The Hobby Handbook

Alex Llansó
  • 5.0 (25)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Hobby Handbook, your go-to guide for turning passion into profit in the world of sports card collecting. Hosted by the Clever Cuban Cards, this podcast peels back the layers of the fast-growing trading card industry, showing how a simple hobby can become a side hustle or even a full-time gig. From flipping cards to grading, building community to leveraging market trends, each episode dives into the real business behind the cardboard. Whether you're ripping packs for the thrill or stacking slabs with intention, The Hobby Handbook is here to help you use the hobby to fund the hobby. Featuring collectors, creators, and industry insiders, the show offers inspiration, education, and behind-the-scenes access to a world full of potential. Because this isn’t just collecting, it’s building. Let’s get into it. Whatnot - https://whatnot.com/invite/clevercubancards YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CleverCubanCardsTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clevercubancardsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/clevercubancards/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577842226204Website - https://www.clevercubancards.com/

  1. 1D AGO

    Which Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card Is Best to Buy? Konnor Griffin Heat + Bowman’s Best

    In this episode of The Hobby Handbook, Alex aka Clever Cuban Cards and Trent aka JetBreakersTrent dig into one of the biggest collector questions in the hobby: if you had real money to spend on Shohei Ohtani, which rookie card would you buy and why? They debate flagship vs. Chrome, paper vs. refractor, pitching image vs. batting image, and which Ohtani cards feel strongest as long-term holds.They also get into the hobby trends happening right now, including Konnor Griffin’s exploding market, Lucas Ramirez spikes tied to the World Baseball Classic and spring training, whether now is the right time to sell ahead of The National, and why some hot prospect cards are better moved quickly than held too long.Plus, they talk through Topps Now, the Shohei Ohtani and John Cena card, an Arena Club trade, Topps taking over the football license, concerns around Jayden Daniels autos, and why Bowman’s Best remains one of their favorite baseball releases of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min

  2. MAR 5

    Are Whatnot Sellers Ruining the Hobby? New Co-Host Reveal + This Week’s Hobby Chaos

    Clever Cuban Cards kicks off a new era of The Hobby Handbook by officially introducing a new co-host: Trent Litjes (AKA JetBreakersTrent)First, Alex and Trent do a quick Trent deep dive, including his background as an active-duty U.S. Air Force captain, how he got into collecting, and why he keeps cards as a fun side hustle (plus who he’s chasing right now and why).Then they jump into the hobby chaos of the week, including the latest Whatnot “crashouts” and the bigger conversation around live-selling behavior, misleading comps, and what platforms (and buyers) should learn from it. They break down the Steph Curry 1 of 1 plate situation, the dangers of “value talk,” and why sellers need to control risk with proper starting prices.Alex also shares a major update: Clever Cuban Cards’ eBay Live debut, plus a promo he’s running to give every buyer a free Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, or Bobby Witt Jr. card with purchase.From there, they hit more hobby craziness: a retail theft story (involving taco seasoning, yes really), a warning about AI-style Facebook scams claiming you can get a “free sealed case” for a shipping fee, and practical tips to avoid getting burned.To close, they answer a great listener question: How do you price cards after you comp them? They talk cash-now vs. hold strategies, eBay fees, supply on the market, rare card pricing, and why you can’t get anchored to what you paid if the market moves. Plus, a quick tease for a Hobby Handbook March Madness bracket challenge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m

  3. FEB 26

    Topps Replaced 5 Missing Autos: This Is What They Sent

    In this episode of The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards breaks down the Topps Pristine “missing hits” situation and what happened after Topps confirmed five missing autographs and tried to make it right. The turnaround was fast, but the replacement autos and their value raise a bigger question: What does “making it right” actually mean in a $470+ box product? Then we pivot to a full recap of the Nashville Card Show from both sides of the table: what it’s like as a dealer, how to negotiate as a buyer, and practical habits that help you get better deals without wasting your time. We also get into favorite pickups, the “go find another one” pricing mindset for rare cards, and why checking what’s currently listed matters just as much as checking comps. To close it out, CCC recaps an Arena Club massive hit, talks through the buyback decision, and teases a big update coming next week. If you're new to Arena Club, use code SCN for 20% off your first purchase. Drop your take in the comments: If a company shorts guaranteed hits, what’s a fair replacement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min

