How do you spot a fake Pokemon card?

Chances are if you've Googled "How do you spot a fake Pokemon card," you already know that you have a fake. The card in question has stood out to you, and although you're hoping it's because it is insanely rare and valuable, your gut is telling you that something is wrong. I hope I can help.

My sons just recently starting collecting Pokemon cards, and one of them bought a pack from a vendor at the county fair. He immediately spotted them as fake. So how did he know? Here is what I have learned are the easiest ways:



1. The feel- If you are used to handling Pokemon cards, a fake will feel thinner. It may also be of slightly different dimensions, which will make it stand out if in a group of real cards.

2. The quality- The cards will have uneven borders, misaligned packaging, or printing issues.

3. Translucence- English Pokemon cards have a black layer in the cardboard that prevents light from shining through. Fake cards will not have this and if you hold a light to them, you will be able to see both sides at once.

4. Typos and inconsistencies- A fake may have HP or other information that is way off, be missing the accent mark on the word "Pokemon," be missing the "TM" on the back, have words spelled incorrectly, or feature characters that don't exist, etc.

Here is a helpful video that my son made on the topic with his fake cards:

You may be asking yourself why exactly fake Pokemon cards exist. The short answer is that Pokemon cards are expensive. Just like Rolex, Gucci, or Coach, if a brand demands a premium for their product, someone will be willing to violate copyright laws in an attempt to cash in on the phenomenon. Especially when the items are of a collectible nature. So stay informed and stay away from fake cards.

See also:
Is my POKEMON Card real or FAKE?
How to Know if Pokemon Cards Are Fake