Find the Fresh Boxes

• Look for freshly opened boxes of trading cards on the shelves. Search for boxes of card packs that advertise insert cards, hidden cards or special premium cards. Most major retailers place freshly opened boxes behind the already opened boxes. Push the boxes at the front of the displays aside to get to the freshly opened boxes.
  
  

Width Test

• Compare the widths of the card packs within the box. Insert card packs will have a slightly larger width than regular boxes. Wider packs are good indicators of an insert card within the pack. Make a mental note of where in the box the insert pack came from, as many card makers place insert card packs in the same location within the boxes.
  
  

Spine Test

• Pick up the card packs from the box, and squeeze each pack hard between your thumb and forefinger. With your other hand, run a finger down the spine of the individual card pack from the box. Feel for any small indentations along the spine. This is a good indicator of an insert card, as they are often slightly smaller than the other cards.
  
  

Hobby Shops

• Hobby shop owners tend to frown on trying to find the insert cards. However, there is no law against trying to find the cards you want. As long as you do not open the card packs from the boxes, you are doing nothing wrong. Be sure to pay for your card packs after you locate those you suspect have the inserts in them.
  
  

Buy the Whole Box

• If all else fails, buy your cards by box load. In most instances, you are assured of getting at least one insert card among the box of cards. Separate the cards you want to keep, and sell the rest.