Why buying single Pokémon cards might be the smartest move right now

Nothing is so exciting as opening Pokémon booster packs — the rustle of the wrapper, doing the card-trick, and the moment you feel a rush of excitement when you see a shiny border peeking in the background. The greatest feeling in the world in my opinion!

Sealed Pokémon products have always been a huge part of collecting Pokémon cards, and I completely understand the excitement around them. Whether it’s opening a couple of packs, an Elite Trainer Box or a sealed Jungle boosterbox, there is some real magic in the “not knowing what you are going to get”.

But in times like these, when sealed products are exploding in popularity (and in prices), it might be worth taking a closer look at something with a little more ground to it: single Pokémon cards.

The Price of the Pack vs. the Value Inside 💰

Let’s be honest — sealed packs today aren’t as cheap as they used to be. I remember buying some packs from the more modern sets under 4 dollars towards the end of 2024. Right now, it’s almost unthinkable to find packs that cheap! Let’s not even mention the price of some vintage products…

But what are we really chasing when we open a Pokémon boosterpack?

Usually, it’s the chase card everyone wants — the Rainbow Pikachu Vmax, the baseset Charizard or the alt-art Eeveelution. If we are not lucky enough to pull those chase cards, we’ll take any other cool illustration card for sure.

However, if you are trying to expand your collection with rare cards, opening packs is not the most strategic way to do it. (It is the most fun one for sure! ... if you get a nice pull from time to time ofcourse)

Let’s analyse Paldean Fates for a second. If we look at this article from TCG player, we see that pulling a specific Special Illustration Rare is a 1/465 chance. The current prices for a Paldean Fates Boosterpack are around 12 dollars as of August 10th, 2025. This means you would have to spend around 5580 (12 x 465) dollars on average to get the SIR card you want. Since the most expensive SIR in Paldean Fates is currently the Bubble Mew (370 dollars), you could buy 15 Bubble Mew cards for this price instead of chasing for 1!

In general, you can buy exactly what you want, usually for far less than you'd spend trying to pull it. (If you're not one of the few attracting those shiny cards with your Shiny Charm)

Singles Let You Build a Collection with Purpose 🔎

There’s something satisfying about building your collection card by card. You get to:

• Hand-pick the best artworks
• Complete sets more efficiently
• Focus on your favorite Pokémon, themes or eras

Instead of stacks of bulk, you’re left with a binder full of cards that matter most to you.

Appreciating the artwork of less popular cards is an aspect that can really grow your collection. These cards are often overlooked by many collectors because most of them are searching for those big hitters. Looking into these hidden gems is where the real magic happens.

Take a close look at this Pawmi (also from Paldean Fates) for example. It's a card that features a Shiny Pawmi cuddling with its friends, in a beautiful field of flowers, and there even is an Oran Berry next to it!

I did not even mention the best part: this card never even touched 2 dollars!
This Pawmi is not the only surprisingly cheap card by the way. There are tons of amazing cards that you can’t go wrong with!

Whether you're collecting for nostalgia, investment, or just plain love of the hobby, buying singles puts the control in your hands.

Supporting the Community 🤝

When you buy singles, especially on platforms like eBay, you’re often supporting other collectors, sellers, and small businesses. Every card you purchase might be helping someone fund their next PSA submission or clear out space for new inventory.

It keeps the ecosystem of the hobby thriving — and that’s a beautiful thing.

Sealed Still Has Its Place 🎁

Don’t get me wrong — sealed products are a lot of fun. The joy of cracking open packs with friends, sharing hits on social media, or tucking away a few packs for your future self (like I do from time to time) is part of the experience!

I’ll never tell you not to enjoy it.

But in a market where the price of the mystery is climbing, don’t sleep on the value of the known. Singles let you enjoy the hobby of collecting Pokémon cards in a thoughtful, more affordable way — especially when chasing cards that matter most to you.

Ready to Start?

If you're looking to pick up a few cards for your collection — whether it's a Base Set card, a recent illustration rare, or you are searching for some underrated cards — I've got you covered. Here on Pocket Scout, we're always on the hunt for great singles, and we love giving them a second home with someone who’ll truly appreciate them.

Because in the end, it’s not about what’s sealed, expensive or rare. It’s about what makes you feel like a kid again.