If there is one thing that Panini knows how to do, its get the most out of a product. For years, the NBA and NFL Prizm products have been available in multiple flavors, with each configuration taking a slightly different path than the original hobby and retail configurations. Some of them are a bit wacky, as we will get to, but others are a gold mine for some of the top cards in the product. Here is what to expect with these alternate configurations we know are coming, as described on the checklist.

White Sparkle Packs

Release: Imminent
Cost: $$$
Risk: Medium

Of all the configurations available for Prizm, these are among the most risky, but also some of the most limited. Basically, Panini Direct sells 4 card packs that have unnumbered white sparkle prizm base cards with amazing looking 1/1 autographs rarely inserted across the run. These packs will start in a dutch auction this week, with a ceiling of $1k and a floor of $250.

The theory is that each base card included in the packs has a very limited run, likely close to 5 copies per. The high grade copies of the top stars usually sell for nice money, and the 1/1 autographs are usually very desirable for investors and collectors alike. For whatever reason, white chrome really pops, something I never expected to be the case over the normal metal color. This leads to a lot of people chasing their targets, and many getting submitted to PSA with the idea that the pop report stays very small.

My prediction is that the packs will sell out around the $400 level, which shouldnt be surprising at this point. The Rock, Hogan and Austin cards will all be sold for big numbers, and the 1/1 autographs of top names should be a nice tentpole for the people that want to risk the rip.

Premium Box Sets

Release: Soon
Cost: $$$$
Risk: Low

This configuration is a bit newer to the product line, but one that I am very intrigued by. These box sets include the Prizm set on a premium stock and numbered likely /199 (per checklist), and include a special parallel of Champions (/20) autograph as well. If you look at the checklist for those autographs, there arent many misses on there, with Hogan, Undertaker, Roman Reigns, Triple H and Becky Lynch all being pretty big names to pull in a low numbering.

Like the white sparkle packs, these should be available in a dutch auction format, continuing the drive to avoid bots and dealers from picking up the packs en masse and preventing collectors from getting in. Of course, higher prices to start the dutch format are usually pretty derivative in their own right, but its better than trying to log on, and get shut out as the site crashes.

These box sets are one that tend to split the buying public in breaking them open and selling individual pieces, or sitting on the sealed wax, so be aware of that as you are waiting to find singles on the premium stock.

TMall Lucky Envelopes

Release: Later
Cost: $$$
Risk: Extreme

For all the hobby gamblers out there, this is your configuration of choice. Exclusive to the Asian online superstore, these two card packs feature base parallels out of 8 copies a piece. As mentioned, due to the lack of content per box, this is a straight lottery ticket – with a gigantic checklist of base cards that can present a very troubling rip if you dont get the right names.

Historically, card companies have marketed big gamble type products to the eastern market due to the heavy focus on luck and gambling that they feel is a part of that culture more so than the west. Although its a bit of profiling, it is a tactic that many companies across the world have employed.

Although this is meant to be exclusive to Asia, many boxes do make it to breakers and online retailers, so there will be an opportunity to try your hand if you so desire. Expect a high price and a big risk with each box.

For right now, these are the only announced variations on the wax theme, but we could see things like Prizm Choice and other configurations come later on. Panini is willing to run the presses as much as the market can support, so I doubt that this will be the end.