The Hobby Handbook

This week, Clever Cuban Cards comes to you from a frozen Nashville to break down a week filled with broken trust in the Hobby. We dive into the 2025 Stadium Club pre-order fiasco. Topps originally marketed Hobby boxes as containing 9 Chrome cards, only to quietly change the packaging and announce via email that the final product will have zero Chrome base or parallel cards. We also turn our attention to the massive fallout involving the "Ryan's Cards LLC" Discord group, including allegations of unpaid debts, questionable ownership transitions, and lifetime memberships sold by former owners. Finally, we look ahead to the Super Bowl matchup (Seahawks vs. Patriots!) and discuss selling strategies for Drake Maye cards, as well as the cards of other players in the Super Bowl. Plus, a heated defense of why live sellers can’t pay 100% comps when buying collections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards recaps his first eBay Live, sharing insights from his first experience on the platform. He discusses the highs and lows of the event, including unexpected bidding wars and the challenges of extended bidding times. Alex also explores the intricacies of card valuation and the importance of pre-listing items for transparency. Plus, Montgomery Club is no longer, the best and worst Arena Club trades Alex has received and an early review of his new Haystack Scanner. The episode also features an in-depth conversation with Zach Eustis aka Zack's Bowman Hacks. Zack is a special education teacher and card enthusiast, who shares his journey into the hobby and his strategies for success in the card market. He dives deep into Bowman Draft and how he's profited already from this year's release. He also talks pitchers vs hitters and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards breaks down a massive potential scandal involving the Topps Black & White set. Following a deep dive investigation by a Reddit user, the data suggests that the highly sought-after "Golden Hour" parallels were virtually impossible to pull from pre-order boxes, while release-day boxes were loaded with them. We look at the staggering math behind these odds and debate whether this was a catastrophic distribution error or a case of false advertising. We also take a broad look at the current state of Topps releases. We give our first impressions of the newly revealed 2026 Topps flagship design for the 75th Anniversary, featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. However, not all news is good, as we discuss the disappointing revelation that 2025 Series 1 Jumbo Hobby boxes are cutting down their guaranteed hits to just one auto and one relic, despite maintaining a similar price point. We also touch on the general confusion surrounding the sudden disappearance of pre-orders for upcoming products like Bowman’s Best and Pristine. Finally, we shift gears to market strategy and industry controversy. Alex explains his "zagging" strategy on the NFL market and why he is buying Trevor Lawrence during the current dip. We also dive into the hot topics of grading subjectivity, the risks and rewards of cracking slabs, and the recent, troubling allegations of theft occurring at PSA. Join Alex's SCN eBay Live stream Friday at 8 pm ET Join Clever Cuban Cards on Whatnot on Sundays at 2 PM EST and Wednesdays at 7 PM ET! Sign up now for $15 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Playoffs are finally here! In this episode of The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards and guest Brendan fill out their 2026 playoff brackets, debate their Super Bowl winners, and break down exactly how you should handle your sports card investments during the postseason. Should you sell into the hype or hold for a Super Bowl run? We discuss the "Zig when they Zag" strategy for maximizing profits on quarterbacks like Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, and Trevor Lawrence. Plus, we dive deep whether PSA is or is not a monopoly and whether there's a monopoly problem in the hobby. We also cover some cool partnership news between Arena Club and the San Antonio Spurs. Follow Clever Cuban Cards: https://www.instagram.com/clevercubancards https://www.tiktok.com/@clevercubancards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this special New Year’s episode of The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards is joined by Mrs. Clever Cuban Cards (4:26). We pull back the curtain on what it’s actually like being married to someone obsessed with sports cards. She holds nothing back, sharing her honest perspective on the constant filming, the state of Alex's card "office," and the financial reality of turning the sports card hobby into a business in 2025. Plus, we address the elephant in the room: Does Alex's constant eBay scrolling give her the "ick"? Her answer might surprise you. If you’ve ever wondered what your partner really thinks about the time and money spent on the hobby, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Clever Cuban Cards: