How to Get Rare Pokémon Cards

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Do you collect Pokémon cards, but don't have enough rare cards to make your next unbeatable deck? There are plenty of ways to improve your collection, with some requiring you have a little money to spare, and others requiring that you just have a few friends who are also looking to trade. Improve your collection by picking a method that best suits you.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Purchasing New Pokémon Cards From a Retail Store

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    Individual packs of cards have a random assortment of card varieties, and typically include a few rare cards. Every booster pack is guaranteed 1 rare card, but may also include more. This includes particularly rare cards, such as holofoil, and “star” rare.
    • The rares you get from booster packs are completely random. You may have to open many, many booster packs to find the one particular rare you want. [1]
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    Promo tins typically come with a few booster packs, as well as a selection of specific rare cards. This can be a great way of achieving a particular rare (along with a few random ones), assuming it’s a rare that you want. [2]
    • New Pokémon tins are regularly released as new sets of cards come out. Older tins are not always kept in stock however, so make sure you take advantage of tin releases.
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    A booster box contains 36 booster packs, though it does not come with a guaranteed ultra rare, like the tins. Buying a box is the most efficient way of obtaining a large amount of cards, and many retailers will offer a small discount for purchasing a box.
    • Note that you will at least receive 36 rare cards by purchasing a box, and usually more than that. However, like buying individual packs, there is no guarantee of receiving a specific card that you desire.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Purchasing Cards Secondhand

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    Independent game and card shops will buy and sell “used” Pokémon cards. This is the perfect way to peruse a library of cards and purchase just the individual cards that you want. [3]
    • Particularly rare cards will be quite expensive due to their high demand. Trade in a few cards that you don’t want to offset the high price.
    • Check back every week or so – players will always be trading in cards they no longer need.
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    There are a variety of online shops that will sell individual cards – sometimes even fresh from the pack. If you don’t have a local shop and have the means to do so, find a reputable website and try building your collection.
    • Make sure you’re purchasing from a respectable company . If you are buying cards from an individual seller, such as through eBay, check their reviews and make sure you are purchasing exactly what you want.
    • Online card shops may charge a premium for certain cards, particularly if they open new packs to acquire them. Think of it as a convenience fee, as not everyone is necessarily willing to sell off cards they don’t want.
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    Yard sales are a great place to find loads of cards. It's not uncommon for someone to get rid of their entire collection this way, whether it's someone who lost interest in the game, or a parent getting rid of a child’s old things.
    • Pawn shops are another great place to find a large number of cards. Some people sell their collection to a pawn shop just to get them out of the way. You can find some hidden gems this way, and usually for cheap!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rares From your Friends

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    Not every player will want the same cards for their deck. Try finding someone who has a card you need (and they don’t want), and see if you can reach a trade agreement. It doesn't have to be card for card. Sometimes trading a few cards for a single rare card is worth the trade.
    • Game lobbies and shops are great places to meet other players, which can open up your trading opportunities.
    • Check online to see what rare cards are available, or for resources that can help you design a deck.
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    Challenge your friends to a friendly game and wager one another’s cards! This adds an element of competition to card trading, and can be a good way of amassing additional cards that you can use for further trading.
    • Make sure you don’t mind parting with the cards you put on the line. You don’t want to wager cards that are important to any of your decks.
    • Keep things friendly! Such bets can get heated, even among friends, so make sure you are on good terms and agreeable with the person you are challenging.
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    The prizes for winning local tournaments includes a large number of cards. This can range from the latest tin, to a box or two of the latest card set. If you’re a particularly good player, this can be a great way of getting the game to “pay for itself.” [4]
    • National tournaments tend to award actual money, rather than cards.
    • Take care when entering tournaments. The price of a winning deck can be quite steep, and the skill and dedication required are immense!
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you know if you're going to get an ex every time?
    Community Answer
    You can try weighing the pack. If the weight goes over a certain number, it means it has something good inside. Search on YouTube for detailed tutorials.
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    Not Helpful 36 Helpful 208
  • Question
    Should I make a trade if my friend says he'll give me something in a few days or a week?
    Community Answer
    You should never do that. Make sure they have the card on them before you trade or they might forget and trade the card to someone else and no one wants that.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 32 Helpful 130
  • Question
    How do you know how many health points there are without seeing the cards in the packs?
    Community Answer
    You can't. However, if you purchase packs from known stores like Walmart, the cards will most likely be good. What you can know without opening a pack is that it will have five common cards, three uncommon cards, one 'shiny' card, and one rare card.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Make fair trades! If someone finds out you ripped them off, you’ll have a hard time finding someone to trade with again.
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      • Watch out for fake cards. Know what to look for when buying individual cards so that you don’t get scammed.
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        Helpful 16 Not Helpful 4
      • Starter packs have a list of the cards on the back, and can help get your set started.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • It's a good idea to look at Booster packs carefully. Usually, Boosters with odd features are more likely to be EX or rare.
      • Look into Booster packs from stores such as Walmart and Target. You might find some rare cards!
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/
      2. ↑ http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/shiny-kalos-tins/
      3. ↑ http://www.comicshoplocator.com/Home/1/1/57/575
      4. ↑ https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/find-an-event/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Getting rare Pokemon cards isn't as hard as you might think, especially if you can afford to buy several packs of cards. Look for booster packs of cards, which will always have at least 1 rare card in them. You can also buy promo tins and booster boxes, which contain more rare cards. If you're looking for a specific rare card, you can try buying it online or at a card shop. Alternatively, if one of your friends has the rare card you're looking for, you can try trading them for it. Be prepared to offer 2 or even 3 of your cards in exchange for their rare card if you really want it! You could also challenge your friends to a game and wager some cards on it. For tips on how to win rare cards in Pokemon tournaments, keep reading!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Koolaid369 Aka kim

        Jul 22, 2017

        "This helps a lot! Thanks wikiHow, I have been looking for a new way to get cards, and this definitely helped! It ..." more
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