Sports Card Lessons Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: Ken Cairns

A weekly podcast of lesson's I've learned in the Sports Card hobby, card show recaps, and interviews with key people in the hobby.

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PSA 9 vs PSA 10 | Deals with friends | What is low pop? | BGS blind reveal
Today at 2:52 AM

This episode we answer listener questions.. PSA 9 vs PSA 10 value separation, Making deals with friends good or bad? When is low pop really a factor. Zip also does a blind BGS grading order reveal. Wednesday Night Live 9/16/2026 SCL HC S9E16


QB Hype vs Performance & hobby value
Last Saturday at 6:31 PM

This episode I break down current QB markets into 3 groups and show most are overrated and why some could be sneaky investments. I also break down rookie card values and pop counts. SCL S9E15


PSA new grading level | Ohtani on IL | NFL Card Market all 32 QB's
Last Friday at 12:23 AM

This episode we talk about PSA's new grading level, Ohtani on IL, & With NFL back who's market we like and who's we don't on all 32 QB's. Thursday Night Live 9/10/2026 SCL HC S9E14


Does the hobby value greatness?
09/06/2026

This episode, I take a deep dive into NFL greatness vs. hobby value. I compare the greatest QBs, RBs, and WRs of all time to their actual sports card markets. Does greatness equal card value? I also share some recent pickups.. SCL S9E13


2000's Jordan Cards |SGC | Buying raw cards| Sicker Autos on high end cards
09/04/2026

This episode we talk about SGC raising prices & turn around times, Are they setting the standard for the big 3 future of grading? We also are doing a very spicy POP or CHOP that includes 2000's Michael Jordan cards, sticker autos on high end cards, buying raw cards to grade and more. Thursday Night Live 9/3/2026 SCL HC S9E12


Forget Modern QB's are the 80's the next boom?
08/30/2026

This episode I talk about why it makes sense for me to be buying and investing in 80's Football hall of famers and staying away from prospecting ultra modern QB's. I share my top 5 players to chase. SCL S9E11


2021 Hobby Bubble vs 2026 | NFL Season Predictions | Zip's big deal
08/28/2026

This episode we talk about the 2021 liquidity bubble vs the 2026 scarcity-and-quality boom, We give our 2026-27 NFL Predictions, & Zip shares his massive lot pickup. Thursday Night Live 8/27/2026 SCL HC S9E10


Is SHAQ The Next Hobby Breakout?
08/24/2026

This episode I talk about Shaquille O'Neal's market doubling since mid July and share 7 cards $525 and under that may still have the ability to rise even higher. SCL S9E9


Prospecting HOF Players | Dealer POV | Vintage Market Update
08/21/2026

This episode I bring on guest co-host Steve Loff @ sl_pc_ to talk about prospecting Hall of fame players, highs & Lows from behind the table at card shows, and Steve gives us a vintage market update. This Live Thursday Night Episode 8/20/2026 SCL HC S9E8


Flight to Quality - Is the hobby money moving to the best cards?
08/15/2026

This episode I talk about my plan in the hobby for the next year that also aligns with what i'm seeing in the card market.. "flight to Quality" a shift in the hobby with many people liquidating ultra modern inventory and re-investing in GOATS, HOF's, Vintage, and rare & scarce cards. I also share a few rare pickups. SCL S9E7


Flagg Debut Patch Pulled | Top 10 players trending | Hobby Math w/Zip
08/14/2026

This episode we talk about the Cooper Flagg Debut patch card being pulled, top 10 players moving up over the last 30 days, hobby math with Zip. Thursday Night Live 8/13/2026 SCL HC S9E6


The National 2026 final recap
08/08/2026

This episode we recap Day 4 & 5 at The National 2026. Carmine & I talk about day 4 & 5 traffic, sales, pickups, trade night, and our overall National experience. SCL S9E5


Theft at The National | Raw selling better than Graded | Grading Landscape
08/07/2026

Only four days after The National, we dive into the five hottest topics that have the sports card hobby buzzing. Thursday Night Live 8/6/2026 SCL HC S9E4


The National 2026 day 3
08/01/2026

This episode we recap Day 3 at The National 2026. Carmine & I talk about day 3 traffic, sales, pickups, trade night and missing cards.. SCL S9E3


The National 2026 Day 2
07/31/2026

This episode we recap Day 2 at The National 2026. Carmine & I talk about day 1 traffic, sales, pickups and the trade night issues.. SCL S9E2


The National 2026 Day 1
07/30/2026

This episode we recap Day 1 at The National 2026. Carmine & I talk about day 1 traffic, sales, and pickups. SCL S9E1


National Prices | Prospecting = Gambling | Death of the rookie card | POP or CHOP
07/24/2026

This live Thursday night episode 6 days before The National we talk about card prices at The National being inflated, Prospecting is gambling, The death of the rookie card, & another installment of pop or chop. 7/23/2026 SCL HC S8E50


What's More Important... The Cards or the Money?
07/18/2026

This episode I talk about seeing all the content from Fanatics fest and wonder what is more important to the content creators and the watchers.. The cards or the money? I also share a recent pickup and a few highlighted cards from my National inventory SCL S8E49


Spend 10K | Mahomes Pricing | Singles | Barry Bonds Market
07/16/2026

This episode is all listener questions.. How would you spend 10K in the hobby, Mahomes pricing, buying singes, Barry Bonds Market, & more. This Wednesday Night Live 7/15/2026 SCL HC S8E48


