Enough warning can never be given when it comes to counterfeits–they will always be a risk to Magic economy’s health. By being more savvy when shopping for high-end cards, and avoiding certain traps, one can avoid much of the counterfeit risk that haunts Magic.

While it’s true the Old School market has been particularly soft this season, some vendors have overdone their price cutting. The result: many deals are out there on major retailer sites…if you know where to look and can catch a restock.

What cards are still in print yet are currently rarer than Alpha rares? This week Sig examines the unprecedented set of Mystery Booster playtest cards, highlighting pricing inconsistencies and trying to predict the future market for these casual favorites.

While the stock market breaks records, many components of the Magic market are well off of their highs. This has created some real buying opportunities. This week Sig shares some of his favorite pick-ups as well as where to buy them at the best price.

For months, MTG finance had remained quiet and calm. The market was largely stable, and admittedly boring. Then the Pioneer announcement came along and awakened the beast. Now havoc (and controversy) is once again being wreaked by #MTGfinance.

In 2012, an interesting Twitter conversation motivated Sig to write a piece on the long-term investment viability of Magic. Looking back at his predictions, Sig is kicking himself as he witnesses the returns he missed by focusing on the stock market rather than the MTG market.

Have you ever stopped to think about how much time you actually spend on MTG Finance on a weekly basis? This week Sig considers this and makes some personal commitments on how he’ll strategically cut back.

Last week, alleged Modern Horizons leaks led to a spike in Flusterstorm. This sparked controversy within the community, with much of the blame falling upon “MTG finance”. This week Sig examines the history of MTG finance and shares his stance on how it does (or doesn’t) impact card prices.

Several stores online have begun charging sales tax on Magic singles, with major implications for speculators. Christopher discusses his strategy to address the cost increase.

The rare Legacy GP event occurred this weekend, taken down by UW Stoneblade. Christopher takes stock of the format and considers some cards in good position to rise.

In Pat’s debut article for QS, he discusses the broad differences between short- and long-term specs, how to identify trends before spikes, and closes with a few predictions.

With several high-profile Legacy events on the horizon, Christopher is looking to format staples for growth. He lays out his reasoning and the current best targets.

Malcolm lays out the good and bad on the Cardsphere service. This could be a very useful thing to have in your toolbelt as a financier. Check it out!