How to Know If Pokémon Cards Are Fake
Familiarize yourself with the Pokémon species., Look at the attacks and HP., Look for spelling mistakes, fancy borders around the Pokémon's picture, or a cup-like base holding the energy. , Compare the energy symbol to other cards., Look at the...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the Pokémon species.
Sometimes the pictures on fake cards show things that aren't even Pokémon, like Digimon (or similar imitators) or animals.
Be suspicious if what a card displays looks questionable, or if there appears to be a sticker on top of the card. -
Step 2: Look at the attacks and HP.
If the HP is anywhere over 250, or the attacks don't exist, then it's a fake for sure.
Also, if it says HP 80 instead of 80 HP, it is definitely a fake card because real cards say 80 HP, not HP
80.
That's only with old cards; new cards have HP 80 instead of 80HP.
However, a few genuine cards have the variable and the attribute name inverted as a result of a printing mistake.
Do not discard the card as fake without making further checks, as if the card is a genuine with a mistake, it may be valuable. ,, Many fakes have energy symbols that are slightly larger, distorted, or offset from each other. , On fake cards, the text is usually slightly smaller than on real cards and is usually in a different font. , The weakness/resistance's maximum damage addition/subtraction is +/-40, unless the weakness is x2.
The retreat cost is no more than
4. , With fake cards, the box won't have trademarks and will say something like "pre-release trading cards".
It will be made from cheap cardboard, without the standard bag. , Fake cards often have wrong spellings.
Common mistakes among them including spelling the Pokémon names incorrectly, having no accent i.e. " ` " sign on the 'e' of 'Pokémon'
etc.
You may also see the cards spelling the attacks inaccurately, and not having any energy signs under the attack for the attack description. , Sometimes (particularly for base set cards), people will stamp a card with their own 1st edition stamp.
How can you tell the difference? First, a fake stamp is usually more imperfect and there are a few blotches on the stamp.
Second, fake stamps come right off if you try to rub/scratch them off, very easily. , Those rare Pokémon are purposely the wrong color).
The chances that it's a factory mistake are very slim; it's much more likely to be fake. , On fake cards, the blue swirling design often looks purplish.
Also, sometimes the Poké Ball is upside down (on a real card, the red half is on the top). , A fake card usually feels thin and flimsy and you may be able to see through it if you hold it up to the light.
Some fake cards, on the other hand, are too hard and look shiny.
If it's the wrong size, that's also a telltale sign.
Different materials will also wear differently, so on more "used" cards look for more damage to corners and unusual wear patterns.
Also, fake cards often have no copyright date or the illustrator at the bottom of the card. , Is the card in question the same size? Is it too pointy? Is it centered right? Is there more yellow on one side of the card than the other? , If it bends with great ease, it's a fake.
The real cards are not flimsy. , Then take an old Pokémon card you don't use anymore, and make a small rip in that.
Then compare the rate at which both ripped.
If the fake one ripped faster, then it's without a doubt a fake. , Real Pokémon cards have a very thin sheet of black between the cardboard.
It's very thin, but up close it is easy to see the darkness between the two thin halves of the card.
Fake cards won't have this. -
Step 3: Look for spelling mistakes
-
Step 4: fancy borders around the Pokémon's picture
-
Step 5: or a cup-like base holding the energy.
-
Step 6: Compare the energy symbol to other cards.
-
Step 7: Look at the text.
-
Step 8: Check the weakness
-
Step 9: resistance
-
Step 10: and the retreat cost.
-
Step 11: Check the card box.
-
Step 12: Look at the card's spellings.
-
Step 13: If it is a first edition
-
Step 14: look at the circular first edition stamp to the lower left of the card's picture.
-
Step 15: See if the colors are faded
-
Step 16: smudged
-
Step 17: too dark
-
Step 18: or just plain inaccurate (beware of Shining Pokémon
-
Step 19: though!
-
Step 20: Look at the back of the card.
-
Step 21: Inspect the card itself.
-
Step 22: Grab another card.
-
Step 23: Bend it a little.
-
Step 24: If you are certain it is a fake try making a small tear in it.
-
Step 25: A quick way to test if your Pokémon card is real or fake is to take a close look at the edge of it.
Detailed Guide
Sometimes the pictures on fake cards show things that aren't even Pokémon, like Digimon (or similar imitators) or animals.
Be suspicious if what a card displays looks questionable, or if there appears to be a sticker on top of the card.
If the HP is anywhere over 250, or the attacks don't exist, then it's a fake for sure.
Also, if it says HP 80 instead of 80 HP, it is definitely a fake card because real cards say 80 HP, not HP
80.
That's only with old cards; new cards have HP 80 instead of 80HP.
However, a few genuine cards have the variable and the attribute name inverted as a result of a printing mistake.
Do not discard the card as fake without making further checks, as if the card is a genuine with a mistake, it may be valuable. ,, Many fakes have energy symbols that are slightly larger, distorted, or offset from each other. , On fake cards, the text is usually slightly smaller than on real cards and is usually in a different font. , The weakness/resistance's maximum damage addition/subtraction is +/-40, unless the weakness is x2.
The retreat cost is no more than
4. , With fake cards, the box won't have trademarks and will say something like "pre-release trading cards".
It will be made from cheap cardboard, without the standard bag. , Fake cards often have wrong spellings.
Common mistakes among them including spelling the Pokémon names incorrectly, having no accent i.e. " ` " sign on the 'e' of 'Pokémon'
etc.
You may also see the cards spelling the attacks inaccurately, and not having any energy signs under the attack for the attack description. , Sometimes (particularly for base set cards), people will stamp a card with their own 1st edition stamp.
How can you tell the difference? First, a fake stamp is usually more imperfect and there are a few blotches on the stamp.
Second, fake stamps come right off if you try to rub/scratch them off, very easily. , Those rare Pokémon are purposely the wrong color).
The chances that it's a factory mistake are very slim; it's much more likely to be fake. , On fake cards, the blue swirling design often looks purplish.
Also, sometimes the Poké Ball is upside down (on a real card, the red half is on the top). , A fake card usually feels thin and flimsy and you may be able to see through it if you hold it up to the light.
Some fake cards, on the other hand, are too hard and look shiny.
If it's the wrong size, that's also a telltale sign.
Different materials will also wear differently, so on more "used" cards look for more damage to corners and unusual wear patterns.
Also, fake cards often have no copyright date or the illustrator at the bottom of the card. , Is the card in question the same size? Is it too pointy? Is it centered right? Is there more yellow on one side of the card than the other? , If it bends with great ease, it's a fake.
The real cards are not flimsy. , Then take an old Pokémon card you don't use anymore, and make a small rip in that.
Then compare the rate at which both ripped.
If the fake one ripped faster, then it's without a doubt a fake. , Real Pokémon cards have a very thin sheet of black between the cardboard.
It's very thin, but up close it is easy to see the darkness between the two thin halves of the card.
Fake cards won't have this.
About the Author
Sharon Scott
Sharon Scott specializes in lifestyle and practical guides and has been creating helpful content for over 3 years. Sharon is committed to helping readers learn new skills and improve their lives.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: