Hello everybody...

This isn't much of a strategy, but more of helpful tips while playing Pokemon.

    I'm going to share with everyone how to play the card game more efficient. I've played tons of games and have noticed that people that are new to the game or people that aren't very familiar with the game tend to play the exact same. Well I have come up with a list of how to play more efficiently and to keep you in the game longer.

- If you have more than one basic Pokemon in your hand, and one has zero retreat, play the one with zero retreat, it will help you out a lot.

- If an attack cost two colored energies and a colorless(ex. Chan's Special Punch), first play a Fighting energy(to do Jab), then play another color energy(if you have a two color deck that is), then lastly the Fighting energy, it causes your opponent to think you don't have the proper energy requirements.

- If you play a deck that has a common resistance, put in the type that counters it, like Colorless rules Psychic Pokemon but Fighting tops Colorless, so play a Fighting and Psychic deck.

- When building a deck, keep the Pokemon number under 20, never more.  This makes room for much needed trainers and energy.

- Poker Face, try and keep a straight face throughout the game, don't start to smile when you draw a great card unless you plan on playing it or winning it that turn.

- Never leave your opponents Pokemon with 10 HP left. That is why God gave us PlusPower. There are so many cards that will sweep that Pokemon free of damage.

- If your opponent just KO'd your active, play one with free retreat or one that could deal quite a chunk of damage during your turn.

- Never leave your Pokemon with 10 damage remaining. Use that Scoop Up or whatever, they save your Pokemon.

- One word - Dice. Play with dice instead of damage counters. They save space, and you don't bang your cards up by having a silver dollar landing on your prized Blastoise. Damage counters are just about a must when playing with Alakazam, it's to big of a hassle playing with dice and adding and subtracting. Damage counters are sometimes(but not all the time) easy.

- Play fair, if you have a weakness to your opponents active and your opponent doesn't know your actives weakness, don't ignore it...its not fair to your opponent or yourself, same goes with resistance, forgot do draw a prize. And don't just roll a dice with your damage on it and just leave it there, leaving Electabuzz clean of any damage. This is the rule I stress the most!

- Please, don't steal. How would you like it if someone shuffled your prizes into their deck and walked off, or someone just stole your book or swiped a few cards from your binder. It is bound to happen to everybody, keep your cards in a backpack when you aren't using them.

- If you have the Non-Holo version of a card, play with the Non-Holo.  It is outrageous how much Pokemon cards are worth and you don't want to ruin a Holo Scyther when you have the Non-Holo version sitting in your book. They have the same attacks and everything, a deck isn't for showing off your Holo's, that is what your books are for.

- Have Fun. This is the best rule, it isn't fun if you just won and your opponent is throwing a hissy fit.

- And lastly have respect for all the cards on the table. Don't be flipping a coin on your opponents Blastoise or knock their deck over. This has happened to me and I really don't appreciate it when a kid brings in a half dollar knowing I'm going to play a Raindance.

That is my list of what to and not to do when playing a game or just being around Pokemon cards. That is the basics of what a beginner to novice should know, these tips will insure more fun while you are at a tournament, Pokemon league or at a friends house.

Have Fun,

Daniel P

neopolatin@earthlink.net