It Is Not Worth It to Open Booster Packs | Here is Why

We do the math so you don't have to. Is it worth it to open booster packs for value? Ever? What if you bought one booster box of every set, never opened them, and sold them now? Would you be rich?

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！Opinions expressed in this video are those of the author/video creator and not necessarily Cardmarket.

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[RodrigoCML]

The balance you guys strike between production and actual chemistry and charisma of the crew is exquisite. Love the vibe you guys bring to the community

[DackKija]

Pre-Releases are to support my local game store but buying singles is the only way to go. Even though you get exactly what you ordered, I still end up having plenty of cards I didn't really need 😅. Cardboard is one hell of a drug.

[chuckwagon]

For some reason, the cuts to the team walking into a richly-bedecked game store gave me reality TV vibes. I'd watch this team do a Pawn Stars themed show in Magic Berlin. Paup(er) Stars?

[olvynchuru]

It's also worth keeping in mind that this is an idealized scenario where you place value on the cards even if you aren't actually planning on using them in a deck. In practice, if I open a few packs, even if I "break even" on the value of the packs, much of that value is likely coming from cards I don't actually have a place for in any of my decks, and will just sit in my collection. Whereas if I buy singles, every single card I buy is something I want and plan to use in a deck. So the value of the cards in a booster pack for purposes of deckbuilding is even less than is described here.

[KeroTheInvincible]

"Tap 3 untapped Dwarves you control."

*taps himself*

[garrettneary]

So, I would love that booster box, but watching you guys open up packs of Innistrad takes me back to when I 1st started playing with my brother. I was a freshman in college, and he was a sophomore in high school. We didn't have any money to buy singles, so every chance we got we bought booster packs. We brought hundreds of them. Most of my collection is bulk draft chaft from Innistrad block cause we bought so many booster packs. It was wasteful, but it really helped develop my relationship with my youngest brother, who is now my best friend in the whole world.

[Nighterfighter]

We all know this was just an excuse for you guys to crack some packs! Really enjoyed the cuts to the game store, and the pure joy on your faces when getting the foil Delver. :)

[Javi-Dufresne]

I won the innistrad cards and was surprised when the package arrived, really hyped to have a card signed by you guys in one of my decks, Thank you!

[andrewneben]

Ah dang I can't sign up for an account because I live in Canada! Oh well guys I really just wanna say you are a delight to watch. Even just listening to you guys while I complete mundane tasks is a joy. Keep doing what you are doing, Carl Jamin and Thoralf and the rest of the cardmarket crew are truly a cut above the rest !😊😊😊😊

[DrummerRF]

Purely financial you are right, but in the larger picture taking into account fun, enjoyment etc

[HeneLv]

Honestly loving the trio. Hoping to see more of all 3 of them

[Awesomedude]

Some of the art cards are actually worth a decent amount of money, usually not more than like 15-20$ for the most expensive ones, but there are more that fall into the 2-8$ price range. Not a massive windfall but it's worth checking through your collection if you've got a bunch of them

[grafikpapst]

I personally just like the act of opening Set Boxes sorting and sleeving cards. Its a nice, meditative task and I like having bulk at hand. And over a year of releases I usually end up with a slight profit. But I understand and agree that, for most cases, buying Singles is better.

ESPECIALLY when you want a specific card. I never go into opening Set Boosters with the expectations that I will get every card that interests me. But again, I personally do it just as a hobby thing. It helps me defog my brain after a stressfull week and I like the collective part of Trading Cards.

Pre-Releases are fine IMO though. You really pay for the Event-Organisation and the experience more than for the card value.

[NiiRubra]

Yeah, I figured out pretty quickly once I started this hobby that boosters were not worth it, I was much better off buying the cards online, it was cheaper and I had a much greater degree of customization. That said, if you can afford it, opening boosters with friends and playing the cards can be fun, there is a certain whimsy to it. I would only recommend it for the occasional entertainment value.

[FlipCrypt]

Cursed of the pierced heart was actually one of the cards I used most when I first got into magic during Avycyn Restored and stuff! That curse is fun! Haha


Love the content everyone, the whole "we are a shop and not a YouTube channel" argument only goes so far when all of your content is so good!

[outputcoupler]

Don't open packs...unless you're playing limited. Then open _lots_ of packs. Limited is fun!

[stephenboerner]

You guys are so fucken fun to watch. You really give off an energy of just a bunch of buddies around the table. Love it

[kylesnuffleupagus]

We know its not worth it. But buying packs and hitting spicy pulls in front of friends is priceless. Thats how memories are made

[TheMorbidHobo]

Opening packs is for events, both draft and sealed, or if you recieve them as gifts. Not something to buy and open to get cards you want, or open as an investment.

[AngelusNielson]

I did boosters for the simple reason that I supported my LFGS and I had fun. It's NOT worth it to buy anything but singles, but it is fun.