How to Play Pokémon Cards: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Want to start battling immediately? You don't need a 30-page manual. This guide covers the essential rules, turn structure, and exactly which decks to buy to start playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) today.

The Goal:The first player to Knock Out 6 of the opponent's Pokémon (and take their 6 Prize Cards) wins the game. You also win if your opponent runs out of cards in their deck or has no Pokémon left on the field

Quick Turn Summary (The Cheat Sheet)

Keep this section open while you play your first game.

Every turn follows this exact order. You must do Step 1, then you can do Steps 2-6 in any order, and finish with Step 7.

1. DRAW: You must draw a card to start your turn.

2. BENCH: Play Basic Pokémon from your hand to your Bench (up to 5 total).

3. ENERGY: Attach 1 Energy card to one of your Pokémon (only 1 per turn).

4. TRAINER: Play as many Item cards as you want. You can play only 1 Supporter card per turn.

5. RETREAT: You may switch your Active Pokémon once by paying the retreat cost.

6. EVOLVE: You can evolve Pokémon that were played on a previous turn.

7. ATTACK: Announce your attack and deal damage. Attacking ends your turn immediately.

Pro Rule: The player who goes first cannot attack or play a Supporter card on their very first turn.

Card Anatomy: Reading Your Pokémon

To play efficiently, you need to read the stats quickly:

• Stage (Top Left):
  • Basic: Can be played directly to the Active Spot or Bench.
  • Stage 1 / Stage 2: Must be played on top of a Basic or Stage 1 Pokémon to Evolve.
• HP (Top Right): Hit Points. If damage counters equal this number, the Pokémon is Knocked Out.
• Type (Top Right): Example: Fire, Water. Determines Weakness and Resistance.
• Attack Cost: The Energy symbols required to use an attack. A star (*) symbol means any Energy type works.
• Weakness (Bottom Left): If the opponent is this type, you take double damage (x2).
• Retreat Cost (Bottom Right): The number of Energy you must discard to switch this Pokémon to the Bench.

The Field: Active Spot vs. Bench

It is critical to understand the two zones where your Pokémon live:

The Active Spot:

• Only 1 Pokémon can be here at a time.
• Only the Active Pokémon can attack or take damage (unless an attack specifies otherwise).
• Only the Active Pokémon is affected by Special Conditions (Asleep, Burned, Confused, etc.).

The Bench (Safe Zone):

• You can have up to 5 Pokémon on your Bench.
• Safety: Moving a Pokémon to the Bench cures all Special Conditions instantly.
• Preparation: You can attach Energy and evolve Pokémon on your Bench to get them ready for battle.

How to Start: Which Deck Should You Buy?

Don't build a deck from scratch yet! Start with these pre-made options.

If you are new to the game, buying a pre-constructed deck is the fastest way to learn. Here is the hierarchy based on difficulty:

• Level 1: "ex Battle Decks" (~$10)
  • Best for: Absolute beginners and young kids (ages 6+).
  • Why: These are simple, linear decks designed to teach the mechanics without complicated strategies.
• Level 2: "Deluxe ex Battle Decks" (~$20)
  • Best for: Players who know the basics and want more power.
  • Why: Includes stronger cards (like Radiant Pokémon) and slightly more advanced strategies.
• Level 3: "League Battle Decks" (~$30)
  • Best for: Teens and Adults who want to play competitively.
  • Why: These are nearly "tournament-ready" decks. They are much more powerful but require a good understanding of the game.

Tip: You can also play for free by downloading Pokémon TCG Live on mobile or PC. It's a great way to practice the rules with the free starter decks provided in the app.

The Setup (Step-by-Step)

Before the game begins:

Shuffle your 60-card deck.

Draw 7 cards.

Active Spot: Place 1 Basic Pokémon face down in the center.

Bench: Place up to 5 Basic Pokémon face down on your Bench.

Prize Cards: Set aside the top 6 cards of your deck face down.

Flip & Start: Flip a coin to see who goes first , then reveal your Pokémon.

Mulligan Rule: If you have no Basic Pokémon in your hand, show your hand to your opponent, reshuffle, and draw 7 new cards. Your opponent draws an extra card.

Download Official Rules (PDF)

Need more details on Special Conditions or advanced mechanics?

Download Official Pokémon Quick Start Rules (PDF)
Based on the official rulebook provided by The Pokémon Company International.