How to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards
A beginner’s guide to starting a Pokémon card collection.
Kids, teenagers, and adults have spent the last 29 years collecting Pokémon cards. Whether you’re a first-time collector or revisiting a childhood passion, there’s something for everyone in the hobby community. If you want to start collecting but aren’t sure where to begin, this guide will give you everything you need to know as you start collecting Pokémon cards.
Why Should You Collect Pokémon Cards?
Collecting Pokémon cards is a popular hobby for all ages and a great way to meet a community of people with similar interests. It’s fun to chase after the “big hit” cards and share those memories with friends and family. As a parent, collecting Pokémon cards is a fun way to bond with your children. If you’re an adult starting out, it’s a great way to jump into a community that’s willing to help you on your collection journey. Some Pokémon cards can even make you some money!
Besides collecting, you can also compete at your local tournament shops and win big prizes. If you’re lucky, you might be invited to compete in the World Championship for the chance to be crowned the best Pokémon trainer. Besides bragging rights with your friends, this could earn you cash and huge prizes. Whatever your reason for jumping into Pokémon, there’s something for everyone!
How to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards
The best way to start collecting Pokémon cards is to ask yourself why you want to collect them. Which of these few common reasons people collect Pokémon cards do you associate with?
- You collected as a kid and are returning for nostalgia or want a fun activity to do with friends or your kids.
- You want to compete in tournaments.
- You want to make money.
Once you know why you want to collect, the fun can begin! Remember to keep your budget in mind because the hobby can get expensive. For more specific recommendations on specific Pokémon cards and sets, refer to our article on the best Pokémon cards to buy.
The most basic way to start is to buy an Elite Trainer Box, known as an ETB. An ETB is a starter kit with a few packs, sleeves to protect your cards, a checklist of all the cards to collect from the specific set the ETB belongs to, and dice and other accessories to help you learn how to play the game. Some ETBs even have a bonus guaranteed promo card exclusive to that box. It’s an excellent way for beginner collectors to start collecting and playing!
If you want to get more advanced, buying a booster box is the next step. These boxes contain 36 packs, and each pack typically contains 10 cards each. That’s 360 cards to add to your collection right away! Booster boxes also give you an edge on pulling the best cards, and you might even get multiple big hits if you’re lucky.
The Best Way to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards…
Now that you’ve figured out your Pokémon card collecting goals, here’s some targeted advice for each type of collector.
For Nostalgia/Fun: Hunt down specific cards from your childhood or visit hobby shops like AA Mint Cards for advice from friendly Pokémon experts! You can go at your own pace and collect the cards you enjoy. You can also decide if you like to collect cards because of the artwork or prefer to focus on cute or cool Pokémon. Some also focus on shiny, rare cards. The best part is building your collection is totally up to you!
For Competition: A Starter Deck can help you learn the game if you want to compete in the TCG. Once you’ve learned the basic rules, research the best cards and decks for playing the TCG. This will help you figure out how to buy cards to fill out your deck and give you an advantage in the competition. You can also check out the official Pokémon YouTube channel for more specific tips under the “How to play Pokémon TCG” section.
For Money: Assess your budget, then pinpoint the best cards from each set. If you’re in it for a long-term investment, find cards you think are undervalued or buy and hold sealed boxes. If you’re looking for quick flips, research the hottest cards and buy some that are in pristine condition. You can get them graded and sell them for double or triple what you paid. However, remember that these short-term plays offer a high reward but have a higher risk. If you’re at a loss, stop by your local card shop and ask their resident expert to guide you on building a strong collection.
Things to Avoid When Starting Out
Now that you know how to approach collecting Pokémon cards, here are a few things to avoid when you start collecting Pokémon cards:
Avoid Scams and Fake Cards: As much as we love the convenience of online shopping, buying from sketchy sellers leaves you vulnerable to unknowingly purchasing fake cards. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Only buy from reputable sellers you know and trust. If you have a reputable card shop in your area like AA Mint Cards, they can guide you and show you the best way to spot fakes.
Avoid Mishandling Your Cards: Because the condition of cards is directly tied to value, you want to handle them gently and store them properly. Avoid storing your Pokémon cards loose in a shoe box or bin. Instead, use card-safe supplies like penny sleeves, top loaders, or even zip-up binders (without metal rings). These will preserve your cards for the long term. You also want to avoid storing them in places that aren’t temperature-controlled or are in direct sunlight, as these could cause your cards to warp and fade.
Avoid Burnout: Don’t try to collect everything from the start. Make a plan, like starting with a single set. Collect the cards in that set, then move on to another set. Trying to collect everything in sight can lead to you feeling overwhelmed. Collecting Pokémon cards is supposed to be fun, so the last thing you want is to be left feeling burnt out.
Glossary of Pokémon Terms
Alt Art – cards with special treatment and different artwork than the original card.
Black Star Promo – any card with a black star at the bottom that says promo inside of the star.
Blister Pack – also referred to as a hanger pack or sleeved pack.
Booster Box – 36-pack boxes.
Booster Bundle – 6-pack mini bundles.
Chase Card – the big hits of any set, usually the rare and valuable cards.
ETB – Elite Trainer Box.
Full Art – a card where the art takes up the entire card.
IR/AR – Illustration Rare/Art Rare, alt arts or a higher card rarity.
Meta – the decks that are best for playing the TCG.
Modern – cards made within the last few years.
Promo – a guaranteed promotional card received from a box or event.
Rarity: Common – marked by a small black circle at the bottom of the card.
Rarity: Uncommon – marked by a small black diamond at the bottom of the card.
Rarity: Rare – marked by a small black star at the bottom of the card.
Rarity: Secret Rare – marked by silver, white, or gold stars at the bottom of the card.
SIR/SAR – Special Illustration Rare/Special Art Rare, typically the big hit cards.
Staples – generic cards that are good for all or most TCG decks.
TCG – Trading Card Game.
Vintage – cards from 1996 to about 2008-2009.
WOTC – Wizards of the Coast, the company that produced the early, vintage Pokémon sets.
Ready to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards?
Whether you’re a casual collector looking for Pokémon cards, building a deck for a competition, or interested in investing in sealed boxes, the Pokémon community has something for everyone. Visit AA Mint Cards or shop our online store to start collecting Pokémon cards today!
