How to Spot Fake Pokémon Cards: Differences Between Real vs Fake Cards

Lots of people enjoy collecting Pokémon cards, whether they play the trading card game or simply love the franchise. Unfortunately, because Pokémon cards are so popular, there are many scammers who sell people fake cards instead of the real thing. Fake cards aren’t allowed in official card play and are worthless on the resale market, so you definitely want to steer clear of them. Luckily, there are simple checks you can do to help you determine if cards are fake or real. In this article, we’ll go over all of these checks for cards and booster packs, and give you tips on how to avoid buying fake products. Read on to learn more!

Signs a Pokémon Card Is Fake

Pokémon collectibles expert Emchompite says to check the font used on the card, as fakes often use a slightly different font that’s thinner or bolder than the text on real cards. Other signs a card is fake include:

Spelling and grammatical errors, like missing the accent in “Pokémon”
HP and attack values over 500
Poor color and print quality (faded, smudged, off-center, etc.)
Wrong shade of blue used on the back of the card
Thin and flimsy feel

Section 1 of 6:

Checking the Front of the Card

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Ensure the image and text match the card. Fake cards sometimes use the wrong text and images on the card, so read it carefully to ensure these details match. For instance, if a Pikachu card depicts an image of a Sandshrew, it’s fake. If you’re looking at a Shedinja card but the text is about Milotic, the card is fake.^{[1]
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- The image on a fake card might even show something that isn’t a pokémon, like a Digimon character or a fake Pokémon-like creature.
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Look for spelling and grammar mistakes. Read the card carefully, as fake cards often have obvious spelling and grammar errors. Some common mistakes to look out for include:^{[2]
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- Spelling the name of the Pokémon incorrectly.
- Spelling Nintendo incorrectly.
- Forgetting to put an accent on the “e” in Pokémon.
- Misspelling the attack names or any other words in the descriptions.
- Using improper grammar, like missing periods (“.”) and commas (“,”).
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Check for HP or attack values over 500. Super high HP and attack values are a sure sign that a Pokémon card is fake.^{[3]
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Research source} As of now, the highest HP in the card game is 340 (Metagross EX, Paladin EX, etc.), and the highest attack value is 300 (Charizard VMAX, Pikachu EX, etc.).^{[4]
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- Check how the HP is written, too. Legitimate cards are written like “HP 60,” with the amount of HP points following “HP.” The card is likely fake if this order is switched, like “60 HP.”
- Note: A few genuine cards do have the HP and value switched as a result of a printing mistake. These errors are well-documented, so check online first to see if your card is potentially part of this printing mistake. If the card is genuine, it could be valuable.^{[5]
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All authentic Pokémon cards use the same font and text size, so look at it closely to see if your card is real or not. If the card is fake, the font may appear different, and the text may be slightly smaller or larger compared to a real card.^{[6]
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Examine the color and print quality. If the colors are faded, smudged, bleed together, too dark or light, or just plain wrong, the card is probably fake. Additionally, if the image or text appears blurry, off-center, and poorly printed, it’s most likely a fake. Authentic cards are created with high-quality printers, and it shows.^{[7]
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- If the Pokémon is a different color, though, it could be a shiny Pokémon! These are rare cards, so consider yourself lucky. Just check the rest of the card to ensure it’s authentic.
- Authentic cards can have printing errors, but these are very uncommon. They’re also well-documented, so search for your card to see if anyone else has a similar error to check if it’s legit.
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Examine a holographic card’s texture and pattern. Authentic Pokémon cards that use holographic foiling have a distinct texture that you can feel when you touch the card. The foiling also goes in 1 direction and does not intersect itself. If your card has holographic foiling but it feels smooth, it’s most likely a fake.^{[8]
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- Of course, holographic cards are super shiny and sparkly when they catch the light. If the card appears dull, it’s probably a fake.
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Compare the energy symbol to other cards. Many fake cards have energy symbols that are slightly larger than the energy symbols on legitimate cards. Additionally, the symbols may appear distorted or placed in the wrong spot.
- Make sure the card has the correct energy symbol, too. A wrong symbol is a clear sign that the card is fake.
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Check the weakness, resistance, and retreat cost symbols. Ensure the weakness, resistance, and retreat cost are placed in the correct areas and are the proper size. If the symbols look off or are incorrect, the card is likely fake. Additionally, the weakness/resistance's maximum damage addition/subtraction is +/-40, unless the weakness is x2. The retreat cost is no more than 4.
- Not having any energy signs under the attack description is a sign the card is fake, too.
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Compare the card to an image of the real card online. To check if specific information on the card is correct, pull up an official picture of the card online and check for differences between it and your card. There are several websites with trading card databases you can check, such as Pokemon.com, Serebii.net, Bulbapedia, and Pkmncards.com.
- Key things to check on the card: the illustration, text, border color and size, set symbol, set number, HP value, attack values, energy symbols, and weaknesses/resistances.
- Fake cards often forget to list the copyright date or the illustrator at the bottom of the card.
- Ask Pokémon experts to help you authenticate your card if you’re having trouble. For instance, users on the r/PokemonTCG subreddit often help people determine if their cards are real or fake.
If the card is a first edition, look at the circular first edition stamp to the lower left of the card's picture. Sometimes (particularly for base set cards), people will stamp a card with their own 1st edition stamp. So how can you tell if it’s real or fake? First, a fake stamp is usually imperfect, and there are a few blotches on the stamp. Second, fake stamps come right off if you rub or scratch them.

