Should I Open My Pokémon Cards or Keep Them Sealed?

As a Pokémon card collector, one of the most common questions you‘ll encounter is whether you should open your sealed products or keep them sealed for potential future profits. This is an especially relevant issue today, as the Pokémon TCG market is red hot, with rare and vintage sealed products selling for insane amounts.

So what‘s the best move – open or keep sealed? As with most collecting hobbies, there‘s no definitive right or wrong answer. It ultimately comes down to your personal collecting philosophy. However, looking at some key factors can help guide your decision.

The Case for Opening

For many collectors, the thrill of ripping open fresh packs and seeing what you get is a huge part of the hobby‘s appeal. Here are some of the benefits of choosing to open your sealed Pokémon items:

• It‘s fun! Simply put, opening packs is exciting. That suspense of not knowing what rare cards could be inside is addicting. There‘s nothing quite like the thrill of pulling an ultra rare card from a fresh pack.

• You can use the cards. By opening your sealed products, you can integrate those cards into your collection. This gives you more options when building decks, collecting your favorites, or filling out your set binders. Keeping things sealed prevents you from interacting with the contents.

• No guarantees on sealed. While sealed items can increase in value over time, that‘s never a sure thing. Values can also decrease if there‘s not ongoing demand. You are guaranteed to get cards by opening.

• The hunt for valuables. Even in new sets, there are often secret rare and ultra rare cards worth good money. You might pull the next Charizard or Pikachu illustrator! Opening gives you a shot at big hits.

• Mix things up. Collecting can become monotonous if you just accumulate sealed product. Cracking packs injects excitement and suspense into the hobby.

The Case for Keeping Sealed

On the other hand, there are some excellent reasons to keep your Pokémon cards sealed:

• Guaranteed resale value. While not immune to market fluctuations, sealed items tend to hold or increase their value over the years, especially vintage sets. You are guaranteed some future value.

• Scarcity. Once opened, it‘s gone forever. Keeping items sealed preserves their limited supply. This scarcity drives up resale prices.

• Condition. Cards inside sealed product are protected. No chance of dings, scratches or wear. Mint condition commands premium prices.

• Display. Sealed products just look cool. They make great display pieces and can be conversation starters.

• Potential jackpot. Although the odds are long, there’s always the possibility a sealed box or pack contains an insanely valuable misprint or super rare card. You only have a shot at this if unopened.

• Future unboxing. While sealed items can be sold, you also have the option of opening later. Makes for fun unboxing videos!

• Investment. The sealed TCG market has seen huge growth lately. Holding sealed provides opportunity for your collection‘s value to grow exponentially.

Key Factors to Consider

When deciding open vs. sealed for your specific Pokémon cards, keep these key factors in mind:

• Age and rarity. The newer something is, the less likely sealing makes financial sense. But for older, out of print sets, sealing has more upside.

• Your collecting goals. Are you more interested in capturing value or engaging with the cards? There‘s no right or wrong here. Know your motivations.

• Display options. If you want to show off the actual cards, then sealing doesn’t accomplish that. But sealed products do make attractive display pieces.

• Cost basis. If you pulled a valuable card, you essentially have no cost basis. The potential gains from grading and selling are greater.

• Set content. Some sets have more value density than others. For example, 1st Edition Base Set packs have massive potential. Recent sets, less so.

• Personal value. Do you gain happiness from the act of opening itself? That‘s worth factoring in beyond just financial considerations.

• Market conditions. During hype peaks, selling sealed tends to be more profitable. In downturns, ripping packs can be the better play.

Best Practices for Safely Opening Cards

If you do decide to crack open some packs, proper care is essential to avoid damaging your valuable cards:

• Use microfiber cloths or latex gloves when handling. This prevents finger oil transfer and smudges.

• Open packs gently from the bottom, gripping tightly to avoid tearing the wrap. Never rip from the top.

• Carefully slide the shrink wrap off rather than tearing it. Unwrap slowly.

• Remove cards gently and begin sleeving immediately in quality sleeves like Dragon Shield or KMC.

• Stack cards and sleeved cards should be stacked, not shuffled around.

• Consider “perfect fit” style inner sleeves on especially valuable hits, like PSA 10 contenders. Double sleeve.

• Store opened cards in a secure, climate-controlled room away from direct light, moisture, and pests.

• Handle cards by the edges or sleeves only. Never touch the card faces or backs.

• Avoid unnecessary bending, flexing, or other physical stress on cards when unwrapping packs and sorting contents.

