Pokemon
Here at Learning Express, we love Pokémon! If you have any questions about Pokémon, you’ve come to the right place! From “Pokémon” to “Poké Ball” to “Booster Packs”, we have all of the answers and tips to help you and your child navigate this fun and strategic game. Keep reading to learn more about Pokémon!
Want to Browse Our Pokemon Collection?
Browse the largest selection of Pokemon cards in the Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill and Morrisville area. Visit Learning Express in a convenient location near you!
What is a Pokémon?
Good question! In simplest terms, a Pokémon is a fictional creature that lives in a fictional region. When caught, they form teams and can compete against other teams. The trainer’s goal is to “catch them all” and, by all, we mean all 700 of them.
How do you play the Pokémon Trading Card Game?
Younger kids prefer to just collect and trade cards. The point of collecting the cards is to build a powerful deck of 60 that will help you win battles against other trainers.
What’s the best way to get started playing Pokémon?
For kids that don’t have any cards or may have just a couple, a theme deck can be a great start. It is a pack of 60 cards that comes in a small cardboard box. Theme decks also come with a coin and cardboard markers that can be used in gameplay when deciding which player goes first or when counting damage. The Pokémon website has a virtual tutorial, which can be very helpful. https://www.Pokémon.com/us/parents-guide/

How often are new cards released?
New cards are released every time a new season of the TV show comes out. This is also referred to as a new “generation.”

What is a Poké Ball?
The trainer (player) throws a specially designed, spherical tool called a Poké ball at a wild Pokémon. If the Pokémon is unable to escape the Poké Ball, it is now owned by the Trainer and will follow commands.
What is Pokémon Go?
Pokémon GO is a game that can be downloaded onto mobile devices. Payers can explore their neighborhoods and cities to find wild Pokémon. They can discover and catch more than 100 Pokémon from the original Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version games. Players can also uncover items including Poké Balls and hatch and train new Pokémon. Pokémon GO is designed to be played outdoors.

What is a booster pack?
A big part of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is collecting cards. Each booster pack has a random assortment of 6 common cards, 3 uncommon cards, and 1 rare card. Each booster pack contains at least 1 foil card!
Why does a Theme Deck of cards have so many duplicates?
Theme decks are created to provide the new player a playable deck, right out of the box, without the need to purchase additional cards to play. Because of this, the deck’s contents are fixed. Each theme deck with the same name contains the same 60 cards. This also means it is necessary to provide multiple copies of certain Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards, so the deck can be used for play right out of the box. The exact contents of each theme deck are listed on the back of the package.
What age range is Pokémon for?
The Pokémon Card Trading Game is recommended for ages 6 and up.
What are EX cards?
EX cards are Pokémon cards that say “EX” beside the character name. They are more powerful and highly coveted among little kids.
Are all Pokémon cards compatible?
All the Pokémon cards can be played with each other, so from a “just for fun” perspective, the cards are compatible. However, not all sets are “legal” for use in tournaments. For more information on tournament play, please click here: https://www.Pokémon.com/us/play-Pokémon/about/parents-guide/

How do you tell if a Pokémon card is rare?
One immediate way to discover the rarity of a card is to look in the bottom right corner of a card and identify the rarity symbol:
- Black circle: common
- Black diamond: uncommon
- Black star: rare or hologram rare
- White star: ultra rares that will include EX, Full Art, or Secret Rare
What is the best Pokémon card?
Some of the best Pokémon cards available give players an edge in battle thanks to incredibly powerful attacks or versatile skills. These include M Blastoise EX, Pikachu, Team Galactic’s Wager, Rare Candy, Shadow Lugia, M Venusaur EX and Armaldo EX.
Where to buy Pokémon in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Morrisville and Apex?
For the largest selection of Pokémon cards and accessories in the Triangle area, visit one of our convenient locations. Our experienced team can help you choose the perfect gift!
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