If you've read our guide on how card breaks work, you know the basics: a box gets opened live and the cards are shared between buyers. But when you go to buy a spot, you'll see a wall of terms — PYT, random, tiered, mixer, filler. Here's what each means, and which suits you.
Why break formats matter
The format decides two things: how much you pay, and how your cards are decided. Some let you pick exactly what you want (for a price); others spread the cost and leave it to chance. None is "best" — it's about what you're after and what you want to spend.
Pick Your Team (PYT)
You choose the exact team you want before the break starts, and you keep every card pulled for that team.
- Cost: varies by team — popular, hit-heavy teams cost more.
- Best for: fans of a specific team, or collectors targeting a team known for big rookies or autos in that product.
Random formats
You buy a spot and your team is assigned randomly once every spot is sold — usually by an on-stream randomiser everyone can watch.
- Full random: every team goes into the draw.
- Division random: you're randomised within a division or group.
- Best for: newcomers and anyone who wants an equal shot at the big teams without paying the PYT premium.
Tiered breaks
Teams are sorted into tiers by desirability, and you buy into a tier, then get randomly assigned a team from within it. Best for people who want some control over quality without paying full PYT prices.
Mixer and filler spots
- Mixer: cards from several teams grouped into one spot.
- Filler: the last unsold teams bundled cheaply so the break can run.
- Best for: budget buyers who just want in on the action.
Which should you choose?
- New to breaks? Start with a random spot — lowest commitment, equal odds.
- Support one team? PYT is the obvious pick.
- Want better odds without full PYT prices? Try a tiered break.
- On a tight budget? A mixer or filler gets you involved cheaply.
A few things to check before you buy
- What's being opened — one box, several, or a full case? More product means more cards per spot.
- How many spots are in the break — fewer spots means more cards each.
- Shipping — how and when your cards reach you.
Ready to jump in? See how our breaks work and follow the channels on our Mania Breaks hub. Not sure where to start? A random spot is the easiest way to get a feel for it.
