9 Things I Wish I Knew Getting BACK into Collecting Pokémon Cards

I want to share nine things I wish I knew getting back into Collecting Pokémon Cards 6 months ago. This hobby has changed quite a lot over the years, and it can be overwhelming to navigate. So if you want to get into Pokemon card collecting, these tips will help!

I'll be sharing some fundamental mindsets I believe you need to have as a collector, as well as practical resources for the best places to buy cards, how to value them, how to best store them, and more.

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00:00 Intro
01:11 #1. Have a Focus
02:12 #2. Not Just One Way to Collect
07:56 #3. Where to Buy Cards
11:09 Vintage Mystery Pack Opening
13:03 #4. How to Value Your Cards
14:56 #5. Significance of Graded Cards
16:47 #6. How to Store/Protect Your Cards
24:11 #7. The Community is Your Ally
25:07 #8. Three Sides to the Hobby
26:32 #9. Enjoyment Over Profit
28:07 Vintage Mystery Pack Opening
31:37 Outro

Music by: Mikel

[nakai_bee]

I started collecting again 4 months ago. I have listened to tons of podcasts, watched lots of YouTube videos, and read tons of blogs, forums, and articles. This video is by far the best video explaining everything, hands down. You should be honored Luke.

[mica]

Am barely getting into collecting Pokemon cards & one mini dilemma I had was deciding between storage (binder) vs displaying vs getting more product due to my low budget. Decided on buying a 5 pack magnetic displays after realizing how happy it made me to see the $1 Dedenne card I bought (& love) being propped on a cheap phone stand at my desk.

The binder for proper storage & buying more packs for cards can wait but knowing & being able to display my favorites cards sooner will greatly help me enjoy this hobby a bunch more!

[FloatBob]

I've started a 151 master set. The one thing that is a bit annoying and probably a bit of a cash grab is the reverse holos

[chowyoonphat]

So glad you began the video with the first 2 things, which to me is the most important for this hobby and needs to be reminded to folks. I finally got into collecting Pokemon cards just recently. I've been mostly just collecting cards of the Pokemon I like to keep, and not for flipping. My approach has been mostly hunting down and buying singles. Every now again buying a pack or two just for the thrill of opening them. Having that focus helps me from making bad financial decisions, and most importantly, making this hobby enjoyable.

[bobbyblakely]

Just started collecting myself, I don’t really care about the value I’m treating them more as art and working in a full art card collection! Awesome advice and good luck on your sets!

[jaina.o]

I don't usually post comments but I really liked this video. You're very nice to listen to. And aren't shouting. Which lots of Pokemon YouTubers tend to do I've found haha.
I'm trying to get back into the hobby as well. I'm trying to find my focus area a bit. But I'm not sure what I want yet. The gotta catch em all mentality is strong haha. I do enjoy opening packs. And I'd like to have lots of binders with cool art. So maybe I'll try to get all common and uncommon cards while I collect some current era sets like the upcoming 151. Cool video. I'm also thinking about maybe starting a channel in the future. Talk about the cards I like, what Pokemon's meant to me over the years. And maybe do some product openings. But I'm not sure if there's too many channels like that already. Anyway, keep it up!

[PeterParker-cxjj]

Bro, you got me at the end. I was watching just to keep my mind off things an hear some just talk about anything. What you said when you finished maybe me feel better. Great video.

[cxzzlzv]

I'm REALLY glad I stumbled across your video. I just got to Japan around late December 2023 and I visited a Pokémon center here. I remembered collecting cards as a kid and enjoying it. I already spent about $200 in cards in a month, a binder, etc. and I realized I don't really enjoy collecting anything other than the original 151 (specifically the holos/shinys). I went into it with an "investor" mindset thinking I had time/energy to resell these cards for profit. That alone is making me lose interest in the hobby again.

Long story short. I'm glad you stressed on the different aspects of collectors and maintaining focus on what's important. That hit home, resonates and will save me money in the long run. Thanks!

