Hi Darius, welcome to the game. My advice:
1. Watch videos. Google PTCGO and you can watch tons of games online. Just be careful: some youtubers only show games in which the deck is successful. There have been a number of times that I've struggled with a deck that was unbeatable in the video I watched.
2. Play on PTCGO. As you're starting, you can buy card codes online for cheap to help get started. That way you can practice before investing in real life cards.
3. If you're looking for a good cheap deck, try Passimian Mew. There are dozens of videos on this deck and it's actually second to only Decidueye in how well it's done against me since the new rotation. Plus, 3 of the 4 most common Pokemon I'm seeing are weak to fighting.
4. The standard format is currently Primal clash and on. Any cards you buy from Primal Clash, Ancient Origins, Generations, and Roaring Skies will almost certainly NOT be standard legal after worlds in late August.
There is a small possibilty that the creators of Pokemon might be planning a massive rotation out of Standard and that only cards from Evolutions, Sun and Moon, Guardians Rising (May 5) and a yet to be identified set (1st week of August) will be the only cards left in standard, but this is extremely unlikely. Plus, you can't build a competitive deck right now using only those cards.
Feel free to ask if you have more questions or message me personally.