Section 2 of 6:

Checking the Back of the Card

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Look for a poké ball amid a blue swirling design. With very few exceptions, all authentic Pokémon cards have the same design on the back: there’s a poké ball in the center amid a swirl of blue and white, with “Pokémon” written above and below it. If the design looks off or the card has a completely different design, it’s likely fake.
- For instance, some fake cards place the poké ball upside down.
All authentic cards have a thin blue border around the edges of the card, which is distinct from the swirling blue design. If the border is very thin or thick, or the wrong shade of blue, it’s most likely fake. Additionally, if the border blends into the poké ball design, it’s probably fake.^{[9]
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Pokémon cards always use the same shade of blue for the design and border. So, compare the back of your card to a card you know is authentic. If the blue appears dull, faded, too light or dark, or more purple-y, it’s likely fake.^{[10]
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Fake cards often have a poorly printed back, with the poké ball design noticeably off-center. An uneven border around the card can also indicate that it is fake.^{[11]
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Section 3 of 6:

Inspecting the Card’s Size and Weight

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Examine how sturdy the card feels. Fake cards often feel thin, lightweight, and flimsy compared to real cards, which have a hefty, substantial quality. In some cases, though, fake cards can be super thick and feel heavier than normal.^{[12]
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- If possible, hold your card in one hand and a card you know is authentic in the other to compare their weight and feel.
- Fake cards are typically smoother and shinier (unless you have a hollow, reverse hollow, or a new card) than real cards due to the material they use to make these cards.
- Fake cards typically show more wear and tear, especially if they’re “used.”
Is the card in question shorter, taller, wider, or the same size? Is it thicker or thinner? Is it too pointy? If it looks different from the card you know is authentic, then it is likely fake.
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Bend the card a little to test its durability. If just a little pressure easily bends the card, it's a fake. You might also notice that it takes a moment for the card to return to its flat shape. Real cards are very sturdy, so they are tougher to bend and bounce back to their flat shape immediately.^{[13]
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- Be careful trying this test, as it can potentially damage your card.

Section 4 of 6:

Tests to Determine if a Card is Fake

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Look for a black line along the edge of the card. Real Pokémon cards are made of 2 white pieces of cardstock with a very thin sheet of black paper in between them. So, a quick way to test if your Pokémon card is real or fake is to check for this black line along the card’s edges. If you don’t see a black line, the card is probably fake.^{[14]
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- The black line is very thin, so you might need a magnifying glass to see it.
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Shine a light through the card to see if any light passes through. Real Pokémon cards are thick, sturdy, and made of high-quality cardstock, so it’s difficult for light to pass through them. If you shine a light under the card and notice a lot passes through, the card may be fake.^{[15]
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- Note: This test isn’t 100% accurate, as very bright lights can likely pass through authentic cards. If your card doesn’t pass this test, check for other signs to ensure it’s real or fake.
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Make a small tear in the card if you are certain it is a fake. A damaging but reliable way to tell if a Pokémon card is authentic is to rip it. This exposes the black paper in the center, confirming that it’s real. Since you probably don’t want to rip into authentic cards, only try this if you’re confident the card is fake, just for extra confirmation.^{[16]
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- Fake cards also tend to rip more easily than real cards. If you have an old, authentic card that you don’t mind damaging, give it a little tear. Then, rip the card you believe is fake. If it did rip more easily, then it’s most likely fake.

