How Cardboard Deals works
Cardboard Deals finds Magic: The Gathering singles listed below their going market rate, so you can spot a bargain without watching the marketplace all day. Here's what happens behind the scenes.
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1. We scan the marketplaces
Throughout the day we poll eBay (UK and US) for Magic listings — raw singles, graded slabs and sealed product — recording each one we see.
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2. We identify the exact card
Each listing title is parsed to the precise printing — name, set, collector number and finish (foil, etched, borderless, showcase) — using card data from Scryfall. Graded copies are read for their company and grade (PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC).
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3. We build a market benchmark
For every card we track a rolling price benchmark, kept separate for raw and graded copies so a PSA 10 is never averaged against an ungraded card. Prices combine recent marketplace activity with external reference sources.
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4. We flag the deals
When a listing's asking price sits a meaningful percentage below the benchmark, it becomes a deal — surfaced on the live feed, on its own deal page, and (in real time) through Discord and the app.
A word on authenticity
We surface listings; we don't verify authenticity, and automated card matching isn't perfect. Always check the seller's feedback and the card's price history before buying — a price that looks too good can be a warning sign rather than a bargain. Counterfeits exist.
More questions? See the FAQ, or browse the cards.
