Mike makes bad choices with pliers

I'm celebrating a milestone in my collecting journey as I finally get ahold of the last card I was missing from my full "intended" set. Alpha omitted two cards, which were corrected in beta, and until now I've been missing one of them. The only problem: it came in a slab, and I want it raw. We'll resolve this incongruity with bad choices and a pair of pliers.
#MagicTheGathering #LimitedEditionAlpha #VolcanicIsland
Check out the complete set here:
• My Complete MTG Alpha Set
**
I'm Mike, the Alpha Hoarder, and I'm sharing/documenting my wild collection here on YT. Join me while I ramble about old cards and MTG finance, and look at cool stuff.
[e-mail]
Mike the AlphaHoarder @ 375 Carlls Path #73, Deer Park NY 11729

[@tartuffethespry]

Now you need a raw Lotus to really REALLY complete the binder set

[@AlphaHoarder]

I know... it's itching at me. But that's a lot of capital just to satisfy my ocd tendencies 😂

[@Wasteform]

Your channel is among my favorites regardless of topic. I'm so incredibly tired of sensationalized viral topics, negativity and catastrophizing, clickbait, and generally feel-bad content that seeks to hijack my emotions. You just geeking out over something you're passionate about with thoughtful commentary is so incredibly refreshing and welcome. Thanks for continuing to do this!

[@AlphaHoarder]

I really appreciate that comment-- thanks for watching 🤜🤛

[@TavisKingsChannel]

I agree

[@alexparsons3295]

You needing it raw over slabbed. Me needing it in a cube over a binder. We all have our preference :)

[@AlphaHoarder]

lol indeed!

[@honigson8776]

congrats to this timeless piece, beautiful

[@Road_to_Tolaria]

Thanks for sharing and glad to be part of that collecting milestone for you. It is a stupendous copy! I completed a smaller project recently, a NM playset of all the CE dual lands. I never was a fan of those as a kid but I was much younger then as well. The colors look beautiful to me today and in a quadrow binder, they really shine.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Ohh nice! Yeah those colors are great, I bet that's an awesome binder.

[@Wipokorp]

Congrats on reaching your milestone 😊 Raw is how it was intended. Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Thanks

[@AlphaHoarder]

Appreciate you watching 👍

[@jimmiploug2333]

What an absolute gem. Congrats on the "complete" collection. You deserve it! 🙌

[@AlphaHoarder]

Thanks 🙏 🤜🤛

[@Lmatdhr]

Awesome stuff Mike I love seeing you making videos and still enjoying collecting

[@AlphaHoarder]

I do still love it-- Hasbro can't take that from me!

[@TNTtjah]

Amaizing cards, thanks to share this with us 🙂.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@homesaucemagic]

The plastic shards can really damage the card so I’d recommend cleaning the mat before placing the raw card back on top and sliding it over the surface. Congrats on volc!

[@AlphaHoarder]

Solid advice. I found a few tiny fragments that I hadn't spotted. Looks like I've got to commit this whole mat to the vacuum!

[@christhemagnif]

Well done! When I saw the Volcanic Island on your Alpha-centric channel I knew something was off I just couldn’t place it right away 😅 That scissor step made my palms sweat 😂

[@AlphaHoarder]

Honestly that's the most stressful part. The shadow of the scissors always covers the cutting line 😬😅

[@pyrotelekinesis7253]

Nice work, congrats!

[@CMPixelPaws]

Beautiful Volcanic Island!

[@LN_997]

God the thumbnail and title had me expecting the worst 😂 It's neat to see you showcase this stuff as someone who will probably never be able to afford it.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Perhaps it was a little click baity 😅 Glad you enjoyed!

[@arej00ryan]

truely a beautiful snapsnot of history!

[@drunkmtg2264]

I like to use a vice and wear safety goggles. Almost shot my eye out one time Ralphie style.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Yeah same, that's why I cover it in a cloth before cracking now. Those pieces really go flying!