Section 5 of 6:

Checking if a Card Pack is Fake

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Look for packs with flat edges and a tight seal. Authentic Pokémon booster packs come in foil packs that have straight edges. If the edges of the pack are jagged or wavy, that’s a clear sign it’s fake. The packaging is also tight around the cards without much room for air in real packs. So, if the pack is full of air and the cards can move around easily, it’s likely fake.^{[17]
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- Inspect the seal closely for any tampering, like cuts or pieces of glue. Some people buy legitimate packs, replace the real cards with fake ones, and reseal them. So even if the pack itself looks real, the cards might be fake!
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Check for spelling errors and inconsistencies with the images and font. Compare the pack you’re looking at to an image of an authentic pack. Check the pack for any obvious spelling or grammatical errors. Then, inspect the images, colors, words, and fonts used on the pack to see if it matches what the real pack looks like.^{[18]
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- For instance, if the pack has images from the Pokémon TV series or other random artwork, they’re likely fake. The artwork used on the packs is always unique and doesn’t come from anywhere else.
- Check out Bulbapedia’s card database for images of the real booster card packs.
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Be wary of packs that contain a lot of rare cards. Most English booster packs are guaranteed to contain at least 1 rare card. 4 cards are almost always common, and 3 cards are almost always uncommon, so it’s possible that the remaining 2 cards could also be rare.^{[19]
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Research source} However, if your entire pack is full of super rare cards, it’s probably fake.
- On the other hand, if your pack doesn’t contain a single rare card, it may have been tampered with, so the rest of the cards may be fake.
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Check card boxes for similar inconsistencies. If the box is fake, it won't have the Pokémon trademarks and instead might say something like "pre-release trading cards." Fake boxes are often made from cheap cardboard, too.
- Compare the box you’re looking at to an image of the real box, if possible. This can help you check for other details to confirm if it’s real or fake.

Section 6 of 6:

How to Avoid Buying Fake Cards

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Buy cards from legitimate online sellers and stores. If you’re looking for specific cards or packs, use a reputable website like TCGPlayer, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Amazon.^{[20]
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Shivam Patel
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Expert Interview} Make sure the seller is well-reviewed, trusted, and offers returns/refunds. Then, confirm that they’ve made a lot of sales and that people have received authentic cards. If you’re not after specific cards, shop for expansion packs at reliable stores like Target, Walmart, and GameStop.^{[21]
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- Red flags to watch out for online: A seller who just opened their shop and is selling super rare cards. Also, steer clear of sellers who have very few reviews or are poorly rated.
- Steer clear of flea markets and other street markets where it’s hard to verify a seller’s trustworthiness. According to the Pokémon Company, they receive the highest number of reports of counterfeit cards from flea markets.^{[22]
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Look over online images and descriptions carefully. When buying cards or packs online, inspect the seller’s images closely to look for evidence that they’re real or fake. Then, compare the images to pictures of the real products. Read through the product description carefully for any red flags (describing a different card/pack entirely, etc.) and for information about its condition.
- Steer clear of sellers who only provide stock images of the card or pack, as there’s no way for you to check if the product they’re selling is real or not.
- Alternatively, message the seller and ask for real pictures of the card/pack they’re selling. If they refuse to send new pictures (or never message you back), don’t buy from them.
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Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. If the price of a card or pack is super low and an incredible deal—especially if it’s a highly sought-after product—it’s likely fake. Legitimate sellers who have authentic cards know what they’re worth and price them accordingly, while scammers try to make a quick buck on cheap, counterfeit goods.
- To avoid scams, thoroughly research the card or pack you want so you know how much it usually sells for. This helps prevent you from overpaying, too.^{[23]
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- Pay for your card or pack with a credit card, if possible. In the case that you get a fake product and the seller refuses to refund you, you can file a dispute with your credit card company and get your money back.^{[24]
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  Federal Trade Commission
  Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson
  
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Is there someone who can authenticate Pokemon cards online? Can I send them pictures and details of my cards and have them authenticated by someone credible?

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Yes. Pokemon company will happily authenticate a card. If it is fake, they will send you a copy of the real one with a booster code for Pokemon tcg.

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I made my own cards on a Pokemon card maker site. Is it okay if we play with just those cards, following normal Pokemon rules?

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If you are battling competitively or trying to sell them, that is a big no-no. But if you make it clear with your opponent that the cards are fake and this is for fun, you might be okay. If you are using fake cards with some friends in a group, it's totally fine.

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Where do they sell fake cards?

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Trading websites such as eBay, Amazon, or Craigslist are more likely to sell fake cards than a brick and mortar store. You should also be careful when trading cards with someone, especially if a trade seems too good to be true.

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Before trading with a person, ask them where they got the card and how much they bought it for.

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If you buy a fake card or booster pack, always return it. If the seller doesn’t accept returns, make sure it stays out of your playing deck (or completely get rid of it). There’s already a lot of fake cards in the system, so aim not to add to it.

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When buying cards, bring along some cards you know are real so you have something to compare the cards in question with.

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Remember the golden rule: If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. People selling high-value cards for cheap are probably trying to scam you.
If you're unsure if your cards are fake, take them to a TCG shop or game shop and ask. TCG shops are often good at finding fakes.

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