If you are buying, selling, or ripping graded Pokemon cards, you will see three names over and over: PSA, CGC, and BGS. They are the major grading companies, and the grade on the slab has a huge effect on a card's value. Here is what each one means and how to read a grade with confidence.
What grading actually does
Grading is when a third-party company inspects a card, assigns it a condition score (usually on a 1 to 10 scale), and seals it in a tamper-evident plastic case called a "slab." Graders evaluate four main things:
- Centering - how evenly the borders are aligned
- Corners - sharpness and wear
- Edges - chipping or whitening
- Surface - scratches, print lines, and gloss
A graded card is worth more than a raw (ungraded) one because the grade removes guesswork about condition and proves authenticity. The same card can be worth a few dollars raw and hundreds in a high grade.
The three major graders
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
PSA is the most recognized name in card grading and generally carries the most market liquidity, especially for Pokemon. A PSA 10 ("Gem Mint") is the grade most collectors chase, and PSA 10s usually command the highest and most consistent prices because demand is deepest. PSA uses a single overall grade from 1 to 10.
- Reputation: the market standard for Pokemon.
- Scale: one overall grade (1-10), with "10 Gem Mint" at the top.
- Why it matters: widest buyer pool, so easiest to sell at a fair price.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
CGC came from the comic-grading world and has grown fast in trading cards. CGC is known for strict, detailed grading and a clean slab. A CGC 10 "Pristine" (a perfect card across all subgrades) is rarer and tougher than a standard 10, with "Gem Mint 10" just below it. CGC has strong credibility, though for Pokemon it generally trades a step behind PSA on price.
- Reputation: strict and well-respected, rising in popularity.
- Scale: 1-10, with "Pristine 10" above "Gem Mint 10."
- Why it matters: great grading quality; slightly smaller price premium than PSA for most Pokemon.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
BGS is the long-standing authority known for subgrades - it prints separate scores for centering, corners, edges, and surface on the label. The legendary BGS 10 "Black Label" (a perfect 10 on all four subgrades) is one of the most prestigious grades in the hobby and can carry big premiums. BGS is especially valued for modern high-end cards.
- Reputation: the subgrade specialist; Black Label is iconic.
- Scale: 1-10 with half-point steps and four subgrades; "Black Label" is a perfect 10/10/10/10.
- Why it matters: subgrades give granular detail; Black Labels are highly prized.
Which grade is worth the most?
For Pokemon specifically, the rough order of market value at the top end is:
- PSA 10 - usually the most liquid and highest-demand for most Pokemon cards.
- BGS 10 Black Label - rarer and prestigious, can exceed PSA on elite cards, but thinner buyer pool.
- CGC 10 Pristine - excellent and strict, generally a slight discount to PSA for Pokemon.
This is a generalization. For a specific card, always check recent sales for that exact card in that exact grade, because demand varies by set, era, and card.
How to read a slab
- Find the company name (PSA, CGC, or BGS) on the label.
- Read the overall grade (the big number, 1-10).
- For BGS, check the subgrades - four numbers for centering, corners, edges, surface. The overall grade is roughly the weakest link.
- Note the label color - BGS Black Label and CGC Pristine signal perfect cards.
- Check the cert number - you can verify it on the grader's website to confirm the slab is real.
What this means when you rip online
When you rip graded cards online, the grade and grader are already locked in - which is part of the appeal. You can see exactly what you pulled (for example, "1999 Base Set Charizard, PSA 9") and its market value, with no waiting weeks for grading or risking a low grade yourself. Knowing how PSA, CGC, and BGS compare lets you judge a pull's value instantly.
On Slab Station, every card is professionally graded and vaulted, and each pull shows the grade, grader, and estimated market value up front. Browse what's in the machine.
Last updated June 2026. Grading standards and market premiums evolve - check recent sales for any specific card and grade before buying or selling.