The purpose of this FAQ is to answer some of the most common questions about Play! Pokemon.
Q: Where can I find a copy of the rules?
A: Each theme deck contains a copy of the rules. You can also find a copy of the rulebook on www.pokemon.com
Q: Where can I find a copy of the Tournament Rules?
A: You may find one at the following url: http://www.pokemon.com/us/assets/cms/pdf/op/tournaments/2011/Pokemon_Tournament_Rules.pdf
Q: Is there an official source for rulings?
A: Yes there is. The Compendium is the official source for rulings.
Q: If I have a question regarding how a card works where do I ask?
A: Please ask your question here. Please be sure to read this thread first to see if your question is covered. Make sure to provide a scan of the card(s) in question. PB has scans of all the cards and it saves the Professors time.
Q: Are any cards banned?
A: Yes. You can find a list of playable cards here. Any non-local language cards are banned as well, this includes Basic Energy Cards.
Q: What is a Player ID/POP and is there a difference between the two?
A: A Player ID and POP ID are similar. POP IDs are a thing of the past, if you still have yours it will continue to work. POP IDs do not have a PIN associated with them; Player IDs do have a PIN associated with them. They are required to participate in a Pokemon League and Premier Events. Having a POP ID/Player ID also allows you to create an account on www.pokemon.com by filling out some information.
Q: How do I obtain a POP ID/Player ID?
A: You will be given one when you attend a Pokemon League or a tournament.
Q: Can you assign me a Player ID?
A: Sorry, but I don’t have tons of extra Player IDs that aren’t being used.
Q: Why should I sign up for an account?
A: You can opt to receive free rewards just for participating in a Pokemon League or going to a tournament. The rewards are shipped quarterly. By having an account, when your League Leader reports you for showing up for the season, the League Leader is able to order more supplies so there is enough for everyone.
Q: How do I sign up for a Pokemon Trainer Club account?
A: Please view this thread. If you have any questions or problems regarding signing up, you may post them in that thread also.
Q: Is there a specific person I can talk to on the forum for help?
A: You may either PM myself or captain.mongoose; we will do our best to assist you. If you want live help, visit the PB Chat. Look for Arceus because that is what I go by on the chat. You should double click my name so the message only goes to me instead of the whole chat. If you don’t see me on there, you can also try seeing if I am online on Skype. As long as my status is not away, I’m there.
Q: What is a Premier Event?
A: Please view this page.
How much does it cost to play in a Premier Event?
A: Premier Events other than Prereleases are free. Prereleases cost money because you will be getting actual product no matter how you place. The amount to participate in a Prerelease is up to the Tournament Organizer.
Q: What is a Prerelease?
A: A Prerelease is a special tournament that allows you to get cards from an expansion that is not yet released in the stores. You may not use any cards other than the cards you pull in your Booster Packs and Theme deck if applicable. Match results will not affect your Premier Rating, however, you will get credit for attending it.
Q: How do I become a Tournament Organizer?
A: You must apply on www.pokemon.com; you also must be at least 18 years old.
Q: What is a Pokemon League?
A: A Pokemon League is a place where you can play the Pokemon TCG and Pokemon Video games with other people. You can even earn free prizes! You can find a league locator here. Make sure to check the box that says Leagues. Some leagues are also posted in this forum.
Q: How do I start my own League?
A: You must apply on www.pokemon.com after logging into your account. You must be at least 18 years of age. Fill out the application and then wait and see if you get accepted.
Q: What is a Pokemon Professor?
A: A Pokemon Professor is someone who carries out rulings that have been made and ensures that rules are followed. These people have passed the Professor Exam. Many of us answer any rulings questions you post in the Card Questions & Game Rulings subforum.
Q: Is there any benefits to being a Professor?
A: There sure is. Typically when you judge an event you will get free booster packs, the amount will vary depending on the event and your tournament organizer. You also earn Professor Points for judging tournaments which can be used to get exclusive rewards on www.pokemon.com, including Professor sleeves. If you earn enough points in the year, you are eligible to play in the Professor Cup which is held at Nationals. The prizes in the Professor Cup are fantastic and it’s usually a different format.
Q: How do I become a Professor?
A: Once you have signed up for an account on www.pokemon.com you will need to log in to it. Do a search for the Professor Exam and you will find a link to it. The Exam consists of 40 questions of which you must answer at least 32 correct. The test is timed; you have 45 minutes to submit the test or you will fail. You must also be at least 18 years old.
Q: I have a question that isn’t covered here. Where do I ask?
A: You may ask your question here.
Q: Where can I get more Player ID forms?
