I have a BGS 8.5 graded Serendib Efreet (Arabian Nights). I bought it off of eBay for my collection and paid essentially no premium over what a non-graded card of that condition was (and is) selling for at the time. I am considering including the card in my cube, and was wondering what everyone's thoughts are regarding cracking this card. Is a grade of 8.5 really anything special (monetarily), especially on this card? I understand that the answer would probably be different if we were talking about Beta power.
Since this got brought up, I bought a few graded dual lands (7.5-8.5) about a month ago from a customer, I could care less about them being graded to be honest, but I couldnt for the life of me figure out how to get them out.... Any suggestions on the best way to get the cards out without damaging them, or any special trick to get the cases open?
That's what I would do too. The only reason I could see for not proxying is if you don't use sleeves and want to see the actual cards. For example me and my buddy proxy stuff by printing out a copy of the card and sliding it into a sleeve with a land or common. You really can't tell which cards are proxies this way and you can see the card without risking your investment.
A legitimate question, but I don't play with proxies in the cube... just a personal satisfaction thing. Were it not for that, I would proxy all of the money cards in the cube and net several thousand dollars in the process.
The other option I'm considering is just getting another copy of the card. Anson Maddocks is one of my favorite MTG artists (possibly my favorite), and Serendib Efreet is one of my favorite pieces of his -- so it's cool having a slabbed copy of my "little artwork." I don't really display it, though. It just sits flat on my shelf on top of an MTG box.
A legitimate question, but I don't play with proxies in the cube... just a personal satisfaction thing. Were it not for that, I would proxy all of the money cards in the cube and net several thousand dollars in the process.
The other option I'm considering is just getting another copy of the card. Anson Maddocks is one of my favorite MTG artists (possibly my favorite), and Serendib Efreet is one of my favorite pieces of his -- so it's cool having a slabbed copy of my "little artwork." I don't really display it, though. It just sits flat on my shelf on top of an MTG box.
Hmm well I see what you mean about proxying but there is nothing wrong with proxying a card you own. Again, your call. I would say open it up and use it if you play your cube a lot.
For me personally - I'd crack anything less than a 9. I've literally cracked out hundreds of 8's to make decks with; they're nice looking cards, but really not "minty" enough to be worth leaving entombed
BGS slabs are a pain to crack (actually that is one of the best things about them). Your best bet is to saw off a corner by the label and use a flat-headed screwdriver to work the slab apart. They are clam shell in design, so it is tough (but doable). PSA slabs crack much easier
Whatever you decide good luck and best wishes!!!
Take it easy,
Jared
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I bought a bunch of graded CE duals a while back, and cracked them all to play with in my cube.
To break into the case, I used a flat head screw driver on the flat side of the case near the top corner, and gave it a whack with a hammer to crack the plastic at the top. Then I carefully used the screwdriver to pry open the case.
Do you play with other expensive old cards in your cube? (duals, mana crypt, Nether Void etc?). If you're fine with playing other expensive cards, then I wouldn't hesitate popping the Efreet in. I do play expensive cards in my cube, but I tend to run CE copies of cards that I own in Beta also.
I used a pair of Vise Grips clamping (crushing more or less) both top corners (a hammer whack isn't a good idea) on a BGS "9" Library of Alexandria, then I used a small but durable flat head screw driver to carefully pry the case open...simple and more or less clean process.
Note I wanted a mint card to play with and I don't really care about money or fancy cases unless the card/'s in question are 9.5 or higher.
Since this got brought up, I bought a few graded dual lands (7.5-8.5) about a month ago from a customer, I could care less about them being graded to be honest, but I couldnt for the life of me figure out how to get them out.... Any suggestions on the best way to get the cards out without damaging them, or any special trick to get the cases open?
I have a BGS 7 Alpha Forcefield coming I plan on cracking, I plan on exploring several options including sending it back to BGS, I will let you know how it turns out. I am worried about damaging it but I really don't want to pay the shippign costs.
I bought a bunch of graded CE duals a while back, and cracked them all to play with in my cube.
To break into the case, I used a flat head screw driver on the flat side of the case near the top corner, and gave it a whack with a hammer to crack the plastic at the top. Then I carefully used the screwdriver to pry open the case.
