How Many Cards Are in a Pokémon Pack?
If you just bought a booster pack and counted 12 items instead of 10, don't worry, you weren't scammed. And if you are trying to build a deck to play, you need an exact number of cards to avoid being disqualified.
Here is the definitive guide to card counts for Booster Packs (English & Japanese) and Tournament Decks, updated for the Scarlet & Violet era and beyond.
The Short Answer
| Item | Cards per pack | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| English Booster Pack | 10 (+2 items) | The classic booster pack. |
| Japanese Booster Pack | 5 | Most "Expansion Sets" (e.g., Wild Force). |
| High Class Japanese | 10 | Premium sets (Shiny Treasure, VSTAR Universe). |
| McDonald's Pack | 4 | Happy Meal Promos (1 Holo + 3 Non-Holo). |
| Trick or Trade | 3 | Halloween Bundles (Reprints with pumpkin stamp). |
| Dollar Store "Fun Pack" | 3 | Sample packs found at Dollar Tree. |
| Japanese Gym Promo | 1 | Given at tournaments (contains 1 random promo). |
| Illustration / Special Promo | 1 | Sealed single card (e.g., Yu Nagaba, Illustration Contest). |
Anatomy of a Pokémon Booster Pack (English)
Here is the exact slot-by-slot breakdown of what is inside a standard modern pack:
- 4 Common Cards: The circle (●) symbol cards. Usually basic Pokémon.
- 3 Uncommon Cards: The diamond (◆) symbol cards. Stage 1 Pokémon or Trainers.
- 2 Reverse Holo Cards: These make the pack exciting.
- What are they? The entire card shines except the artwork.
- Note: One of these slots can sometimes be replaced by an "Illustration Rare" (Art Rare).
- 1 Rare Card (Guaranteed Holo): The star (★) symbol.
- Update: Since the Scarlet & Violet era began, non-holo rares no longer exist in booster packs. You are guaranteed at least a Holo Rare, a Double Rare (ex), or better.
- 1 Basic Energy Card: A resource card to power attacks.
- 1 Code Card: A card with a QR code to unlock a digital pack in Pokémon TCG Live.
Total: 10 Playable Cards + 1 Energy + 1 Code = 12 Items.
Pro Tip (The "Code Card" Trick): The color of the code card's border often indicates if you have a "Hit" in the pack (White/Green border vs Black/Code border). Note: This applies mostly to the Sword & Shield era; it is less consistent in modern sets.
What about "God Packs"? In special sets (like 151 or Paldean Fates), extremely rare "Demi-God" or "God Packs" exist where the standard Commons are replaced by full-art Illustration Rares. These are statistically very rare anomalies (<1% chance).
The "Mini" Packs (3 or 4 Cards)
1. McDonald's Match Battle Packs (4 Cards)
Every year, McDonald's releases a special set in Happy Meals.
- Count: 4 Cards per pack.
- Structure: Always 1 Confetti Holofoil (the "hit") + 3 Non-Holos.
- Note: These are strictly reprints, but the "Confetti" holo pattern makes them exclusive.
2. "Trick or Trade" & Dollar Store Packs (3 Cards)
- Trick or Trade (Halloween): These bundles contain mini-packs of 3 Cards. They are reprints of common Pokémon with a special "Pikachu Pumpkin" stamp on the artwork.
- Dollar Tree Fun Packs: As mentioned, these are 3-card samplers sold for ~$1.25. They contain commons/uncommons with no guaranteed rare.
Japanese Packs (Standard vs. High Class)
Why are Japanese packs cheaper? Because the packs are smaller.
Japan has a much more varied release structure than the rest of the world.
1. Standard Japanese Pack (5 Cards)
Most Expansion Sets (like Wild Force or Cyber Judge) contain only 5 Cards.
- Differences: No Energy card and No Code card included.
- Rarity: Usually only 1 Rare or Holo guaranteed per pack (or none, depending on the set).
2. High Class Packs (10 Cards)
Once a year (usually in December), Japan releases a "High Class Pack" (like Shiny Treasure ex or VMAX Climax).
- Count: 10 Cards.
- Guarantee: Each pack guarantees a V/ex or better. These are the "God Tier" of Japanese packs.
3. Promo Card Packs (1 Card)
In Japan, "Prerelease" events or "Gym Battles" often reward you with a "Promo Card Pack".
- Count: 1 Card per pack.
- Concept: It is a blind booster containing one random card from a small pool of exclusive promo cards (e.g., Yu Nagaba collab packs or Illustration Contest winner packs).
