Q&A for How to Identify Fake Yu Gi Oh! Cards

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Question

Would a card with no serial number and a notation on the bottom saying "first edition" be real or fake?

Community Answer

It depends - some cards like the Egyptian God Cards (Slifer The Sky Dragon, Obelisk The Tormentor, The Winged Dragon of Ra, The Winged Dragon of Ra - Sphere Mode, The Winged Dragon of Ra - Immortal Phoenix) do not have serial numbers. This goes for the collectible and playable versions of the Egyptian God Cards. But if it's a card like Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it most likely is fake. Other cards that don't have a serial number include Black Luster Soldier (Ritual monster), Five-Headed Dragon, etc. This does not mean they're fake. Sometimes cards are accidentally printed without serial numbers and are misprints.

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Question

If a card has a silver holographic square and says first edition or limited edition, is it fake?

Community Answer

Yes. KONAMI pays a lot of attention to the cards (very rarely, they have typos), but every limited and first edition card always has a gold square.

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Question

How do I make a strong Yu Gi Oh deck?

Community Answer

Use cards that work well together and devise a strategy or buy a structure deck. Structure decks usually have good cards that work together.

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Question

Is "(c)1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI" printed in the bottom left corner an indication that the card is fake?

Community Answer

A card with "1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI" on the bottom left is most likely fake - genuine Yu Gi Oh cards have it on the bottom right corner.

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Question

If the card doesn't say what edition it is, is it a fake?

Community Answer

If it doesn't have the set number under the bottom right of the picture, then yes. If you mean the edition, as in where they say "1st edition" under the bottom left, then not necessarily. Real cards can say "1st edition" or nothing at all, if they are not 1st edition. There are no cards labeled "2nd edition," etc.

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Question

If the silver/gold sticker has a small gap between it and the right edge, is it fake?

Community Answer

Likely, since Konami has a high quality standard, and wouldn't let it pass. There is a small chance it is from wear and tear, but very unlikely.

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Question

I have a blue eyes ultimate dragon but it does not have the serial number at the bottom. I got it in a boxed set I purchased at a card shop. How do I determine if it is fake?

Community Answer

Blue eyes ultimate dragon, (at least some of them, like the special box sets) is one of those cards that do not have a passcode/serial on the bottom. If that's the only fault, it is most likely real.

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Question

What can I do with my fake cards? I have three decks worth because I didn't know the place selling them was fake.

Community Answer

Sell them to beginners who don't want to enter official tournaments. You also may give them away to people who don't care if they're fake or not.

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Question

Does a Blue-eyed White Dragon usually have a sort of thin text?

Community Answer

It could. If you have any other Blue-Eyes White Dragons, compare it, and see if the results are similar or different.

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Question

I have a spell card that doesn't have those sightings, but it says magic even though it's a spell. Instead of the English logo, it has the Japanese logo, despite the name and description being in English. Is it some kind of old card, or is it fake?

Taylor Hiniker

Community Answer

Very old cards used to be referred to as magic cards, not spell cards; however, the logo being in the Japanese style is a dead giveaway. It is a fake.

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Question

What does 10c-000 mean?

Community Answer

If it's just under the cards picture, it's just a set number. Many cards have these. 10c-000 is the set number of that card. Compare that card to someone's else's same card, and if it's different, then one of them is probably fake.

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Question

My Gate Guardian card is a first edition, but on the bottom left corner it says "Replica." What does this mean?

Community Answer

It is most likely a fake if it says "Replica," which literally means it's not the real one.

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Question

I have an "Obelisk The Tormentor" secret rare. It has what appears to be Japanese characters on the bottom margin, left side. The back is blue and has no insignia whatsoever. Is this a fake?

Community Answer

No. The text probably reads "This card cannot be used in a duel," like all the Egyptian god cards. None of the unplayable god cards has any sort of insignia on the back either, so you're probably good.

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Question

Is card name always in gold? Is black text a sign of a fake?

Community Answer

The card name isn't always gold -- the gold is usually for ultra rares. And black text can be real for commons, though if if it's used for ultra rares, then it's most likely fake.

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Question

What if a card has these strange looking pixels on it? Would it be a fake? It's an old card and I'm not sure if they were printed differently back then.

Overhill Legacy

Community Answer

If the pixels move as you move the card, then it is not fake, it is just rare. If not, it could just be dirt or it could be a fake.

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Question

If my cards don't have the holographic on them, are they fake?

Community Answer

Not all cards have the holographic on them; it may just be a normal card.

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Question

If the corner is peeling, does that mean it's fake?

Community Answer

No, if it is peeling, it is very likely that it is real and old.

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Question

If I bought my cards from Walmart, are they fake?

Community Answer

No. If you bought the cards from a reputable store like Walmart, then they're almost certainly real.

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Question

What if it does not have the KONAMI logo on the back? Is it fake?

Community Answer

Yes. It is a fake. The only cards without the KONAMI logo on the back are the unplayable Egyptian God cards.

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Question

Is it fake if there's a yellow or brown rectangle on the back?

1NAR Russell

Community Answer

No this is normal and on all cards, as long as it's on the edge.

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Question

Can cards be off-centered?

Community Answer

It sounds like it is most likely a fake card.

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Question

What if the card has all requirements to be a real card, but has a silver holographic sticker?

Supernova92

Community Answer

Silver indicates an unlimited edition card, as opposed to a 1st or limited edition. It's real.

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Question

I have a deck with a silver hologram on each card, but it says that's it first edition. Are they fake?

Community Answer

No, the silver hologram equals 1st edition, and the gold hologram equals limited edition.

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Question

I have a Pendulum monster, but it's only yellow. Is it fake?

Community Answer

It depends. Some monsters with the Pendulum name aren't Pendulum monsters, but if there is a scale (a thing on the side that tells you what level of monster you can summon), then it is likely fake.

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Question

My Pendulum Monster card is only yellow. Does that mean it's fake?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. It might be a non-effect Pendulum Monster. If it says [... / Effect] though, then yes, it is fake.

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Question

So if the cards are not printed in English they're fake?

Community Answer

No. Tthere are also cards made in Japan are written in Japanese.

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Question

If I lose a duel, do I give up a card?

Community Answer

No. Unless it has been stated that you are playing to win a card(s), then your opponent may be trying to scam you or is confusing Yu-Gi-Oh cards with Pokemon cards.

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Question

If a card doesn't have a gold or silver hologram, are we not able to join in any tournament?

Community Answer

If the card is missing a hologram, or the hologram isn't a correct color and/or in the right place, then yes, you won't be allowed to participate in official Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments.

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Question

I have a Winged Dragon of Ra, as well as a Cheer Ghost Dark Master. They both do not have hologram stickers. Are they fake?

Community Answer

Yes. There are currently no real cards without the holographic stickers in the bottom-right corner.

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Question

If the card doesn't have an edition, will the holographic be silver or gold?

Community Answer

If it doesn't have an edition, then it is not first nor limited edition, so it should be silver.

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