Learning how to play Pokémon cards is easier than it looks. The Pokémon Trading Card Game has a few core rules, and once you know them, every new card just adds a twist. This guide on how to play Pokémon TCG walks you through the deck rules, setup, a full turn, the ways to win, Pokémon ex and Mega Evolution, and the best products to start with.
Quick summary: 60-card deck · draw 7 cards and set 6 Prize cards · attach 1 Energy per turn · attack to end your turn · take all 6 Prize cards to win.
Table of Contents
How to play Pokémon cards: the three types of cards
Every card in the game is one of three types:
- Pokémon: the cards that battle. Basic Pokémon can be played straight away, while Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon evolve from them.
- Trainer cards: Items, Supporters, Stadiums and Pokémon Tools that help you draw cards, find Pokémon, heal or change the battle.
- Energy cards: Basic and Special Energy that power your Pokémon’s attacks.
Each Pokémon card shows its HP (how much damage it can take), its type, its attacks with their Energy cost and damage, and its weakness, resistance and retreat cost.
Deck building rules
The first step in learning how to play Pokémon TCG is building a legal deck. A deck must have exactly 60 cards. It needs at least one Basic Pokémon, and you can have no more than 4 copies of any card with the same name. Basic Energy cards are the exception: you can have as many as you like.
Some cards have extra limits. ACE SPEC cards, marked with a pink star, are limited to one per deck in total, so you have to choose your best one carefully.
Setting up the game
- Step 1: shuffle your deck and draw 7 cards.
- Step 2: put a Basic Pokémon face down in your Active Spot.
- Step 3: put up to 5 more Basic Pokémon face down on your Bench.
- Step 4: set aside the top 6 cards of your deck face down as your Prize cards.
- Step 5: flip a coin to see who goes first, then turn your Pokémon face up.
Setup is the same in every game, so it is the easiest part of how to play Pokémon cards to learn. If you have no Basic Pokémon in your opening hand, that is a mulligan. Show your hand, shuffle it back in and draw 7 new cards. Your opponent may draw 1 extra card for each extra mulligan you took.
How to play Pokémon cards: taking a turn
Each turn has three parts.
1. Draw a card
Start every turn by drawing 1 card.
2. Do any of these, in any order
- Put Basic Pokémon onto your Bench.
- Evolve your Pokémon.
- Attach 1 Energy card to one of your Pokémon (only once per turn).
- Play Trainer cards. You can play as many Items as you like, but only 1 Supporter and 1 Stadium per turn.
- Retreat your Active Pokémon by paying its retreat cost (only once per turn).
- Use Abilities on your Pokémon.
3. Attack
If your Active Pokémon has enough Energy, you can attack. Attacking ends your turn. Damage is placed on the defending Pokémon, and if its damage reaches its HP, it is Knocked Out.
First-turn rules
There are two special rules for the first turn. The player who goes first cannot attack or play a Supporter on that turn, and neither player can evolve a Pokémon on their first turn.
How to win
There are three ways to win a game:
- Take all 6 of your Prize cards. You take a Prize card each time you Knock Out one of your opponent’s Pokémon.
- Knock Out all of your opponent’s Pokémon in play, so they have none left.
- Your opponent has no cards left to draw at the start of their turn.
The official Pokémon TCG rulebook explains each rule in more detail, with pictures of the play area. Knowing the three win conditions is a big part of how to play Pokémon cards well.
Pokémon ex and Mega Evolution ex
Some Pokémon are much stronger, but they come with a risk. When a Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards instead of 1. When a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 3.
Mega Evolution works differently than it did in the older XY era. Mega Evolving no longer ends your turn, so you can attack right away. Some Mega ex cards evolve from an earlier stage, for example Mega Venusaur ex evolves from Ivysaur. Mega ex cards have very high HP: Mega Mawile ex has 270. Understanding Prize cards is key to how to play Pokémon TCG at a higher level, as it decides which Pokémon are worth the risk.
Which cards can you use in tournaments?
If you want to play at official events, learning how to play Pokémon TCG also means checking which cards are legal in the Standard format. For 2026–27, cards with the G regulation mark rotated out. Cards with the H, I and J marks and later are legal. The change took effect in Pokémon TCG Live on March 26, 2026, and at Play! Pokémon events on April 10, 2026. Mega Evolution series cards carry the I mark, so they are legal.
For casual games with friends, you can play any cards you like, as long as you both agree.
How to play Pokémon TCG for free
The easiest free way to learn how to play Pokémon TCG is Pokémon TCG Live, the official free app from The Pokémon Company. It has beginner tutorials and practice matches, and it runs on iOS, Android, PC and Mac. It is a great way to learn the rules before you buy cards.
Best products for beginners
League Battle Decks and Battle Decks
A League Battle Deck is a ready-to-play 60-card deck built around one strong Pokémon, with accessories like dice, condition markers and a deck box. The Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck and the Mewtwo ex League Battle Deck are good picks. For two players learning together, the Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex Battle Decks make a good pair.
Trainer’s Toolkit
The Trainer’s Toolkit (2025) is for players who already have a deck and want to improve it. It has more than 50 cards, including dozens of Trainers and 3 ACE SPEC cards, plus 4 booster packs, 65 sleeves, a strategy guide, dice and condition markers.
Build & Battle Box
A Build & Battle Box has a ready-to-play 40-card deck, 4 booster packs and a foil promo. These decks are made for prerelease events, but they are also a fun way to play with a friend. Try the Delta Reign Build & Battle Box for the newest set.
Tips for new players
- Learn how to play Pokémon cards with a ready-made deck before building your own.
- Keep about 10 to 15 Pokémon in your deck at first, so you always have a Basic to start.
- Play Supporters that draw cards; running out of cards to play is a common beginner mistake.
- Think about Prize cards: a Pokémon ex gives up 2, so protect it.
- Practise in Pokémon TCG Live before going to a league or event.
- Watch a few recorded games online to see how to play Pokémon cards in practice.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in a Pokémon deck?
60 for a standard deck. Prerelease Build & Battle decks use 40.
What is the easiest way to learn how to play Pokémon cards?
Start with the free tutorials in Pokémon TCG Live, then pick up a League Battle Deck so you have a real deck to play with friends.
How many Prize cards do you set out?
6. A normal Pokémon gives 1 Prize card when Knocked Out, a Pokémon ex gives 2 and a Mega ex gives 3.
Can you attack on your first turn?
Not if you go first. The second player can attack on their first turn.
Keep learning
Once you know how to play Pokémon TCG, read our guide on how many packs are in a booster box to choose your next product, or see what is in the newest set in our Delta Reign card list.