2012 Panini NFL Sticker Collection

Most people wouldn't think of searching this product, but I looked and saw an opportunity.

The back of the 2012 Panini NFL Sticker Collection Booster Packs are transparent enough to see the sticker number.  I just grabbed a sticker album and searched the about 50 packs there and found 2 packs I liked.  What made them special?  One had an Andrew Luck Base Rookie and the other had an Andrew Luck Silver Rookie Insert!  I am a big fan of the Indianapolis Colts, so this was extra cool!  Especially since the packs only cost $0.99 each!

2013 Press Pass/Leaf Draft Football

Sorry for the slightly unfocused pictures, I'll get a scanner soon so the cards are much easier to see.

Here are my 2013 Press Pass/Leaf Draft Autographs...
For some reason there were a bunch of this product at the Targets & Wal-Marts in my area!  Yay for me!

Four 2013 Press Pass Football Autographs

David Amerson Red Ink Signature & Stefphon Jefferson Red Ink Signature with "Stefpheezy"

Rex Burkhead & Denard Robinson

(Top Left) Desmond Trufant - (Top Right)Kenny Vacarro - (Bottom Left) Jon Bostic - (Bottom Right) - Everett Dawkins

(Top Left w/ Red Helmet) Gavin Escobar - (Top Right Red Jersey w/Yellow Helmet) Robert Alford - (Bottom Left Yellow Helmet w/Stripe) Chris Faulk - (Bottom Right Red Jersey w/White Helmet)

Sorry for the sideways pic, I'm just learning how to blog, how to add pictures, etc.

NFL Draft Class Photo Shoot

I'd like to bring up a few topics that relate to the relics/autographs from this years NFL Draft class

During the course of the 2013 NFL season, MANY jersey cards will be pulled of members of this draft class. I am aware that placing a game-used jersey/relic is very difficult because this is their rookie year.
From what I understand, 95%or more of these jerseys/patches/footballs/etc. are from the NFL Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot.  The letter patches on the jerseys they wear spell "ROOKIE" instead of the players last name.
Anyhow, I think it would be extra extra fun to hang out and watch the entire photo shoot.  Especially knowing that the jersey/patch card you pulled is from an event you attended.  I wish the NFL had some kind of contest where 20 to 30 fans could be at the Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot and watch all the new rookies from the 2013 NFL Draft.
I think it would be awesome to hangout there.
What are your thoughts about this?

I have had time to think it over and ...

I have had time to think it over and I have decided... not to provide all of my "How-To Pack Search" tips like I originally planned.  I won't provide tips on every product, but I will provide some tips and techniques that I believe will help you pack search effectively.

This very first tip I am providing is probably the most powerful and effective pack searching technique/method I can give you!
This is VERY simple, but it works!!!
Basically take five wrappers of 2013 Topps Baseball (I am just using this set as an example), place 12 base cards in 4 of the packs.  Then place 9 base cards and 1 basic jersey card in the fifth pack.  Make sure to put the jersey in the middle of the pack.  So the order is four base cards, one jersey card, and then five base cards.  Now, using some scotch tape, reseal the packs together as best you can.
Now you know which pack has the 'hit', so take the other packs and take note of any differences you find.   Individually, try holding the packs sideways, grab the far left and far right of each pack and ever so slightly bend the pack.  Obviously don't bend it so far as to damage the cards, but the idea of this exercise is to practice "bowing" the packs and noticing the difference between a pack of regular cards and a pack with a jersey card.  Practice this as much as you can until it becomes so easy a caveman can do it.  Ok, let's call that "Lesson #1".  For my next Pack Searching Tip, I will help you determine the difference between a "hit" and a ""dummy" card.

Let me know if these tips I am providing help you out.  Also, if you have any questions, thoughts, or CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM please feel free to leave some comments.
I know what most people think of pack searching and pack searchers.  So, please don't be disrespectful or rude to me or anyone who comments on my blog.  It just makes you look ignorant and ugly.  I don't want to have a big argument on the ethics of pack searching.  I understand your point of view on this topic, but I feel different about it.

With that said, I will be updating this blog a few times over this weekend.  I will be visiting a friend in a hospital about 100 miles away. I plan to search thetwo Wal-Marts, one Target, and one KMart in that area.  It's been 3 months since I last was there and searched those stores, so I am hella excited to see what I may find!

My First Post!

04-24-2013
     Inspired by the blog "Amateur Hot Pack Hunter", I am starting a blog with the same intent.  I will be blogging mostly about my pack searching results.  However, I will also give my opinion and thoughts about new trading card releases.  EVERY product I write about will be RETAIL ONLY!  Also, every product I search is retail only.