Do you play with other expensive old cards in your cube? (duals, mana crypt, Nether Void etc?). If you're fine with playing other expensive cards, then I wouldn't hesitate popping the Efreet in. I do play expensive cards in my cube, but I tend to run CE copies of cards that I own in Beta also.
Yeah, I play plenty of expensive stuff in the cube including my NM-/EX+ Beta Ancestral Recall. I double-sleeve, so the Efreet should be safe enough. Once I'm 100% on playing it in the cube (blue aggro isn't really well supported right now), I'll go ahead and crack it. I just wanted to make sure that 8.5 wasn't anything to write home about first. Thanks for the input guys (thanks also to everyone who gave cracking tips)!
Yeah, I play plenty of expensive stuff in the cube including my NM-/EX+ Beta Ancestral Recall. I double-sleeve, so the Efreet should be safe enough. Once I'm 100% on playing it in the cube (blue aggro isn't really well supported right now), I'll go ahead and crack it. I just wanted to make sure that 8.5 wasn't anything to write home about first. Thanks for the input guys (thanks also to everyone who gave cracking tips)!
You don't need blue aggro support to make the Efreet really good. The fact that it has 4 toughness is a huge plus for the card in that it holds the fort for control decks against aggro decks, and is mostly out of burn range. It fits perfectly into pretty much any deck that runs blue.
Thanks in advance.
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That's what I would do too. The only reason I could see for not proxying is if you don't use sleeves and want to see the actual cards. For example me and my buddy proxy stuff by printing out a copy of the card and sliding it into a sleeve with a land or common. You really can't tell which cards are proxies this way and you can see the card without risking your investment.
A legitimate question, but I don't play with proxies in the cube... just a personal satisfaction thing. Were it not for that, I would proxy all of the money cards in the cube and net several thousand dollars in the process.
The other option I'm considering is just getting another copy of the card. Anson Maddocks is one of my favorite MTG artists (possibly my favorite), and Serendib Efreet is one of my favorite pieces of his -- so it's cool having a slabbed copy of my "little artwork." I don't really display it, though. It just sits flat on my shelf on top of an MTG box.
Hmm well I see what you mean about proxying but there is nothing wrong with proxying a card you own. Again, your call. I would say open it up and use it if you play your cube a lot.
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BGS slabs are a pain to crack (actually that is one of the best things about them). Your best bet is to saw off a corner by the label and use a flat-headed screwdriver to work the slab apart. They are clam shell in design, so it is tough (but doable). PSA slabs crack much easier
Whatever you decide good luck and best wishes!!!
Take it easy,
Jared
Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes,
Hypnotized by you if I should linger,
Staring at the ring around your finger" - Sting
Ray Thiel (1964-2007) - the man who showed me more wonderful games & gaming sessions than I ever dreamed possible... you ran out of hit points too young, my friend.
To break into the case, I used a flat head screw driver on the flat side of the case near the top corner, and gave it a whack with a hammer to crack the plastic at the top. Then I carefully used the screwdriver to pry open the case.
Do you play with other expensive old cards in your cube? (duals, mana crypt, Nether Void etc?). If you're fine with playing other expensive cards, then I wouldn't hesitate popping the Efreet in. I do play expensive cards in my cube, but I tend to run CE copies of cards that I own in Beta also.
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Note I wanted a mint card to play with and I don't really care about money or fancy cases unless the card/'s in question are 9.5 or higher.
Good luck Jeff,
S.M.
Yeah, I play plenty of expensive stuff in the cube including my NM-/EX+ Beta Ancestral Recall. I double-sleeve, so the Efreet should be safe enough. Once I'm 100% on playing it in the cube (blue aggro isn't really well supported right now), I'll go ahead and crack it. I just wanted to make sure that 8.5 wasn't anything to write home about first. Thanks for the input guys (thanks also to everyone who gave cracking tips)!
You don't need blue aggro support to make the Efreet really good. The fact that it has 4 toughness is a huge plus for the card in that it holds the fort for control decks against aggro decks, and is mostly out of burn range. It fits perfectly into pretty much any deck that runs blue.
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