Pokemon TCG Format Guides
How the Pokemon TCG is actually played, from sanctioned Standard to the community formats and digital clients.
Constructed (Play! Pokemon)
The two formats sanctioned at official events, from League nights to Worlds.
Standard
The flagship format, defined by regulation marks that rotate each spring.
Expanded
Black & White (2011) onward, a deeper card pool with its own ban list.
Eternal
No rotation, no sanctioning, every card ever printed.
Unlimited
The full history of the game in one card pool, first-turn rules and all, played casually rather than at sanctioned events.
Community formats
Player-run formats with their own rules and communities.
Gym Leader Challenge
One type, one copy of each card, no rule-box Pokemon. The community's answer to Commander.
Retro
Base Set through the early years, played with period card pools and community rulesets.
Limited
Build from packs opened on the spot.
Prerelease & Sealed
40-card decks from a Build & Battle Box, four prizes instead of six.
Digital
The official clients, each with its own card pool.
Pokemon TCG Live
Standard and Expanded online, the successor to PTCGO.
Pokemon TCG Pocket
A separate, simplified game with its own cards, 20-card decks and three points to win.
Retired formats
Legacy and Theme formats existed on PTCGO and were discontinued when it shut down in 2023. They still matter as history, but they are not active official queues today.