There’s more than one way to build a basketball card collection. Some collectors love the thrill of opening packs, while others prefer hunting down cards of their favorite players. Discover how singles and packs compare and how to find the best basketball cards to buy for your budget.
Start with three questions: what you want to collect, how much you're comfortable spending and how you like to collect. Your answers could either point you toward a specific card or toward packs.
Neither option is right for everyone. Pack contents vary, so you could open several without finding the player or card you want.
When buying a specific card may suit you | When opening packs may suit you |
You already know exactly which card you want | You want to be surprised and you enjoy opening a sealed pack |
You can check the card's condition in photos and listing details | You're happy to discover players and cards you didn't plan on |
You can see the price before you commit | You see the spend as part of the fun of collecting |
Your budget can help narrow your options, but what you'll enjoy opening or displaying is just as relevant. Here's how that could look:
Find out how to get sports cards graded
Look closely at centering, corners, edges and the surface of the card. Small marks and wear can change how a card looks and how collectors view it.
Some specific cards come graded by a grading company, which gives a condition score. Whether a card is graded or not, check the listing's photos and details before you commit.
Online card ripping is when you open packs virtually and see which cards you've pulled on your screen. Depending on the platform, those cards may be digital-only or linked to real collectibles. Like physical packs, the contents are random and there's no guarantee of getting a valuable card.
Many card ripping apps let you choose between having the cards delivered, storing them in a vault or selling them back.
Crypto.com Rips lets you open digital packs, including basketball cards, backed by actual collectible cards through the Crypto.com App. You have three options once your cards are revealed: sell them at the quoted buyback price, leave them until they sell automatically (this happens after 48 hours) or have them shipped to your address.
Card collectibles have taken off as hobbyists and first-timers alike amass their collections or flip it for gains.
Try your hand at the Rips experience and get your first 5 packs free of charge. Find out more details.
Beginners may find it easier to start with an individual card rather than a sealed pack. You can choose exactly what you want and check its price and condition before buying.
Individual retail packs can be a lower-cost starting point than buying a full box. Compare pack prices and the number of cards included, and check whether the product guarantees any particular type of card.
Look for rookie cards from sets featuring players you follow. Check the card's year and set details, since a player's first NBA trading cards can appear in several products with different designs and print runs.
You could focus on a particular season or build a collection spanning the team's history. Check the team shown on each card, especially if a player has played for multiple franchises.
A graded basketball card has been examined by a professional grading company and assigned a condition score. The grade helps describe its condition, but it doesn't guarantee the card's value.
Important information: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice.
The Crypto.com Rips service is provided by Foris Inc. subject to the Crypto.com Rips Terms and Conditions and the Crypto.com App Terms and Conditions. You must be 18+.
