The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a battle between two 60-card decks of Pokémon, Energy and Trainer cards. Attach Energy to your Pokémon so they can attack, knock out your opponent's Pokémon to take Prize cards, and take your last Prize to win. This guide walks you through it one step at a time, with no experience needed.
Download the free printable quick guide (PDF)
Two pages you can print and keep next to your cards while you learn.
Want the full official rules? Visit Pokémon's official Learn to Play page (tcg.pokemon.com).
What do you need to play?
- 1 deck of exactly 60 cards: a mix of Pokémon, Energy and Trainer cards, however you like.
- At least 1 Basic Pokémon in your deck, you need one to start the game.
Not sure what to put in a deck? Ask us at the counter, we're happy to help.
What are the deck-building rules?
- No more than 4 copies of any single card, Basic Energy cards are the exception, run as many as you want.
- Exactly 60 cards, no more, no less.
What's your play area?
Every game uses the same layout, so you always know where things are.
| Area | What's there |
|---|---|
| Active | Your 1 Pokémon currently in battle. |
| Bench | Up to 5 more Pokémon, waiting in reserve. |
| Prize Cards | 6 cards set aside at the start, taken when you knock out a Pokémon. |
| Deck | Face down, draw from here each turn. |
| Discard Pile | Used cards and knocked-out Pokémon, face up. |
| Hand | Cards only you can see. |
How do you set up a game?
- Shuffle your deck and draw 7 cards. No Basic Pokémon in hand? You must mulligan: reveal your hand, shuffle it back in, and draw 7 again until you get one.
- Put 1 Basic Pokémon face down as your Active Pokémon. You may place more Basics face down on your Bench.
- Set aside your top 6 cards face down as Prize cards, then flip everything face up to start.
What happens on your turn?
Every turn follows the same three steps, in order.
- Draw: draw 1 card.
- Main: play Pokémon and Trainer cards, evolve, attach Energy, retreat, in any order you like.
- Attack: use 1 attack from your Active Pokémon, if you can pay for it. This ends your turn.
Going first? You skip your Attack step and can't play a Supporter card on your very first turn.
You can attach 1 Energy card per turn to any of your Pokémon, building up enough to pay for an attack. An attack's cost is shown as colored Energy symbols on the card, a 2-cost attack needs 2 Energy attached.
How does evolution work?
Basic → Stage 1 → Stage 2: play the next stage right on top of a matching Pokémon already in play. It keeps all its attached Energy, damage and Tools, and becomes the new, stronger Pokémon.
You can't evolve a Pokémon the same turn you played it or evolved it, so a freshly-played Basic has to wait until your next turn.
How does attacking work?
- Your Active Pokémon attacks the opponent's Active Pokémon.
- Weakness doubles the damage dealt. Resistance (rare) subtracts 30.
- Retreat: pay the retreat cost shown on your Active Pokémon in Energy to swap it with a Bench Pokémon, once per turn.
How do you win?
| Take all 6 Prizes | Knock out opponent's Pokémon to take them. Some powerful Pokémon are worth 2. |
| Opponent has no Pokémon | Every one of theirs has been knocked out and they have none left to play. |
| Opponent can't draw | Their deck is empty at the start of their turn. |
Common terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Knock Out | Damage on a Pokémon meets or exceeds its HP, it's discarded. |
| Status condition | Asleep, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Confused or Burned. |
| Supporter | A powerful Trainer card, only 1 per turn. |
| GX / ex / V | Stronger Pokémon, often worth 2 Prizes when knocked out. |
What are the best tips for your first game?
- Aim for about 15-16 Energy cards in a 60-card deck.
- Keep a Basic Pokémon on your Bench as backup in case your Active is knocked out.
- Read a card you haven't seen before you play it, and ask if you're unsure what it does.
- Card text always wins if it ever differs from these basics.
Quick reference
| Deck | Exactly 60 cards, no more than 4 of any card (Basic Energy excepted) |
| Start | Draw 7, 1 Basic Pokémon Active, 6 Prize cards set aside |
| Your turn | Draw, Main (play / evolve / attach / retreat), Attack |
| Win | Take all 6 Prizes, or your opponent has no Pokémon or can't draw |
Printable quick guide
Everything above fits on two printable pages. Print it double-sided and keep it at the table.
Download the printable guide (PDF)
Official Pokémon TCG rules (free)
The Pokémon Company posts the official rules for free.
- Learn to Play: the official beginner walkthrough with videos and quick-start guides.
- Rulebook: the full official rulebook, for when a card does something tricky.
- Play! Pokémon Rules & Resources: tournament rules, if you want to go further.
Where can you play Pokémon TCG near Newport, TN?
Landfall Outpost hosts Pokémon TCG events for players of all experience levels at 138 North St, Newport, TN 37821. New players are always welcome, we'll help you get started. Pick up booster boxes, packs and singles in our Pokémon collection, and check our events page for our current schedule. Free on-site parking.