The Hobby Handbook

Alex Llansó
  • 4.9 (28)
  • 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. 6H AGO

    Why Sports Card Prices Are Out of Control

    Are sports cards becoming too expensive for the average collector? In this episode of The Hobby Handbook, we’re joined by Gary LeMaster and Jason Otero from The Ball Card Show to break down what’s really happening in the hobby right now. From skyrocketing wax prices and overloaded release calendars to the growing gap between breakers, hobby shops, and everyday collectors, we dive deep into why so many people feel priced out and whether that feeling is actually justified. Tune in to Clever Cuban Cards' upcoming ⁠⁠eBay Lives on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm ET⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m

  2. APR 23

    Fernando Mendoza: Bust or Breakout? + Trey Yesavage Sparks Hobby Controversy

    The NFL Draft is Here! Clever Cuban Cards and Trent dive into the upcoming NFL Draft and take a closer look at Fernando Mendoza. Does he have true franchise potential, or are expectations getting too high? We also break down the current state of Topps Chrome Football, from skyrocketing box prices to what the singles market is telling us, and whether ripping wax still makes sense right now. Next, we respond to recent concerning comments from Trey Yesavage, about signing cards for fans, and discuss what that means for collectors in the hobby. Finally, with less than 100 days until the National, we talk about what you need to do NOW to prepare! 00:00 – Intro 00:45 – NFL Draft preview + Topps activation 01:30 – Should you buy Topps Now cards? 02:45 – Topps Now strategy + BGS 10 chase 04:30 – Topps Now “conspiracy” talk 04:55 – Breaking down the 2026 NFL Draft class 06:00 – Football needs a “Paul Skenes” moment 06:50 – QB comps (Mendoza + others) 09:45 – Sleeper QB to watch (Taylen Green) 11:00 – Topps Chrome Football first impressions 12:30 – “Can this card pay for the box?” game 14:50 – Jackson Dart price crash explained 16:30 – Why singles beat ripping boxes 17:20 – Burrow card comparison (NT vs Topps Chrome) 20:00 – Rookie cards not covering box prices 22:00 – Fanatics pricing + hobby frustration 26:00 – Fixing the hobby (Geoff Wilson idea) 31:10 – Trey Yesavage controversy 36:30 – National prep: what you NEED to do now 47:00 – PSA grading conspiracy + final thoughts Tune in to Clever Cuban Cards' upcoming ⁠eBay Lives on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm ET⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 9m

  3. APR 16

    Topps Chrome Football Prices Are Already Exploding

    Topps Chrome Football is finally here, and the hobby is already reacting in a huge way. Clever Cuban Cards and Trent break down release day prices, early singles sales, Breaker’s Delight buzz, and whether Topps Chrome Football is already getting too expensive for collectors. They talk through hobby boxes vs. Breaker’s Delight, the Fanatics credit card debate, and the bigger question of whether this kind of wax appreciation is actually healthy for the hobby.They also react to early sales for stars like Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward, discuss whether ripping or selling sealed is the smarter move right now, and look ahead to other major upcoming releases including Bowman Baseball, Topps Chrome Black Baseball, Topps Chrome Cosmic Basketball, Select WNBA, and more.Later in the episode, they get into eBay and Whatnot policy changes around cancellations, debate Bowman’s new design, touch on Jac Caglianone's slow start, and throw around a fun MLB rule-change idea. Tune in to Clever Cuban Cards' upcoming eBay Lives on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm ET. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min

