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Grading & Conditioning
Understanding card conditions is essential for buying and selling on Cardjutsu. This guide defines our marketplace conditioning standards and explains professional grading scales.
Marketplace Conditioning Scale
All singles listed on Cardjutsu must be graded using this standardized scale. We do not allow "Mint" or "Gem Mint" as a marketplace condition — cards in that state should be listed as Near Mint. Accurate grading ensures trust between buyers and sellers and reduces disputes.
The condition of a card is determined by the number and extent of imperfections it exhibits. We evaluate three aspects of a card's integrity: its structure (physical stability), playability (ability to be used as a game piece), and authentication (ability to be verified as legitimate).
Near Mint
- Surface:
- No scratches or scuffs. Surface is clean with no clouding.
- Edges:
- Clean and sharp. No whitening.
- Corners:
- Crisp, no softening or bending.
- Overall:
- The card looks nearly unplayed. Minor imperfections only visible under close inspection are acceptable. Standard condition for cards fresh from a pack or stored with care.
Lightly Played
- Surface:
- A small scratch or minor scuff may be present.
- Edges:
- Slight whitening on one or two edges.
- Corners:
- Slightly soft but not bent.
- Overall:
- The card is in excellent condition and fully sleeve-playable. Imperfections are minor and only noticeable upon close inspection.
Moderately Played
- Surface:
- Light scratching, minor surface clouding, or scuffing visible.
- Edges:
- Noticeable whitening across multiple edges.
- Corners:
- Multiple soft corners or minor bends.
- Overall:
- The card is clearly used but structurally sound. Imperfections are visible at arm's length. Bends or light creases may be present as long as they do not compromise the card's structural integrity.
Heavily Played
- Surface:
- Surface scratches, water damage staining, or heavy clouding.
- Edges:
- Heavy whitening across all edges.
- Corners:
- Bent or heavily worn corners.
- Overall:
- Significant wear from extensive play or poor storage. Still identifiable and intact. Must still be able to be authenticated and cannot be structurally damaged.
Damaged
- Surface:
- Major creases, tears, holes, writing, ink marks, or tape residue.
- Edges:
- Missing portions, severe peeling, or splitting.
- Corners:
- Missing material or severe bending.
- Overall:
- Severe damage affecting structural integrity or appearance. May not be tournament-legal. Includes cards with alterations (stamps, signatures, paint, marker), crimping, or significant miscuts.
Foil Cards
Foil versions of cards are evaluated by the same criteria as their non-foil counterparts. Some imperfections may be more noticeable on foil surfaces. Foil cards may be more prone to curling — excessive curling that prevents the card from lying flat may result in a lower condition grade.
Defects & Alterations
Manufacturing defects such as crimping and significant miscuts automatically make a card Damaged regardless of other imperfections. Cards with alterations (stamps, signatures, paint, marker) are also considered Damaged. Sellers should clearly disclose any defects or alterations in the listing description and include photos. Cards with foreign substances (food, liquid, or other material) are not eligible for sale on Cardjutsu.
Professionally Graded Cards
Sellers may list professionally graded cards from recognized grading companies. Graded cards are exempt from the marketplace conditioning scale and instead use the numerical grade assigned by the grading company. Buying graded cards means you're purchasing a card that has been independently evaluated, authenticated, and sealed in a tamper-evident case (slab).
- Grading Company must be specified (e.g., PSA, BGS, CGC, TAG).
- Certification Number — the unique serial number for independent buyer verification.
- Authenticity — only cards in their original, sealed grading cases. Re-cased or tampered slabs are prohibited.
Recognized grading companies include PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), Beckett (BGS), CGC (Certified Guaranty Company), TAG (Technical Authentication & Grading), ACE Grading, ARS Grading, and AGS (Automated Grading Systems).
What to Expect When Buying Graded Cards
- An independently verified condition grade
- Authentication confirming the card is genuine
- A tamper-evident sealed case protecting the card
- A certification number you can verify online
Grading is subjective — the same card may receive different grades from different companies, and higher grades command significantly higher prices.
Cardjutsu is a DBA of Rift Emporium LLC and uses the same conditioning scale across the Rift Emporium family.