Since its launch some 20 odd years ago, Pokemon TCG has taken the world by storm, and quickly surpassed the video game, in terms of player numbers, which is no mean feat! If you’ve decided to join the millions of other adventure seekers and immerse yourself in the crazy world of Pokemon TCG, this guide was written with you in mind.

The Pokemon Basics

Starting with the basics, there are 11 different types of Pokemon playing cards in the game, which are:

• Colourless
• Darkness
• Dragon
• Fairy
• Fire
• Fighting
• Grass
• Lightning
• Metal
• Psychic
• Water

Each Pokemon has Hit Points, which are an indication of its health, and you are not allowed to have more than four of the same cards at any one time. Pokemon card prices vary, as some are rarer than others, and the energy cards are the key to successful attacking and each attack has an energy cost which you must take into account when planning your strategy.

Game Objectives

As one would expect, the objective is to win the game, which can be achieved by the following:

• If you can collect all six Prize Cards, you are the winner.
• If a player runs out of cards, they are out of the game.
• When a player beats an opponent’s Pokemon and there are no others on the bench, that player has won the game.
• If there is a time limit on the game (official match), then the player with the least Prize Cards wins.

Getting Started

You might be wondering where to buy Pokemon trading cards, and there are online suppliers that have everything you need, including trainer packs, and with Pokemon TCG online trading, one can very quickly amass a lot of cards (and knowledge). The great thing about playing Pokemon TCG online is you can compete against others in a virtual world, and this has made the game one of the most popular trading card games ever. Many people become serious players and there are championships at all levels, although you would need many hours of play time in order to reach that level. It might be a hobby for several hours a week, or a full time passion, where every spare minute is spent trading cards and keeping up with the latest news, but whatever your preference, this game has it all.

Pokemon Trainer Kits

These are designed with the novice player in mind, and there are specialist websites where you can buy everything connected to this addictive pastime. For many people from all walks of life, the stresses and strains of modern life disappear when they sit down to play Pokemon TCG, and with a global interactive playing arena, you can battle it out with other players who are of a similar level.

If you have decided to try your luck at Pokemon TCG, there are online tutorials and sites where you can trade and become very competent as a player.