Was it worth it?
07/12/2026

This episode I share some of my inventory for The National and I discuss buying at comps, purchase price, & current value and decide what cards were worth holding and what should have been a quick flip. SCL S8E47


Getting ready for The National | WC Picks | Zip's PC Pickups
07/10/2026

This episode we deep dive into prepping for The National. Everything you need to know along with some tips, tricks, & good advice. We look at the final 8 teams in WC and make our predictions. Zip also shares some PC pickups. Thursday Night Live 7/9/2026 SCL HC S8E46


Is PayPal still safe for sports cards
07/05/2026

This episode I deep dive into PayPal G&S purchase protection to see if we're still covered when shipping sports cards. I also share new inventory pickups for The National. SCL S8E45


Mid Year Hobby Report Card - Winners, losers & 2nd half predictions
07/03/2026

This episode we take a look back the 1st half of 2026 in the hobby. We also look ahead to the 2nd half and make some predictions. Thursday Night Live 7/2/2026 SCL HC S8E44


Buying Strategies - Risk vs Reward
06/27/2026

This episode I talk about changing up my buying strategies buying more for quick flips and less to hold for in season selling. I recap a local show and talk about TCG dealers filling up tables at local shows. SCL S8E43


Hobby Relationships | Lunch break deals | POP or CHOP
06/26/2026

This episode we talk about hobby relationships and how important they are. We talk about Zips lunch break deal & another installment of POP or CHOP. Thursday Night Live 6/25/2026 SCL HC S8E42


Wax or a Repack?
06/21/2026

This episode I talk about deciding to buy a repack over wax. I also recap the EC3-CON Show at Mohegan Sun Casino in CT. SCL S8E41


What we're buying | World Cup With @specialonecards | Prospecting Soccer
06/19/2026

This episode Big Ken & Zip talk about what we're currently buying. We bring on @specialonecards host of The90 Soccer Podcast to talk world cup, prospecting soccer, & what happens to the soccer market when The World Cup is over. Thursday Night Live 6/18/2026 SCL HC S8E40


Trading at card shows
06/14/2026

This episode I recap the Causeway Card show and talk about making some trades and how fair should trading be. I also share my show pickups SCL S8E39


TCG Take Over | Is winter coming | Buying strategies
06/12/2026

This episode we talk about TCG taking over card shows, Gary Vee comments that winter is coming in the hobby, & our current buying strategies. Guest co-host tonight Corey Donahue @Collect4good & Bigger than cardboard Thursday Night Live 6/11/2026 SCL HC S8E38


No Internet at a card show.. Disaster or Opportunity?
06/07/2026

This episode I talk about being at a card show with no wi-fi or cell service. I recap 2 weekend shows and share pickups. SCL S8E37


The Sports Card Hobby Should Be Slowing Down... So Why Isn't It?
06/05/2026

This episode we talk about what is driving the hobby & why it isn't slowing down. Thursday Night Live 6/4/2026 SCL HC S8E36


This market is about to explode
05/31/2026

This episode I talk about the football card market getting ready to take off. I also recap 2 weekend shows with pickups. SCL S8E35


PSA Pausing Grading | Have we hit the ceiling on GOATS | TOPPS Case Hits
05/29/2026

This episode we respond to PSA breaking news and we answer listener questions. Thursday Night Live 5/28/2026 SCL HC S8E34


Does the economy affect the hobby?
05/24/2026

This episode I talk about the current state of our economy and what affect it has on card shows. I recap the Foxwoods show & share today's pickups. SCL S8E33


Does the hobby have a pricing problem? | Over Priced Cards | TOPPS vs Panini
05/22/2026

This episode we take a look at recent record sales on some ultra modern & modern cards, Are these cards over priced? We compare TOPPS vs Panini QC & Gem Rate. Thursday Night Live 5/21/2026 SCL HC S8E32


Who gives the best comps?
05/17/2026

This episode I ask who do you trust for comps? What sample size do you need in sales to trust the higher comps. I also recap the Mount Kisco card show. SCL S8E31


PSA's Big Announcement | TOPPS retail Sitting | NFL Schedule Release
05/15/2026

This episode we discuss PSA's big announcement, TOPPS products sitting on retail shelves | and the NFL Schedule release. Thursday Night Live 6/14/2026 SCL HC S8E30


Buying SSP Low Pop Cards & The North Haven Card Show Recap
05/10/2026

This episode I talk about buying an SSP low pop card and ask the question should I ship to PSA for quick partner sale with small profit or bring to shows and swing for the fences.. I also recap The North Haven Card Show my 1st show as a promoter. SCL S8E29


PayPal G&S Denials | TOPPS Chrome Football | Bowman Basketball
05/08/2026

This episode we talk about PayPal G&S high volume denials - POP or CHOP is back with some spicy topics.

TOPPS Chrome Football | Bowman Basketball | Fanatics Fest | World Cup Soccer | MJ Cards

Thursday Night Live 5/07/26 SCL HC S8E28


Know the value of your cards
05/04/2026

This episode I recap the Northeast Sports Card Expo, a 2 day 350 table show in Stanford CT. I also talk about knowing the value of your cards if you plan to sell them at card shows. SCL S8E27