How to Spot Fake Pokémon Cards: A Friendly PSA from Three Mountain Games

PSA on Fake Pokemon Cards

Here at Three Mountain Games, we’ve noticed something concerning lately. We’re seeing an increasing number of fake Pokémon cards coming through our doors.

One of the hardest parts of running a game store is having to tell someone, especially a young collector, that a treasured Pokémon card they’ve been excited about isn’t actually real. Whether it’s a powerful Charizard, a beautiful full-art card, or a favorite Pokémon they received in a trade, the last thing we want to do is take away that excitement.

Unfortunately, counterfeit Pokémon cards are becoming more common, and some of them can be surprisingly convincing.

The good news? You don’t have to be a Pokémon expert to spot many fake cards!

There are a few simple things you can check at home before buying or trading Pokémon cards. We want to share three methods that can help you identify potential counterfeits.

1. The Light Test: Let There Be Light!

One of the quickest ways to spot many fake Pokémon cards is with something almost everyone has: a flashlight!

Genuine Pokémon cards typically have an opaque inner layer that helps prevent light from passing easily through the card. Many counterfeit cards are printed on cheaper cardstock without this layer.

Here’s how to perform the light test:

1. Grab a flashlight. Your phone’s flashlight works great!
2. Hold the Pokémon card in front of the light.
3. Look at how much light passes through the card.
4. Compare it with a Pokémon card you know is genuine.

What should you look for?

• Real cards: Generally block most of the light.
• Fake cards: May allow significantly more light through, sometimes making the artwork visible from the opposite side.

If your Pokémon card lights up like a miniature stained-glass window, that’s a good reason to investigate further!

Keep in mind that this test isn’t perfect. Different printings and very bright flashlights can produce different results. Always use more than one method before deciding a card is counterfeit.

2. Check the Edge: A Tiny Detail That Makes a Big Difference

Here’s a little trick many Pokémon collectors don’t know about.

Genuine English Pokémon cards typically have a thin, dark inner layer sandwiched between the printed front and back of the card.

If you look carefully at the edge of a card, you may be able to see this layer.

Here’s what to do:

1. Hold the card sideways at eye level.
2. Look closely at the thin edge of the card.
3. Use good lighting or a magnifying glass if necessary.
4. Look for a dark line running through the middle of the cardstock.

What should you look for?

• Real cards: Often have a thin black or dark gray layer visible along the edge.
• Fake cards: Frequently have an entirely white or uniform-looking edge because they lack that inner layer.

Not every genuine card’s dark layer is equally easy to see, and sophisticated counterfeits can imitate this construction.

Important: You may have heard about the Pokémon card “rip test,” where someone tears a card to look for that dark layer.

Please don’t do that! There’s no reason to destroy a potentially valuable Pokémon card when you can examine it without damaging it.

3. Check the Back: Does That Blue Look Right?

Sometimes the biggest giveaway isn’t on the front of a Pokémon card at all. It’s on the back!

The familiar blue Pokémon card back has a distinctive design, with swirling shades of blue surrounding the Poké Ball.

Counterfeit cards often struggle to reproduce the colors and fine details accurately.

Here’s what to do:

1. Find a Pokémon card you know is genuine.
2. Place it face down next to the card you’re checking.
3. Compare the shades of blue, the Poké Ball, and the surrounding swirl pattern.
4. Look closely at the sharpness of the printing.

Warning signs include:

• Blue coloring that’s noticeably too light, too dark, or unusually purple.
• Blurry or poorly defined swirl patterns.
• Washed-out or overly saturated colors.
• A Pokémon logo or Poké Ball that looks slightly different.

Small variations in color can occur between legitimate print runs and with normal card wear, so don’t judge a card on color alone.

And remember, Japanese Pokémon cards have a different back design, so make sure you’re comparing the same type of card!

Be Careful Who You Trade With!

Trading Pokémon cards is one of the best parts of collecting. There’s something special about finally getting that card you’ve been chasing, especially when you make the trade with another collector.

Unfortunately, not every trade ends happily.

Sometimes someone knowingly trades a counterfeit card. Other times, the person trading it genuinely has no idea that the card is fake.

That’s why we encourage everyone, especially our younger Pokémon trainers, to take a few moments to inspect cards before making a trade.

Remember:

• If a trade seems too good to be true, take a closer look.
• Don’t let anyone pressure you into trading quickly.
• Compare unfamiliar or valuable cards with genuine examples.
• If you’re uncertain about a card, ask someone knowledgeable before trading.

A little caution today can prevent a lot of disappointment tomorrow.

Join Us for Pokémon Tuesdays at Three Mountain Games!

Want to learn more about Pokémon cards, meet other collectors, and enjoy trading in a welcoming environment?

Join us every Tuesday starting at 4:30 PM for Pokémon Tuesdays at Three Mountain Games in downtown Reedsburg!

Bring your cards, meet other Pokémon fans, and enjoy being part of our growing Pokémon community.

Better yet, if you’re planning a trade and aren’t sure whether the cards are genuine, bring them to us before completing the trade.

We’ll be happy to help inspect the cards, look for signs of counterfeits, and help both traders understand what they’re exchanging so they can make an informed decision.

While we can’t guarantee the authenticity or value of every card, we’re always happy to share what we know.

Our goal isn’t just to help you build a great Pokémon collection. It’s to make sure everyone, from brand-new trainers to lifelong collectors, has a fun, fair, and welcoming place to enjoy the hobby.

Because at Three Mountain Games, we believe in Games for Everyone!

Three Mountain Games
46 East Main Street
Reedsburg, Wisconsin

See you Tuesday, Trainers!