How to Spot Fake Pokémon Cards

A collector’s and player’s guide

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is hugely popular, which sadly means counterfeit cards are everywhere — especially for sought-after singles and sealed promos. Knowing how to tell real from fake will help protect both your collection and your wallet.

Below are tried-and-tested checks used by experienced collectors. No single method is foolproof, so combine a few for best results.

1. Inspect Printing and Text

Authentic Pokémon cards have:

Crisp, clear fonts
Consistent letter spacing
No spelling or grammar mistakes

Fakes often have fuzzy or misaligned text, odd font shapes, or poorly translated descriptions. Compare side-by-side with a known-authentic card from the same set whenever possible.

2. Confirm Size and Shape

Standard Pokémon cards measure about 63 × 88 mm (2.5 × 3.5 inches). The corners should be evenly rounded. If a card is noticeably larger, smaller, or has sharper/uneven corners, it’s likely fake.

3. Check the Card Stock and Edges

Real cards use a layered cardstock with a dark (often blue/black) inner layer. Counterfeits can feel:

Too glossy
Too flimsy
Too thick or thin

Look at the card edge under good lighting — authentic cards usually show a consistent colour layer between the front and back.

4. Use the Light Test — Carefully

Shine a bright light from behind the card. Genuine cards typically block most of it, thanks to the opaque inner layer. Many fakes let a lot more light through.
⚠ This isn’t 100% reliable — high-quality fakes can pass, and some older cards may behave differently — so treat it as one piece of the puzzle.

5. Examine the Holo Pattern

Holofoil areas should match the official set’s design:

Pattern density and direction should be consistent
Foil should not extend to areas that aren’t meant to be holographic
The surface shouldn’t appear flat or overly mirror-like

6. Study the Card Back

Look for:

Centred Poké Ball logo
Even borders all the way around
Correct blue colour tone (not too dark, pale, or greenish)

Many fakes have slightly wrong colours or fuzzy outlines.

7. Buy From Trusted Sellers or Pre-Authenticated

The safest way to avoid fakes is to:

Buy from established TCG retailers with authenticity guarantees
For high-value purchases, consider graded cards from PSA, Beckett (BGS), or CGC — these are authenticated and sealed in tamper-proof cases

➡ See our graded Pokémon cards and Pokémon singles from verified sources.

8. Watch Out for Counterfeit Slabs

Some counterfeiters fake grading slabs too. To protect yourself:

Check the label details and printing
Scan or enter the certification number on the grading company’s official site
Compare to a known-authentic example of the same cert

Quick Collector’s Checklist

✅ Printing crisp, no typos
✅ Correct size and corner shape
✅ Card stock and edges match authentic feel
✅ Holo pattern matches official set design
✅ Light test shows minimal glow-through (supporting check only)
✅ Seller or grader has strong reputation

Bottom line:
Counterfeit cards are a reality, but with a few quick checks you can avoid disappointment and protect your investment. If in doubt, walk away — or buy from sellers who guarantee authenticity.