Common Cards: Also referred to as "Base Cards." These cards make up the base set of players or individuals used in a program.

Base Set: The base set is the collection of Common Cards used in a specific program.

Rookie Card: This is a player's first major trading card from a major manufacturer.

Factory Set: A set the manufacturer will produce that is a collection of all the common cards from a specific program.

Parallel Cards: These are slight variations of the common cards and can be found randomly inserted into the packs. The variations can range from foil color, to card stock or even to numbering.

Insert Cards: Also referred to as "Chase Cards." These are the manufacturer's specialty cards and are randomly inserted into the packs or boxes at a lesser rate than the common cards. They have specific designs in addition to definitive Parallels.

Insert Set: This is a collection of all the Insert Cards from one specific insert.

Memorabilia: Also referred to as "Relic" or "Patch" cards. These are "Insert Cards" from a program that contain pieces of various relics or patches from jerseys, equipment, and more.

Autograph Cards: These are Insert Cards from a program with an actual signature from an athlete or entertainer.

Hobby Cards: These cards are only offered in the "Hobby" version of a program. Hobby products are available only at hobby stores that specialize in collectibles. Hobby products sometimes have specific cards and special packaging to distinguish them from their "Retail" version.

Retail Cards: These cards are only offered in the "Retail" version of a program. Retail products are available only at major retail outlets such as Target or Wal-Mart. Retail products sometimes contain specific cards and special packaging to distinguish them from their "Hobby" version.

Ratio or Drop Rates: Also referred to as the drop rate. This refers to how often an "Insert Card" may fall in a program. (Example - 1:24 would mean that one "insert card" would come in every 24 packs)