[@laneabdulla9748]

The top loader binder was exactly what I was going to recommend!

[@AlphaHoarder]

Oh nice! Really starting to like these things

[@TripsAhoy]

Very nice! That binder would gice me a chub everytime i look at it lol.

[@AlphaHoarder]

🤣

[@mfdoom1898]

I really like that binder. Looks sweet. The new alpha binder is ba dass too

[@Bantha_Rider]

Congratulations mate looks beautiful

[@AlphaHoarder]

Thanks 👍

[@seanjelle]

beautiful card. I keep my ARN set in a similar toploader binder. Been using it for a year now and so far it seems good. I also didn't feel comfortable having them in any old regular binder

[@AlphaHoarder]

Oh nice, glad to hear that's working out. It does feel a lot safer this way.

[@MrRockguy84]

well done, never seen these cracked open so was unsure of the safest way of cracking them

[@AlphaHoarder]

Safe is a relative term of course 😅 but so far no casualties using that approach. Thanks for watching!

[@EngineerfifeninerO]

Something addicting about completing playsets of cards.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Sure is!

[@Alphonsoinvestments]

Nice Binder! I just got a new set of binders too!

[@AlphaHoarder]

Nice! I always enjoy reading-arranging the binders lol. Hope you've been well!

[@scootletawny3886]

Mike, ya gotta get an Alpha Timberwolves graded for your collection. That card is the magic of magic!

[@AlphaHoarder]

I love timber wolves!

[@TavisKingsChannel]

That top loader binder is pretty cool.

[@Alphonsoinvestments]

First time seeing one, pretty cool indeed!

[@Alphonsoinvestments]

The only MTG KZbin to use the phrase "We have got to go to the Screwdriver" XD

[@AlphaHoarder]

🤣

[@Nabraham1]

"They used to be in here...but seriously i sold out, thanks for watching!" Kidding! Thanks again for posting and congrats on the 2k!

[@AlphaHoarder]

🤣 that would be an epic way to announce that I'd bailed on the hobby haha. Oh yeah 2k slipped right by me but that's a cool milestone considering my awful upload schedule...!

[@TavisKingsChannel]

😂

[@atunga5]

What a beautiful card!! I also prefer raw cards, same exact reason as you: you cannot admire and appreciate the card in a slab. So I crack all graded cards I buy. BTW I use what I think is a safer method. I use a dremel to make an incision on the top corner between the two parts, then the screw driver method very slowly to pull them apart. All my slabs are in two full pieces. Anyway again great card and nice reorg project.. Hopefully you are able to share some of the migration and/or the final result

[@AlphaHoarder]

Nice tip -- I'll try that approach next time. The plier portion of the operation is usually pretty safe, but I have seen some of the slabs crack in a way that can then put pressure on the card when you try to pry it open. Your method might avoid that risk 🧐

[@Torch_of_Sin]

I never knew toploader binders existed!

[@bacontator6855]

I recently bought a good condition tropical island and a good condition tundra from card kingdom. Going to have all ten dual lands one of these days 🎉

[@AlphaHoarder]

Nice!!

[@ralphthegnome]

Get a full page sheet protector. Since you'll only need a few, get some HQ ones. Then put a "heavy" insert to put in there. They do make some thin metal sheets that can fit. That will add protection to the front and back card sheets, as well as some weight on the top (since ring binder lids don't normally contact the top sheet unless filled to the top). You could also add in a stylized index listing for the cards. If you still had them (probably don't but) you could put the grading labels there too for reference.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Oh, that's a great idea. I actually have a few plexiglass separators that my father made for me when I was a kid. I should look around for something a little more robust.

[@CrosswaIk]

Totally with you on raw cards. What am I supposed to do, grade everything, throw them in a case, leave it at the bank and never get to touch them or get an uninterrupted glance? What are we even doing at that rate!

[@AlphaHoarder]

Exactly!!

[@oldbordergeek]

I like that playmat.. id never crack a 9 😂

[@charlesklein213]

Where did you find the pages designed to hold top loaders? I want to buy those as well. Thanks.