https://www.instagram.com/clevercubancards https://www.tiktok.com/@clevercubancards Join Clever Cuban Cards on Whatnot on Sundays at 2 PM EST and Wednesdays at 7 PM EST! Sign up now for $15 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Training is less than 90 days away! In this Christmas Eve special of The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards breaks down the MLB offseason market and shares his top targets to buy before the baseball hype cycle kicks back into high gear. From top-tier prospects like Roman Anthony and Walker Jenkins to undervalued rookies like James Wood and vets like Shohei Ohtani, we cover who you should be watching (and buying) right now. Plus, Alex shares critical market strategies: knowing when a call-up is "priced in," why winning teams matter for card values, and navigating release day hype without getting burned. Featured Players Include: Roman Anthony, Samuel Basallo, Chase Burns, Walker Jenkins, JJ Weatherholt, James Wood, Dylan Crews, Ben Rice, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Jackson Chourio, Elly De La Cruz, and more. Happy holidays and thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clever Cuban Cards is joined by Alex Biggs (aka @BiggzyRips) to break down the gritty reality—and profitability—of the low-end sports card market (8:40). While everyone is chasing five-figure slabs, Alex explains how he pays the bills with $2 cards by mastering volume and consistency. We dive into the tech that makes it possible, including his investment in a Ricoh scanner (22:50) and using AI software (12:50) like Card Dealer Pro (30:10) to list hundreds of cards in minutes. Before all that, Clever Cuban Cards reacts to Collectors, the parent company of PSA, acquiring BGS (1:00). He shares his unfiltered thoughts on what this consolidation means for the hobby, the "illusion of competition," and why we need to walk the walk if we want alternative grading companies to survive. Finally, Alex officially announces his new collecting challenge for 2026: Bin to Binder (51:15). After learning from the "New Collector Challenge," he is launching a sustainable, budget-friendly series ($35/month) where he flips dollar bin finds to build a massive PC binder—and a second binder to give away to one of you. Join Clever Cuban Cards on Whatsnot on Sundays at 2 PM EST and Wednesdays at 7 PM EST! Sign up now for $15 off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Hobby Handbook, Alex sits down with Nick Morris, also known as All Day Collectibles, to discuss his meteoric rise in the card trading world. From his early days as a collector in the 80s to building a thriving community on Whatnot, Nick shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of the hobby. They delve into the intricacies of sourcing inventory, the importance of community engagement, and the strategies behind successful live streams. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building a brand and navigating the ever-evolving card market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to The Hobby Handbook with Alex, aka Clever Cuban Cards! In this solo episode, we’re dusting off the crystal ball to look ahead at what 2026 holds for the sports card market. But before we get to the future, we have to look back at the wild ride that was 2025. From Fanatics' total takeover and the explosion of the high-end market to the "Rise of the Repack" and the unfortunate stumble of SGC, 2025 changed the game. We break down the biggest storylines of the year, including the mainstreaming of collecting and the controversial rise of the "corporate" local card shop. Then, Alex drops 12 Major Predictions for 2026, covering everything from the race for NIL dominance to the future of Topps Chrome Football pricing. Will we finally see a true competitor to PSA? Is regulation coming to live selling? And who will be The Hobby Handbook's new co-host? Plus, we react to your hottest takes and predictions from social media! 0:00 - Intro & Welcome 0:22 - 2025 in Review 2:10 - The Fanatics Takeover & High-End Market Explosion 3:15 - The Non-Sports Boom: Pokemon, SpongeBob & Disney 4:40 - The Rise of Repacks 5:30 - Corporatization of the Local Card Shop 6:33 - The Shill Bidding Problem 7:02 - The Rise & Fall of SGC 7:47 - Monopolization: PSA & Fanatics 9:33 - Rising Costs Across the Board 10:00 - Prediction 1: The Race for NIL & College Cards 11:56 - Prediction 2: Topps Leaning into 1st Bowman 12:35 - Prediction 3: Regulation is Coming to Live Selling 15:42 - Prediction 4: Case Hit Clarity 17:15 - Prediction 5: Panini Pivots to Entertainment IP? 19:23 - Prediction 6: Live Selling Continues to Grow 21:15 - Prediction 7: No Clear #2 Grading Company Emerges 23:09 - Prediction 8: Serious Product Delays from Topps 23:52 - Prediction 9: Topps Chrome Football Hobby Box Pricing 24:39 - Prediction 10: Doubling Revenue in 2026 25:43 - Prediction 11: Pokemon’s 30th Anniversary Boom 26:25 - Prediction 12: The Search for a Co-Host! 27:50 - Fan Prediction: Topps Football Prices Skyrocket? 29:10 - Fan Prediction: Is Soccer Undervalued? 