How Do You Get Pokémon Cards for Free? Quick Tips & Hacks

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Plus, how to get free cards on Pokémon TCG Live & Pocket

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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Physical Cards

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TCG Live

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TCG Pocket

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Collecting Pokémon cards is a super fun hobby, whether you play the trading card game or simply love the franchise. Buying booster packs and cards can get expensive, though, so if you’re looking for ways to get free Pokémon cards, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll go over all the different ways to get free physical cards, as well as how to get free digital cards in Pokémon TCG Live and Pokémon TCG Pocket. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Get Free Pokémon Packs

Look for giveaways and raffles from Pokémon influencers on social media (Instagram, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter/X, etc.). Or, join Pokémon TCG groups on Reddit or Facebook to enter giveaways hosted by users. Check for buy one, get one free deals at gaming and card stores, and trade your cards, too.

Section 1 of 3:

Ways to Get Free Pokémon Cards

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1
Enter card giveaways on social media. Pokémon card collectors and TCG players often host giveaways and raffles for free cards on Instagram, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter/X, and Discord. Additionally, players and collectors on Reddit and Facebook sometimes give away free cards, too. So, follow your favorite Pokémon influencers and online groups to look out for giveaways and raffles to enter.
- For instance, check out subreddits like r/PokemonRaffles and r/PokemonTCG for information about giveaways and raffles, or Facebook groups like Pokémon TCG Sell and Trade.
- Some major companies, like Dick’s Sporting Goods, occasionally host giveaways and raffles, too.
- Follow major Pokémon social media accounts for updates on upcoming giveaways and raffles. For instance, check out Pokémon.com for news (and follow their social media accounts).
2
Look for free deals from trading card and gaming companies. Occasionally, stores that sell Pokémon cards might offer deals that allow you to get free packs. However, this often involves buying something else to get the free cards. For instance, GameStop sometimes offers buy two, get one free deals on Pokémon card packs. Some GameStop stores might give you a free pack with a qualifying purchase, like a video game, too.
- Big box stores, like Target and Walmart, and dollar stores, like Dollar General, may occasionally offer deals or coupons for free cards, too.
- Don’t forget to check for deals at local gaming and trading card stores in your area! Smaller shops may offer buy one, get one free deals or give you free packs with a purchase, too.
- During GameStop’s Pro Weeks for Pro Members, they usually offer buy two, get one free deals on Pokémon cards.
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An easy way to get free Pokémon cards is to ask for them as gifts. Let your friends and family know that you’d like cards when your birthday rolls around, or ask for cards if you celebrate any gift-giving holidays.
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Trade cards with other collectors and players. Trading Pokémon cards is a great way to get new cards for free and cultivate your collection—you just have to be ready to part ways with some of your own cards. There are plenty of places to trade cards in person, like at Pokémon or trading card conventions, at game or trading card stores, or at your local Pokémon League. Check for local Pokémon groups in your area, like on Facebook, too.
- You can also trade cards online. For instance, check out subreddits like r/pkmntcgtrades and r/PokemonTCG, or the Pokémon TCG Sell and Trade Facebook group.
Local Pokémon Leagues regularly host events and tournaments where you can win prizes, like free card packs. Simply search for a League near you on Pokémon.com to find upcoming events.
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Get a membership at a trading card or gaming store. Companies like GameStop and TCGPlayer have paid membership subscriptions that earn you points or store credit when you shop from them. You can usually put your points or store credit towards Pokémon card packs, which allows you to essentially buy them for free.
- Signing up for a store’s membership or rewards program can also give you other perks that allow you to get free cards. For instance, joining GameStop Pro unlocks Pro Weeks, where you can get buy two, get one free deals on packs.
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Make your own cards. Homemade cards might not be legally playable or be sellable in the future, but they are a fun and free way to get Pokémon cards! Use a website like pokecardmaker.net or a photo editing software like Photoshop. Or, make your card out of good old-fashioned pen and paper.
- Get creative and design your own Pokémon, too!

Section 2 of 3:

Ways to Get Free Pokémon Cards in TCG Live

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Specially marked Pokémon packs come with an extra card with a code on it that you use to redeem a virtual card in the online game. Simply go to Shop > Redeem in the desktop or app version of the game and enter the code manually. Or, scan the QR code on the card.^{[1]
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Get codes in online giveaways on social media. Pokémon TCG Live players regularly post their code cards online to gift people with free virtual cards. Simply follow TCG Live players on Instagram, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter/X, or Discord to stay on the lookout for code giveaways. You might see code giveaways on Reddit or Facebook, too.
- For instance, check out subreddits like r/PokemonTcgCodes, r/PTCGL, and r/PokemonTCG. Or, join a Facebook group like Pokemon TCG Live.
Occasionally, The Pokémon Company sends free codes in their newsletters that allow you to add booster packs and cards to your game.^{[2]
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Research source} Simply sign up to receive newsletters by going to Pokemon.com, scrolling to the bottom, and adding your email.
The Pokémon Company regularly hosts Twitch streams of people playing the video games, the trading card game, and Pokémon GO. During the streams, there are chances to earn in-game rewards, which can sometimes include free cards. Simply check out Pokémon's website for their streaming schedule.^{[3]
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Exchange your in-game points and currency. Playing Pokémon TCG Live earns you points, which you can use to buy packs and cards.^{[4]
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Research source} For instance, playing matches against players, completing quests, and unlocking Battle Pass tiers give you points. Once you have enough points, go to Shop > Expansions to make your selection.
- 1 booster pack costs 200 Trainer points.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 3:

Ways to Get Free Pokémon Cards in TCG Pocket

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You automatically get 1 free booster pack every 12 hours, meaning you can collect 2 free packs every day. So, simply play Pokémon TCG Pocket every 12 hours to get your free cards.^{[6]
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Hourglass tokens reduce the amount of time you need to wait to unlock your free booster packs, which allow you to get more each day.^{[7]
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Research source} Simply earn hourglass tokens by completing missions, doing solo battles, and leveling up your pokémon.^{[8]
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Every time you open booster packs, you earn pack points. You can then use your pack points to get a single card of your choice. Different cards cost different amounts of points, with rarer cards costing more points.^{[9]
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Do Wonder Picks. Wonder Picks allow you to get cards from your friends’ booster packs (don’t worry—they get to keep the cards you pick!). The cards cost wonder stamina, which you automatically earn every 12 hours.^{[10]
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- Use wonder hourglasses to reduce the amount of time you need to wait before you get the wonder stamina. You earn wonder hourglasses by completing missions.
Pokémon TCG Pocket is constantly holding different events that earn you different awards, including free cards. You can also get different tokens in the events, which can help you get free cards, too. Watch out for upcoming events in the app, or check out Pokemon-Zone.com for a complete list of events.
The Pokémon Company regularly releases gift codes that you enter on the app to get rewards, like free cards and hourglass tokens. Watch out for announcements on the app, or follow social media accounts about Pokémon TCG Pocket to stay up to date. For instance, YouTube channels about the game typically post about gift codes, as well as subreddits like r/PTCGP.