[codya]

151 got me back into collecting since 01. I recently finished my master set and have been focusing on getting some base set cards as well as the Japanese vending series cards. I generally focus on kanto pokemon but I’ll generally get whatever I like, I don’t really care too much about the value, more so whatever catches my eyes.

[joyfuljournaler]

Hey! I just started collecting because we got my husbands collection handed to us from when he was a kid. It was so exciting going through all the vintage cards and I really got excited about collecting! But I was not sure where to start and your video helped so much!! Thank you! I especially liked that you told everyone God loves them and has a plan for them at the end. 😁 Amen!! Loved this video and I’m definitely subscribing. Thanks! Have a blessed day!

[jamiemorgan]

I recently got back into it and one thing I wish I knew is that many sellers love to sell the same exact cards and that older cards are way harder to get than it is in Yu-gi-oh where in Yu-gi-oh it's far easier to get older cards.

[HippieJoe]

I remember when I first started collecting again, the joy I had when I started buying some of my old cards. I spend so much money lol. Then I started spending more and more, but luckily I bought most of my collection in 2018-20 which saved me a TON of money. You can't get a 1st Ed Fossil Box for $1300 anymore 😂.

Anyways, like most collectors, I've experienced everything you have said and its been quite a ride. Don't sell anything unless they are duplicates or you really need the money. Often times, its just not worth it and try to think outside the box and find unique ways to display your collection (such as glass cabinets, frames, stands, ect.). Happy Collecting!

[kaleighgable]

I’ve collected all the snivy, servine, and serperior cards I wanted (which was my ultimate goal) now I collect all grass types (Reverse Holo, Holo, and above) I used to have common ones but I decided against it because it would be….a lot. I mainly have an aesthetic collection if I’m being honest 😂 but all of my hits outside of this criteria have their own binder to store them in 👍🏻

[chasebarteau]

I really appreciate this video! I to be told not to let others tell me what I want to collect! Also your voice is so calming and you have really nice articulation

[austin_horn]

Honestly I started collecting again a few years ago and have slowly learned a few these on my own - haha. Really awesome advice, and definitely learned a couple things as well :) great video!!

[Matfridt]

The final point is why I ordered 160 bucks worth of Obsidian Flames cards a few days ago. I'm in it for fun, nostalgia and art work. I'm 29, I just wanna have fun lmfao, the booster box I ordered is the most I've spent on cards in 20 years

[TheOnlyGHOST]

Nice video I just started collecting again after sooo many years I still have my original old school cards today me and my son are collecting together 👍

[Danjo]

Perfect video for me, im starting collecting again after over 20 years

[cameronbajt]

I feel a bit stuck at the moment. My young boys want to get into Pokemon - because they can see how excited I am, and they love the "rarity" that some of these cards hold. But like most young families we're on a budget. I cannot decide if we should be saving up - and selectively buying individual cards (already PSA graded) to cherish a smaller selection of higher end cards that may appreciate over time... or to just buy packs and open them for the fun of it. I love opening so much - but know, inevitably leads to eventually hundreds of random cards, then the additional cost to get them prepped, shipped and graded by PSA - which in most circumstances isn't worth it unless they look absolutely perfect. It's hard to know where to put the money.

[blountman]

I'm really glad I found your channel and your video. I used to collect back into 7th and 8th grade back with the base set jungle set and fossil set were coming out. I used to compete in tournaments I had a binder of holograph I had a binder about comments and comments and I had energy cards and other Pokemon item in battle related cards and stuff that I would trade at different tournaments. I had quite a few of those cards stolen when I was at school. So I went back and got those cards back through collecting and buying booster packs. I lost the entire set of rare cards upon movie to a different place when I was transitioning from eight grade to high school and that entire experience really affected me and I just got out of it. Just like what you said of the video I don't know what happened 20 years later I'm seeing adults collecting and I'm seeing that it has come back there's like what 6 to 7 different types of booster packs series out there and it seems to still be a pretty big deal plus there's a lot of money involved if you are selling some rare or stuff like that anyway thanks for your video really helped