Help & How It Works
Learn how to use CardSentinel to track Magic: The Gathering cards and set up alerts
Getting Started with CardSentinel
Welcome to CardSentinel, your ultimate companion for tracking Magic: The Gathering card prices and availability! Whether you're a competitive player looking for the best deals, a collector monitoring your investments, or a casual player wanting to build your deck on a budget, CardSentinel has you covered.
What CardSentinel Does
- Monitors real-time prices from Cardmarket
- Monitors card availability and quantity hourly
- Tracks both regular and foil card versions
- Sends instant email notifications
- Provides comprehensive card information
Why Use CardSentinel?
- Never miss a price drop again
- Monitor your collection prices
- Save time on manual price checking
- Make informed buying decisions
- Track market trends and patterns
Mastering Card Search
CardSentinel's search functionality is powered by Scryfall's comprehensive database, giving you access to every Magic: The Gathering card ever printed. Our search engine is designed to be both powerful and intuitive, helping you find exactly what you're looking for.
Pro Search Tips
Exact Name Search
Perfect matches
Type the exact card name for instant results:
Partial Name Search
Find similar cards
Search with partial names to find similar cards:
Set Filtering
Narrow by expansion
Include set names to narrow results:
Type Filtering
Search by card type
Search by card type:
Advanced Search
Use Scryfall's powerful search syntax to find cards by mana cost, color, rarity, power/toughness, and more. Our search supports all Scryfall operators for maximum flexibility.
Card Previews
See card images, mana costs, and basic information directly in search results. Hover over cards to see additional details before clicking through.
Instant Results
Get search results as you type with our real-time search. No need to press enter or wait for page loads - results appear instantly.
Smart Filtering
Filter results by format legality, set, rarity, and more. Find exactly the version of a card you're looking for with precision filtering.
Setting Up Smart Alerts
CardSentinel's alert system is the heart of our service. It monitors the market 24/7 and notifies you the moment your conditions are met. Whether you're waiting for a price drop to buy or tracking when a card becomes available, our alerts keep you informed.
Price Drops Below
Perfect for buyers waiting for the best deal. Set a maximum price you're willing to pay.
Price Rises Above
Ideal for sellers and investors tracking when to sell or for budget planning.
Price Outside Range
Monitor when prices move outside your preferred buying/selling range.
Alert Configuration Guide
Choose Your Card
Start your alert journey
Search for your desired card
Use our powerful search engine
Click on the card to view details
Review prices and information
Click "Set Alert" button
Begin the alert creation process
Configure Alert
Set your preferences
Select alert type
Choose your monitoring strategy
Set your price thresholds
Define your target prices
Choose regular or foil version
Select card condition type
Confirm your alert
Activate your monitoring
Foil vs Regular
Track both regular and foil versions separately. Foil cards often have different price patterns and availability, so monitoring both gives you complete market coverage.
Email Notifications
Get instant email notifications when your conditions are met. Each email includes current price, card details, and direct links to view the card.
Price Suggestions
Our system analyzes current market data to suggest optimal price thresholds. These suggestions are based on recent sales and market trends.
Alert Management
View, edit, and delete all your alerts from your account dashboard. Organize alerts by card, type, or status for easy management.
Best Practices & Pro Tips
For Buyers
- Set alerts 10-15% below current market price for better deals
- Monitor both regular and foil versions for flexibility
- Use range alerts for volatile cards to catch price swings
- Set multiple alerts at different price points for high-value cards
For Sellers & Investors
- Track price increases to know when to sell
- Monitor market trends and seasonal price patterns
- Set alerts for format rotation announcements
- Use range alerts to track price volatility
Advanced Strategies
- Monitor cards before major tournament announcements
- Track reprint announcements and their price impact
- Set alerts for cards in upcoming set spoilers
- Monitor format staples during rotation periods
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Setting alerts too close to current market price
- Not considering shipping costs in your calculations
- Ignoring card condition and language preferences
- Setting too many alerts without a strategy
Ready to Start Tracking?
Now that you understand how CardSentinel works, it's time to put your knowledge into action. Start by searching for your favorite cards and setting up your first alerts!