30:30 - Fan Prediction: Will PSA Volume Decline? 31:34 - Fan Prediction: Mass Boycotts Coming? 36:35 - Fan Prediction: Can BGS Make a Comeback? 37:39 - Fan Prediction: Baseball Market Heats Up 39:56 - Fan Prediction: Losing Trust in Grading Companies 41:53 - Fan Prediction: "The Hobby" vs. The Business 44:38 - Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clever Cuban Cards, AKA Alex, kicks off this week's episode with a discussion on the recent controversies surrounding the Snype auction platform, highlighting the technical glitches and questionable activities that have raised eyebrows in the community. He shares his skepticism about Probstein's future, emphasizing the importance of choosing trustworthy sites for buying and selling cards. The conversation then shifts to PSA's recent changes in turnaround times and pricing, with personal experiences factored in. Despite all that, he acknowledges the value PSA brings to the market and the liquidity it offers. CCC also touches on the pricing dynamics of Topps Chrome basketball releases, questioning the impact of high initial prices on resale values. As the episode concludes, he shares what he's thankful for from the Sports Cards Nonsense Media Network to all of you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Hobby Handbook, Joe from Cut the Nonsense, joins host Alex, AKA Clever Cuban Cards, to talk hobby hot takes from singles vs wax, Jeter vs ARod, the relevance of WWE cards, whether the hobby actually wants accurate grading and more. They also share insights on the rising trends in the baseball card market, focusing on Shohei Ohtani's influence. The conversation shifts to the high-stakes world of high-end card chases and their potential impact on the hobby's future. The guys also discuss brand loyalty and customer service in the hobby when it comes to local card shops. Tune in and let us know what you think of the episode in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Hobby Handbook, Alex AKA Clever Cuban Cards dives into the latest happening in the sports card grading market, focusing on the challenges faced by collectors and sellers in choosing between PSA and SGC. The discussion highlights the impact of grading turnaround times, market liquidity, and the strategic decisions by grading companies that affect hobbyists' choices. Alex and guest Cole explore the implications of SGC's shift to a boutique operation and the dominance of PSA in the market. They analyze the profitability of grading with each company, considering factors like grading fees, potential profits, and market demand. Alex also dives into Topps' massive week or pre-releases and releases and the challenges of navigating pre-orders and market pricing, before finishing with a mailbag featuring your questions. Have a question for a future episode? Be sure to leave it in the comments! Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 1:17 - Topps Release Overload 4:56 - MLB Debut Patches 8:45 - Cosmic Chrome 13:08 - Live Mailbag 14:45 - SGC vs PSA 33:57 - Mailbag Use Code SCN for 20% off your first Arena Club purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of The Hobby Handbook,  @CleverCubanCards  is joined by Alex AKA  @armyatc22 , a great follow in the hobby space who you may have seen going viral on social media. Alex starts the episode by sharing a Learn From My Mistakes episode on timing your sports card pickups wisely and not falling into major hype moments, like right now with the Dodgers and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. How important is community and networking in the hobby? It's been a major tool for Alex whose made some amazing connections in the sports cards world. 0:00 - Buying at the Wrong Tine 3:00 - ArmyATC22 Joins the Show 4:30 - Networking 16:00 - Arena Club Big Pulls 17:50 - Content at Card Shows 19:30 - Going Viral with Ja'Marr Chase 23:40 - Give Small Shows Love 28:40 - Breaking 44:12 - Lightning Round 53:30 - Mailbag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode of The Hobby Handbook with  @CleverCubanCards  is a lesson on how to start or grow your hobby business or side hustle. We're joined by Jim AKA THX10SportsCards, who's relatively new to making the sports card hobby his business. Alex walks him through how he'd recommend growing his hobby business from Whatnot to social media and beyond. Have a question for Alex? Leave it in the comments, or consider booking your own consultation. Join Clever Cuban Cards on Whatsnot on Sundays at 2 PM EST and Wednesdays at 7 PM EST! Sign up now for $15 off: https://www.whatnot.com/invite/clevercubancards 0:00 - Card Consultations 3:50 - THX10SportsCards Joins the Show 6:00 - Getting to Know Jim 9:00 - Finding Good Deals 12:45 - Sourcing Cards 15:50 - Registering as a Business 21:00 - Market Places 26:45 - Don't Start Cards at $1 27:50 - Getting Caught Up on Comps 32:15 - Hobby Math 38:50 - Stream Pre-Saves 41:00 - Growing on Social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Alex make a mistake in selling his Shohei Ohtani Rookie