Yew Tee's Cardfighters
By Darren Wong and Vivian Goh
DARREN WONG and VIVIAN GOH head out to find out more about the mama shop that sells trading cards, learning more about its community and effect on their surroundings.
The heart of the mama shop where card enthusiasts will often come to take a look at the collection of cards behind the counter. (Photo by Vivian Goh)
​What seems like an unassuming mama shop (convenience shops typically located under Housing Development Boards (HDBs)) on the corners of Yew Tee is home to a small scene of passionate card enthusiasts in Singapore. Here, you will be able to see people of all ages coming to this grocery shop to buy card packs and duke it out with their fellow enthusiasts.
According to CollectInsure, the history of trading cards dates back to the 1860s, where they would come, “packaged with cigarettes for the purpose of stiffening the packaging.” Now, they are a multi-million dollar industry with enthusiasts around the world purchasing them for various reasons.
Enthusiasts are typically separated into two broad categories of collectors and competitors. Collectors would purchase cards that are high in value and would often display it as their pride and joy or look to resell it for a higher price. Competitors choose to focus on the game itself and seek for cards that synergise with their strategy.
Full-Yen Trading is a peculiar shop that houses not only some of Singapore’s favourite Singaporean snacks growing up, but is a place for trading card enthusiasts to bond and play. In the shop people will be able to see the owner’s collection of cards and trophies alongside groceries and beverages.
​When asked about why people enjoy visiting local card shops as opposed to purchasing cards online, Mr Tan Xuan Zhi, 20, said, “it is a way for me to meet new people that share the same hobby as me.” Mr Tan has been into card games from the age of 9 and finds joy in playing cards with his siblings and friends.
​Mr Tan stated that what draws people into card games are usually due to the physical cards themselves as they, “evoke a certain nostalgia and joy in me and having a physical collectible I can own that will not disappear on me because of hacks, make cards unique.”
A collection of Mr Tan’s cards which amounts to a total of $300. He often collects cards he doesn’t need for his competitive deck.
(Photo courtesy of Tan Xuan Zhi)
However, not everyone is pleased with the local card enthusiasts playing card games outside of shops.
Mrs Jennifer Tan, 47, is a resident of Yew Tee Residences which is situated near Full-Yen Trading. When asked about her thoughts on these youngsters playing card games at void decks she said that, “not everyone would understand the purpose of these card games and it does get annoying if they are being too loud and end up hogging the space everyday.”
​Typically, youngsters would crowd around mama shops after purchasing their card packs in order to test out the card they have just acquired in a friendly duel.
​Despite the ongoing pandemic, card enthusiasts can still be seen outside of Full-Yen Trading. Mr Poh, 57, who has been the owner of Full-Yen Trading for 13 years said, “my younger customers tend to be the ones that will stay at the void deck to play cards,” said Mr Poh. “The adults that come to buy or trade cards at my shop usually would just pick up their cards from the store after buying them online,” he added.
​Mr Poh had something different to say when asked about youngsters battling it out at void decks. He said that, “it is fine as long as they do not make too much noise or litter everywhere.”
A group of friends playing against each other in a void deck right beside Full-Yen Trading.
(Photo by Vivian Goh)
According to a report done by eBAY News Team in 2020, there was an increase of 142% growth in their trading cards category and eBay sold 4 million more cards as compared to 2019.
​When asked about the reason why adults purchase trading cards, Mr Poh says that it would “probably be because of the resale value of these cards”, and that “they would be able to sell it at a higher value in the future!”
With the recent trend of reselling cards for profit and the different age groups purchasing cards for various reasons, it is no wonder why there is such a passionate community behind this hobby at Yew Tee. The problem arises when youngsters begin to litter and make too much noise when playing card games at local shared spaces. To ensure such hobbies do not become a nuisance to others, card game competitors have to be more aware of their surroundings.
With card games being at the core of most people’s childhood, will this budding community spark an interest in you again?