How to Play the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Every Pokémon game is a race to six: Each player sets six cards aside, face down, as Prize cards. You take one each time you knock out one of your opponent's Pokémon, and a few more for the big ones. The first player to take all six wins.

This guide covers what is in a deck, how a turn works, what the cards do and where to start. At Bat City Games & Comics in South Austin, you don't have to learn anything first. Come to Pokémon Open Play on a Sunday afternoon and we'll teach you at the table.

What is the Pokémon Trading Card Game?

It's a two-player card game where you build a team of Pokémon, power them with Energy, then battle. Each player brings a deck of 60 cards. Apart from basic Energy, a deck can hold up to four copies of any one card.

What kinds of cards are there?

• Pokémon are your fighters. Each has HP, one or more attacks and sometimes an Ability. A Basic Pokémon goes straight from your hand to the table. A Stage 1 or Stage 2 evolves from the card beneath it, so Charmander becomes Charmeleon and then Charizard.
• Energy cards pay for attacks. You can attach one Energy card from your hand to one of your Pokémon each turn.
• Trainer cards are your tools and helpers. You can play any number of Items, one Supporter and one Stadium in a turn.

(Pokémon has bats of its own, by the way. Zubat has no eyes and does fine, which should be a comfort in your first game.)

How do you set up a game?

• Draw seven. Shuffle your deck and draw seven cards. If you have no Basic Pokémon, show your hand, shuffle and draw seven again.
• Pick your fighters. Put one Basic Pokémon in the Active Spot. You can put up to five more on your Bench.
• Set your Prizes. Take six cards from the top of your deck and set them aside, face down.

What happens on a turn?

You draw a card to start. Then you can do these things, in any order:

• Bench Basic Pokémon. As many as you have room for. The Bench holds five.
• Evolve. Put a Stage 1 atop its Basic, or a Stage 2 on its Stage 1. A Pokémon can't evolve on the turn it came into play, so nobody evolves on their first turn.
• Attach one Energy. From your hand to any of your Pokémon, once per turn.
• Play Trainer cards. Any number of Items, plus one Supporter and one Stadium.
• Retreat. Swap your Active Pokémon with a Benched one by paying its retreat cost in Energy. You can do this once per turn.
• Use Abilities. Some Pokémon have them.

Then you attack, which ends your turn. You can also end your turn without attacking. The player who goes first cannot attack on that first turn.

How does an attack work?

Your Active Pokémon needs the right Energy attached to use an attack. The attack tells you how much damage it does. If the defender is weak to the attacker's type, the damage doubles. If the defender resists that type, the damage drops by 30.

When a Pokémon has taken damage equal to its HP or more, it is Knocked Out. Its owner discards it and everything attached to it, and the attacker takes a Prize card. Then the Knocked Out player picks a new Active Pokémon from the Bench.

What are ex Pokémon?

Pokémon ex are stronger cards, and the cost of playing one is that your opponent takes two Prize cards when it is Knocked Out. Mega Evolution ex Pokémon in the current Mega Evolution series are worth three. Deciding how many of them to play is half of building a deck.

How do you win?

• Take all six of your Prize cards.
• Knock out your opponent's last Pokémon in play.
• Your opponent can't draw a card at the start of their turn.

Most games end the first way. The rulebook that comes with your cards is the last word on anything here. We're happy to look up a rule with you at the table.

What do you need to start playing?

A deck of 60 cards. You can build one from packs, from singles, or both, and if you are not sure where to start, ask at the counter. Our online Pokémon shelf has singles and binders. Sealed product, including the current set, Delta Reign, isn't listed on the website, so ask us at the counter.

Sleeves and deck boxes are in the shop if you want to protect a deck. You can browse sleeves and deck boxes online.

Where can you play Pokémon in South Austin?

Pokémon Open Play runs every Sunday from 2 to 4 PM. It is free. Bring your deck and find an opponent, or come to learn how to play. If you are new, tell us at the counter and we will teach you.

Sunday is a good day to make an afternoon of it. Bat City Magic Club meets that morning for ages 8 to 16. Open Play is the last stop.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are in a Pokémon deck?

Sixty. Apart from basic Energy, you can have up to four copies of any one card.

How many Prize cards do you take?

Each player sets aside six. You take one when you Knock Out a Pokémon, two for a Pokémon ex and three for a Mega Evolution ex.

Do I need my own deck for Open Play?

Open Play is made for both kinds of player: Bring a deck if you have one, or come to learn. If you're not sure what to bring, call (512) 276-2870 or ask at the counter.

Where can I play Pokémon in Austin?

Bat City Games & Comics hosts Pokémon Open Play every Sunday, 2 to 4 PM, at 5001 Highway 290.

Ready to take a seat?

Visit us at 5001 Highway 290, Austin, Texas 78735. We are open every day, 10 AM to 10 PM. Come on a Sunday at 2 PM and you will be right on time for Pokémon Open Play.

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