[@AlphaHoarder]

I went directly to UltraPro's site for them. "Premium Series 4-Pocket Secure Pages (100ct) for Toploaders." I'm still working on re-sleeving the cards so I can't add a review to that yet. Hopefully they work as advertised!

[@magicpesto]

Congrats! You must be dialing down your purchases. I can't imagine you couldn't just trade that slabbed one in for a raw at lower value.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Ty 👍 Probably could have, but I've had a tough time tracking this cards down. It's been on my chase list for a few years now, with one transaction that went bad in the middle. It finally came up my network, and I jumped.

[@gemmintmtg4267]

Wow that is quite the card and grade to crack I was watching with my fingers mostly covering my eyes

[@AlphaHoarder]

This was definitely the most egregious slab cracking I've ever done lol 😅 btw eager to see if you have a take on Rudy's move into grading space...!

[@brendans1983]

This video is doing wonders for my anxiety 😂🍻👍

[@AlphaHoarder]

Viewer discretion advised lol.

[@Izawwlgood]

I see people opening slabs, and I don't understand why people dont use a power tool, like a jigsaw or such, to simply cut the top and tap the card out? Such a cool addition, and congrats on having the complete intended print run!

[@AlphaHoarder]

Seems scarier that way. Maybe I'll try it on something with lower stakes

[@penguinlust6749]

Not a fan of graded. I see the appeal graded cards, but I'm with you in that I prefer raw. NIce cards.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Yup, same wavelength 🤜🤛

[@Kensiky]

🔥💸

[@MrThejuzam]

set them free - good job!

[@erikchua1213]

Any chance you'll share how much you got it for? A BGS 9 quad went for 12,000 usd on PWCC last November 21, 2022

[@AlphaHoarder]

I usually dodge answering numbers questions because I don't want to come across as recommending/endorsing a particular price point for a particular card. However, that sale you are quoting is pretty much what I've been seeing for clean copies of this card for a while now, on and off platform (give or take relevant fees). This purchase was consistent with those general valuations. Hope that answers and dodges in appropriate measure 🙂

[@TheTugenukem]

My hands are shaking, my hands are shaking :D

[@kefka111]

Now you just have to clip the corners to be larger so its a true Alpha card in your set. :)

[@AlphaHoarder]

😂🤣

[@Gamer-J22]

Where can I get a pair of tweezers like that?

[@AlphaHoarder]

Search Amazon for "tweezers no scratch rubber coated." There are a bunch of variations but I went for the ones with the wide end so they don't apply pressure in a small area.

[@ericwinholt]

You should post videos more, I will watch them. Lol.

[@AlphaHoarder]

I'm working on two more!

[@connorwills9862]

Anddddd insert lyrics to “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by ODB from Wutang Clan lol 😂 😂😂 “oh baby I like it rawwww!” I’m sorry I couldn’t help myself

[@AlphaHoarder]

🤣😂

[@mfdoom1898]

O oh spaghettios Oh man I thought you were actually going to damage the card or something. Glad you didn't buddy. ✌🏼

[@AlphaHoarder]

Always a little stressful 😅

[@mfdoom1898]

​@@AlphaHoarderfor sure, I'm the same, I always crack the case. I kinda can't stand graded cards.

[@Contentmango]

I was also thinking that and so when the cracking was done and went well my mind quickly went "Oh please tell me he isn't going to cut the card with those scissors somehow"

[@mfdoom1898]

@@Contentmango yes 🤣🤣🤣

[@Wayfarer_CZ]

Yea the title of the video made me a bit nervous too 🙂

[@MrSilk13642]

I have the entire original 151 pokemon set that I collected back in 1997.. I'd LOVE to have an original magic set.

[@AlphaHoarder]

I don't know anything about Pokémon, but that sounds impressive!

[@TavisKingsChannel]

In 1997 it would be Japanese Pocket Monsters.

