Pokémon booster packs: what's in a Pokémon card pack, and packs vs boxes
A Pokémon booster pack is a sealed pack of random Pokémon Trading Card Game cards from one set. Booster packs are how most people start collecting, and every rare card in a set is pulled from one. Here's what's inside Pokémon card packs, how Japanese and English packs differ, and when it's worth buying a booster box instead.
What's in a Pokémon booster pack?
- English booster packs hold 10 cards: commons, uncommons, reverse holos, at least one rare, and a basic Energy or code card.
- Japanese booster packs from main sets hold 5 cards, with one guaranteed rare slot.
- Japanese special sets differ: a 151 pack has 7 cards and a Terastal Festival ex pack has 10.
Chase cards — Special Illustration Rares, gold Hyper Rares and top-rarity Mega Evolution cards — turn up in only a small share of packs. See Pokémon card rarities for the rarity codes.
Pokémon trading card booster packs: Japanese vs English
Japanese packs come out first, often months before the English version of the same cards, cost less per pack and are prized for their print quality (why collectors buy Japanese Pokémon cards). English packs have more cards per pack and are what Australian retailers stock. Both are the same card size and work the same in play.
How many packs are in a Pokémon booster box?
- Japanese main-set booster box: 30 packs of 5 cards
- Japanese 151 booster box: 20 packs of 7 cards
- Japanese Terastal Festival ex booster box: 10 packs of 10 cards
- English booster box: 36 packs of 10 cards
Pokémon packs vs a booster box
- Price per pack: a sealed booster box almost always works out cheaper per pack than buying packs one at a time.
- Pull rates: a whole box gives you a much better chance of the set's rares than a handful of packs.
- Condition: a factory-sealed box protects the packs until you open them, and a sealed box of a popular set is collectable in its own right.
- Packs for events: card shops open boxes to sell packs singly, run pack-opening nights and give packs as prizes.
Other ways to buy packs: Elite Trainer Boxes have 9 packs plus accessories, and collection boxes and premium sets pair packs with promo cards.
Buying Pokémon card packs safely
Resealed and fake packs exist. Buy from reputable sellers, check the wrapping is tight and unbroken with clean crimps at both ends, and be wary of packs priced well below retail (how to tell if a Pokémon card is fake). Every pack we sell comes in its factory-sealed box, sourced through Japanese distribution.
Questions
How many cards are in a Pokémon booster pack?
English packs have 10 cards. Japanese main-set packs have 5, while Japanese special-set packs vary: 7 in 151, 10 in Terastal Festival ex.
Is it cheaper to buy a booster box or packs?
A booster box is almost always cheaper per pack, and a better chance at the set's rare cards.
Where can I buy Pokémon booster packs in Australia?
English packs are sold at Kmart, Big W, Target, EB Games, JB Hi-Fi and card shops (where to buy Pokémon cards). We sell Japanese packs by the sealed box, shipped from Japan.