If you’re new to opening Pokemon card packs, you might have noticed that the best cards rarely appear at the very back of the pack right out of the wrapper. The order of the cards isn’t fully randomized—there is a specific, methodical structure to every booster pack.
Over the years, the Pokemon TCG community has normalized a method of opening packs called the “card trick.” This technique moves the rarest cards to the very end of your pack, building suspense and ensuring the final card you reveal is your guaranteed rare or “hit.”
Here is your ultimate guide on how to open booster packs safely and how to perform the Pokemon card trick for every set.
How to Open Pokemon Booster Packs Safely
First things first: when opening a Pokemon booster pack, you want to ensure you don’t bend, crease, or cut any of the cards inside.
- Avoid Scissors: Some people cut packs open with scissors, which is incredibly risky. One slip, and you might accidentally cut the top off of a valuable chase card.
- The “Pinch and Pull” Method: The easiest and safest way to open a pack is to grab the loose flap on the back of the wrapper and pinch the front seam. Gently pull the pack apart from the top until the seal gives way. You shouldn’t have to use extreme force; if you are pulling too hard, you risk bending the cards inside.
Once you carefully slide the cards out of the foil, it’s time to sort them so your final reveal is the rarest card in the pack.
What is the Pokemon Card Trick?
The Pokemon card trick is incredibly simple. Once the cards are out of the pack, keep them face down (so the blue Pokemon logo is facing you). Remove the code card, and then grab a specific number of cards from the back of the stack and move them to the front.
When you flip the stack over and thumb through the cards one by one, your 2nd to last card will generally be a reverse holo, and your final card will be your rare, ultra-rare, or secret illustration rare!
Why does Pokemon do this? The Pokemon Company likely prints and sorts booster packs this way to position the most valuable card near the middle of the pack. This provides an extra layer of protection—if the back or front of the booster pack gets dinged in transit, the rare card remains safe in the center.
Because pack structures have changed over the years, the trick varies depending on the era you are opening.
The Card Trick for Each Pokemon Set
Scarlet and Violet Card Trick (1 Card)
For the modern era, the Scarlet and Violet card trick is incredibly easy: just move 1 card from the back to the front.
- Note: The single card you are moving is the basic Energy card. Many collectors choose to simply remove the code card and toss the Energy card aside instead of moving it to the front.
- Applies to: Base Set, 151, Paldean Fates, and the Paradox Rift card trick.
Sword and Shield Card Trick (4 Cards)
The Sword and Shield card trick requires you to move 4 cards from the back to the front. This will seamlessly set up your reverse holo and rare card for the final two pulls.
- Applies to: Base Set, Evolving Skies, Lost Origin, and the highly popular Crown Zenith card trick.
Sun and Moon Card Trick (4 Cards)
Just like the SwSh era, moving 4 cards from the back to the front will push your rare card to the very end of the pack.
Vintage & Classic Era Card Tricks (3 Cards)
If you are lucky enough to be opening older packs, the formula is almost universally 3 cards from the back to the front.
- XY Era: 3 cards
- Black & White Era: 3 cards
- HeartGold & SoulSilver (HS): 3 cards
- Platinum: 3 cards
- Diamond & Pearl: 3 cards
- Wizards of the Coast (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil): 3 cards
(Note: The one major exception for older sets is the e-Reader era. For sets like Aquapolis or Expedition, the trick is only 2 cards from the back).
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