Physical TCG · Beginner guide · June 8, 2026

How to play the Pokemon TCG

Two players each build a 60-card deck and set aside six Prize cards. You start with one Active Pokemon and up to five on the bench. On your turn you draw, set up Pokemon, attach Energy, play Trainer cards, then attack. You win by taking all six of your Prize cards. Everything below breaks that down, from deck building to your first game.

1. Deck construction

Every deck is exactly 60 cards. You can include up to four cards with the same name, with one big exception: Basic Energy, which you can run in any quantity. Your deck also needs at least one Basic Pokemon, because you cannot legally start a game without one.

Exactly 60 cards

A constructed deck is always 60 cards. No sideboard, no minimum below 60.

Up to four of a name

No more than four cards sharing the same name, with one exception below.

Unlimited Basic Energy

Basic Energy cards ignore the four-of limit. Run as many as your deck wants.

At least one Basic Pokemon

You cannot start a game without a Basic Pokemon, so every deck needs several.

Format legal

In Standard, every card needs a current regulation mark. See our formats page for the H-on rotation.

Building for tournaments? Check which cards are legal on our formats and rotation page.

2. The four card types

A deck is built from four kinds of card. A good deck balances them: enough Pokemon to keep attacking, enough Energy to power those attacks, and enough Trainers to find the right cards at the right time.

Basic Pokemon

Your foundation. You can play these straight from your hand onto the bench. You must start a game with at least one in play, so every deck needs a healthy count.

Evolution Pokemon

Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokemon that you place on top of the Pokemon they evolve from. They hit harder and have more HP, but take a turn each to set up.

Trainer cards

The engine of your deck. Item, Supporter, Stadium, and Tool cards that draw cards, search your deck, heal, or disrupt the opponent. You may play one Supporter per turn.

Energy cards

The fuel for attacks. Basic Energy (the nine types) and Special Energy. You may attach one Energy from your hand to one of your Pokemon each turn.

3. The turn structure

Each turn follows the same shape: draw, take your actions in any order, then attack to finish. The player who goes first cannot attack on their very first turn.

Draw a card. Start every turn by drawing one card from the top of your deck. If you cannot draw because your deck is empty, you lose.
Take your actions, in any order. Put Basic Pokemon on your bench, evolve Pokemon, attach one Energy, play Item cards freely, play up to one Supporter, play up to one Stadium, and retreat your Active Pokemon once.
Attack to end your turn. If your Active Pokemon has enough Energy attached, you may use one attack. Attacking ends your turn. You can also end the turn without attacking.

Per-turn limits to remember

1 per turn Energy attachments

1 per turn Supporter cards

1 per turn Stadium cards

1 per turn Retreats

No limit Item cards

1, then turn ends Attacks

4. Prize cards and how to win

At the start of the game you set six of your cards aside face down as Prizes. Every time you knock out one of your opponent's Pokemon, you take a Prize card. Take all six and you win. Some Pokemon, such as Pokemon ex, are worth two or three Prizes when knocked out, which speeds the game up. There are three ways a game ends.

Take all your Prize cards

You set aside six Prize cards at the start. Each time you knock out an opponent Pokemon you take one Prize (two or three for Pokemon ex, V, and other multi-Prize cards). Take your last Prize to win.

Knock out their last Pokemon

If your opponent has no Pokemon left in play at the end of an attack, you win immediately.

Deck them out

If a player cannot draw a card at the start of their turn because their deck is empty, they lose.

5. Key terms

The vocabulary you will hear in your first few games. Learn these and the rest of the rules read much more easily.

Active Pokemon: The one Pokemon in the front, the only one that can attack or be attacked directly.
Bench: Up to five Pokemon waiting behind your Active. They can be targeted by some attacks but usually sit safely.
Prize cards: Six face-down cards you set aside at the start. You claim one for each knockout. Claiming all six wins the game.
Retreat: Moving your Active Pokemon to the bench by paying its Retreat Cost in Energy. Once per turn.
Weakness and Resistance: Type matchups printed on each Pokemon. Weakness usually doubles damage taken, Resistance reduces it.
Knock Out: When damage on a Pokemon reaches or passes its HP, it is knocked out and the attacker takes a Prize.
Supporter: A powerful Trainer card limited to one per turn. Most decks build their draw around Supporters.
Regulation mark: The small letter at the bottom of a card that sets its Standard legality. H, I, J and later are legal in 2026.

6. How to start playing

The fastest, cheapest way to learn is the official digital client, then move to paper once the rules feel natural. The two share cards, so progress on one helps the other.

Try it free on Pokemon TCG Live. Pokemon TCG Live is the official free digital client for PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and browser. It teaches the rules, enforces them for you, and hands you starter decks, so it is the fastest way to learn without spending anything.
Pick a deck and learn one game plan. Choose one deck and stick with it for your first dozen games. Learning a single deck deeply beats switching constantly. Our Standard meta tier list shows what is strong right now.
Play the in-client tutorial and a few ladder games. Run the tutorial, then play casual or ranked. The client validates your deck and walks you through each phase, so the rules sink in by doing.
Move to paper when you are ready. Buy a theme or starter product, or a current set Elite Trainer Box, to get real cards. Every booster includes a code card that unlocks the same cards on TCG Live, so paper and digital reinforce each other.

Ready for more? See the current Standard meta tier list, learn the formats and 2026 rotation, or open the TCG Live hub for code redemption and ladder details.

How to play FAQ

How do you play the Pokemon Trading Card Game?

Each player builds a 60-card deck, sets aside six Prize cards, and starts with one Active Pokemon and up to five on the bench. On your turn you draw a card, then you can put down Basic Pokemon, evolve, attach one Energy, play Trainer cards, and finish by attacking. You win by taking all six Prize cards, by knocking out your opponent's last Pokemon, or if they cannot draw at the start of their turn.

How many cards are in a Pokemon TCG deck?

Exactly 60 cards. You may include up to four cards with the same name, except Basic Energy, which has no limit. Your deck must also contain at least one Basic Pokemon so you can start the game.

How do you win a game of the Pokemon TCG?

There are three ways. Take all six of your Prize cards by knocking out the opponent's Pokemon, knock out the opponent's last Pokemon in play, or win when the opponent cannot draw a card at the start of their turn because their deck is empty.

What are Prize cards?

At the start of the game each player sets six cards aside face down as Prizes. Every time you knock out an opposing Pokemon you take one Prize card into your hand. Some Pokemon, like Pokemon ex and V, are worth two or more Prizes when knocked out. Taking your last Prize wins the game.

What is the best way to learn the Pokemon TCG for free?

Download Pokemon TCG Live. It is the free official digital version of the paper game. It enforces the rules for you, gives you starter decks, and includes a tutorial, so you learn by playing without buying any cards. When you want physical cards, every booster pack includes a code that unlocks cards in TCG Live too.

How much Energy can I attach per turn?

One Energy card from your hand per turn, attached to a single one of your Pokemon. Some cards and attacks can accelerate extra Energy, but the base rule is one manual attachment each turn.

Sources, as of June 8, 2026

Rules summarized from the official Pokemon TCG rulebook and play resources, with the regulation and rotation facts cross-checked against the official 2026 announcement.