  4. APR 9

    Why The Fanatics Credit Card Is Actually a Smart Move for Collectors

    In today's episode of The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards  breaks down the biggest takeaways from Day 1 at the Topps Industry Conference, including Fanatics’ focus on wax health, more entry-level products, and what a sustainable hobby should actually look like. He also gives his honest reaction to the new #fanatics credit card, why he’s planning to apply, and which perks could actually matter for collectors. From there, he talks through Fanatics Collect’s response to shipping complaints, the frustrating #topps Chrome Football release experience, why EQL may still be the better system, and how his new Ricoh auto-feed scanner setup with Card Dealer Pro could help scale his sports card business. Plus, a quick update on his Arena Club “trade me anything” challenge. Use code SCN for 20% off your first Arena Club Slab Pack. 0:00 - Intro 1:43 - Wax Health 9:55 - Fanatics Credit Card 18:00 - Fanatics Collect DM 23:20 - Topps Chrome Football 28:45 - Ricoh Scanner 36:50 - Arena Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min

  5. APR 2

    Kevin O’Leary Threatens to Sue Over Card Deal + $20K Cash Bag Left Behind

    Clever Cuban Cards and Trent are back for another wild week in the sports card hobby. They start with Bowman’s Best, including recent pulls, break ROI, standout patch autos, and why the product has been getting so much attention from collectors and breakers. Then the conversation shifts to the Huntsville card show, where Alex shares an unbelievable story about someone leaving behind a cash bag with more than $20,000 inside. From there, they get into hobby advice on carrying cash, protecting inventory, and avoiding costly mistakes at shows. They also talk about retail vs. hobby wax, why Topps has done a better job than Panini of keeping retail exciting with real chase cards, and what that means for collectors priced out of more expensive hobby boxes. They also touch on release-day website issues and whether local hobby shops should get more consumer-friendly product allocation. Later, they discuss the current baseball prospect market, including why some Bowman autos may be peaking before more rookie cards hit the market. They close with another Kevin O’Leary hobby story, as Mr. Wonderful claims he had a major card deal done before the seller backed out, and says he is ready to sue everyone involved to try to get the card. ⁠Be sure to tune into the next Clever Cuban Cards eBay⁩ Live Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm ET. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m

  6. MAR 26

    Bowman Basketball Bot Mess + Inside How a Big Card Show Really Works

    In this episode of The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards and Trent break down the Bowman Basketball release chaos, including massive wait times, checkout issues, instant sellouts, and the growing frustration around bots grabbing product before real collectors can get it. They also dive into the Yoshinobu Yamamoto market debate after a massive recent sale, asking the big question collectors are wrestling with right now: is Yamamoto a buy, a sell, or a hold? The conversation touches on pitcher risk, Dodgers hype, the international market, and whether there’s really that much upside left at current prices. Plus, they’re joined by Steven Galdis of The Flip Show for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a big card show. From vendor setup and customer service to security, staffing, food options, venue quality, and creating a clean, family-friendly environment, the guys discuss it all. It's a great look at what separates a great show from an average one. Be sure to tune into the next Clever Cuban Cards eBay Lives Thursday and Friday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 6m

  7. MAR 19

    Optic Football Case Hit Controversy + Bowman’s Best Review

    Clever Cuban Cards and Trent break down a huge week in the hobby, starting with the fallout from the World Baseball Classic, including Team USA’s loss, which players could see a card bump, and how collectors should think about selling into short-term hype windows. They also touch on a Jayden Daniels mailbag question and the bigger hold-versus-flip mindset that comes with timing the market. Then they give Bowman’s Best its flowers, explaining why it might be one of Topps’ best recent releases, why the shorter checklist and four-autograph format still work, and why the product has been such a hit with breakers and collectors. They also get into Topps Heritage, Bowman Basketball, and the growing appeal of Bowman case hits like Garbage Pail Kids. From there, the conversation shifts to platform issues across the hobby, including Fanatics Collect’s slow fulfillment, pricing questions across auction platforms, and a longer discussion around Whatnot, breaks, transparency, and buyer protections. They close with one of the strangest stories in the hobby this week: growing chatter around 2025 Donruss Optic Football and whether wrapper orientation may be tipping off which boxes contain case hits. If true, it could have major implications for box buyers and breakers. Join Thursday's eBay Live with CCC at 7:30 pm ET Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m

  8. MAR 12

    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
See All (39)

4.9
out of 5
28 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
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Hobby Handbook

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