We know dozens of variations of collectible cards. Before we look at specific types of cards, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basic terms that you can encounter most often in collecting:

a) collection/series - manufacturers of trading cards create individual collections (or series) in which they are dedicated to a specific league (mostly collections are divided by seasons), team/representation or a specific group of players/athletes.

b) set - part of the collection are the so-called sets. These are mostly thematic, visually separate types of cards that make up one set. It can be e.g. a set of goalkeepers, a set of rookies, a set of veterans, or any other theme, or connection of players selected in the set (captains, rivals, legends, the possibilities are practically unlimited).

c) lot - you can come across this term mainly in advertisements for the sale or exchange of cards. Very simplified, a lot of cards means a higher number of cards that mostly have something in common (e.g. Marián Gáborík lot of cards, HC Košice lot of cards). They may or may not come from the same collection or set.

Basic classification of card types

Cards can be divided into 5 categories as part of basic recognition.

At the beginning, we will explain the individual concepts that you may come across most often. We will help with this with common English expressions that have become global over time.

Basic cards

Basic cards, also called base cards. It can be said that these are the most common cards that are produced in large quantities in each collection and are inserted into packs with the highest insertion ratio. They mostly contain a minimum of over-the-top elements.
*With this first type, we will pause briefly and return a few paragraphs - to the term "set". All bases or the basic cards of the collection form a set, in this case, "base set".

Inserts

Insert cards - Inserts have a given ratio of insertion into packs. The ratio is determined by their costs and the size of a particular advertising set. Advertising sets, unlike the basic ones, have their own name, a different design, contain a lower number of cards, and at the same time have their own numbering (note, not the limitation, but the numbering of the card, which usually appears on one of the upper corners of the cards).

Parallels

Parallel cards - the so-called parallel is visually very similar to its basic version. However, it is distinguished by the color design or the embossed limit on the front or back of the card. Parallel cards are rarer and at the same time inserted in a lower ratio than the basic versions.

Signatures

Signature cards - as the name suggests, these are cards that contain the player's signature. Of course (unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer), it is always the athlete's original signature.

Signature cards (often you can also meet the label "auto" card) can be divided into 3 variants:

a) hard signed cards - these are cards that players sign directly on the card. Among the signature cards, they are the rarest

b) sticker/label cards - the player signs sheets with small stickers that are additionally stuck on the card. The player never had this card in his hands, which is why it is considered by collectors as a card with a lower value compared to a hard-signed one. However, the player's signature is also original in this case.

c) hobby signature cards - cards of various types (bases, inserts, parallels) that fans have personally signed by the player. Due to the fact that the originality of the signature is guaranteed only by the card holder himself, this card cannot be equal to the official card in terms of (collectible and financial) value and has more of a commemorative value for the card holder himself.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia cards - these are cards with a piece of game material (unless stated otherwise) from the equipment section. With this type of card, you may also come across the label Relic. The most common parts of the cards are jersey pieces (jersey cards and patch cards), hockey sticks (stick cards), pucks, balls, boots, nets, or various other materials. These cards are usually limited and can also contain the player's signature (as you already know thanks to this article, it can be hard-signed - a signature directly on the card or a sticker/label - a sticker with a signature stuck on the card).

Existuje ešte niekoľko ďalších, špecifických druhov či označení kartičiek, ktoré si spoločne rozoberieme v ďalších článkoch.