The Risks of Pokémon Card Pack Weighing and Buying Outside Official Channels
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (Pokéca) is beloved for its collectibility and competitive gameplay. But with its growing popularity, unethical practices have also emerged—one of the most notorious being “pack weighing.”
This refers to the act of measuring the weight of each booster pack and selectively purchasing only the heavier ones, which are more likely to contain rare cards. It’s a method some resellers use, particularly when dealing with loose packs on flea market apps or unofficial sales platforms.
In this article, we’ll share actual data collected by weighing booster packs and analyzing how card rarity relates to weight. We’ll also cover the risks of buying outside official channels and give tips on how to buy safely.
What Is Pack Weighing?
In Pokémon card booster packs, there can be a very slight weight difference based on the rarity of the card inside. Some individuals exploit this by using highly sensitive scales to identify packs likely to contain high-rarity cards—this technique is known as “pack weighing.”
Because of this, buying loose packs through secondhand platforms can be risky. The packs may have already been searched, with only the lower-value (lighter) ones left for sale.
Results from Our Pack Weighing Test
We tested packs from the Blazing Arena set to observe the weight differences by card rarity.
Weight Distribution by Rarity
| Rarity | Measured Weights (grams) |
|---|---|
| R (Rare) | 8.62, 8.64, 8.67, 8.67, 8.68 |
| RR (Double Rare) | 8.69, 8.69, 8.74, 8.74 |
| AR (Art Rare) | 8.62, 8.68, 8.68 |
| SR (Super Rare) | 8.74 |
Key Insights:
- R and AR cards tend to appear in lighter packs (8.62g–8.68g).
- RR cards are slightly heavier (8.69g–8.74g).
- Packs weighing 8.74g are most likely to contain either an RR or SR.
The Risks of Buying Outside Official Sales Channels
Due to the popularity of Pokéca, many people turn to resellers when official sales are sold out. However, buying from unofficial sources carries serious risks.
Common Risks:
- Searched packs may be sold
→ Only light packs (likely without hits) are resold. - Boxes without shrink wrap may have been tampered with
→ The seller may have removed high-value packs and resealed the box. - Fake shrink-wrapped boxes
→ Some sellers rewrap opened boxes to make them look unopened.
How to Buy Pokémon Cards Safely
- Buy from Official or Trusted Stores
- Pokémon Center Online
- Major electronics retailers (e.g., Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera)
- Official card stores (TSUTAYA, Aeon, etc.)
- Buy Loose Packs Only from Reliable Card Shops
In-store purchases where packs are visible and monitored are safer. - Choose Sealed Boxes with Shrink Wrap
Ensure the product is described as “unopened” and “authentic.” Be wary of prices that are too low—they’re often too good to be true.
Enjoy the Real Thrill of Opening Packs
Pack weighing is an interesting concept, but when used to manipulate what’s sold to others, it ruins the fun of collecting.
The excitement of opening a pack without knowing what’s inside is part of what makes Pokéca so special.
Buy through safe, official channels and protect the joy of collecting!
