns of Ixalan set to release shortly, we look back at our Wilds of Eldraine card assessment to see how discerning an eye we cast at the set. Were we right, were we wrong? Are we out of touch, or...

  
• 11.12.2023

  Episode 261 - Year 5 Pick Review

  As our fifth year as a podcast draws to a close, we continue our process of self reflection and growth. This episode we look back at four picks, each, and discuss what they represent to us: winners and losers alike, there's...

  
• 11.05.2023

  Episode 260 - Year 5 Retrospective

  As we wrap up fifth year doing the podcast, we take a look back and both this year and years prior to starting the podcast. What were we like then? What's changed? Do we even still enjoy the game anymore? What's...

  
• 10.29.2023

  Episode 259- 2023-24 Product Releases

  As has become tradition, we review the rest of the 2023 and 2024 product slate as provide to us by WotC. This time, though, we know where a number of Universes Beyond sets are and how many times we're returning to...

  
• 10.22.2023

  Episode 258 - Play Boosters

  The draft boosters, they are a changin'! This week WotC announced the end of Set and Draft boosters and their replacement product, collation, and reasoning. We pivoted last minute to discuss this as it will have immediate impact with the release...

  
• 10.15.2023

  Episode 257 - The Whale Bail

  Over the course of the last 18 to 24 months, we've heard rumblings of what can be termed as the "Whale Bail" as larger LGS customers start to speak out against WotC's printing policies with their wallets. So as we have...

  
• 10.08.2023

  Episode 256 - The Next Steps in Standard Play Announcement

  MagicCon Vegas 2023 saw a number of announcements; from Doctor Who spoilers to upcoming Universes Beyond and even the next Standard Play announcement. And it's this announcement that we're doing to discuss this week as it has the opportunity to immediately...

  
• 10.01.2023

  Episode 255 - MagicCon Vegas 2023 Recap

  MagicCon Vegas 2023 is in the books, Worlds has been won, and the first $100 thousand sealed event compete. But what was it actually like at the event? How was everything structured and what was the feeling? We break down MagicCon...

  
• 09.24.2023

  Episode 254 - The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Review

  With the heat from "LOR" dissipated, and WOE taking center stage, we go back this week to look at our picks for our most overhyped card, underhyped card, and that Goldilox one right in the middle. We pull apart our reasoning,...

  
• 09.17.2023

  Episode 253 - Wilds of Eldraine Hype Review

  With full spoilers and a prerelease behind us, this week we look at and discuss Wilds of Eldraine. What cards do we think are prices well? Which are priced poorly? Is there enough "juice" on the Enchanting Tales sheet to keep...

  
• 09.10.2023

  Episode 252 - 2023Q2 Earnings Call pt2

  Continuing the discussion about the Hasbro Q2 2023 earning call, we revisit the bulleted points from the previous episode and break them down based on economic indicators, expectations set by Hasbro, and mix in our own brand of, "old man...

  
• 09.03.2023

  Episode 251 - 2023Q2 Earnings Call pt1

  It's time for the Hasbro Q2 2023 earning call valuation! In the first episode of this two parter, we break down some of the more interesting and finer points before reacting to them in the follow up epside. https://gamerant.com/pokemon-company-multibillion-dollar-increase-in-revenue/ https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2023/08/magic-revenue-down-15-in-q2-tales-of-middle-earth-is-magics-second-best-selling-set/ https://www.reddit.com/r/mtgfinance/comments/15hj2ta/lord_of_the_ring_is_evergreen/jupnh4y/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-reports-second-quarter-2023-financial-results https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/18fce6ae-107c-4c55-81e4-0ccb3b3a6af0

  
• 08.27.2023

  Episode 250 - GenCon Over the Years

  The last GenCon related episode for the year. We promise. We discuss GenCon through the years, from it's humble beginnings in 1969 through to 2023. How Magic impacted GenCon, their relationship through the years, and their eventual separation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen_Con

  
• 08.20.2023

  Episode 249 - GenCon Rundown pt2: The Show

  Last week we covered what the lead in to, "The Greatest Four Days in Gaming", (GenCon) is like and this week we get into the nitty gritty. What's it like on the floor, is there time to enjoy the show itself,...

  
• 08.13.2023

  Episode 248 - GenCon Rundown pt1: Preshow

  Branded, "The Greatest Four Days in Gaming", GenCon is one ot the most popular and important conventions for everything table top gaming. And while a large number of people are able to attend GenCon as "genpop" not many people get...

  
• 08.13.2023

  Episode 247 - The National pt2: Wrapup

  Last week we covered what The National is and a bit of the importance of it to the Sports card industry. This week we recap what happened at The National 2023 from both the vendor perspective and the attendee side...

  
• 07.30.2023

  Episode 246 - The National pt1: Preshow

  A few weeks back in episode 244, we covered Origins, a convention that many in the TCG community seem to overlook or underrate as an experience. This week, we're running back that foundational idea with a preshow episode for The...

  
• 07.19.2023

  Episode 245 - Vintage Rotisserie Draft

  Taking a break from finance topics this week, we're going over some of the finer details about Vintage Rotisserie Draft, ahead of the next St. Lotus event. If you don't know what VRD is, please give this a listen and if...

  
• 07.16.2023

  Episode 244 - Origins 2023 Rundown

  Origins 2023 is in the books and now that we're back we thought, "what does the average gamer know about Origins?" So we sourced questions to help build a representative idea of what the event is and what it means to...

  
• 07.09.2023

  Episode 243 - LotR: Philosophically

  With immaculate timing, after recording our previous episode it was announced that the one of one The One Ring was found and graded. So... what happens next? We came up with a few important questions to discuss from player, LGS, and...

  
• 07.02.2023

  Episode 242 - Retracing of Unlimited Prices and the Boom of Beta

  Previously we have discussed the possibility for seemingly unbridled growth of Unlimited. From power to duals to even the lowly Fork, there was seemingly no end in sight for where Unlimited would. Well, a few years later, we're older and wiser...

  
• 06.25.2023

  Episode 241 - The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Aftermath

  With The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth prerelease weekend squarely in the rear-view and Release Party Weekend coming up, we continue our discussion about this set and what we saw this past weekend. We break down what we saw...

  
• 06.18.2023

  Episode 240 - The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Preview

  In "standard" fashion, we take a look at Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth, breakdown the set, and make a few predictions based on what we've seen in regards to "hype". Now, this does follow our standard practice for a...

  
• 06.11.2023

  Episode 239 - Pulling Out of the Junk Wax Era or, How Can WotC Learn to Stop Caring and Love the Game Again?

  The "Junk Wax" era of sports cards is one of many defining moments of the hobby's history and is quite infamous for those that were in any part of the ecosystem during this time. With the advent of Whatnot and the...

  
• 06.04.2023

  Episode 238 - Are We in MtGs Junk Wax Era and How Did We Get Here?

  The "Junk Wax" era of sprots cards is one of many defining moments of the hobby's history and is quite infamous for those that were in any part of the ecosystem during this time. With the advent of Whatnot and the...

  
• 05.28.2023

  Episode 237 - Another Year of Standard: Adding One Year to Rotation

  At MagicCon Minneapolis, WotC announced that they were going to look into reinvigorating player interest in the Standard format. How? Well by extending rotation out from two years, to three years! Among other things. Now between that event and this episode,...

  
• 05.21.2023

  Episode 236 - MOM: Aftermath and Epilogue Sets

  March of the Machine: Aftermath. A micro set. An Epilogue set. A small print booster set with wild CB slot collation. What exactly do all of those words mean, how do they apply to this product in particular and into the...