[@MrSilk13642]

@@TavisKingsChannel Whenever the first release in the US was, sometime in the late 90s is when I collected them. Most of my 151 are 1st editions and promos from the original release and jungle release sets

[@TavisKingsChannel]

Ok, that would probably be 1999 for your WotC English Pokemon. They released some two player sets for the holidays at the end of 1998, and 1st Edition cards were in booster packs for January of 1999. Jungle should be mid 1999. Pokemon was huge back then, outselling Magic ten to one.

[@MrSilk13642]

@@TavisKingsChannel sounds about right. I collected everything over the course of grades 5&6 in elementary school and got the Mew card from the first movie

[@ballerakt]

Aren’t top loader kinda similar as looking at slabs tho?

[@AlphaHoarder]

The biggest difference for me is that I can put them in a binder so I can actually page through them and look at them. However, they do add some reflection, especially if there's any scratching on the top loaders. I'm going to try this and see, but it may turn out you're right.

[@nickweber3594]

I also prefer raw.

[@TheTugenukem]

I like the shorter videos!

[@mtgtv1384]

the intro had my heart beating a little on the fast side…

[@AlphaHoarder]

I was nervous too lol. Kept thinking how epically stupid I'd look if I had to post a video of me wrecking a card like that lol. Had to keep my hands steady!

[@zachroyce6151]

To be honest, I feel that I can't fully appreciate this content without some sort of instructions for me to follow at the end. I'm beginning to feel the anxiety of uncertainty of what I should do next to let you know I want to see more videos like this one...

[@AlphaHoarder]

Haha 😂 yeah these last two videos I forgot to add an ending reel lol. I appreciate those few who will notice 🤜🤛

[@knightsnigh4731]

My plan for my LP unlimited set I'm building is to absolutely do sleeve/toploader then a top loader binder. I've not found one as big as yours so far. Im planning on doing two smaller binders (4 pocket per page) so as to put less pressure on the cards. Obviously not as impressive as your alpha set but it still deserves the same levels of protection.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Nice-- Unlimited absolutely deserves the executive treatment too!

[@knightsnigh4731]

Absolutely agree although much like you I'm noticing my enthusiasm for finishing the set is low. Still picking up gaps on occasion but at a much slower pace. The current state of vintage (as well as the game as a whole) is making me a little nervous about long term value (25+ years). The generation handover worries me. The older collectors I know are either selling out or switching hobby which is sad to see. My kids and their friends all want Pokémon and have shown zero enthusiasm for magic...

[@AlphaHoarder]

Yeah that cloud hangs lower these days, unfortunately.

[@KykyJyky]

CLICK BAIT! hahah. Awesome card, Mike.

[@AlphaHoarder]

Had to capture the uncertainty I was feeling at the time lol

[@KykyJyky]

Thank goodness! It would be such a disaster to see such an incredibly nice card come to harm. Are you going to double sleeve with perfect fits in that binder as well? Something scares me about those binder pages, like they feel like they could whip around easily with the weight of top loaders in there. Or will you be inserting the top loaders slot-side down so that nothing can fall/fly out?

[@AlphaHoarder]

I'm going to have to experiment a bit to see how these things behave… I've not used the style of page before, but it's definitely looser than I hoped. 🤔

[@Possu81]

Instant -5k$ :(

[@AlphaHoarder]

Could have been worse 😬 but since I don't plan on selling it, I don't really mind giving up the on-paper premium. Nonetheless, I don't advise people to follow my example on this one lol!

[@Hellseeker1]

Man sleeve it up and play dat shit

[@AlphaHoarder]

I'd be terrified to shuffle 🤣

[@justinwarden8698]

Hi! Tavis mentioned you might be in the market for an alpha lotus. If so -- let me know and I'll email the email listed here. Looking to free up cash for a downpayment.

[@AlphaHoarder]

I don't happen to be in the market for a Lotus right now, but I wouldn't mind having your contact info if you wanted to share it by email, in case that changes and you are still selling :-)