What is Pokemon TCG?
The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a collectible card game based on the Pokemon video game series. First published in 1996 in Japan and 1999 in the English-speaking world, it has become one of the most popular trading card games globally.
Quick Facts:
- Over 50 billion cards printed worldwide
- Available in 13 languages
- New sets released every 3-4 months
- Both a collectible and competitive game
Types of Pokemon Cards
Pokemon Cards
The main cards featuring Pokemon characters. These come in different evolution stages:
- Basic: First stage Pokemon
- Stage 1: Evolved once
- Stage 2: Evolved twice
- Pokemon ex/V/VMAX: Powerful variants
Trainer Cards
Support cards that provide various effects:
- Items: One-time use effects
- Supporters: Powerful once-per-turn cards
- Stadiums: Battlefield effects
- Tools: Attach to Pokemon
Energy Cards
Required to power Pokemon attacks:
- Basic Energy: Unlimited in decks
- Special Energy: Unique effects, limited to 4
Understanding Card Rarities
Common
Black circle - Most frequent cards, typically 5-6 per booster pack
Uncommon
Black diamond - Less common, typically 3 per booster pack
Rare
Black star - One guaranteed per booster pack
Holo Rare
Black star with holographic card face
Ultra Rare
Pokemon V, VMAX, Full Art cards - Approximately 1 in 6 packs
Secret Rare
Gold star or rainbow cards - Rarest pulls, often 1 in 50+ packs
Sets and Expansions
Pokemon TCG releases new sets approximately every 3-4 months. Each set contains 150-250+ cards with a specific theme.
Current Era: Scarlet & Violet
Started in March 2023, featuring Pokemon from the Paldea region
- Scarlet & Violet Base Set
- Paldea Evolved
- Obsidian Flames
- 151 (Special set featuring original Pokemon)
- Paradox Rift
- And more...
Special Sets
In addition to main sets, Pokemon releases special sets throughout the year:
- Holiday Sets: Crown Zenith, Celebrations
- Subset Collections: Pokemon GO, Shining Fates
- Anniversary Sets: 25th Anniversary Collection
Where to Buy Pokemon Cards in the UK
Major Retailers
- Smyths Toys - Large selection, fair prices
- GAME - Good for new releases
- Argos - Limited but reliable stock
- Tesco/ASDA - Basic products
- Amazon UK - Wide selection, check sellers
Specialist Stores
- Magic Madhouse
- Chaos Cards
- Total Cards
- Zatu Games
- Local game stores
What to Buy First
- Elite Trainer Boxes: Great starter product
- Booster Packs: Individual packs for testing
- Battle Decks: If you want to play
- Collection Boxes: Guaranteed promo cards
⚠️ Price Tips:
RRP for booster packs is £4.49. Elite Trainer Boxes typically £40-50. Be wary of significant markups!
Storing and Protecting Your Cards
Essential Supplies
Penny Sleeves
Basic clear sleeves for all cards. Buy in bulk - you'll need lots!
Toploaders
Rigid plastic cases for valuable cards. Use with penny sleeves.
Binders
9-pocket pages for organizing collections. Avoid ring binders that can damage cards.
Storage Boxes
For bulk storage. ETB boxes work great for this!
Storage Best Practices
- Keep cards away from direct sunlight
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Never use rubber bands or paper clips
- Handle valuable cards by the edges
- Consider silica gel packets for humidity control
Playing vs Collecting
Collecting Focus
- Chase rare and valuable cards
- Complete sets (master sets)
- Keep cards mint condition
- Consider grading valuable pulls
- Focus on art and Pokemon you like
Playing Focus
- Build competitive decks
- Focus on playable cards
- Use sleeves for protection during play
- Trade for deck needs
- Attend local tournaments
💡 Tip: You can do both! Many players collect and play. Just keep your valuable cards separate from your play cards.
Common Terms and Slang
- Pull
- A card you get from opening a pack
- Chase Card
- The most desired card in a set
- PSA/BGS
- Professional grading services that rate card condition
- NM/LP/MP/HP
- Near Mint / Lightly Played / Moderately Played / Heavily Played
- Alt Art
- Alternative artwork version of a card, usually very valuable
- Promo
- Promotional card not found in regular packs
- ETB
- Elite Trainer Box
- BB
- Booster Box (36 packs)
- Singles
- Individual cards bought separately
- Scalping
- Buying products to resell at inflated prices
How to Avoid Fake Cards
🚨 Red Flags for Fake Cards:
- Extremely low prices (if it's too good to be true...)
- Poor print quality or pixelated images
- Wrong fonts or misspellings
- Card feels too thick or thin
- No texture on full art cards
- Sellers from certain online marketplaces
How to Check Authenticity
- The Light Test: Real cards have a black layer - hold up to light
- The Rip Test: (Destructive) Real cards show black ink layer when torn
- Compare to Known Real Card: Side-by-side comparison
- Check the Back: Color and detail should match exactly
- Feel the Texture: Full arts should have distinct texture
Collecting on a Budget
Smart Collecting Strategies
- Buy Singles: Often cheaper than chasing cards in packs
- Focus on One Set: Easier to complete than collecting everything
- Join Communities: Trade duplicates instead of buying
- Wait for Reprints: Popular sets often get reprinted
- Collect Specific Pokemon: Focus on your favorites
- Buy Damaged Cards: If just for personal collection
Budget-Friendly Products
- Battle Decks: Good value for playable cards
- Theme Decks: Older but cheaper options
- Tins on Sale: Often discounted after holidays
- Bulk Lots: Can find gems in bulk purchases
💰 Money-Saving Tip:
Use TCGStock.eu to track when products come back in stock at retail prices. Don't pay scalper prices!
Quick Start Checklist
Ready to begin? Here's your beginner checklist:
- Decide: Collecting, playing, or both?
- Set a budget (it's easy to overspend!)
- Buy your first product (ETB recommended)
- Get protective supplies (sleeves minimum)
- Join online communities (Reddit, Discord)
- Use TCGStock.eu to find products at fair prices
- Learn about the cards and have fun!