When I first started collecting Pokémon cards, the rarity system completely confused me.
Those tiny symbols — circles, diamonds, and stars — felt like a secret code.
After some digging (and a few wrong trades), I finally got it:
Circle (●) means common.
Diamond (◆) means uncommon.
Star (★) means rare.
Then there are Holo Rares, Full Arts, and Secret Rares — the shiny ones with crazy numbering like 210/198.
That’s when you know it’s something special.
Once I learned this, I started opening packs differently. I’d pause at every shiny card, flip it around, check the number, and quietly hope it’s something rare.
What I love is that even commons can have great artwork. But when you pull a secret rare, it’s a whole different feeling. It’s not just about value — it’s about the chase.
If you’re starting your collection online like most of us in India, always check card rarity in listings.
A single star could mean the difference between a ₹50 card and a ₹5000 one.
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