A clean Pokémon TCG setup prevents most mistakes before the first turn. Prepare a 60-card deck, an Active spot, a Bench for up to five Pokémon, a discard pile, six Prize positions, damage counters and a coin or die.
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Setup order
- Shuffle and present the deck.
- Draw seven cards.
- Check privately for a Basic Pokémon.
- Place one Basic Pokémon face down as Active.
- Place up to five Basic Pokémon face down on the Bench.
- Place six Prize cards face down without looking.
- Choose the first player, then reveal Active and Benched Pokémon.
Mulligans
If the opening hand has no Basic Pokémon, reveal it, shuffle it back and draw seven again. Apply the official extra-card procedure once both players have valid hands.
Prize cards
Prize cards stay separate from the hand and deck. They are taken after Knock Outs according to the rules and card effects; never inspect them during setup.
First-turn limits
The starting player cannot attack or play a Supporter during their first turn. Track the normal once-per-turn Energy attachment and read every card restriction.
Quick check
- seven cards in each valid opening hand;
- one required Basic Active;
- no more than five Benched Pokémon;
- six face-down Prize cards;
- both players reveal together;
- first-turn restrictions are understood.
Practical habit: point to hand, Prize cards and field before revealing anything.