Here is a step-by-step tutorial to learn how to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game.
Game Setup Diagram
Summary: How to Set Up a Pokémon TCG Game
Shuffle Your Deck – Each player shuffles their 60-card deck and places it face-down in the deck position.
Draw 7 Cards – Each player draws 7 cards from their deck to form their starting hand.
Find a Basic Pokémon – Look at your hand and find a card labeled “Basic” under the Pokémon’s image.
If you have at least one Basic Pokémon, place it face-down in the Active Spot.
If you don’t have a Basic Pokémon, shuffle your hand back into the deck and redraw 7 cards (your opponent gets to draw an extra card when this happens).
Set Up Your Bench – If you have additional Basic Pokémon, place up to 5 of them face-down on the Bench below your Active Pokémon.
Draw 6 Prize Cards – Take the top 6 cards from your deck and place them face-down in your Prize Card area.
You’ll take a Prize Card each time you Knock Out an opponent’s Pokémon.
Determine Who Goes First – Flip a coin to decide which player takes the first turn.
Start the Game! – Both players turn their Active and Benched Pokémon face-up, and the first player begins their turn.