Last Updated on July 10, 2023 by dashespoke
If you’ve just started collecting or are a seasoned collector looking for different ways to organize Pokémon cards, you’re in the right place.
There are thousands of Pokémon cards, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve run out of space. The most important aspect of organizing Pokémon cards is limiting what you want to collect.
Once you’ve determined what you want to collect in your binder, the fun can begin!
How To Sort Your Pokémon Cards
The four best ways to organize your Pokémon cards are by generation, set, rarity, and card number. Pokemon cards are released in sets corresponding to different generations of Pokémon games. Then they are further divided into sets. Each card is then classified into different rarity levels. With each Pokémon set, each card is assigned a unique card number.
Get your binders, sleeves, and your reference sheet ready. This is where organizing Pokémon Cards become fun!
How to Organize by Generation
Start by checking what generation your Pokémon Card is from. Separate Generation 1 from the rest of your cards. First edition generation 1 cards can be very valuable!
First edition Pokémon Cards are easily identified because they have a special ‘EDITION 1’ logo on them.
Look for the 1st Edition Symbol on your cards!
The best way to sort by generation is to have an app like Pokellector. They have an excellent layout of cards by generation.
How to Organize Pokémon by Set
Within each generation, Pokémon cards are divided into sets. You can sort your cards within each generation by their corresponding sets. Each set will have a unique symbol or logo on the card to indicate which generation it is from.
In the left picture, the symbol is on the bottom right, in the right picture, the symbol is on the bottle left. These Sylveon cards are amazing!
How to Organize by Rarity
Rarity levels further break down Pokémon cards. The levels are common, uncommon, rare, and ultra-rare. Other rarities have come into play in the new Scarlet and Violet expansion set. Check out this image below.
Scarlet & Violet added an Illustration Rare, Special Illustration Rare, Hyper Rare, Double Rare, and Ultra Rare!
The best reason to organize cards by rarity is to locate specific cards or identify their relative value.
How to Sort by Card Number
Each Pokémon card is assigned a unique card number. This is Pokémon’s best way to maintain organization systematically. It also makes it very easy to find specific cards.
This Gengar Vmax Alt art has the serial number 271/264!
Additional Categories to Sort Your Pokémon Cards
Consider organizing by different types. I.E. Water, Grass, Fire, ETC. You can also organize by specific Pokemon species or Pokemon Characters!
Storage Solutions
Keep your Pokémon cards well organized with sleeves and binders. This will allow you to flip through your cards to show off your collection easily!
You can use storage boxes for less valuable cards and separators to organize them even better. Dividers can be found in Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), and your local card shop should have a bunch they usually give away for free.
As your collection grows, make it a habit to organize it right away. So many cards are released every few months, so it is easy to lose track.
Conclusion
The best ways to organize your cards are by:
- Generation
- Set
- Rarity
- Card Number
There is no wrong way to organize your Pokémon cards. It is ultimately up to your personal preference.
The goal of keeping your cards organized is to establish a system that allows you to find and enjoy your Pokémon collection easily.