Sports Cards Live episode 287, Part 4. We tackle the hobby’s messiest gray areas: PSA’s first graded card and whether it was trimmed or just hand-cut, how language (“house bids,” “single panel,” “perforated”) shapes value and trust, and why some collectors say trimming is worse than shilling—while others disagree. We break down the Bird/Magic/Dr. J triple-panel rookie labeling across graders, the “I’ve got a higher offer” negotiation killer, and what Fanatics’ anti-shill policy should look like in practice. Plus, quick hits on the NBA betting scandal and how integrity headlines can ripple into card markets.

What you’ll learn

The difference (and stakes) between hand-cut vs. trimmed—and why it matters for grading and value

How graders label Bird/Magic/Erving when separated (“single panel,” “perforated”) and what buyers should check

The spectrum of shilling (semantics vs. manipulation) and how platform policies/loopholes actually work

Why “I have a better offer” often nukes deals—and a simple script to defuse it

Practical bidding tactics to avoid getting nudged: late max bids, ceilings, and BIN/Best Offer pivots

How league betting scandals and injury-report gamesmanship can affect pricing sentiment

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