A: Log into your account on www.pokemon.com and go under the OP Tool Dashboard.
Q: Where can I find a copy of the rules?
A: Each theme deck contains a copy of the rules. You can also find a copy of the rulebook on www.pokemon.com
Q: Where can I find a copy of the Tournament Rules?
A: You may find one at the following url: http://www.pokemon.com/us/assets/cms/pdf/op/tournaments/2011/Pokemon_Tournament_Rules.pdf
Q: Is there an official source for rulings?
A: Yes there is. The Compendium is the official source for rulings.
Q: If I have a question regarding how a card works where do I ask?
A: Please ask your question here. Please be sure to read this thread first to see if your question is covered. Make sure to provide a scan of the card(s) in question. PB has scans of all the cards and it saves the Professors time.
Q: Are any cards banned?
A: Yes. You can find a list of playable cards here. Any non-local language cards are banned as well, this includes Basic Energy Cards.
Q: What is a Player ID/POP and is there a difference between the two?
A: A Player ID and POP ID are similar. POP IDs are a thing of the past, if you still have yours it will continue to work. POP IDs do not have a PIN associated with them; Player IDs do have a PIN associated with them. They are required to participate in a Pokemon League and Premier Events. Having a POP ID/Player ID also allows you to create an account on www.pokemon.com by filling out some information.
Q: How do I obtain a POP ID/Player ID?
A: You will be given one when you attend a Pokemon League or a tournament.
Q: Can you assign me a Player ID?
A: Sorry, but I don’t have tons of extra Player IDs that aren’t being used.
Q: Why should I sign up for an account?
A: You can opt to receive free rewards just for participating in a Pokemon League or going to a tournament. The rewards are shipped quarterly. By having an account, when your League Leader reports you for showing up for the season, the League Leader is able to order more supplies so there is enough for everyone.
Q: How do I sign up for a Pokemon Trainer Club account?
A: Please view this thread. If you have any questions or problems regarding signing up, you may post them in that thread also.
Q: Is there a specific person I can talk to on the forum for help?
A: You may either PM myself or captain.mongoose; we will do our best to assist you. If you want live help, visit the PB Chat. Look for Arceus because that is what I go by on the chat. You should double click my name so the message only goes to me instead of the whole chat. If you don’t see me on there, you can also try seeing if I am online on Skype. As long as my status is not away, I’m there.
Q: What is a Premier Event?
A: Please view this page.
How much does it cost to play in a Premier Event?
A: Premier Events other than Prereleases are free. Prereleases cost money because you will be getting actual product no matter how you place. The amount to participate in a Prerelease is up to the Tournament Organizer.
Q: What is a Prerelease?
A: A Prerelease is a special tournament that allows you to get cards from an expansion that is not yet released in the stores. You may not use any cards other than the cards you pull in your Booster Packs and Theme deck if applicable. Match results will not affect your Premier Rating, however, you will get credit for attending it.
Q: How do I become a Tournament Organizer?
A: You must apply on www.pokemon.com; you also must be at least 18 years old.
Q: What is a Pokemon League?
A: A Pokemon League is a place where you can play the Pokemon TCG and Pokemon Video games with other people. You can even earn free prizes! You can find a league locator here. Make sure to check the box that says Leagues. Some leagues are also posted in this forum.
Q: How do I start my own League?
A: You must apply on www.pokemon.com after logging into your account. You must be at least 18 years of age. Fill out the application and then wait and see if you get accepted.
Q: What is a Pokemon Professor?
A: A Pokemon Professor is someone who carries out rulings that have been made and ensures that rules are followed. These people have passed the Professor Exam. Many of us answer any rulings questions you post in the Card Questions & Game Rulings subforum.
Q: Is there any benefits to being a Professor?
A: There sure is. Typically when you judge an event you will get free booster packs, the amount will vary depending on the event and your tournament organizer. You also earn Professor Points for judging tournaments which can be used to get exclusive rewards on www.pokemon.com, including Professor sleeves. If you earn enough points in the year, you are eligible to play in the Professor Cup which is held at Nationals. The prizes in the Professor Cup are fantastic and it’s usually a different format.
Q: How do I become a Professor?
A: Once you have signed up for an account on www.pokemon.com you will need to log in to it. Do a search for the Professor Exam and you will find a link to it. The Exam consists of 40 questions of which you must answer at least 32 correct. The test is timed; you have 45 minutes to submit the test or you will fail. You must also be at least 18 years old.
Q: I have a question that isn’t covered here. Where do I ask?
A: You may ask your question here.
Q: Where can I get more Player ID forms?
A: Log into your account on www.pokemon.com and go under the OP Tool Dashboard.