Collecting Pokémon cards is a fun and interactive hobby for all ages. These Japanese "pocket monster" cards can be used to play or you can try to "catch them all" and complete your collection.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Buying Cards to Start Your Collection
Step 1. Decide what kind of cards you want to collect and for what purpose
Trading cards often has a dual purpose; you can aim to find them all, or collect them and then be able to trade them. If you are only interested in collecting and displaying your cards, you have the freedom to choose the ones you prefer. You can try to get all Pokémon of a certain type, buy cards by value, set, or use whatever criteria you like.
Step 2. Make a list of the cards you want to own
Some people try to get only rare or special ones, while others prefer certain types of Pokémon or want to catch them all. By drawing up a specific list, you can narrow the field among the more than 700 Pokémon that exist at the moment. Before starting, consider that there are cards of different rarity. "Rarity" is a term used to describe how difficult it is to find a card, and you can find a symbolic representation of it in the lower right corner of the card:
- The easiest to find cards include common (black circle), uncommon (black diamond), and rare (black star).
- The hardest to find cards are holographic rare (black star with holographic image), ultra rare (white star) and secret rare (symbol of rarity with a serial number).
- Some of the most coveted cards are those that have the image printed all over the card, the EX versions ("EX" next to the Pokémon's name) or the reverse holographic (the card is holographic in the parts other than the image). These are limited edition cards, which are often worth very high amounts in perfect condition.
Step 3. Research the types of cards that are currently printed
It is easier to start your collection with the newer cards, because they are very popular. Pokémon cards are released in sets at the time of printing, but are distributed in packs. Many people try to collect an entire set, which usually consists of 102 cards. Note that the publisher can also print expansion packs that expand the list of cards needed to complete a set. It is easier to collect an entire set as long as it is in print. The older the sets, or if they go out of production, the harder they are to find and the cards that make them up are more expensive.
Step 4. Buy cards in stock
At online retailers, thrift markets, and hobby stores, you will often have the opportunity to buy many cards together. You can buy many at a discounted price and will usually save on shipping as well. The only downside to buying a stock is the risk of not finding any valuable cards. However, sometimes you may find a rare card hidden among hundreds of municipalities. The hunt for these precious cards is part of the appeal of this buying strategy.
Part 2 of 4: Expanding your Play Collection
Step 1. Buy wisely
If you want to play with Pokémon cards, you need to focus on finding specific monsters and building a powerful team to challenge other collectors. You can usually buy the cards in thematic decks, packs and tins (metal boxes that contain some packs and promotional cards). A theme deck contains 60 cards, but is usually more expensive than packs. This is the best way to start your collection, as it allows you to have many Pokémon, Energy cards, Trainer and Item cards, as well as a good mix of cards of different rarity. The packs contain around 10 cards from the most recent expansion (and around 11 in the previous ones) and can cost less than € 4. Tins serve a similar purpose and are a great strategy for expanding your collection.
Step 2. Maintain a 1 to 1 ratio when trading cards
Trading cards with your opponents is a great way to find new monsters "in the tall grass" and expand your Pokémon team. This bargaining method always guarantees a fair exchange. Some people make the mistake of exchanging many of their cards for a rare they have long desired and end up losing a lot of valuable cards for just one. Trading unbalanced amounts of cards is the quickest way to lose a good portion of your collection; therefore it is better to exchange them one at a time.
Step 3. Keep duplicates for later use
Some people find that duplicates are useless and just take up space. On the contrary, however, you should consider the repeated ones as an opportunity to exchange with other collectors. It is very likely that another enthusiast owns more cards that interest you and vice versa, so you can trade doubles without affecting your collection. Duplicates are also very useful for creating game decks.
Step 4. Swap your cards one step at a time
The best way to go from a low value card to a valuable one is to do it gradually. Start by exchanging one card for another one of slightly higher value than the first, then continue by exchanging the new card for a more valuable one, and so on. This is a great strategy for getting rare cards without going bankrupt. Selling the cards is possible, but the exchange does not require any money transfer and still allows you to obtain valuable cards.
