i can’t give a number because it just depends on where the threshold is of it being cheaper to buy/crack a slab vs just buying raw. I also have extremely low standards for binders. as long as it isn’t overly obviously damaged when glancing through the binder, idc what it would grade and i definitely don’t care what the back looks like.
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5-8 is my fav range to crack. 9s and higher I like to keep in slabs typically. It’s just nice to see “Mint” or better on a label as opposed to NM or EX. The only low grade slab that I haven’t cracked is my 1st Ed Charizard because it has an Arita sig on it.
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I usually just buy cards raw, even if they’re in played quality. But I have bought and cracked a PSA-9 before, when I couldn’t find it in raw anywhere (and I already had a PSA-10 copy). 
It was an unlimited edition Pokémon Web Moltres. 
Greetz,
Quuador
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Recently cracked a lot of psa and cgc 7 - 8.5 for a binder. I would not crack a 9 or higher ever
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Love the spectrum of answers in here and appreciate all the different viewpoints. Seems like most have a “general” answer with some exceptions for rarity, scarcity, vintage, modern etc. Keep ‘em comin.
I’m really surprised how well 9s are doing in the poll
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Same.
I always buy raw cards as it is my preference. I recently only brought my first PSA graded card because the raw cars were just not available. I brought and cracked a PSA 9 card. I would have also cracked a 10, but the premium I would have to pay on the 10 is just not worthwhile and I would always go for lower grade cards.
Cheers!
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- Cards belong in binders, not plastic prisons.
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No plastic penny sleeves? Don’t tell me you raw dog your cards.
Sleeves are fine.
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