  4. FEB 19

    2026 MLB Season Preview: Best Card Buys & Rookie Sleepers

    This week on The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards is joined by Jetbreakers Trent to break down everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 MLB season. But before we get to the baseball, we have to talk about Clever Cuban's horror story about ripping 2026 Topps Pristine (missing 5 autos in 4 boxes!) and the frustrating state of "insufficient evidence" claims when you get shorted. The duo also dives into the latest news at PSA regarding price increases and slower turnaround times, debating what this means for the bulk submission market and why Clever Cuban canceled his Collector's Club membership. Then, they shift gears to the diamond to preview the World Baseball Classic, identify Spring Training breakout candidates, and discuss which rookie sleepers you should be buying now—including names like Chase Burns, Christian Moore, and Jonah Tong. They also debate whether Pete Alonso to the Orioles is a buy or a bust and if Jackson Chourio can lead the Brewers deep into the playoffs. Finally, Alex and Trent go head-to-head in a "$10 Card Portfolio" challenge to pick their MVPs, Aces, and Top Prospects for the upcoming year on a budget. And, Alex shares his latest Arena Club trade, asking who won and who lost. If you're new to Arena Club, use promo code SCN to get 20% off your first slab pack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  5. FEB 12

    How to Figure Out the Value of Your Sports Cards

    On this week's episode of the Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards is diving deep into the most common question in the hobby: how do you figure out what your cards are actually worth? He breaks down the difference between list price and sold price, and walks you through the exact tools he uses, like 130 Point and CardLadder, to get accurate numbers for your collection. We also cover the latest hobby news, including country star Luke Combs' new interest in the hobby and honest thoughts on the frustrating new price hikes and turnaround times from PSA. Plus, stay tuned for the second half of the video where Clever Cuban comps viewer submissions, hunting down values for rare 1/1s and prospect autos from Caleb Williams, Paul Skenes, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  6. FEB 5

    How Packman Could Have Avoided CRASHING OUT On-Stream

    This week on The Hobby Handbook, ⁠ @CleverCubanCards ⁠ is joined by Nick from ⁠ All Day Collectibles ⁠ to break down the biggest story in the hobby: the Packman "Midnight Basketball" controversy (10:59). We look at the situation not to pile on, but to ask the real questions: how did a veteran creator end up "crashing out" on stream, and more importantly, how can sellers handle a dead room without turning on their chat? We also discuss the "guaranteed value" trap, the ethical lines of breaker culture, and why platforms might need to step up their regulations. Plus, we cover the sudden delay of Topps Pristine (1:50), the congestion of the release calendar, and give our predictions for the massive Cooper Flagg Red Geometric Auto hitting the auction block via Sports Cards Nonsense's Mike Gioseffi on Thursday. Today's Episode is presented by Arena Club! Use code SCN to get 20% off your first slab pack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 14m

  7. JAN 29

    Did Topps Just Ruin Stadium Club? (Plus: Hobby Discord Drama)

    This week, Clever Cuban Cards comes to you from a frozen Nashville to break down a week filled with broken trust in the Hobby. We dive into the 2025 Stadium Club pre-order fiasco. Topps originally marketed Hobby boxes as containing 9 Chrome cards, only to quietly change the packaging and announce via email that the final product will have zero Chrome base or parallel cards. We also turn our attention to the massive fallout involving the "Ryan's Cards LLC" Discord group, including allegations of unpaid debts, questionable ownership transitions, and lifetime memberships sold by former owners. Finally, we look ahead to the Super Bowl matchup (Seahawks vs. Patriots!) and discuss selling strategies for Drake Maye cards, as well as the cards of other players in the Super Bowl. Plus, a heated defense of why live sellers can’t pay 100% comps when buying collections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min

  8. JAN 22

    The Blueprint: How To PROFIT From Bowman Draft Baseball Cards

    In this episode of the Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards recaps his first eBay Live, sharing insights from his first experience on the platform. He discusses the highs and lows of the event, including unexpected bidding wars and the challenges of extended bidding times. Alex also explores the intricacies of card valuation and the importance of pre-listing items for transparency. Plus, Montgomery Club is no longer, the best and worst Arena Club trades Alex has received and an early review of his new Haystack Scanner. The episode also features an in-depth conversation with Zach Eustis aka Zack's Bowman Hacks. Zack is a special education teacher and card enthusiast, who shares his journey into the hobby and his strategies for success in the card market. He dives deep into Bowman Draft and how he's profited already from this year's release. He also talks pitchers vs hitters and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m
See All (32)

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Hobby Handbook, your go-to guide for turning passion into profit in the world of sports card collecting. Hosted by the Clever Cuban Cards, this podcast peels back the layers of the fast-growing trading card industry, showing how a simple hobby can become a side hustle or even a full-time gig. From flipping cards to grading, building community to leveraging market trends, each episode dives into the real business behind the cardboard. Whether you're ripping packs for the thrill or stacking slabs with intention, The Hobby Handbook is here to help you use the hobby to fund the hobby. Featuring collectors, creators, and industry insiders, the show offers inspiration, education, and behind-the-scenes access to a world full of potential. Because this isn’t just collecting, it’s building. Let’s get into it. Whatnot - https://whatnot.com/invite/clevercubancards YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CleverCubanCardsTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clevercubancardsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/clevercubancards/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577842226204Website - https://www.clevercubancards.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Llansó
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Hobby Handbook

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