Buying & selling
Break
Also called: box break, group break
A break is a live event where someone opens boxes or cases on camera and the cards are split among buyers who bought spots in advance, usually by team or player.
In a group break, a host sells spots, often one per team, then opens the product live and ships each buyer the cards from their slots. It lets people chase hits from expensive hobby boxes or cases without buying a whole box themselves.
Spots are priced by expected value, so popular teams cost more. Formats include random team assignments and pick-your-team.
Why it matters: breaks are a huge part of the modern hobby and a way to chase a case hit for less, but you are paying for a chance, and most spots return less than they cost.
This glossary is a plain-language reference for collectors, not financial or purchasing advice. Card values move, so always check recent sales before you buy or sell.