How to Buy Fat Packs

What Exactly is a "Fat Pack"?

The term "fat pack" can be a little confusing because it means different things depending on the type of cards you collect. Originally, the term comes from Magic: The Gathering. For an MTG release, a "fat pack" was a special bundle that included a set number of booster packs, a player's guide with visuals of all the cards in the set, a spindown life counter, a cool storage box, and other goodies. Wizards of the Coast, the makers of Magic, eventually rebranded these as "Bundles," but the old name has stuck around.

In the world of sports cards (like baseball, basketball, and football), "fat pack" is used more informally. You'll often hear it used to describe the thicker retail packs you find hanging on the shelves at stores like Target or Walmart. These are larger than a standard pack and contain more cards, but they don't come with all the extras of an MTG-style bundle. They're officially called things like "Jumbo Packs" or "Cello Packs" by the manufacturers, but the collector community widely calls them fat packs.

Where to Find and Buy Fat Packs

Fat packs are primarily a retail product, which means your hunt will usually start at big-box stores. Your first stop should be stores like Target and Walmart. They are the most common places to find fat packs for all the latest sports card releases. Look in the aisle with trading cards and other collectibles, which is often near the checkout lanes. While hobby shops focus more on hobby boxes, many also carry a selection of retail products, including fat packs. Building a relationship with your local shop owner can also give you a heads-up on when new products are arriving. Websites like Blowout Cards, Dave & Adam's Card World, and Steel City Collectibles are major online retailers that stock a huge variety of sealed card products. You can often buy fat packs individually or by the box. Finally, platforms like eBay and COMC (Check Out My Cards) are go-to spots for finding fat packs from older or sold-out releases. Be cautious here and always check a seller's reputation and feedback. Prices can be higher due to demand, so make sure you're comparing costs.

Are Fat Packs a Good Value?

This is the million-dollar question for collectors. The answer is: it depends on your goals. If you're new to the hobby or just starting to collect a new set, fat packs are a fantastic entry point. You get a good number of cards to start your collection without the high cost of a full hobby box. Let's be honest, ripping open packs is one of the most exciting parts of the hobby. Fat packs give you more packs to open for your money compared to buying individual standard packs. For many modern sets, manufacturers include special, retail-only card variations (parallels) in products like fat packs. These can be highly sought after by collectors trying to complete a set's "rainbow."

However, there are some downsides. The biggest chase cards, like autographs and memorabilia cards, are found much more frequently in hobby boxes. While it's not impossible to pull a monster hit from a retail fat pack, the odds are significantly lower. While cheaper than a hobby box, the price per card in a fat pack can sometimes be higher than if you bought a booster box. Do the math before you buy to see what makes the most sense.

Tips for Smart Fat Pack Buying

Before you buy, do a little research on the set. What are the key rookie cards? What are the cool inserts or parallels? Knowing what you're looking for will make the hunt more rewarding. When buying from a retail store, always inspect the packaging. Make sure the packs haven't been opened and resealed. Look for any signs of tampering, like torn wrappers or glue. Finally, consider your goals. Are you trying to build a set, or are you hunting for a specific player's rookie card? If it's the latter, you might be better off saving your money and buying that single card directly from a place like eBay or COMC. It's almost always cheaper in the long run than trying to pull it from a pack.

Happy collecting, and may your fat packs be filled with fire!