Auto in 2023? He shares the epic story of making that sale and reflects on whether he regrets it. After nearly two years of hunting for a replacement, Alex finally found a replacement Ohtani that he wanted to buy this weekend at the Nashville Card Show. Not only did he buy that Ohtani auto, he spent the most money he's EVER spent at a card show while buying about 1,700 cards at the show. What's the difference between the BOAT and the GOAT? Clever Cuban Cards shares why he thinks Ohtani is the BOAT right now and likely forever. Chapters: 0:00 - Learn From My Mistakes 11:40 - Ohtani BEST Buy in Cards Right Now 14:30 - Nashville Card Show 16:20 - Setting Up as a Dealer 20:56 - Buying Strategy 33:00 - Mailbag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the case hit era over? Are there too many case hits? Does the hobby know what THE case hit is? This week's episode covers that and more with JetBreakers' Trent who joined us on his day off from the Air Force. Trent also share his hobby history, how he got into breaking, and who he collects, with Pete Alonso top of the list. "This is a hobby, it shouldn't be stressful," is Trent's take on making the hobby a business for him, albeit not his full time job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn from my mistakes! Clever Cuban Cards talks about holding onto a Shohei Ohtani card that he kept putting off selling and then made a massive profit on in 24 hours. How can you learn from this? Then, Adam Palmer who creates the Daily Nonsense videos on the SCN channel joins the show to talk all about creating hobby content. Adam went from being a graphic designer to creating daily hobby content. Adam also shares what he collects from Call of Duty to McDonald's toys. The guys also commiserate on the end of the Boston Red Sox's season. Where does Adam find his hobby news to be able to create daily content on all things sports cards and collectibles? How do Adam and Alex avoid hobby burnout as full-time content creators in the sports card hobby? 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - Learn From My Mistakes 2:49 - Meet Adam Palmer 12:40 - Gary Vee Inspiration 14:33 - Bowling As a Card Alternative 17:15 - Avoiding Hobby Burnout 21:00 - Hard Work in Content 25:30 - Adam's Secret Sauce 29:30 - Goal Setting 33:20 - Alex's Tips For Avoiding Burnout 36:00 - Social Media is Not Reality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Hobby Handbook, Alex AKA Clever Cuban Cards dives into the MLB playoffs with predictions and insights, sharing his thoughts on the Tigers, Guardians, Red Sox, and more. He also tackles the controversial topic of PSA's price hikes and grading turnaround times, offering a candid look at the impact on the sports card hobby. From personal grading mistakes to a comprehensive grading guide, this episode provides valuable tips for collectors looking to maximize their card investments. Clever Cuban Cards details everything from understanding the nuances of grading and choosing the right grading company to grade with, to evaluating the financial and condition aspects of your cards. As always, he adds his personal experiences and insights to help you learn. This guide to card grading also covers the common pitfalls to avoid, the tools you need, and how to prepare your cards for grading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendan Willis joins the show to talk all things football, from the Titans being in trouble, to the Colts looking like a complete team, and what Joe Burrow's injury means for sports card collectors. They also discuss whether setting up at cards shows is worth it, the better QB class: 2020 or 2024, thoughts on Fanatics taking over the NFL license and Brendan's rapid fire sports card takes. Plus, Clever Cuban Cards goes on his latest hobby rant: People complaining about sealed box prices is getting out of hand. On the flip side, are deals on slabs gone? Or where can you find a good deal? Be sure to check out Brendan's football Whatnot stream tonight at 6 pm CT! He's joining the Clever Cuban Cads team and Alex will be chatting in the comments with everyone tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vintage vs modern sports cards: what's better? We welcome Gordy Bonker from Bonkers Cards to The Hobby Handbook for an in-depth exploration of the debate between modern and vintage collecting. Clever Cuban Cards and Gordy discuss the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the intricacies of content creation in the hobby industry and how to scale in the business. Gordy also shares his personal journey, insights into the card market, and the challenges of balancing media presence with business operations. Whether you're a collector, investor, or just curious about the hobby, this episode offers a bit of it all. Beyond the interview, Clever Cuban Cards shares his latest lesson in "Learn From My Mistakes" and went on a bit of a rant about AI usage in sports card advertising. Plus, are Downtowns over-saturated already? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices