Which Cards are Allowed?

New players should be aware that NOT all Pokémon cards are playable at events.  Pokémon decks should consist of cards from modified-legal sets.  Only cards in this format are playable.  Cards from other sets (not listed below) are not modified-legal and not allowed in play.

Refer to the images below to sort your cards.  Most players separate their Pokémon cards into two groups:  Playable (cards they play with) and Collection (cards they collect).

*EXCEPTIONS:

• Basic Energy Cards from ANY set (with ANY symbol) are playable.

• In addition, newly released sets become tournament legal and playable the day of their official release in the United States.

REMINDERS:

• Cards marked with the words "NOT TOURNAMENT LEGAL" are NOT playable.
  
  
• Foreign cards of any kind are NOT playable.  (Not even foreign Energy Cards).
  
  
• If you use card sleeves, make sure that your sleeves are tournament legal as well.

FYI:  Modified Format

The term "Modified Format" refers to rules outlining which sets of cards are playable in official Pokémon  events.  The format consists of cards that are playable -- or allowed to be played at these events.  Cards that are not in the Modified Format are NOT allowed in play, and should not be in your deck.

The Modified Format changes every year to make adjustments to the pool of cards that are available.  The Modified Format helps to keep the game fresh, encouraging players to experiment with new strategies and challenges.  The Modified Format is also helpful in balancing the game and disrupting combinations and cards that have become too powerful and one-sided.  It also makes it easier for new players to get into the game, since the pool of eligible cards are from newer sets, and thus, easily attainable.

If you're planning on buying Pokémon cards, refer to the Going Shopping? page.