Pokémon TCG Guides & Collecting Blog
Guides on playing, collecting, grading and protecting Pokémon cards, from your first deck to your first graded slab.
Advanced Strategy guides
Showing guides tagged “Advanced Strategy”. See all guides
About the TCG Protectors Pokémon blog
New to the Pokémon TCG or building toward your next tournament? Our guides cover how to play, deck building, top decks in the current format, card grading, sealed product values, and the best ways to protect and display your cards. Every guide is written by collectors and players at TCG Protectors. Start with a category below, open one of our most-read guides, or browse the latest posts to find answers for your next pack opening, trade night, or league match.
Pokémon TCG Blog FAQ
Where should a beginner start with the Pokémon TCG?
Start with our How to Play guide for setup, turn structure, and win conditions. Then read the card anatomy and rarity guide so you can read every card, and pick a starter deck before you build your own.
How many cards are in a Pokémon TCG deck?
A Standard deck has exactly 60 cards, with no more than 4 copies of any card by name except basic Energy. Most decks run about 12–20 Pokémon, 30–40 Trainers, and 8–14 Energy.
Should I grade my Pokémon cards, and with which company?
Grade cards whose graded value clearly beats the fee and shipping. Our grading guide compares PSA, BGS, and CGC on cost, turnaround, and resale, and our pre-grading checklist covers centering, corners, edges, and surface.
How should I store and protect Pokémon cards?
Sleeve valuable cards right away, keep them in a side-loading binder or toploaders, and store them away from direct sunlight and humidity. Sealed boxes like ETBs and booster boxes are best kept in a fitted acrylic case with UV protection.
How often is this blog updated?
We publish new guides every month and update existing ones when a new set releases or the Standard format rotates, so deck lists and product values stay current.