Best products from r/PokemonTCG

Perfect fit sleeves fit your card... well, perfectly. They are just barely bigger than the card and are meant to be used with regular sleeves. Just an added layer of protection. I used to use them when I played MTG for some of my super expensive decks. They make your decks super bulky and I personally don’t think they are necessary unless you are playing some super expensive cards or if you wanna add a tiny degree of water protection to your cards. Also be warned that some people claim that certain kinds of perfect fits can warp your cards.
here is a link for perfect fits

Penny sleeves are way bigger than cards and can offer some protection if you’re just putting cards in a binder or top loader. They’re not really for playing. (Your cards will fall out and it will be impossible to shuffle.) Most people use them for storage. Personally I use them when I mail cards in a trade or something. It’s really not doing much except maybe protection from scratches. When I say they are big I mean you could probably put 5-7 cards in 1 penny sleeve.

here is a link for penny sleeves

Hope I could help


never tried and never will try. Don’t take my word for it.

They make trainer kits specifically for people to learn how to play. They come with a folded playmat and cardboard counters. The instructions even tell each player what to do, step by step. And the cards are numbered so you can put them in the correct order again after you play through once.

The kit only comes with 60 cards (30 for each player) but it’s a great way to learn the game. There are multiple versions of the trainer kits but here is one:


https://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-TCG-Trainer-Sandslash-Ninetales/dp/B0797PZQDC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=pokemon+trainer+kit&qid=1573476508&sprefix=pokemon+trainer&sr=8-3

If you know how to play and want to teach the kid how to play yourself without the trainer kit, then you can buy complete decks as well. Here is an example:


https://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Mewtwo-Pikachu-Evolutions-Decks/dp/B01M4JDD7T/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?keywords=pokemon+cards&qid=1573476640&sr=8-12

They sell these at all the grocery stores around my house (Kroger, Meijer, Walmart) as well as some drug stores (Walgreens).

And my daughter learned how to play when she was 7 years old and loves the game!

Edit: if you’re only going to buy regular packs to build decks then you’ll probably have to hunt down one of those energy card packs that just have a bunch of different energy cards (or maybe an Elite Trainer Box that comes with 8 packs as well as a bunch of energy cards and card sleeves). But you’ll find a lot more trainer cards in the themed decks. Those are hard to pull from regular packs.

Edit 2: also, DO NOT buy cards from a flea market. Most of the cards at the flea markets around here are counterfeit. They aren’t even copies of real cards sometimes. They just make their own cards that have generic holifoil designs and very overpowered moves. I’ve even seen cards with over 1000hp when the highest you can get is 250hp on a legit card.

Looking at it - it should work fine, seems like they'll fit. I'm not too sure on the differences between the two personally, it does seem to be a slightly sturdier sleeve though - so should be fine. I'd say it largely depends on what reasoning you have to sleeve them. If it's for play, I'd get the hard sleeves as opposed to the ones I linked, and if it's for collection I'd go for the linked sleeves.

Personally I put everything into the perfect sleeves linked, then into the official pokemon deck sleeves (the types in the trainer boxes) - though any standard size should work - and then into a binder. This is for collecting purposes - as both the sleeve types I'm using are glossy and clear on the front, whereas both the Perfect Hard Sleeve and the Ultra Pro Sleeves are matte fronts, meaning they dull the shine and clarity of the cards a noticeable amount - but in exchange for being much sturdier.

For pure collection you don't need hard sleeves as their main use is to protect from shuffling and, say, banging around in a deck box. You should binder or topload any cards that are for pure collection purposes, and of course keep them temperate.

Also keep in mind pricing - the packs are each roughly a similar price, but you'll get half of the sleeves per pack if you go Hard Sleeves.

TL;DR If you're planning on going for collectable storage get the cheaper Perfect Fit Normal Sleeves, and some form of glossy standard card sleeve.
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If for play, get the Perfect Fit Hard Sleeves (Look around for pricing maybe) and Ultra Pro Deck Sleeves to get the best level of protection for shuffling and jostling.

For my high value cards, I double sleeve them. First I load them top first into perfect fit sleeves, then load them bottom first into a larger sleeve like the ETB sleeves. I like the extra shine from the silver on the ETB sleeves and they're nice and big. Then, they go in a top loader.

For any mid-range cards I at least put them in a single sleeve.

At a minimum, you should be putting cards you care about into sleeves and then a top loader. Putting the open end of the sleeve down into the top loader would definitely be better to protect against dust or accidental water exposure.

