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Language: English · Español
This interview is published in English, ggez.real.tcg’s preferred language. A Spanish version is available for Spanish-speaking readers.
What starts with one favorite card can become a whole collecting journey. For ggez.real.tcg, that card was GGEZ Teemo: its artwork and meaning for League of Legends players convinced him to dive into Riftbound. Today, he collects, trades and shares market observations with a growing international community.
In this first MercaPoro interview, we talk about his beginnings, the cards he values most, how he thinks about collecting and investing, and the advice he would give to someone opening their first Riftbound collection.
Getting to know ggez.real.tcg
How would you introduce yourself to the community, and what does ggez.real.tcg mean to you?
I’m ggez.real.tcg, a collector and trader based in Dallas, Texas. I started collecting Riftbound around March 2026, relatively late compared to some of the early collectors. The card that really got me hooked was the GGEZ Teemo. The artwork, the meaning behind it for League of Legends players, and how iconic Teemo is made me want to go all in on this TCG. From there, everything just took off.
I started @ggez.real.tcg to share my collecting journey, connect with other collectors, and build something within the Riftbound community.
Where are you based, and from where do you follow the Riftbound scene?
I’m currently based in Dallas, Texas. I’ve been following Riftbound since before its official release, although I didn’t start seriously collecting until March 2026. Most of my connections started within the Texas collecting community, but over time I’ve gotten to know collectors and vendors from California, New York, New Jersey, Singapore, the Philippines, and other parts of the world.
What first got you into collecting cards?
I’ve been collecting cards for a few years, but Riftbound really took things to another level for me. When I got into Riftbound, I went back and purchased my first PSA 10 Origins Signature card, along with four raw GGEZ Teemo cards. I submitted all four Teemos for grading, two to PSA and two to BGS. One of the BGS submissions came back as a Black Label 10, which was a huge moment for me.
That experience eventually pushed me beyond personal collecting and into vending, trading, and dealing with mid- to high-end cards.
Before Riftbound, did you collect or invest in any other games, cards, or collectibles?
Yes! I started collecting sports cards around 2022–2023, mainly focusing on baseball prospects and players I believed had long-term potential. I also collected a little bit of One Piece before the market really took off, but once prices started climbing, it became too expensive for me to keep chasing the cards I wanted. Riftbound felt different because I already had such a strong personal connection to League of Legends.
Riftbound and the cards he collects
What first caught your attention about Riftbound?
I discovered Riftbound before its official release, but the GGEZ Teemo was what really caught my attention and made me start collecting seriously in March 2026. I’ve been playing League of Legends for years, and I still play almost every day. Seeing champions I’ve spent so much time with turned into collectible cards was already exciting, but what really sold me was the artwork, card design, and rarity.
That’s also why I started GGEZ Real TCG. I wanted to share information about rare cards, interesting collectibles, and things that other collectors might not know about yet.
What Riftbound products, cards, or editions are you currently collecting?
Right now, I’m collecting a lot of T1-related cards and products, along with numbered and limited-edition cards. I especially like over-numbered Signature cards with artwork that catches my attention. Whether they’re raw, PSA 10, or BGS 10, I’m always interested if the design and rarity are something I personally enjoy.
I don’t necessarily chase every expensive card. The artwork and personal connection still matter a lot to me.
Is there a particular card or item in your collection that means a lot to you?
Definitely my GGEZ Teemo BGS Black Label 10. It was one of the original four Teemos I purchased when I first started collecting Riftbound, and somehow one of them came back as a Black Label. I eventually sold that card for $45,000, which was my first time completing a transaction of that size for a single card.
Even though it’s no longer in my collection, that card means a lot to me. It helped me grow as a collector, gave me the confidence to get more involved in high-end trading, and connected me with so many amazing people in the hobby.
Collecting, trading and the market
What criteria do you use when deciding what to buy, hold, or sell?
For me, it comes down to how much I love the card, how many copies I own, and where the market is. If I own four copies of a card I really like and the price has gone up significantly, I’m comfortable selling a few and keeping at least one for my personal collection.
I also like taking advantage of market cycles. When prices are down, I look for opportunities to buy my favorite cards. When prices are high, even if I love a card, I might decide that my PSA 10 has already done its job. I can sell it, take the profit, and use some of that money to buy raw copies at a much lower cost. That way, I can still own the artwork I love while recovering some of my investment.
In your opinion, what is the difference between collecting as a hobby and collecting as an investment?
Personally, I think the two can go hand in hand. My rule is pretty simple: whenever I buy something, I ask myself whether I’d still be happy owning it if I could never sell it. If the answer is yes, then I’m comfortable making that purchase.