Following these best practices helps ensure your newly opened cards remain in pristine, collectible condition once out of the packaging.

Should I Open My Evolving Skies or Keep It Sealed?

Evolving Skies is a popular recent set with strong chase cards like the Umbreon and Rayquaza VMAX alternates. This makes it a frequent open vs seal debate. Here‘s a quick breakdown on Evolving Skies specifically:

The case for opening Evolving Skies:

• Fun to rip with cool Pokémon recently relevant in GO
• Alternate arts and secret rares have great eye appeal
• Hits can be played in competitive TCG decks
• Major hits like Umbreon VMAX sell for $200+ graded

The case for keeping ES sealed:

• As a new 2021 set, sealed premium not very high yet
• Modern sets often see print runs for years, limiting sealed investment upside
• Loose booster boxes can be found under $150 still
• Big gamble on finding a PSA 10 alternate art vs. buying single

With Evolving Skies, most collectors recommend ripping packs for the enjoyment and shot at big hits. Keeping new series sealed is generally better for holding extremely long term. For modern sets, the big gains happen several years later.

Should I Keep Unopened Pokémon Cards?

For vintage, out of print Pokémon card products, keeping packs sealed and unopened tends to make the most financial sense. Here‘s a closer look at why:

• Scarcity automatically drives up prices. A 1999 pack no one can access has rarity.

• Condition is perfect. No risk of damage means higher grades and premiums.

• Nostalgia grows over time. "Unopened since 1999" becomes more novel and desirable.

• Big investment upside. Compared to opened vintage packs, sealed packs have seen 100X+ gains in some cases.

• Guaranteed authentic. Scammers can reseal opened vintage packs. Sealed packs offer proven provenance.

• You can still open later for fun. With proper storage, sealed items preserve opening as a future option.

Again, there are no definitive right or wrong answers here for your own collection. But for maximizing monetary value over decades, keeping vintage sealed tends to be the smartest move. If you just want some nostalgia ripping at a reasonable price, you can find loose vintage packs online.

Card Storage and Protection Tips

However you choose to collect Pokémon cards – sealed, opened, or both – protecting your investment via proper storage methods is crucial. Here are some tips:

• Store cards in a cool, dry, indoor environment away from moisture, sunlight, heat, and pests. A climate-controlled area is best if possible.

• Keep cards in protective sleeves and top loaders when not being handled or displayed. Seal vintage packs in acrylic cases.

• Organize cards neatly in binders, boxes and albums designed for card storage and protection. Avoid just tossing cards into random boxes.

• Handle cards with care by the edges and sleeves only. Never touch the exposed surfaces of a card.

• Avoid exposing cards to food, liquids, dirt, dust, and other contaminants during storage, handling, or transport.

• Consider a dedicated safe or bank safety deposit box for your rarest and most valuable cards. This adds a layer of protection against theft or disaster.

• Insure your collection via a collectors insurance provider if it contains extremely valuable cards.

While obsessive babying of cards isn‘t required, taking reasonable steps to care for your collection will help preserve value and keep your cards protected.

Are Pokémon Cards Worth Holding Onto?

In general, Pokémon cards have proven to be a worthwhile investment over decades of collecting. Key factors that contribute to their ongoing value growth:

• Nostalgia always grows. Cards from childhood take on more meaning over time.

• Scarcity increases. Out of print cards become harder to find in great shape.

• Pop culture relevance. Pokémon remains an iconic franchise with lasting appeal.

• High collectibility. Cards appeal to collectors and investors beyond just gamers.

• Condition sensitivity. Mint cards command exponentially higher prices than played copies.

However, to realize growth potential, being highly selective is key:

• Choose early era cards (WOTC black star promos, 1st Edition base, etc)

• Target PSA 10 or BGS 10 copies. 9‘s or below see far lower gains.

• Chase the hyper rare Charizards, Pikachus and Lugias.

• Keep any sealed product sealed, especially booster boxes.

With the right cards in the best condition, Pokémon still offers collectors major value growth in the years ahead. But not every card or set will necessarily increase. Smart investing is required.

Is Sealed Pokémon a Good Investment?

The sealed Pokémon card market has exploded over the past few years, with vintage booster boxes reaching astronomical prices at auction. While the recent hype has cooled a bit, sealed Pokémon products remain a potentially lucrative investment if approached carefully.