Hi, and welcome! For preconstructed deck there isnt much in terms of competativeness. I'll link an Amazon listing that is probably the closest you'll get. There isnt much for decks out right now, because rotation just happened, but this sylveon deck is pretty close to controll. Lastly I would each pick up one or two of the garchomp theme decks. You can mush them together and make something pretty decent for cheap. The garchomp deck wont be standard, but it's fairly powerful for friendly play. https://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Battle-Arena-Kyurem-vs-Kyurem/dp/B06XKC6J29
https://www.pokegoldfish.com/archetype/standard-sylveon#paper
https://www.amazon.com/Pokémon-Pokemon-Theme-Deck/dp/B079H872F7/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536510717&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=garchomp+theme+deck
https://www.pokemon.com/us/strategy/a-bite-on-a-budget/

Hello old timer, go on troll and toad (google it) and type in espeon and look at their selection. Consider a full art espeon (a card where the picture takes up the whole card). There are only 3-4 full sets per whole booster box which is 100$ in booster packs meaning it's better to buy her the card individually.

Get her a full art espeon imo. Maybe look into getting the kmc perfect fit sleeve+ full mat sleeves so she can double sleeve and protect her cards ( I have a lot of worn out cards from when I was younger and I love them for the nostalgia and memories) the sleeve combo is sold on Amazon for 9 bucks, it has both the perfect fit and mat, manufacturer is kmc


https://www.amazon.com/KMC-80-Pack-Pochettes-Barrier-Perfect/dp/B00SSE5T9M/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1479764005&sr=8-8&keywords=kmc+perfect+fit

Hey I don't know if you placed an order yet but I wanted to give you a heads up on this. At the Amazon Japan link below, you can order a box of Sky Legend that will ship to the US (I assume you're in the US as well). It's sold by a third party and fulfilled by Amazon, so I take back what I said about third party sellers not shipping international. I guess it just has to be fulfilled by Amazon? Also, it's release day in Japan so no need to pre-order anymore.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07KYLSD63/

Copy/paste from my response to this question just a couple of days ago:

I've tried a number of different sorting methods and the one I'm using now I think is the best for a player's active collection. If you're not a player, you might be able to adapt what I do to make it good for you anyway.

So, for starters, each set gets its own binder. In addition, I have a binder for trades and secret rares, a binder for promos (one for each card generation, so SM Promos, XY Promos, etc.), and a binder for playable singles, sorted by set. At the front of each binder, I've also got a sheet protector that houses the booklet that comes with the set's Elite Trainer Box.

Each binder gets the card pages necessary to house a playset of each card from the set (secret rares excepted). I have created a spreadsheet in Excel that, in addition to calculating the necessary number of pages, will calculate the size of the binder the set will need based on the number of cards in the set. Each card is then organized by card number all the way through to the last of the special energies. I prioritize regular holos over reverse (prefer them) and reverse holos over non-holos. For alternate arts, I keep whichever art I prefer as the playset in the binder (for example, I prefer Alolan Vulpix GRI 21a over 21, so I keep 21a in the binder--when it's not in a deck, of course).

As for cards that exceed the playsets? It depends on whether I've considered them playable bulk or regular bulk. If I don't intend to try to trade it away, playable bulk goes into the playable bulk singles binder until it hits a full playset (always 4, even for cards that can only be one ofs in a deck, like prism star cards). Once it hits a full playset, the playset goes into a penny sleeve and then the playable bulk box (like this), which is sorted by set (using a divider from its Elite Trainer Box) and then divided by little plastic dividers (like these) into the following sections:

1. Grass
   
2. Fire
   
3. Water
   
4. Lightning
   
5. Psychic
   
6. Fighting
   
7. Dark
   
8. Metal
   
9. Fairy
   
10. Dragon
    
11. Normal
    
12. Trainers
    
13. Special Energies
    
    If I consider the card not playable, it goes into an Elite Trainer Box from the set it belongs to (or bulk boxes like the one I use for energies mentioned below if I don't have one), sorted by card number with same sections as above, just in case a card gets reclassed (like Chimecho CIN 43 did just recently). I still use the dividers with sets prior to Black and White, but the dividers are numerical instead (every 10 card numbers).
    
    Basic energy cards are sorted into bulk storage boxes (like these).

there is new pokemon movie coming very soon in theatres and they released some tie in cards that looks very nice. Look for detective pikachu case file on amazon. The cards look super nice, Also there is a Charizard one, and everybody loves Charizard. https://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-TCG-Detective-Charizard-Gx-Oversize/dp/B07N8M7JCK/

My local game store had a large blind box of 200 mostly commons for pretty cheap. She was wowed by the amount of cards and had fun seeing what was inside. This is just for fun or collecting.

I got her a trainer kit to teach me and her how to play the game. I keep this together like a board game, not mixed with the others:

Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Trainer Kit Lycanroc & Alolan Raichu Card Game https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6TC9MD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AwUXCbSHRBXT2

Top loaders for really expensive cards.

