Grading isn’t just about chasing 10s. In this episode, I break down five real reasons I grade cards—and the #1 reason has nothing to do with money. We talk PSA offers, “nines are fine,” how grading reframes comps on rare cards, and why the story inside the slab matters most.Timestamps<ul><li>0:00 Cold open: “It’s not the money”</li><li>0:32 Reason #1: Value bump (when 10s matter, why 9s still work)</li><li>3:39 Rare cards & comps: changing the conversation</li><li>7:39 Reason #2: Trackable value (Card Ladder, clarity)</li><li>9:00 Reason #3: Protection (locking the card’s condition)</li><li>10:00 Reason #4: The flex (why slabs signal)</li><li>10:36 Reason #5 (The Big One): Story inside the slab</li><li>14:45 Case studies: Kobe EX, Steph RC /999 (PSA 1!), Dominique auto</li><li>17:56 Where I’m grading next (PSA, SGC, Beckett checklists)</li><li>18:40 Wrap: Why do YOU grade?</li></ul>
Thanks to our monthly supporters
<ul>
 <li>Zach LaFountain</li>
</ul>

Grading isn’t just about chasing 10s. In this episode, I break down five real reasons I grade cards—and the #1 reason has nothing to do with money. We talk PSA offers, “nines are fine,” how grading reframes comps on rare cards, and why the story inside the slab matters most. Timestamps0:00 Cold open: “It’s not the money”0:32 Reason #1: Value bump (when 10s matter, why 9s still work)3:39 Rare cards & comps: changing the conversation7:39 Reason #2: Trackable value (Card Ladder, clarity)9:00 Reason #3: Protection (locking the card’s condition)10:00 Reason #4: The flex (why slabs signal)10:36 Reason #5 (The Big One): Story inside the slab14:45 Case studies: Kobe EX, Steph RC /999 (PSA 1!), Dominique auto17:56 Where I’m grading next (PSA, SGC, Beckett checklists)18:40 Wrap: Why do YOU grade? Thanks to our monthly supporters Zach LaFountain

Grading isn’t just about chasing 10s. In this episode, I break down five real reasons I grade cards—and the #1 reason has nothing to do with money. We talk PSA offers, “nines are fine,” how grading reframes comps on rare cards, and why the story inside the slab matters most.Timestamps<ul><li>0:00 Cold open: “It’s not the money”</li><li>0:32 Reason #1: Value bump (when 10s matter, why 9s still work)</li><li>3:39 Rare cards &amp; comps: changing the conversation</li><li>7:39 Reason #2: Trackable value (Card Ladder, clarity)</li><li>9:00 Reason #3: Protection (locking the card’s condition)</li><li>10:00 Reason #4: The flex (why slabs signal)</li><li>10:36 Reason #5 (The Big One): Story inside the slab</li><li>14:45 Case studies: Kobe EX, Steph RC /999 (PSA 1!), Dominique auto</li><li>17:56 Where I’m grading next (PSA, SGC, Beckett checklists)</li><li>18:40 Wrap: Why do YOU grade?</li></ul>
Thanks to our monthly supporters
<ul>
 <li>Zach LaFountain</li>
</ul>

Should You Grade Your Sports Cards? 🤷 5 Reasons I Do (and When Not To)

Welcome to the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast, hosted by Dr. Tyler Tarver (@tarvercards), an aggressively average dude with an above-average obsession for those glorious, four-cornered lil treasures we call sports cards!

This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a celebration of sports, pop culture, and the universal joy of pulling a card so dope you immediately start calculating how many shares of Apple you can buy with it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a curious rookie, or someone who just wants to hear how Michael Jordan, Marvel movies, and Saved by the Bell all connect through cardboard, you’ve found your proverbial home.

Here, we keep it (mostly) positive as we dive into the wild world of collecting: rookie chases, market trends, and how these little slices of nostalgia tie into fandom, investing, and, yes, incredible relationships! Also, expect plenty of stories, pop culture tangents, and more than a few questionable analogies.

So grab your penny sleeves, settle in, and let’s talk sports cards more than your spouse would ever allow! SPORTS. CARDS. ARE. DOPE. (and so are you 🎧✨)!

Now quit reading, hit follow, and let’s dance you beautiful chicken nugget.

Sports

Leisure

Basketball

Hobbies

Welcome to the Sports Cards Are Dope podcast, hosted by Dr. Tyler Tarver (@tarvercards), an aggressively average dude with an above-average obsession for those glorious, four-cornered lil treasures we call sports cards! This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a celebration of sports, pop culture, and the universal joy of pulling a card so dope you immediately start calculating how many shares of Apple you can buy with it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a curious rookie, or someone who just wants to hear how Michael Jordan, Marvel movies, and Saved by the Bell all connect through cardboard, you’ve found your proverbial home. Here, we keep it (mostly) positive as we dive into the wild world of collecting: rookie chases, market trends, and how these little slices of nostalgia tie into fandom, investing, and, yes, incredible relationships! Also, expect plenty of stories, pop culture tangents, and more than a few questionable analogies. So grab your penny sleeves, settle in, and let’s talk sports cards more than your spouse would ever allow! SPORTS. CARDS. ARE. DOPE. (and so are you 🎧✨)! Now quit reading, hit follow, and let’s dance you beautiful chicken nugget.

Share Should You Grade Your Sports Cards? 🤷 5 Reasons I Do (and When Not To)

Sign up to save your podcasts

Should You Grade Your Sports Cards? 🤷 5 Reasons I Do (and When Not To)

Should You Grade Your Sports Cards? 🤷 5 Reasons I Do (and When Not To)

More shows like Sports Cards are Dope

Mojobreak The Hype - A Sports Card Podcast

Sports Card Strategy Show

Sports Card Investor

Stacking Slabs

Sports Cards Nonsense

Sports Cards Live

Bad Movies Rule!

Cards To The Moon

Geoff Wilson Show

Sports Card Lessons Podcast

The True Sports Cards Show

"Happy Hobby Sports Cards" Podcast!

Sports Cards & A Cup of Joe

Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast

The Hobby Handbook