can you tell by looking at the packs of cards if they have good cards in them before you buy them.?

Answer 1

Sometimes if you buy a fat pack of Upper Deck or Topps it will usually show one good card and tell how many Rookie Cards are in the package. In some of the small packages it will tell you the odds. I been buying packages lately Topps 2006-2007 basketball has been average 4 Rookie Cards per Big pack and 2 per little and usually one specialty card. The upper Deck fat pack is offer 2 Flight Team features Michael Jordan and 4 Rookie card Cards. The small packs of Upper decks usally one Rookie and the rest garbage.
My roommate pulled an AJ Hawk Rookie $20 out of a Fat Pack of Upper Deck today
You also might be surprised you know those pack you see for 5.99 at gas station I bought a package and came away with cards that value well over 100 dollars.

Answer 2

no... that was the fun getting the individual packs... if you are looking for particular cards try ebay or buy an entire set to save time and money.