Sports Cards Live episode 287, Part 4. We tackle the hobby’s messiest gray areas: PSA’s first graded card and whether it was trimmed or just hand-cut, how language (“house bids,” “single panel,” “perforated”) shapes value and trust, and why some collectors say trimming is worse than shilling—while others disagree. We break down the Bird/Magic/Dr. J triple-panel rookie labeling across graders, the “I’ve got a higher offer” negotiation killer, and what Fanatics’ anti-shill policy should look like in practice. Plus, quick hits on the NBA betting scandal and how integrity headlines can ripple into card markets.

What you’ll learn

• The difference (and stakes) between hand-cut vs. trimmed—and why it matters for grading and value

• How graders label Bird/Magic/Erving when separated (“single panel,” “perforated”) and what buyers should check

• The spectrum of shilling (semantics vs. manipulation) and how platform policies/loopholes actually work

• Why “I have a better offer” often nukes deals—and a simple script to defuse it

• Practical bidding tactics to avoid getting nudged: late max bids, ceilings, and BIN/Best Offer pivots

• How league betting scandals and injury-report gamesmanship can affect pricing sentiment

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