Quick Answer
The Pokemon Trading Card Game is simpler than it looks. Once you understand the structure, a full game takes 15 to 30 minutes and most of the rules feel intuitive. See current prices at /cards/pokemon.
The Pokemon Trading Card Game is simpler than it looks. Once you understand the structure, a full game takes 15 to 30 minutes and most of the rules feel intuitive.
This guide covers everything you need to play your first game.
What You Need
Two players. Two 60-card decks. Six Prize Cards per player. That's the setup.
The easiest starting point in Australia is a Pokemon TCG Starter Deck: a ready-to-play 60-card deck sold as a box. They're available at Target, Big W, EB Games, and local game stores for roughly AU$20 to AU$35.
The Goal
Take all six of your Prize Cards before your opponent does.
You take a Prize Card whenever one of your opponent's Pokemon is knocked out (has enough damage on it to be defeated). The first player to collect all six wins.
You also win if your opponent has no Pokemon left in play, or if they can't draw a card at the start of their turn.
Setting Up
- Shuffle your 60-card deck
- Each player draws 7 cards
- Place one Basic Pokemon face-down in your Active Spot. this is your starting Pokemon
- Place up to five more Basic Pokemon face-down on your Bench
- Put the top six cards of your remaining deck face-down as your Prize Cards
- Both players flip their Active Pokemon face-up and the game begins
If you don't have a Basic Pokemon in your opening 7 cards, show your hand, shuffle back in, and draw again. Your opponent gets to draw an extra card each time this happens.
The Card Types
Pokemon cards are your fighters. They have HP (hit points), attacks, and sometimes abilities.
Energy cards power your attacks. Most attacks require specific amounts of energy attached to the Pokemon.
Trainer cards are tools, supporters, and items that do various things: draw cards, heal Pokemon, search your deck, and more.
How a Turn Works
On your turn, you can do all of the following (in any order):
- Draw a card (you must do this at the start)
- Put a Basic Pokemon from your hand onto your Bench
- Evolve a Pokemon (if you have the next stage in your hand and the Pokemon has been in play since last turn)
- Attach one Energy card from your hand to any of your Pokemon
- Play any number of Item Trainer cards
- Use one Supporter Trainer card
- Use a Stadium Trainer card
- Use the Ability of a Pokemon in play
- Attack (this ends your turn)
You can only attack once per turn and it ends your turn.
How to Attack
Each attack on a Pokemon card shows its energy cost in the top-left of the attack description. You need that much energy attached to your Active Pokemon to use the attack.
After you attack, if your opponent's Active Pokemon has damage counters on it equal to or greater than its HP, it's Knocked Out. Your opponent discards it and all cards attached to it, then moves a Pokemon from their Bench to the Active Spot. You take one Prize Card (or more if the card specifies).
Evolution
Most Pokemon have two or three stages. A Charmander evolves into Charmeleon, which evolves into Charizard.
To evolve, you need the previous stage in play and the next stage in your hand. You can only evolve once per turn per Pokemon, and you can't evolve a Pokemon on the same turn it was played.
Weakness and Resistance
Most Pokemon have a weakness to a specific type. If an opponent's attack type matches your weakness, multiply the damage by 2 before applying it. Some Pokemon also have resistance, which reduces damage from specific types.
Retreating
You can retreat your Active Pokemon by paying its retreat cost in energy (discarding that many energy cards from the retreating Pokemon). Then it goes to the Bench and you bring up a Bench Pokemon to replace it.
What to Buy in Australia
Starter Kit (two ready-to-play decks, one for each player): AU$20 to AU$25, widely available.
Battle Decks (single ready-to-play deck): AU$25 to AU$35.
Elite Trainer Box: includes booster packs, sleeves, energy cards, and accessories. Good for your second purchase once you know you enjoy the game. See our Elite Trainer Box review for more detail.
For tracking what your Pokemon cards are worth, use the free C3 collection tracker.
See our guide to the best Pokemon booster boxes in Australia for more buying advice.
Energy Cards: The Fuel System
Energy Cards are how Pokemon attacks are paid for. Basic Energy provides one Energy of its type per card attached. You can attach one Energy per turn from your hand to any Pokemon you control.
Attacks require a specific number and type. A Lightning attack needing "LLC" needs two Lightning Energy and one Colourless (any type). Energy stays on a Pokemon until that Pokemon is knocked out or a card removes it.
Trainer Cards: The Most Important Category
Items: Play as many per turn as you want. Immediate effects: draw cards, search your deck, heal damage.
Supporters: One per turn. Highest impact effects: Professor's Research (draw 7), Boss's Orders (promote opponent's benched Pokemon), Irida, Iono. Supporters define competitive Pokemon deckbuilding.
Stadiums: Placed centrally. Modify rules for both players until replaced by another Stadium.
Prize Cards: How You Win Through Knockouts
Six Prize Cards face-down at game start. Each knockout of an opponent's Pokemon lets you take one Prize Card into your hand. Take all six and win. Pokemon ex, Pokemon V, and multi-Prize Pokemon give two Prize Cards when knocked out, making them high-value targets and the reason they are powerful: you must knock out fewer of them, but they are worth more when they go down.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Not attaching Energy every turn: The single most common mistake. Miss one Energy attachment and you fall behind on your attack progression, often permanently.
Not understanding Supporter timing: Playing a Supporter, then wanting to play another. You get one per turn. Choose carefully.
Benching too few Pokemon: A player who benches only one or two Pokemon can lose immediately to a "bench-out": if all their Pokemon are knocked out simultaneously or their bench is too small to promote a new Active.
Over-extending into knockouts: Putting high-Prize Pokemon active too early gives your opponent easy Prize acceleration.
What to Buy First in Australia
Battle Decks (AU$20-35 each) are the easiest start. The C3 Shop lists confirmed current Amazon AU availability. Two Battle Decks from the same set give a balanced two-player experience immediately.
Check the C3 Release Calendar for upcoming Pokemon events and set releases.
The C3 Take
The decisions you make with your TCG collection matter more than most guides suggest. Whether you are buying, selling, or holding, the difference between a good outcome and a poor one almost always comes down to checking current AUD prices before you act. Use the live data at /cards/pokemon to make price-informed decisions every time.
What to Read Next
- Browse Pokemon card prices at /cards/pokemon
- Find your Pokemon archetype at /quizzes/pokemon-archetype
- Calculate booster box expected value at /tools
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Pokemon?
The basic rules can be learned in a single afternoon with a patient opponent or by following the official tutorial. Strategic depth takes months to develop. Most new players find the game enjoyable before they have mastered it.
Do I need to buy specific cards to learn Pokemon?
No. Starter decks or preconstructed decks give you everything needed for your first games. You do not need to know card values or build your own deck to start playing.
Is there a free digital version to practise?
Most major TCGs have a free or low-cost digital version. Check the relevant game's official website for their digital platform options.