SCD Live X Fanatics Live

Yes, you heard right – the biggest and best live breaks in the hobby are back on Fanatics Live! We’re talking big breaks, big hits, even bigger giveaways, and the best community – all in the palm of your hand. With Fanatics store takeovers, launch-day breaks, and even streams live from Silverstone, SCD Live is the place to experience card collecting like never before.

Whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned pro looking to get into the live-breaking scene, we’ve got you covered. We’re breaking it down for you – from what to expect, to tips and tricks to get you started, we’ve got everything you need to get in on the action.

What is a break?

We’ve all seen the viral reaction videos of the best and – sometimes life-changing cards – being pulled that are taking over our feeds. Think Patrick Mahomes NFL shield patch, Lamine Yamal rookie cards, a 1/1 McLaren dual-driver patch booklet and everything in between. Well, chances are it’s a clip from a live break you are watching – it might even be one of ours. Breaking cards has exploded in popularity in recent years, with millions across the globe taking part, but what is it?

Breaking is a fun, cost-effective way to experience the thrill of the chase. In a nutshell, card breaking is the live-streaming and real-time opening of a trading card product, be it a pack, a box or even a case. Whether you're hunting the latest rookies, rare inserts, or looking to add specific players and favourite teams to your personal collection, breaking gives you the opportunity to split the cost of box breaks with other collectors in real time.

Types of break

Although the idea is the same, not all breaks follow the same format. It’s important to understand the type of break you are watching or buying into. Here we’ll take you through some of the most popular and common formats, you can expect to see on SCD Live.

Team breaks (PYT)

One of the most common formats, team breaks or ‘PYT’ are where you buy a specific team within a product, with all cards pulled in the break for that team going to you. You’ve got the Real Madrid spot and a Jude Bellingham auto comes out, it’s yours. Got the Kansas City Chiefs and a Patrick Mahomes comes out, you guessed it, it’s yours. PYT is a great option if your collection is based around chasing your favourite teams or specific rookies.

Not all teams will be priced the same, so take your time to consider your budget, collection goals and options. Teams with the biggest autographs, rookies and all-time greats often cost more than teams with less ‘chases’ on the product checklist.

Pick your player (PYP)

Often used for products with bigger checklists or for premium products such as Reverence and Museum Collection, this works much in the same way as team breaks, you purchase a player or ‘spot’ and all cards for that player that come out of the product are yours. With the amount of spots in these types of breaks being much higher, spots are often more affordable, but keep in mind it also means it’s harder to hit.

Personals /Percy’s

Much like buying a box online, all cards in the product are yours. The only difference being that your box will be opened live, on stream by the break host. Experiencing the thrill of the big hit alongside other collectors and in real-time is a game-changer. There’s no better feeling.

Breaking down the jargon

Now you know your breaking basics, you might want to jump straight into a stream. But there’s another element of breaking that can be just as daunting at first: the jargon. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, keep scrolling for a look at some of the most common terms and what they mean. 

Respin / Stash or Pass - A specific type of break where you buy a spot for a specific price, so you have the option to randomise, or re-spin, if you don’t like your assigned spot.

BIN - One of the more unusual ones, if you hear a streamer say ‘spots are in the bin’ it’s not what you first think. ‘BIN' in breaking is short for ‘Buy it Now’ and refers to the store or product list found bottom right of your app screen (just look for the shop front icon). This is where you can see all available breaks, spots and prices and buy into a break at a set price, without bidding or waiting for an auction.

Pinned -  Often used in auction format breaks, where you bid against other users for a spot, or to fill the current break so a product can be opened. A breaker will highlight, or ‘pin’ a specific break to the bottom of your screen so you can bid or buy with a simple swipe.

Fill - The first rule of breaking, a product can not be opened until all spots are sold, to ensure everything is fair and above-board. This sell-out process is often referred to as a fill.

Mixer - This is when a variety of different products or years are combined into one break, offering more variety and value.

Sweat / slow roll - Often used by breakers to build suspense, if they see what they think could be a hit early in the break, they will often put it to one side on the screen, saving the best reveal until last.

Hit / chase card - This is the one you want to hear. The one we’re all chasing. A ‘hit’ is a highly collectable card. Better than a base card it can be a refractor, rookie, auto, short print, insert or memorabilia. If in doubt ask the breaker, they’ll be more than happy to explain why your specific card is considered a hit in that product.

Grail - The ultimate chase card. The one card in a product that has the most value and demand. Think of your low numbered Cooper Flag, Kimi Antonelli and Lamine Yamal rookies. The dream!

Tips for getting started

1. Know your collection - Defining your collection and goals early can really help with picking your spots, helping you save money and making sure you have a collection you love. If you are buying for your collection, anything can be considered a hit.

2. Take it slow - When starting out it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement. We’ve all been there, so we always recommend when starting out to take it slow. Maybe watch a couple of breaks without buying in so you can fully understand what is happening, how it works and get an understanding of the types of product being pulled.

3. Set a budget - This one sounds obvious, but FOMO in breaking is real. Setting a budget ensures you don’t get carried away. Remember no purchase guarantees a hit, so be comfortable with what you are spending.

4. Know the product - A quick look at a product checklist and knowing how many cards come out of a product can help you make decisions on what spots to take down and what you are chasing. If in doubt just drop a question in the chat, our breakers are experts on the products they’re breaking and are always happy to help.

5. Join the community - The best part about breaking is the community. You will get to know regulars in breaks and who they are chasing and collecting. It’s always good to celebrate each other's pulls, and chat with collectors in the stream, it’s what makes breaking different. 

Now you’re ready to join the action and snag some big hits! Catch us on the Fanatics Live app for the latest products, best vibes, and massive hits. What are you waiting for?

New to Fanatics Live? Use this link https://www.fanatics.live/ref/sports-cards-direct to grab £20 free credit when you spend £5 on your first live break with us. It’s a no-brainer, come and get involved.