Of course, I pay attention to market prices and opportunities to make money, but I never want collecting to become stressful. Even if the market completely crashes and my cards become worth almost nothing, I know they’re still cards I’d love to display in my collection. That’s what makes collecting enjoyable for me. The investment side is a bonus, but the passion has to come first.
How do you see the Riftbound market right now, and what do you follow when making decisions?
I actually think the Riftbound market is in a pretty healthy place right now. The hype around MSI pushed prices up really quickly, to the point where even I couldn’t justify buying some of the cards I wanted. Now that prices have started coming back down, I’m finally able to re-enter the market and pick up cards I genuinely like.
I don’t necessarily see falling prices as a bad thing. Sometimes the market needs to cool off after moving up too fast. I pay attention to actual sales, how much supply is available, and whether prices are being driven by real collector demand or short-term hype. For someone like me who wants to stay in the hobby long-term, a more reasonable market is actually a good thing.
The comments about prices and the market are ggez.real.tcg’s personal experience and opinion, not financial advice.
Advice for new collectors and the community
What advice would you give someone who wants to start collecting Riftbound without spending too much?
I think the most important thing is figuring out what you actually enjoy collecting. Maybe it’s a full art set, maybe it’s your favorite champion. I’ve met so many collectors who are genuinely happy just collecting every Lee Sin or every Teemo card out there.
Don’t let the market value decide what you should collect. Focus on the artwork, the champions you love, and what makes those cards special to you. If you’re interested in long-term value, you can look into over-numbered cards and other rare variants. But if you’re collecting on a budget, building a master set of your favorite release or picking up affordable artwork you love can be just as rewarding. You don’t need to own the most expensive cards to have an amazing collection.
Looking back, is there any mistake you wish you had avoided?
I wouldn’t really call anything a mistake. Every experience has been a lesson that helped me grow as a collector and trader. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s not to get too caught up waiting for the absolute highest price before selling a card. The truth is, nobody knows exactly where the top is.
If you’re treating collecting as an investment or business, sometimes it’s better to keep making transactions, take profits when you’re happy with them, and reinvest into new opportunities. I’ve seen a lot of people do really well in Riftbound by staying active rather than trying to time every single sale perfectly. For me, it’s all about keeping things moving and learning along the way.
What would you like to see improve in the Riftbound collecting community?
Honestly, I think the Riftbound community has been amazing so far, and I can see Riot putting a lot of effort into growing it. One thing I’d love to see is more people getting involved in local card shows and community events. I’m based in Dallas, and we have so many card shows happening around the city. I’d love to see more Riftbound players and collectors showing up, hanging out, trading, and getting to know each other.
Card shows aren’t just about buying and selling. They’re a really fun way to meet people who share the same interests, and I think having a stronger in-person community would be great for the long-term health of Riftbound.
Which upcoming card, product, set, or release are you most excited about?
I’m really excited about the first anniversary Akali card, especially the artwork of Akali eating ramen with a Poro peeking from behind. I absolutely love that design.
I’m also looking forward to Radiance, although I have to admit that some of the artwork revealed so far isn’t necessarily my favorite. But that’s also what makes Riftbound exciting. We never really know what Riot has planned for future sets, and there’s always a chance that the next card they reveal will be something I absolutely have to collect.
Where to follow ggez.real.tcg
What kind of content do you share, and where can people find you?
You can find me on Instagram at @ggez.real.tcg. I mainly share Riftbound market data, rare card sales, collecting insights, and interesting opportunities I come across. One thing I especially enjoy doing is sharing undervalued eBay listings or auctions with my followers. For example, if a card normally sells for around $1,000 but an auction is sitting at only $600 with very little time left, I’ll try to share it so other collectors have a chance to check it out and potentially grab a good deal.
My goal is to help collectors stay informed, discover opportunities, and learn more about the high-end side of Riftbound without keeping all that information to myself.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the MercaPoro community?
First of all, thank you to MercaPoro for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to share my story! Even though English isn’t my native language, I really appreciate being able to connect with collectors from all around the world through something we all love.
No matter where you’re from, you’re always welcome to reach out to me on Instagram. I’m happy to share my experiences, talk about the market, or just chat about Riftbound. I hope everyone keeps enjoying the hobby, building their dream collections, and supporting their local communities. And to MercaPoro, I hope you guys keep growing and become one of the biggest Riftbound community pages in your region! Thanks again, and happy collecting!
Thank you, ggez.real.tcg, for sharing your story and your photos with MercaPoro.
Follow him on Instagram @ggez.real.tcg and read more on his GGEZ Real TCG Substack.
