BGS uses a 10-point scale (1 being poor and 10 being perfect), but unlike PSA which gives a single numerical grade, BGS provides a *subgrade* for four different aspects of the card:
* Centering: How well the card's image is centered within the borders.
* Corners: The condition of the card's four corners.
* Edges: The condition of the card's edges.
* Surface: The condition of the card's surface, including any scratches, marks, or imperfections.
Each of these subgrades is scored on a 1-10 scale, and then an overall grade is assigned based on the average of those four subgrades. For example, a card might have subgrades of 9, 9.5, 9, and 8.5, which would likely result in an overall grade in the 9 range. However, the overall grade is not simply the average; it reflects the grader's overall judgment of the card's condition.
The BGS holder provides tamper-evident protection and adds significant value to a graded card, contributing to its overall collectability and authenticity. The specific subgrades are also very helpful to collectors and provide more information than a single numerical score.