What the Pokemon TCG Online Leaderboards REALLY Say About the Game

Despite months of playing Pokemon TCG Online religiously, I was unaware of its leaderboards until long after. In my defense, they live on the Pokemon website and not within the game, making it very easy to miss

Though I’m annoyed that I can’t check the leaderboards while I’m playing, it does have one particularly neat feature. By scrolling all the way to the back of each leaderboard, you can see how many players are playing within each format.

For the purposes of this post, I went to each leaderboard and scrolled to the very back of the previous full season. I then wrote down what the last place number was to determine how many players were listed in each leaderboard. The results of that research caught me by surprise.

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Earn Booster Packs and Theme Decks in Pokemon TCG Online Without Spending Money

The online version of the Pokemon Trading Card Game serves as a fantastic gateway for new players. You’ll learn the gist of the game within minutes of playing the tutorial with the AI. Once you get past that, it serves as a robust platform that allows you to play against the AI or online matches with others around the world.

Best of all, you don’t necessarily have to buy physical cards or online codes to gain access to more digital cards. While you’ll certainly have a massive leg-up if you do, the game gives you many opportunities to unlock cards for free. It’s not unreasonable to earn enough coins to unlock one theme deck or multiple booster packs every day by playing the game in an optimal way.

Here’s the most efficient path to take in order to get as many cards and decks as you can in the most efficient manner!

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Explaining the Different Matchmaking Options in Pokemon Trading Card Game Online

Matchmaking in Pokemon Trading Card Game Online isn’t quite as straightforward as sitting at a table and playing the next available opponent. There are a number of matchmaking modes you can choose from that determine which cards are eligible. Because of this, the type of game you’re agreeing to will vary wildly based on which matchmaking option you choose.

Since the game doesn’t explicitly state what each one entails, let’s take a moment to explain them all!

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Trying to Shop for Pokemon Trading Card Game Stuff Without Getting Ripped Off

One of the lessons I have learned during this quickly-accelerating journey into the world of Pokemon TCG is that it’s easy to get ripped off when you buy cards. From insane markups to flat-out fake cards, being loose with your money can cost you way more than it should.

Based on my limited time in the scene, here are some things to look out for and ways of avoiding them!

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Pokemon Trading Card Game Battle Academy Review

Entering the Pokemon Trading Card Game space is intimidating. It’s a game that’s decades old and wildly popular. As a newcomer, it’s incredibly intimidating to see all of the discussion around massive collections, tournament-level strategies, and the hunt for super-rare cards.

If you’re interested in learning how to play the game, there’s an amazing answer to that question: the Pokemon Trading Card Game Battle Academy.

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4 Resources That Can Help You Learn How to Play the Pokemon Trading Card Game

For years, I had built this barrier in my head that made me feel like the Pokemon Trading Card Game was too difficult to get into. Then one day, I decided to push my fears aside and just give it a try. In under an hour, I knew just enough to get started and discovered a new hobby that I can’t stop obsessing over.

If you’re sitting on the sidelines or even had the slightest curiosity of what it would be like to play, here are a few resources that can help you start your journey!

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Setting Boundaries For My New Pokemon Trading Card Game Addict…Hobby.

My Pokemon Trading Card Game collection went from 0-to-100 real quick.

In just over a week, I went from nothing to a coffee table full of pre-made decks, promo cards, boosters, tins, and more. Don’t worry, as I can continue to pay my mortgage and put food on the table…for now.

That said, I have discovered in short order that this hobby can drain my attention and bank account very quickly. It’s time to set boundaries on what I currently want out of this. They may change over time and that’s okay. But it’s important for me to understand my limits before I really get carried away.

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My Rapid Descent into Pokemon Trading Card Game Madness

I remember the start of my Pokemon Trading Card Game journey like it was yesterday. Because it was basically yesterday. Starting with just a set of two pre-made decks, we discovered that we really enjoyed the game and wanted to explore the scene further.

In a matter of days, I may have floored the gas pedal.

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What I Learned From Playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game for the First Time

More than 20 years after its original release, I finally tried my at the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Together with my wife, we bought a starter set and engaged in battle. Here’s what I’ve learned after finally crossing this experience off of my bucket list!

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Even More Posts About Streaming! #BloggersWhoStream

[This post is part of a blogging collaboration by Later Levels and Hundstrasse called #BloggersWhoStream. Make sure to give them both credit and follow the hashtag on Twitter for more posts from the community!]

My efforts for #BloggersWhoStream are technically wrapping up today. However, writing about streaming is something that I have a deep passion for. I write posts about the subject on most Fridays and I’ll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

If you enjoyed my work this week and wanted more, here’s a handy post that compiles links to a number of my previous efforts. Give it a look and I hope you enjoy!

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