The rares you get from booster packs are completely random. You may have to open many, many booster packs to find the one particular rare you want. [1] X Research source
New Pokémon tins are regularly released as new sets of cards come out. Older tins are not always kept in stock however, so make sure you take advantage of tin releases.
Note that you will at least receive 36 rare cards by purchasing a box, and usually more than that. However, like buying individual packs, there is no guarantee of receiving a specific card that you desire.
Particularly rare cards will be quite expensive due to their high demand. Trade in a few cards that you don’t want to offset the high price. Check back every week or so – players will always be trading in cards they no longer need.
Make sure you’re purchasing from a respectable company. If you are buying cards from an individual seller, such as through eBay, check their reviews and make sure you are purchasing exactly what you want. Online card shops may charge a premium for certain cards, particularly if they open new packs to acquire them. Think of it as a convenience fee, as not everyone is necessarily willing to sell off cards they don’t want.
Pawn shops are another great place to find a large number of cards. Some people sell their collection to a pawn shop just to get them out of the way. You can find some hidden gems this way, and usually for cheap!
Game lobbies and shops are great places to meet other players, which can open up your trading opportunities. Check online to see what rare cards are available, or for resources that can help you design a deck. [4] X Research source
Make sure you don’t mind parting with the cards you put on the line. You don’t want to wager cards that are important to any of your decks. Keep things friendly! Such bets can get heated, even among friends, so make sure you are on good terms and agreeable with the person you are challenging.
National tournaments tend to award actual money, rather than cards. Take care when entering tournaments. The price of a winning deck can be quite steep, and the skill and dedication required are immense!
