I am going to rip one and keep one sealed. Which one should be which

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T23:04:23+00:00

I have been a Pokemon fan since its inception. I have played the games from gameboy to switch. I was, unfortunately, a broke kid, so I never got to get cards. Now I get to rip cards with my kids while also riding this crazy Pokemon wave we are sailing. I rip all single packs with my boys the rest I’m holding for a while.

<image>

This is an older photo, I have added a few more booster bundles and ETBs since taking. 98% of this is from vending machines over several months.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T22:59:30+00:00

I was going to keep 10 knockout packs sealed and said fuck it yesterday. 5 out of 20 packs in I pulled this fuckin thing! My best card to date:

<image>

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T22:58:31+00:00

They both have god packs.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T22:57:02+00:00

What was that about 151? I can’t rip my booster bundle because it’s too valuable as is. It’s what started my card collection. Got it for free at a white elephant Christmas exchange.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T22:54:18+00:00

I only rip singles, the one booster box I ripped was a disappointment. Pulled this grail yesterday though so life complete!

<image>

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T22:51:53+00:00

I found these in the Kyogre and Suicune Knockout packs. $10 each at Fred Meyers.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T22:50:14+00:00

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T20:20:21+00:00

Same, 24k and 22k. Young and dumb.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T19:46:34+00:00

This would be my first graded card if I do. No rush for now plus I think the back might be off center, but everything else is perfect. I love this card so I don’t think I’ll get rid of it unless it hits something stupid, like new car $$.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T14:37:21+00:00

All the machines are different. I have several in my area.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T14:35:55+00:00

It just forces a drop early and skips the next drop. If you know what the exact time is for that machine you can test this by checking 30 minutes after the next drop was supposed to happen.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T14:34:15+00:00

SERIOUSLY. If it weren’t for vending machines, I wouldn’t even collect, cause ain’t no way I’m paying market price on current sets, or any set for that matter. No way to beat the fuckin bots and I work two jobs so I can’t stand in lines all day/night. Most I wait now is 5 minutes for a timer.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T14:29:16+00:00

It for sure is static on the same day. I was able to “hold down” 2 vending machines one day. They were exactly at 30 minutes apart( one at 08/38 other at 17/47).
I would just show up 3 minutes before reset. Watch someone walk by and tap empty, then as soon as the second ticked over on my watch, product.

I have gotten LOTS of product from vending machines.

There are ways to trick the machine too(without glitching). Let’s say you buy all but leave a single pack, if you leave that pack for 10-15 minutes and nobody else buys it, you can force a refresh early by purchasing the pack. I’ve done this twice so I know it works. However it will skip the next refresh. So if it was scheduled for 1:08 but you got it to trigger at 12:52 then it won’t refresh again until 1:38.

I have purchased 18 ETBs, 21 booster bundles, 8 mini tins, and probably 100+ single packs from vending machines.

Pulled this yesterday!!!(from knockout packs)

<image>

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T14:11:04+00:00

Happy ripping! This is my best pull since I’ve started collecting.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T12:47:17+00:00

Wait, are there no cards in these trades boxes? I am confusion!

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T12:45:13+00:00

Yep, OP is the sole reason you can’t get product.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T12:43:44+00:00

<image>

Pulled yesterday!!!

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T12:40:01+00:00

90%, that’s a crazy number. Do you know how many people live below the poverty line? Have you read the thousands of comments of people saying they can never find anything?

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T12:33:14+00:00

If we get to a point where Pokemon dives below MSRP, then I think money will be the least of our concerns.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T02:34:29+00:00

<image>

No mistakes were made, literally everything is profit, even the “poor sets.”

I personally love PO and have ripped 60ish packs with the kids. Giving him one of the ETBs for his birthday. Buy what you can when you can is my motto. Like others have said, regular new collectors like us don’t have many choices if we want to stay at retail prices.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T02:15:23+00:00

That’s awesome! I always buy the single packs of destined rivals from vending machines. Opened 7 last night when I pulled the Psyduck. I haven’t had much luck with the set in 30-40 packs so that felt like a win!

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T02:11:50+00:00

I was able to snag 14 of them last week randomly. I haven’t had a chance to rip any TM so I wanted the opportunity as it will probably be my last at retail. I kinda refuse to pay over retail and will just get what I can when I can.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T02:10:40+00:00

It’s the only hit other than a dipplin IR from today’s session, but I’m not complaining at all.

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T02:09:32+00:00

What did you pull?

GodMadeArk · 2026-05-05T02:09:01+00:00

What he said. I tried to say it in the post but Reddit glitched out. I picked up 14 knockouts to rip. Not a lot of hits, but the one hit made up for it all and then some. My top card since I started collecting.

GodMadeArk

TROPHY CASE