     I will also be giving some tips on how to pack search the new products.
Every company has a different way of placing the hits/inserts in the pack.  Some are the top card, some are the bottom, some are 2nd card in, some are 3rd card in, etc.

     Ok I am starting off by making a list and including some pictures of most of my hits/inserts from the past three months.  I am open to trades, and cash.  Just let me know what you would like to have from the cards I post below.  We can possibly work a trade out, just make it fair for both of us.  Also if you would like to purchase ANY card you see here, we can work something out.  Just send me an email of your opinions.  Thanks a bunch.

***2013 Press Pass Football***

     These are pretty easy to search.  I have found 4 autographs so far.  What's surprised me about the autographs are the quality of the players I pulled.  Here they are...

Card #PPS-SJ - STEFPHON JEFFERSON - University of Nevada Running Back - SHORT PRINT - Red Ink Autograph WITH an inscription "Stefpheezy" in Red Ink!
Card #PPS-DR - DENARD ROBINSON - University of Michigan Quarterback - Nice On-Card Autograph
Card #PPS-RB - REX BURKHEAD - University of Nebraska Running Back - On-Card Autograph
Card #PPS-DA - DAVID AMERSON - North Carolina State University Cornerback - SHORT PRINT - Red Ink Autograph

***2013 Leaf Draft Football***
     This product is simple to search.  I've managed to find 7 Autographs so far!  Here they are...

Card #BA-KV1 - KENNY VACCARO - Authentic Autograph
Card #BA-RA1 - ROBERT ALFORD - Authentic Autograph
Card #BA-DT3 - DREW TERRELL - Authentic Autograph
Card #BA-CF1 - CHRIS FAULK - Authentic Autograph
Card #BA-GE1 - GAVIN ESCOBAR - Authentic Autograph
Card #BA-ED1 - EVERETT DAWKINS - Authentic Autograph
Card #BA-JB1 - JON BOSTIC- Authentic Autograph

***2013 Topps Series One Baseball***

     This card was an AWESOME find!
     Card #TG-24 - SANDY KOUFAX - "The Greats" RED PARALLEL Version Individually Numbered 15/50!  Odds from the retail pack I opened are 1 in 5,271 packs!

     Card #CHR-JHA - JOSH HAMILTON - Chasing History Insert with a Blue Texas Rangers Game-Used Swatch

     Card #274 - MIGUEL MONTERO - Camo Border Parallel - #'d 62/99

***2012 Topps Magic Football***

     Card #159 - NICK FAIRLEY - Autograph
     Card #162 - GOLDEN TATE - Autograph
     Card #268 - LANCE KENDRICKS - Autograph

***2012 Panini Prizm Football***

     Card #296 - TYRONE CRAWFORD - Rookie Autograph - #'d 163/499
      Card #248 - CHRIS RAINEY - Rookie Autograph - REDEMPTION CARD

***2012-13 Panini Basketball***

     Card #262 - DAMIAN LILLARD - Rookie Card
     Card #5 - DWYANE WADE - Panini Game Jerseys - Black Miami Heat Game-Worn Jersey Card
     Card #14 - AL JEFFERSON - Panini Game Jerseys - White Utah Jazz Game-Worn Jersey Card
     Card #27 - MARC GASOL - Panini Game Jerseys  - Dark Blue Memphis Grizzlies Jersey Card

***OTHER***

***2012 Upper Deck Football Heroes***
     Card #RJ-JS - JEROME SIMPSON - White Cinncinati Bengals Game-Worn Jersey Swatch

2012 Bowman Football
Card #ITNR-SJ - STEVE JOHNSON - Inside the Numbered Insert with Red Buffalo Bills Jersey
2012 Topps Prime Football -Card #TR-DP - DeVier Posey - Triple Relic Card - Includes Two Red Houston Texans Jersey Swatches and One Blue Houston Texans Jersey Swatch.  The card is #'d 115/194
2008 Upper Deck Football - MATT FORTE - Upper Deck Rookie Jersey Insert - with Dark Blue Chicago Bears Jersey Swatch
2012 Upper Deck SP Golf
Card #AF-CS - CURTIS STRANGE - Authentic Fabrics - 3-Color PGA Tournament Swatch

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I currently have just one "guaranteed hot pack".  It is a Factory-Sealed rack pack of 2012-13 Panini Basketball that contains a Panini Game Used Jersey Relic Card of TAYSHAUN PRINCE & Card #262 Damian Lillard.