Part 3 of 4: Organizing and Protecting Your Collection
Step 1. Choose the organization method
You should sort the cards according to your preferences; for example, you may want to find Pokémon of a certain type for your battles or keep them in numerical order to understand at a glance which ones are missing from your collection. Here are some of the most popular ways to sort Pokémon cards:
- Type (e.g. grass, earth, fight, water, fire, etc.)
- Set
- Evolution
- Pokédex number - each Pokémon has a number in the list that includes them all
- Rarity
Step 2. Use groups and sub-groups when ordering your cards
You can combine different organization methods by stacking them on top of each other. For example, in a group consisting of Water Pokémon, you can further sort them according to their rarity, from the rarest to the most common card. It will be useful to always keep a complete list of the cards you have on hand - in the front pocket of your wallet, for example - so that you can find the one you are looking for in no time.
Step 3. Go through the cards at regular intervals to make sure they are always sorted according to your system
As you accumulate more cards, you need to be sure to keep them organized or else you won't be able to find them easily. Labeling machines are very useful for indicating the contents of your binders and metal boxes. Also keep a space for repeat ones, so your main collection isn't too cluttered.
Step 4. Purchase items that help you organize and protect your collection
You have many options available to store and preserve your cards. A three-ring binder can hold many plastic pages with special pockets for playing cards. The clear plastic allows you to display your cards, which you can access with ease. Another possibility is to buy single sleeves in which to keep the cards that you will then keep in a box, cardboard or metal. Sleeves help protect cards from scratches and creases. You can buy binders from stationery stores or on the internet, plastic pages and sachets from hobby stores. To save money, buy bulk packs of these materials.
Step 5. Protect your cards from the elements
Since cards are made of paper, they can get damaged and lose their value. Keep them safe from these risks and you won't have to worry about losing part of your collection. Also, you should keep them in a cool, dry place, such as a closet or plastic container. Avoid holding cards together with a rubber band, as they can bend and break. Here are the worst dangers to your collection:
- Usury
- Damage due to water
- Damage due to smoking
- Food and drink stains
- Exposure to sunlight
Step 6. Protect your cards even better
As you continue to expand your collection, you will begin to find valuable papers, such as holographic or particularly rare ones. Put them in the sachets and then inside rigid toploaders. A collector is very useful for easy access to your cards, especially if you use them to play against other collectors, but by using a sleeve and a toploader you will avoid damage caused by dust, water and wear.
Part 4 of 4: Identifying the Fake Cards
Step 1. Buy from reputable dealers
You can find Pokémon cards in larger malls as well as hobby, comic and video game stores. Alternatively, you will find plenty of retailers on the internet. If you decide to buy a good number of cards online, check the site's reviews to make sure it's reputable.
Step 2. Inspect the cards for imperfections
Pokémon cards have a lot of detail, and the fakes are pretty easy for an expert to spot. The original cards have the following unique characteristics:
- An emphasis on the "e" of "Pokémon". The accent must be present on both the front and back of the card, as well as in the text.
- Reasonable attack and HP values. Fakes often have excessively high stats.
- The font size must be uniform and the Pokémon's attacks bold.
- No spelling errors.
- The copyright and trademark symbols must be visible.
- Real cards have no grainy or fuzzy images or raised parts.
- Energy symbols on real cards do not occupy the entire circle. Fake cards have an almost "bold" symbol in the lower right corner.
Step 3. Hold the card up to the light
Fake cards are often made from materials that are more fragile than lightweight cardstock than the originals. When you hold the card back to the light, if the light shines through it or if the back of the image is visible, you are holding a fake.
Advice
- Visit the forums of sites designed for collectors. You can learn a lot from people who have years of experience and are willing to share it.
- The ratings of Pokémon cards are governed by the Professional Sports Authenticator guidelines and depend on their wear, condition and rarity.
- There is no right or wrong way to collect Pokémon cards. Everyone has unique preferences and interests, and there are so many different types of monsters that every collector's experience is different.
- Buy only from reputable dealers.
- Take advantage of sales when toy shops close, bargains on Ebay or other online auction houses.
- Look for a small black line on the back of the card. If you notice a small black line in the center, the card is genuine. If you don't see it, discard it.
