What’s everything I need to know about collecting cards?

Question

I’ve wanted a detailed list with everything important to know for a while, and I figure this can help others. Obviously I know a lot, but I think having a very detailed guide is important to have for myself and others (plus, it adds to the site!)

Please include the following:

• card rarity types and meaning (odds included)
• what typically comes within one basic pack of cards
• differences between booster boxes, booster packs, etc. and all the other types of card sets you can get
• different types of card glamour and what they are (foil, reverse holo, holo, full art, rainbow, etc)
• anything else someone may need to know regarding collecting (value, where to buy, collectors editions, etc)
• anything else I may have forgotten to add onto this list
• please literally include everything important (even if it’s “common knowledge”)

No half-answers and please include sources. Please format and organize your answer nicely so that it’s easy to read.

Note: this guide is for collecting cards, not for playing the TCG

Comments

In that case, can you define the words "important" and "worth mentioning" so that they don't depend on opinions?

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no, I just did. If you cant understand, that’s okay

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"when I say anything else important I mean anything worth mentioning that I may have forgotten." Whether you agree or not, that could be affected by anyone's opinion.

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People who answer questions include extra information at their discretion whether or not the question specifically invites them to do so. I don't think it is grounds to remove this question when you can answer it by addressing the rest of the list of items.

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Thinking about attempting this, should I do all the information in the current, modern day sets, or the sets that were more common at the time of posting?