I normally use a thick sleeve idk what they are called bit they are normally a solid color or have a picture on them. And place it in a top loader.

Normally it's like 200 for 12$ on Amazon for non brand picture sleeves.

Here are some examples:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009EXIAOC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_S1W0CbVXHYJCF

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XAH0V68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_a3W0CbJ7H4CV1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXOH8SK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J3W0CbTZH0F9D

You can get like 100 top loaders for 12$ as well mine came with 100 penny sleeves as well but idk if they all do.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002K2MNGK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_P4W0Cb5PGHA3V


Side loading binder pages. I just ordered these so I have not tried them but a few people recommended them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009WU21XI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_q5W0CbP9G2VV0


I store my bulk in MTG fat packs or in the pokemon world what would be elite trainer boxes.


I also have like 1000 penny sleeves laying around just in case:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y4HI7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_d8W0Cb5DZ0CTX

I just use old binder I used when I was kid or your can just go to any office supply store and get three ring binders for a few dollars.

KMCs are ones that Magic players use and should work well as inner sleeves for double sleeving. My personal preference is to use KMC Hyper Mattes and over KMC perfect sleeves for inners.

https://www.amazon.com/KMC-pochettes-Barrier-Komainu-Dou-Original/dp/B00NU5F7U0/ref=pd_lpo_bs_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E66TXR5758C2MEN8WQ0Q

http://www.potomacdist.com/detail.asp?itemid=kmchmtbdpb#.WOfanG_yt9M

I go through a TON of sleeves for MtG (play pokemon casually), so those are what I use for tournament play and the $56 is well worth it for me.

Edit: If you want to see more about sleeves for reviews, I suggest watching the Professor's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bu1h0gtu2U&list=PLvqw7t0kbGX9ZlOrr9sqD8zGGPuEIfeBz

Primarily for MtG, but all of the sleeves he reviews generally are kosher for tourney play.

In Japan they sell $5 60 cards decks based on a specific energy that are great to start with. Otherwise you can get two 2x 30 card deck learning sets for $10 and learn to play with them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6TC9MD/ref=dp_cerb_1

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07SQWM1QH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36LUZRVJDG1RE&keywords=%E3%82%BF%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0GX%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA&qid=1571329450&sprefix=tag+team+%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pokemon-Card-Game-Sun-Moon-High-Class-Pack-TAG-TEAM-GX-Tag-All-Stars-BOX-JAPAN/153672831368?epid=9034587950&hash=item23c79d5188:g:uhcAAOSwUYRdm14H

Some other cheaper options with Free Shipping though Amazon JP or Ebay.

Pokemon Sun & Moon SM5 Ultra Prism Theme Decks EMPOLEAN & GARCHOMP https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078KBW346/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.fwOAbVGP54SF

Best theme decks I’ve played


Pokemon TCG: Battle Arena Decks, Rayquaza Vs Keldeo Card Game https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GT1CY7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_diwOAb9RM005X

Best battle decks I’ve played at a decent price. These also come with holo energy cards.

They are ready to play out the box, but you can always switch a few cards around to beef it up.

I found this setup on Amazon.

Binder: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DV90VNI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pages: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MS3Y74/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The pages are slightly larger than the cards, but I really like it nonetheless. I just had them stacked up on a shelf before now, basically neglected them. I am very happy I found a way to protect/appreciate them.

I'm new too!

This comes with a lot of staples for competitive play, so this is a good buy.
https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Arena-Decks-Rayquaza-Keldeo/dp/B01GT1CY7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486784896&sr=8-2&keywords=keldeo+vs+rayquaza+battle+arena+deck

decklist is here:
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Battle_Arena_Decks:_Rayquaza_vs_Keldeo_(TCG)

Here's a video review on it that accesses the value:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3ydIfJtorM

https://i.imgur.com/Z2ThVly.jpg

KMC Perfect Fits - are the penny sleeves.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NU5F7U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Zn6WCbMFND3ZJ

amazon sells some of these zip up faux leather cases for cards that might be more durable than a straight up regular binder.

https://www.amazon.com/DACCKIT-Carrying-Binder-Compatible-Pokemon/dp/B07VHQQNVT/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=pokemon+card+binder&qid=1572380844&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRFZLVjJWVFJWMUdVJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTk1MjU5MUpJTlQ4UUVUN0ZCWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDA1MDAyMjlQWjhXMkI2WU84UCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I got it off of Amazon. There are smaller sizes as well, depending on how large your collection is.

https://www.amazon.com/BCW-Monster-Corrugated-Cardboard-Storage/dp/B000K41E7E

$20 on Amazon