How to Start Collecting Pokémon Cards: Rarities, Packs and First Buys

If you want to know how to start collecting Pokémon cards, you are in good company. Collecting has never been more popular, and there are more ways to start than ever. The trick is to begin with a plan, so you spend your money on cards you love instead of random packs. This guide walks you through seven simple steps, from choosing a goal to protecting your first hits.

How many Pokémon cards are there?

A lot. How many Pokémon cards are there in total? Wikipedia, citing The Pokémon Company’s own figures, puts the number at more than 85 billion cards produced worldwide as of March 2026. There is no official count of how many different cards have been released, but several new sets come out every year, and each one has well over a hundred cards.

That is exactly why a plan helps. Nobody can collect everything, so the first step is deciding what you want to collect.

How to start collecting Pokémon cards in 7 steps

These seven steps cover how to start collecting Pokémon cards the smart way. You do not have to follow them in order, but each one will save you money and help you build a collection you are proud of.

Step 1: Pick a collecting goal

Here are four popular goals for new collectors:

• A master set: every card from one set, including all the secret rares and reverse holos.
• One Pokémon: every card of your favourite, like Pikachu, Eevee or Charizard.
• One artist: cards by an illustrator whose style you love.
• The chase cards: just the special illustration rares from the sets you like.

A goal keeps your collection focused and makes it easier to decide what to buy next.

Step 2: Learn the rarity symbols

Every card has a rarity symbol in the bottom corner. Learning them is the most useful part of how to start collecting Pokémon cards, because it tells you which cards are special. Here is the modern ladder, according to Bulbapedia’s rarity guide:

• Common (circle), Uncommon (diamond) and Rare (star). Since Scarlet & Violet, every Rare is a holo, one per pack.
• Double Rare (2 black stars): regular Pokémon ex.
• ACE SPEC Rare (pink star): powerful Trainer or Energy cards, limited to one per deck.
• Illustration Rare (1 gold star): full-art cards of regular Pokémon.
• Ultra Rare (2 silver stars): full-art Pokémon ex and Supporters.
• Special Illustration Rare (2 gold stars): special full-art ex and Supporter cards.
• Hyper Rare (3 gold stars): gold cards.
• Shiny Rare and Shiny Ultra Rare (hollow gold stars): shiny cards, from Paldean Fates onward.
• Mega Hyper Rare (gold star with a black border): top Mega Evolution Pokémon ex.

What is SIR in Pokémon cards?

What is SIR in Pokémon cards? SIR stands for Special Illustration Rare, marked with two gold stars. These are full-art cards with special artwork that often shows the Pokémon in a scene, and they are usually the most valuable cards in a modern set. For example, the Mega Gengar ex SIR is the top chase card in Ascended Heroes, which has 22 SIRs in its 295 cards.

Mega Attack Rare

The newest rarity is the Mega Attack Rare, a pop-art style for Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. It started in Japan and made its English debut in Ascended Heroes, which has seven of them.

Step 3: Choose your first products

What are the best Pokémon packs to buy when you are starting out? It depends on your budget and goal, but these are the main options, from smallest to largest:

• Booster pack: 10 cards plus 1 Basic Energy. A cheap way to try a set.
• Mini tin: 2 packs, a sticker sheet and an art card. A fun small gift.
• Tin: usually 4 packs and a foil promo.
• Booster bundle: 6 packs and nothing else, for people who just want to open.
• Elite Trainer Box: 9 packs, a promo, 65 sleeves, Energy cards, dice and a storage box with dividers.
• Booster box: 36 packs, for serious collectors chasing a full set.

So what are the best Pokémon packs to buy? For most new collectors, an Elite Trainer Box is the best first buy. It comes with sleeves and a box, so you can protect your cards from day one. Read our guide on how many packs are in a booster box for a full comparison.

• Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes Mini Tins (Set of 5)
• Mega Evolution: Delta Reign Booster Bundle (ME06)

Step 4: Buy singles for specific cards

Opening packs is fun, but it is a slow way to get one specific card. If you want a particular card, buying the single is usually cheaper than opening packs until you pull it. Check recent sale prices first, for example with the TCGplayer Market Price, which averages recent completed sales.

A good balance for many collectors is to open some packs for fun and buy singles for the cards on their want list.

Step 5: Protect your cards

Condition matters. Grading companies mark cards down for worn corners and edges, scratches, creases and stains, and even small damage can lower a card’s value a lot. The basics are simple:

• Put every valuable card in a sleeve as soon as you pull it.
• Store your collection in a binder with side-loading pages, or in a box with dividers.
• Keep cards away from sunlight, heat and damp.
• Never use rubber bands or write on cards.

An Elite Trainer Box comes with 65 sleeves and a divided box, which makes it a ready-made starter storage kit.

Step 6: Set a budget

A budget is one of the most overlooked parts of how to start collecting Pokémon cards. It is easy to overspend on packs. Decide how much you want to spend each month and stick to it. Many collectors find that a monthly ETB or bundle, plus a few singles, keeps the hobby fun without the pressure.

Step 7: Buy from trusted sellers

Fakes and resealed packs are a real problem. Buy sealed products from trusted stores and check singles carefully. Our guide on how to tell if Pokémon cards are fake explains what to look for.

Common beginner mistakes

Avoid these mistakes when you are learning how to start collecting Pokémon cards:

• Buying lots of loose packs from random sets with no goal.
• Leaving valuable cards unsleeved in a pile.
• Paying asking prices instead of checking recent sales.
• Buying expensive cards from unknown sellers.
• Forgetting to enjoy it: collect what you love, not just what is valuable.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best first product to buy?

An Elite Trainer Box. It has 9 packs, a promo and everything you need to store and protect your cards.

What are the best Pokémon packs to buy for beginners?

Packs from the newest set are easy to find and fun to open. An Elite Trainer Box or booster bundle gives you several packs at once.

How many Pokémon cards are there in one set?

It varies a lot. Paldean Fates has 245 cards, Pokémon 151 has 207, and Ascended Heroes has 295, the largest English set so far.

Are Japanese cards good for beginners?

They can be. Japanese boxes often guarantee at least one high rarity card, and many collectors love their print quality. Read our comparison: are Japanese Pokémon cards worth more?

Do I need to play the game to collect?

No. Many collectors never play, but if you are curious, our guide on how to play Pokémon cards is a good start.

What to read next

Now that you know how to start collecting Pokémon cards, find out what Pokémon cards are worth money, or browse our booster bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes to start opening.