Organising Pokémon cards in a binder might sound simple. Just grab your cards, pop them into the binder, and you are done, right? Not quite. There is a bit of nuance to it. After years of collecting, I have picked up a few tips to keep things neat, functional, and ready for additions.
Here’s my guide to organising your cards while avoiding common mistakes.
What you will need
First, make sure you have everything to hand:
- Binder: Any sturdy binder works, but themed ones like the Pokémon 151 binder add a nice touch.
- Card sleeves: These protect your cards. Whether you sleeve every card or just the holos is entirely up to you.
- Player’s guide (optional): This booklet, found in Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), is a brilliant tool for organising.
Once you have your supplies ready, it is time to start.
First, do we really need the player’s guide booklet?
The Player’s Guide is your best friend when organising a set. It lists every card in the set and shows whether there are variants like non-holo, holo, or reverse holo.
Keep the guide open next to you as you work. Even after collecting for years, I still check it to avoid mistakes. It is an essential tool, especially for modern sets with so many variants. If you can’t find one, you can easily find screenshots online or use databases that provide the numbering information.
Using card numbers to organise
Every Pokémon card has a number in the corner, such as 001/165. The first number tells you the card’s position in the set, while the second tells you how many cards the set contains. Use this numbering system to arrange your cards in order.
For example:
- Place Bulbasaur (001/165) in the first slot.
- If you have a reverse holo Bulbasaur, it should go in a separate slot beside the regular one.
Make sure to never put multiple cards in the same pocket. Stacking can damage them over time, and doing so defeats the entire purpose of organising your collection in the first place!
But let’s say, for example, you’re missing a card. Just leave its slot empty for now. For instance, if you have Bulbasaur and Ivysaur but don’t have Venusaur yet, skip its space. This way, your binder stays organised and ready for when you finally add it to your collection.
To sleeve or not to sleeve
Whether to sleeve every card is entirely personal. Personally, I only sleeve holos and above, like secret rares or promos. Non-holo and reverse holo commons go into the binder unsleeved.
My reasoning is simple. Sleeving every card takes up a lot of time, and I do not worry too much about minor wear on common cards. However, if you prefer sleeving everything, go for it. Your collection, your rules.
What about promos and unlisted variants?
Promos and unlisted variants are where things can get tricky. For instance, you might have a stamped Electabuzz that is not included in the Player’s Guide. Where does it go?
Here is what I do:
- Keep promo cards in a separate section at the back of the binder.
- For unlisted variants, decide what feels right. Some collectors prefer grouping them with the main set, while others keep them with promos.
There is no right or wrong way to handle these. It is entirely up to you.
Modern vs older sets
Modern sets are much more complicated to organise than older ones. Take the 1999 Base Set as an example. With only 102 cards, it is relatively simple to arrange in numerical order.
In contrast, today’s sets include reverse holos, secret rares, and promos. Secret rares, for instance, are cards with numbers that exceed the total count of the set, such as 167/165. These need their own section at the end of the binder.
Final thoughts
Take it step by step and enjoy the process. Remember, mistakes can happen, but don’t let it deter you, get back on the horse!
If you have any questions or want to share your own tips, feel free to leave a comment. I always love hearing from fellow collectors. Good luck and happy collecting!