Here‘s what makes sealed Pokémon a good investment category:

• Scarcity – Only so many sealed boxes were produced, especially for early sets.

• Nostalgia – Iconic box art and logos become more sentimental over time.

• Preserved condition – Sealed means pack fresh mint condition.

• Fun unboxing appeal – Opening vintage packs is hugely popular on YouTube.

• Non-financial value – Displays beautifully. Overall collectibility.

However, high prices and potential bubble risk requires thoughtful investing:

• Research past sales thoroughly to avoid overpaying.

• Focus on truly scarce vintage items, not modern sets.

• Be extremely wary of possible resealing. Verify authenticity.

• Don‘t expect the insane 500%+ gains seen at bubble peaks to continue short term.

• Hold very long term – 5-10+ years for the best risk-adjusted returns.

With reasonable expectations and a focus on iconic vintage sets in great shape, sealed offers major investment upside for savvy Pokémon collectors.

Is It Smart To Invest in Pokémon Cards?

Pokémon cards have been one of the hottest alternative investing niches in recent years, with ultra rare cards selling for millions and seismic gains on sealed products. But past performance doesn‘t guarantee future returns. Is Pokémon really a smart investment play?

The bull case

• Iconic brand with multigenerational appeal

• Literally childhood nostalgia = powerful emotions

• Scarcity of vintage sealed and PSA 10s

• Pop culture and influencer interest growing

• Wider acceptance of alternative investing

• Past price appreciation and volatility

The bear case

• Potential bubble risk from speculators

• Modern print runs massive, reducing scarcity

• Condition sensitivity leads to counterfeits

• Volatility also means risk of big downturns

• Small market dependent on relatively few mega-collectors

• Long-term brand relevance unknown

With careful selection of the right cards and a long-term mindset, Pokémon still appears to represent a viable alternative investment category. But prudent risk management is critical, as with any collectible. This is not a surefire road to riches. Spotting opportunities early and avoiding excess speculation provides the best opportunity for gains.

Will Pokémon Cards Go Up in Value in 10 Years?

Predicting long term investment outcomes is always tricky. But if history is any guide, today‘s Pokémon cards likely will increase substantially in value over the next decade, at least for the most desirable and rare cards.

Vintage Pokémon cards from the 90s and early 2000s have vastly increased over 20+ years since first release:

• 1st Edition Charizard Holo – $500 in 1999 → $300,000+ in 2022

• Sealed Base Set Booster Box – $100 in 1999 → $400,000+ in 2022

• Shadowless Holographic Charizard PSA 10 – $150 in 2000 → $600,000+ in 2022

While past performance doesn‘t guarantee future results, it appears strong pop culture generational nostalgia for Pokémon, combined with the built-in scarcity of out of print sealed products and mint condition cards, creates ideal conditions for ongoing value appreciation.

However, investors should be highly selective, focusing on the following:

• Iconic, recognizable Pokémon – Charizard, Pikachu, Mewtwo, etc.

• True vintage (WOTC era or older)

• PSA/BGS graded 10 copies

• Sealed boxes and booster packs

• Demonstrated market demand and liquidity

More modern series and common cards likely won’t see nearly as robust growth as the rarest vintage collectibles. But given Pokémon’s lasting cultural significance and collector appeal spanning generations, the cards seem likely to continue climbing in value over the next 10 years and beyond.

Card Investment Considerations

Hopefully this detailed overview gives you plenty to think about as you build your own Pokémon card collection as an investor or hobbyist. Here are some final tips:

• Focus on what you enjoy – Ultimately collecting should be fun! Invest in cards that appeal to you personally rather than chasing big money.

• Research diligently – Use pricing guides, past sales data, consensus valuations and expert input before any big purchases.

• Take condition very seriously – Heavy emphasis should be placed on only buying PSA/BGS 10s.

• Diversify – Collect a variety of different rare cards and sealed items across many eras and sets. Don‘t put all your money into one asset.

• Hold long term – Give your sealed items and graded cards 5-10+ years to appreciate before considering selling.

• Manage risks – Collectibles have crashes too. Invest only what you can afford to lose and monitor mania levels in the market.

• Store safely – Keep your collection in a protected, controlled environment using top loaders and sleeves.

• Insure valuables – High value collections merit insurance appraisals and coverage.

• Enjoy the journey! Building a card collection over many years can provide great satisfaction and memories.

Whether you ultimately decide to open or keep products sealed, take your time, do your homework, follow your passions – and may you pull that ultra rare Charizard!