Magic: the Gathering fans ‘heartbroken’ as $100,000 worth of cards found in Texas landfill

Fans of the game that became a pop-culture phenomenon speculate value could be even higher, as rare cards draw steep prices

The card game Magic: the Gathering is known for its dedicated fanbase - a community who gather together to play during Friday-night basement matches or during lunch period.

The game involves casting spells and using creatures to attack your opponent but players can only gain those abilities from collecting a big variety of cards. That means it's also a big trading business, with a reported 40 million people playing the game annually. That community drives a healthy resale market, where rare cards and memorabilia can go for thousands of dollars.