Card condition guide
What Near Mint, Lightly Played, Moderately Played, Heavily Played and Damaged mean, and how much a card in each condition is typically worth. It works for Pokémon cards and every other trading card game.
The condition scale at a glance
| Condition | Code | Typical value | In short |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near Mint | NM | 100% | Looks fresh from the pack. |
| Lightly Played | LP | 75–90% | Minor wear you notice when you look closely. |
| Moderately Played | MP | 50–75% | Clear wear you can see at a glance. |
| Heavily Played | HP | 25–50% | Heavy wear all over, but all in one piece. |
| Damaged | DMG | 10–25% | Structural damage beyond normal wear. |
Value is the share of the near-mint market price a card typically sells for. These are rules of thumb, not fixed rates: rare and vintage cards often keep more of their value when played, common modern cards less.
Near Mint (NM)
100% valueCharacteristics
- Sharp corners with no visible wear
- Clean edges, at most a tiny speck of whitening
- No scratches visible at arm's length
- No creases, bends or dents
- Bright, unfaded colours on front and back
Value impact
Near Mint is what market prices describe. Near-mint cards sell for the full market price and are the only ones worth considering for grading.
Lightly Played (LP)
75–90% valueCharacteristics
- Light whitening on a corner or two
- A little edge wear, mostly on the back
- Faint surface scratches, barely visible
- No creases, bends or major flaws
- Still a very attractive card
Value impact
Lightly Played cards keep most of their value. They're popular with players and collectors who want a good-looking card at a small discount.
Moderately Played (MP)
50–75% valueCharacteristics
- Noticeable corner wear and rounding
- Border whitening along several edges
- Visible scratches and scuffing on the surface
- May have small dents or a very minor crease
- Still playable in a sleeve
Value impact
Moderately Played cards show their history but are intact. Players on a budget buy them; collectors usually pay noticeably less.
Heavily Played (HP)
25–50% valueCharacteristics
- Heavily rounded or frayed corners
- Whitening all the way around the borders
- Major scratches and scuffs on front and back
- Several dents, dings or light creases
- No tears or missing pieces
Value impact
Heavily Played cards are worth a fraction of the market price. They work as placeholders or for casual play; for rare cards they're an affordable way to own a copy.
Damaged (DMG)
10–25% valueCharacteristics
- Deep creases or folds
- Tears, holes or missing pieces
- Water damage, warping or staining
- Ink, pen marks or stickers
- May not be allowed in tournaments
Value impact
Damaged cards sell for a small share of the market price. Rare and iconic cards can still be worth real money even in damaged condition.
Pro tips for checking condition
What to look for
- Corners: Check all four for whitening, rounding or bends.
- Edges: Look for white chipping along the borders, front and back.
- Surface: Tilt the card under a light to find scratches, scuffs and dents.
- Centering: Compare the borders: is the picture evenly placed?
- Foil and holo: Foil areas show scratches first, and foils can curl.
Best practices
- Use good lighting: One bright white light shows flaws that room light hides.
- Handle carefully: Clean, dry hands; hold the card by its edges.
- Check both sides: The back counts as much as the front.
- Be conservative: If you're between two conditions, choose the lower one.
- Use magnification: A loupe or your phone's zoom reveals small flaws.
Condition tips for each game
Pokémon
The dark blue back shows edge whitening very easily, so many cards that look perfect from the front are Lightly Played from the back. Holo and reverse-holo surfaces scratch easily, and modern full arts have a texture that can wear smooth.
Magic: The Gathering
Black-bordered cards, including the early sets, show every chip on the edges. Older cards were often played without sleeves, so copies in Near Mint condition are scarce. Foils can curl with humidity.
Yu-Gi-Oh!
Edges chip easily, and foil cards (Ultra, Secret and Ghost Rares) are prone to curling. Check the small hologram in the bottom-right corner and the foil name for scratches.
One Piece, Lorcana, Digimon, Star Wars: Unlimited and Flesh and Blood
Modern foil, alternate-art and textured cards are where most of the value sits, and their surfaces show scratches and print lines clearly. Foils in all of these games can curl; a mild curl that relaxes in a sleeve worries most buyers less than scratches or dents.
Condition FAQ
What does Moderately Played mean on a Pokémon card?
A Moderately Played (MP) card has wear you can see at a glance: rounded corners, whitening along several edges and visible scratches, but no tears or major creases. It typically sells for about half to three-quarters of the near-mint price.
Is a played Pokémon card worth anything?
Yes. Played cards sell for less than near-mint copies, but valuable cards stay valuable: a Heavily Played copy of a rare card can still be worth far more than a near-mint common. Check the card's market price, then apply the condition's typical range.
How do I check how much my card is worth in its condition?
Look the card up on MyTCGValue. Every card page shows the near-mint market price and an estimated value for each condition.
What's the difference between condition and a PSA grade?
Conditions like Near Mint and Lightly Played describe ungraded cards and are judged by the seller. Grades like PSA 10 or PSA 9 come from a professional grading company, which seals the card in a case. See PSA 10 vs PSA 9 and our guide to PSA, BGS and CGC grading.
Price your cards in any condition
Scan a card with the TCG Scanner app to find its exact printing and market price in seconds.