What trading cards can I buy at Family Haven?

Family Haven stocks singles, sealed products and accessories for Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana, Riftbound and more. We carry thousands of cards across every major trading card game.

Do you buy trading cards?

Yes! We offer competitive credit prices through our buylist. Simply search for your cards, add them to your sell cart, and submit your order. Visit our sell page to get started.

What card conditions do you sell?

We grade and sell cards in Near Mint (NM), Lightly Played (LP), Moderately Played (MP), Heavily Played (HP) and Damaged (DM) conditions, so you can choose the quality and price point that suits you.

Do you offer foil and special edition cards?

Yes, we stock foil, holo, reverse holo, etched foil, surge foil, textured foil, 1st edition, and many other special print variants where available.

How does shipping work?

We ship across the UK with fast, tracked delivery. Orders are packed securely to protect your cards in transit. Check our shipping policy for full details on rates and delivery times.

What is the difference between a booster box and a booster pack?

A booster pack is a single sealed packet containing a randomised set of cards, typically 10-15 cards depending on the game. A booster box contains 24-36 booster packs (varies by game and set) and is the most popular way to open cards in bulk, often at a lower per-pack price.

How do I know if a trading card is rare or valuable?

Card rarity is indicated by a symbol or letter printed on the card itself. In Magic: The Gathering, look for the set symbol colour — common (black), uncommon (silver), rare (gold), or mythic rare (orange). Pokémon cards use symbols like circles, diamonds and stars. Yu-Gi-Oh! uses star levels and foil patterns. A card’s market value depends on rarity, condition, demand and whether it sees competitive play.

What does NM, LP, MP and HP mean for trading cards?

These are standard condition grades used across the trading card industry. NM (Near Mint) means the card has minimal to no wear. LP (Lightly Played) shows slight edge wear or minor surface scratches. MP (Moderately Played) has noticeable wear, creasing or whitening on edges. HP (Heavily Played) shows significant wear but the card is still tournament legal with a sleeve. DM (Damaged) means major creases, tears or water damage.

Are trading cards a good investment?

Some trading cards have appreciated significantly in value over time, particularly rare, graded cards from popular sets. However, the market fluctuates based on supply, demand and competitive meta changes. Cards in Near Mint condition with professional grading (PSA, CGC, BGS) tend to hold value best. As with any collectible, only invest what you can afford and focus on cards from games and sets you enjoy.

What is the best trading card game to start collecting?

The most popular trading card games are Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, each with decades of history and strong communities. Newer games like One Piece, Lorcana and Riftbound are growing rapidly and offer more affordable entry points. The best game to start with depends on whether you prefer competitive play, collecting, or artwork — many players enjoy multiple games.

How can I tell if a Pokémon card is authentic?

Genuine Pokémon cards have a consistent weight and thickness, a thin black layer visible from the card edge, sharp and vibrant printing, and a slightly textured front surface. Fakes often feel thinner, have blurry text, misaligned borders or lack the dark core layer when viewed side-on. Buying from reputable sellers and checking set numbers against official databases like Bulbapedia or the Pokémon TCG app helps verify authenticity.

What are the most valuable Magic: The Gathering cards?

The most iconic high-value MTG cards include Black Lotus, the Power Nine (Ancestral Recall, Time Walk, Mox Sapphire, etc.), and dual lands from Alpha and Beta sets. In modern sets, chase mythic rares, serialised cards and special art treatments can command premium prices. Card values fluctuate with competitive play demand, reprints and collector interest. Sites like TCGPlayer and MTGGoldfish track current market prices.

How do I protect and store my trading cards?

Use penny sleeves as a base layer, then hard toploaders or semi-rigid holders for valuable singles. For long-term storage, keep cards in binder pages or card boxes away from direct sunlight, humidity and temperature extremes. Double-sleeving (inner sleeve plus outer sleeve) is standard for competitive play decks. For high-value cards, consider professional grading from PSA, CGC or BGS which seals the card in a tamper-proof case.