Pokémon Card Openings

Pokémon card openings can lead in many directions. One pack might add a missing card to a set, introduce an artist you want to follow, or put a new favorite illustration at the front of your binder.

Watch our Pokémon openings

The Pokémon card opening playlist collects our reveals in one place. We open for the artwork, the surprise, and the fun of deciding where each card belongs afterward.

Pick a way to collect

A clear theme makes a growing collection easier to enjoy. You could collect:

• one Pokémon across different sets;
• cards by a favorite illustrator;
• a complete or partial set;
• a particular era or card style;
• cards used in a deck; or
• one binder page of personal favorites.

None of these approaches requires every rare card. Base cards, duplicates, and overlooked illustrations can all have a purpose.

Pokémon terms to know

A booster pack adds cards from a particular release. Rarity symbols identify categories within that set, while promo cards are distributed separately from its normal packs. The card number helps place each pull on the checklist. Pokémon’s rarity system has changed over time, so use the guide for the release you are opening.

See the card collecting glossary for these terms and more.

After the pack

Start by confirming the set name and card number. The official Pokémon TCG expansion pages can help you understand where a card fits.

Sort cards while the opening is still fresh. Put collection cards together, keep duplicates where they are easy to find, and sleeve anything you want to inspect more closely. If a card might be graded, check its centering, corners, edges, and surface before choosing a service.

Read what is a card opening? for the basics or visit our One Piece card openings to see another side of TCG collecting.