Card Condition Guide
At CardNest, we want Pokémon enthusiasts across Canada who love the hobby and enjoy building their Pokémon card binders to feel confident in every Pokémon card they purchase online. We're lifelong Pokémon fans ourselves – we grew up with Pokémon, rediscovered the joy of opening packs as adults, and now share that passion through our carefully curated single cards and mystery packs.
Most of our Pokémon singles are sleeved immediately after opening, so the majority are Near Mint or Lightly Played. Every card is reviewed by hand under proper lighting before being listed, and we use a conservative approach when describing condition – if we're unsure between two condition categories, we always choose the lower one.
This Pokémon card condition guide explains how we describe Near Mint, Lightly Played, Moderately Played, Heavily Played and Damaged cards at CardNest, so you always know what to expect when shopping for singles in Canada.
Pokémon cards can look very different in person than they do in photos. That’s why CardNest uses a clear, consistent condition system based on straightforward, easy-to-understand descriptions – not inflated condition claims or vague terminology. Our goal is to make it simple to know exactly what you’re getting, whether you’re building a deck, upgrading a binder or picking out a favourite Pokémon.
Here is how we describe condition on CardNest:
- Near Mint (NM) – very clean card with minimal wear, close to pack fresh.
- Lightly Played (LP) – small signs of play, still very presentable in a binder or top loader.
- Moderately Played (MP) – clearly visible wear but still sleeve playable.
- Heavily Played (HP) – heavy, obvious wear, best for decks and binder gaps.
- Damaged – major issues such as creases or water damage; still fully described so you know exactly what to expect.
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Near Mint cards look clean and close to pack fresh at first glance. Small imperfections are only visible under good lighting and do not stand out right away.
- Little to no edge whitening on the back.
- No bends, creases or water damage.
- No major scratches – very light surface marks may be visible only at certain angles.
- Great for display, gifts and anyone who enjoys cards in excellent condition.
Lightly Played cards show small, honest signs of use but still look strong overall. They work well in binders and decks where you do not need a perfect copy.
- Small amounts of whitening on the back edges or corners.
- Light surface scratches or marks visible when tilted toward light.
- No deep creases or structural damage.
- A great choice if you want a card that still looks good and is ready for casual play or binder display.
Moderately Played cards have clear, visible wear. They are still perfectly fine for sleeved play but but may not be ideal if you prefer cards in very clean condition.
- Noticeable whitening and edge wear on the back.
- Multiple scratches or scuffs on the surface.
- May show small shuffle creases or minor warping.
- A practical choice for players or anyone who simply wants the card without needing a high-condition copy.
Heavily Played cards show heavy, obvious wear. They still function in a deck but look very worn.
- Strong whitening and chipping around edges.
- Deep scratches, scuffs or clouding on the surface.
- May include larger creases or strong warping.
- Ideal for very casual play or for anyone who simply wants the card without focusing on condition.
Damaged cards have significant flaws and are best for very casual play or anyone who simply wants the card in any condition.
- Large creases or folds.
- Water damage, ink transfer or heavy staining.
- Tears, missing pieces or deep indents.
We list damaged cards only when clearly labelled, with photos or notes so you know exactly what to expect.
When we mention “rare” in product descriptions, we are using the standard Pokémon TCG rarity symbols:
- ● Circle – common
- ◆ Diamond – uncommon
- ★ Star – rare cards and other TCG cards that use a star symbol
You can find the rarity symbol near the bottom of the card, beside the card number and set symbol.
If you ever want extra photos of a specific card before buying, you can contact us at cardnest.ca@gmail.com or visit our FAQ for more details about shipping and packaging. We are happy to provide additional pictures or details so you can feel confident in your purchase.