How to tell if a Pokémon card is fake
Fake Pokémon cards are everywhere, from obvious imitation packs to convincing copies of expensive cards sold online. Most fakes fail at least one of these checks — and the more expensive the card, the more of them you should run.
Imitation Pokémon cards
Imitation Pokémon cards are unlicensed copies. Some are sold openly as cheap bulk lots or novelty "gold" cards; others are made to pass as real cards and sold at real prices. Official cards printed in other languages, such as Chinese, are genuine, so don't confuse them with imitations: see Chinese Pokémon cards.
1. Compare it with a real card
The fastest check is a side-by-side comparison with a genuine card from the same set, or with high-resolution photos from a trusted listing. Differences in colour, layout and text stand out immediately.
2. Check the text and spelling
Fakes often have spelling mistakes, the wrong font, uneven spacing or a missing accent on the "é" in Pokémon. Look closely at attack names, damage numbers and the small print along the bottom of the card.
3. Look at the colours
Real cards have crisp, balanced colours. Fake Pokémon cards are often washed out, too dark or oversaturated, and the card back may be the wrong shade.
4. Feel the surface
Modern rare cards — full arts, Special Illustration Rares and gold Hyper Rares — have a fine texture you can feel with a fingertip. Many fakes are completely smooth and glossy.
5. Check the holo
A genuine holo pattern is sharp and moves cleanly in the light. Fake holo is often blurry, covers the wrong part of the card, or puts a rainbow sheen over the whole surface.
6. Do the light test
Shine a phone torch through the card. Genuine Pokémon cards are printed on layered card stock with a dark inner layer, so only a little light gets through, while many fakes let far more through. Results vary between print eras, so compare against a real common card of the same age.
7. Look at the edges and corners
Real cards have clean, even cuts. Rough or fuzzy edges, badly rounded corners, or a card that is noticeably thinner, thicker or bendier than normal are warning signs.
8. Be wary of the numbers
HP and attack damage that don't make sense — like an attack doing 1,000 damage — are a giveaway. So are cards for Pokémon or rarities that don't exist in that set.
9. Buy sealed from a trusted source
The safest way to avoid fake and imitation Pokémon cards is to buy sealed product from a trusted seller. Check that booster boxes and packs are properly sealed, and treat prices far below market as a red flag.
A Pokémon card scanner app can tell you which card you're holding, but not whether it's real. Graded cards have been checked by the grading company: see how much it costs to grade a Pokémon card.
Everything we sell is sourced through Japanese distribution and ships sealed as it left the factory — browse our booster boxes, see where to buy Pokémon cards safely, or see graded cards, which have been authenticated by the grading company.