The Mayday Games Blog

From games like poker and Magic the Gathering to collectible sports or comic cards, cards have many different purposes and uses. There can be lots of ways to enjoy them alone, or with groups of friends. While cards can be a lot of fun, and can provide a lot of entertainment, understanding their origins and how to care for them can add to your appreciation of your favorite cards. If you are looking to know more about your cards and how to best protect them so that you can get the most out of them, here are some things to keep in mind.

The Origins of Cards and Card Games

Card games are nothing new. In fact, different forms of card games have been around for centuries. However, the exact origins of traditional card games are not clear. Some early forms of card games originated in ancient China, while other forms of traditional card games may have got their start in Italy. Traditional cards may also have ties to tarot cards, where the symbols for the heart, diamond, spade and club may have come from.

Since the humble origins of card games, many other types of card games have proliferated. One of the most popular kinds of card games, trading card games, were developed in the early 1990s. Magic the Gathering is one of the first and most popular trading card games. Other games like Pokemon have also become highly popular.

Different Types of Cards

There are lots of different types of cards, in addition to traditional playing cards that you would use for games like poker or rummy. While these cards can come in many different sizes and styles, they only represent a small portion of the kinds of cards that you can play games with.

Besides playing cards, trading cards are also incredibly popular, and important to protect, especially if you have a rare card. Many may be familiar with things like sports cards, comic cards and Pokemon cards. You may also know about Yu-gi-oh cards, or Magic the Gathering ones. These are all examples of trading cards. They can be used to play with others, or can simply be collected. Whatever you choose to do with your cards, it is important to make sure that you are taking good care of them, if you want them to last for a long time.

Best Ways To Care for Your Cards

Whether you play with your cards regularly or usually keep them put away, it can be important to take steps to protect your cards well. Asking how much do card sleeves cost can be the first step to ensuring that you are approaching care for your cards the right way.

In many cases, the best way to protect your cards, whether you play with them or not, is to purchase card sleeves for them. Card sleeves come in a variety of sizes, so no matter what kind of cards you have there is often an option for protecting them.

When seeking out sleeves for your cards, you need to make sure that you find the right fit. If you try to use card sleeves that are too small, it could end up damaging or bending your cards. If you use ones that are too large, they may not damage your cards, but it could leave a bigger opening, and not protect your cards as well as you would like.

Benefits of Protecting Your Cards

Some may be interested in protecting their cards, but may not understand all of the benefits. Some may think that protection for their cards is simply an extra expense that they don't need. While it may be okay to leave your cards unprotected if you are okay with wear and tear, if you want your cards to be durable for a long time, card sleeves can be the way to go. A card sleeve is one of the simplest options, and often one of the most effective for storing your collection properly.

One of the primary benefits of protecting your cards is extending their longevity. The more that your cards are used or left outside of a sleeve, the more likely they are to tear, get scuffed, or dirty. They are also much more likely to become discolored or stained. These are just some of the regular things that could occur during regular use. This does not include accidental occurrences like spilling liquids on your cards.

Not only can a tear, stain or liquid damage make your card more difficult to play with, but it can also lower the value of your cards, as well. This can be a big issue in particular for those who collect cards for their value, or for those who buy cards to resell them.

While buying sleeves for all of the cards in your collection may seem like a big investment upfront, the reality is that it can save you money over time, especially if you collect cards for their value. A sleeve can help keep it safe from many different forms of damage.

Additionally, if a standard sleeve does not seem like it will provide enough protection, double sleeving is another option. With double sleeving, you put one sleeve on, and then layer another over it. The first would go on from bottom to top, and the second from top to bottom. This can help keep your card even more protected, especially from any kind of water or liquid damage.

A Few Final Thoughts

From poker players to comic card collectors, there are many types of card lovers out there. Whether the point is to keep cards protected while you play with them to extend their longevity or to preserve your cards to help increase their value, there can be lots of reasons to want to take care of your cards. Using card sleeves can be a simple solution for those that want to keep their treasured cards safe. Check out Mayday Games to see what they have to offer, and to find card sleeves that will work for you and your collection.