For the 2023 holiday season, Wizards of the Coast decided to release Magic: The Gathering Special Edition Collector Boosters for The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Special Edition Collectors Boosters offer the chance to pull LOTR cards that are serialized, Surge Foil Realms and Relics, or with a treatment variant. Although most packs will not contain a high-value or serialized card, players can find budget-friendly Scroll Showcase versions of playable cards. 

My latest article, The 7 Best Budget Buys from LOTR: Holiday Release, I review seven cards players may want to add to their collection. Each highlighted card has a reprint version found in Special Edition Collectors Boosters for a considerable discount. Now may be an excellent time to grab one or more of these cards while prices are depressed with new copies entering the secondary market.

Black is one of Magic: The Gathering's main colors that is often associated with destruction, card search, and sacrificing creatures. In Commander, black is found in many different strategies and offers staple cards like Demonic Tutor, Phyrexian Arena, and Necropotence. Although not all black cards found in sets can rise to staple status, plenty of playable black cards are available for the 99 of Commander decks.

In my recent TCGplayer Infinite article, 7 More Black MTG Cards You Should Be Playing in Commander, I showcase seven black cards from more recent sets you should consider playing in Commander. When paired with certain strategies, these cards can excel and help you achieve victory. Read the article to find out which cards I highlight and be sure to explore my other articles on TCGplayer Infinite. 

P​laymats are a ubiquitous accessory in collectible trading card games. Players use playmats to showcase their favorite artwork or interests, protect their cards, and even highlight tournament successes Typically, a playmat for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game measures approximately 24 inches by 13.5 inches. Also, MTG playmats are made by Ultra Pro, whom has an exclusivity agreement with Wizards of the Coast for the game. Any artists, retailers, or tournament organizers interested in offering playmats displaying MTG artwork will need to partner with Ultra Pro on their creation.

New MTG playmats are available for purchase from many retailers and online stores for around $25 each. However, not all playmats are always in stock and some sell out quickly due to limited quantities. When a playmat is no longer available for sale, players often turn to the secondary market to purchase one. Sometimes demand for certain playmats can drive their price points to $50, $75, and even $100, well above their original purchase price.

In my TCGplayer Infinite article, An Introduction to Playmat Finance, I discuss several factors that influence a playmats average market value. I also share tips on how to evaluate the value of a playmat using historical and like-item sales data. If you want to learn more about playmats and their potential value, this article is for you.

Commander is ​Magic: The Gathering's most popular format among players. Participating in a multiplayer game with friends and fellow players is an enjoyable experience full of fun and surprises. Ultimately, one player emerges victorious in a game of Commander by defeating their opponents. Utilizing format staples and potent, yet sometimes expensive, cards can help a player achieve victory.

In my latest article, 5 Budget Two-Card Combos for MTG Commander, I share five combos players can use to defeat opponents that won't break the bank. Game-winning decks do not always have to contain pricy cards. If building Commander decks on a budget resonates with you, this article is worth a read.
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