I'm returning to playing Magic after a long, long hiatus. I started playing and collecting in the middle of 1994 and continued until 1999 or so. Packed up the cards, put them in a box, and haven't looked at them until recently. I tracked the game off and on, checked into forums, etc. But I've started playing again and now I'm trying to figure out what to do with my old collection.
Basic question, what are some common ways to organize my cards in sleeves so that it's easy to access, show others for trades, and just clean things up from the boxes and boxes of cards I have now?
I also realize that I have a lot of crap mixed in with everything, are there any easy ways to sort through the old sets and find the 10 to 15 cards that might actually still be playable from those sets?
I'm in an odd situation, with my collection largely running from Legends to the Urza Block, where I may have a few good cards for Legacy or Vintage, but to compete in that format I'd still have to make an investment just to round things off. I think I'm going to just focus on Standard for a while, getting back in the game, but I still want to organize the collection I have now.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
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----- "I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
The easiest way I think is to go to browse by set at TCGPlayer.com. When you click one of the sets you'll get a price guide, then click the "High Medium Low" text at the top of the columns to sort by price.
It still takes a while but I think it's a pretty painless way to do it.
As a former returning player, this is the best advice I can give above all else: Accept that what you once knew about the world of Magic: The Gathering has evolved and therefore changed. Don't shut out the change or insist you know what you're doing when current players offer advice. You don't have to follow everything you're told, but keep an open ear, and open mind, and contemplate, contemplate, contemplate. Don't rush to buy anything, don't rush to sell anything you may still have.
My own thoughts for new players:
#1 Buy singles Buying booster packs is fun, but you are throwing your money away. When we used to play, you'd probably got better value from buying packs (or just thought you did). Now, sadly, the packs are meant for limited formats like draft and sealed, and that $4.00 booster pack is highly unlikely to have anything you need or will use. It's like buying a lottery ticket, with similar odds but smaller payoffs. Buy singles Commons and uncommons are dirt cheap. The rares are the costly part, but you'll save money in the long run by only buying what you need. Choose 1-2 decks you like the looks of, and then buy the singles you need. Buy singles
#2 Use proxies and practice at home. Every card is listed on the internet these days, with pictures that you can easily print at home and make proxies with. Got an idea for a deck? Spend $0.10 on printing out a few sheets of paper with proxies, cut them out, put them on top of land and commons in sleeves, and play with your friends with a proxy deck. When you like what you create, either through homebrewing or netdecking, then do down and buy the singles. Which brings me to...
#3 You need to netdeck, even if it is just for practice Depending on when you played last, you might have never had the internet telling you what the winning decks are. Now, netdecking is a way of life for 90% of players. Don't like it? Don't do it...except for practice. Take 2-3 of the top decks and print out proxies. Practice with them with your friends. You skill will improve 500% just by learning how these decks work, what makes them good, and how to pilot them. It might even give you homebrew ideas.
#4 Be cool, be calm, be kind. Be friendly at your Local Game Store. Introduce yourself and don't be shy. Don't be a jerk either. Remember it is just a game, even if you dream of going PRO. Better than any Planeswalker Points are the friends you'll make getting back into this highly social game.
#5 Read the forums. Read them regularly, even if you just skim. Keeping on top of the latest information is really important. Ask questions, get informed answers in the appropriate forums.
Basic question, what are some common ways to organize my cards in sleeves so that it's easy to access, show others for trades, and just clean things up from the boxes and boxes of cards I have now?
I also realize that I have a lot of crap mixed in with everything, are there any easy ways to sort through the old sets and find the 10 to 15 cards that might actually still be playable from those sets?
I'm in an odd situation, with my collection largely running from Legends to the Urza Block, where I may have a few good cards for Legacy or Vintage, but to compete in that format I'd still have to make an investment just to round things off. I think I'm going to just focus on Standard for a while, getting back in the game, but I still want to organize the collection I have now.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
"I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
MTG Goldfish
So far as cards that were reprinted and are now standard-playable, I don't know of a quick list for that.
edit: aha! Use the advanced search here.
Magiccards.info
EDH:
UBGThe MimeoplasmUBG
It still takes a while but I think it's a pretty painless way to do it.
My own thoughts for new players:
#1 Buy singles Buying booster packs is fun, but you are throwing your money away. When we used to play, you'd probably got better value from buying packs (or just thought you did). Now, sadly, the packs are meant for limited formats like draft and sealed, and that $4.00 booster pack is highly unlikely to have anything you need or will use. It's like buying a lottery ticket, with similar odds but smaller payoffs. Buy singles Commons and uncommons are dirt cheap. The rares are the costly part, but you'll save money in the long run by only buying what you need. Choose 1-2 decks you like the looks of, and then buy the singles you need. Buy singles
#2 Use proxies and practice at home. Every card is listed on the internet these days, with pictures that you can easily print at home and make proxies with. Got an idea for a deck? Spend $0.10 on printing out a few sheets of paper with proxies, cut them out, put them on top of land and commons in sleeves, and play with your friends with a proxy deck. When you like what you create, either through homebrewing or netdecking, then do down and buy the singles. Which brings me to...
#3 You need to netdeck, even if it is just for practice Depending on when you played last, you might have never had the internet telling you what the winning decks are. Now, netdecking is a way of life for 90% of players. Don't like it? Don't do it...except for practice. Take 2-3 of the top decks and print out proxies. Practice with them with your friends. You skill will improve 500% just by learning how these decks work, what makes them good, and how to pilot them. It might even give you homebrew ideas.
#4 Be cool, be calm, be kind. Be friendly at your Local Game Store. Introduce yourself and don't be shy. Don't be a jerk either. Remember it is just a game, even if you dream of going PRO. Better than any Planeswalker Points are the friends you'll make getting back into this highly social game.
#5 Read the forums. Read them regularly, even if you just skim. Keeping on top of the latest information is really important. Ask questions, get informed answers in the appropriate forums.
Welcome back.
How To Keep Your FOIL Cards From Curling: http://youtu.be/QTmubrS8VnI
The Best Deck Boxes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwgLph_Pjk
The Best Binders: http://youtu.be/H5IauASYWjk