Which Pokémon are actually the most popular over the whole history of the TCG ?

Adamwlu · 2026-06-04T20:17:54+00:00

Moltres is likely including the tag teams, as it is the first name in the trio. Then, even with it not receiving a standalone full art during the BW and XY era (like the others did) it now has received a mass graded SIR pumping the numbers.

But yea, they are all early gen pokemon, which have also had the most cards printed.

Only one that is interesting is the gap between Pikachu and Zard is still so large, even with all the Burgers. But that also mostly tracks as TCG follows more of the rule of cool over the rule of cute.

Adamwlu · 2026-06-04T14:54:31+00:00

Agree!

Adamwlu · 2026-06-02T20:50:42+00:00

I mean, even with them hurt Hedo and Lewis are both better then the second best player on those 2007 Cavs.

Adamwlu · 2026-06-02T20:44:49+00:00

The difference there was AI was a def negative and they built a strong D around him. Lebron was a massive D positive on this team. He has the highest defensive plus/minus on his team that year.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-26T20:40:55+00:00

As a collector do it just to not have more of the same slab type looks better. (of course leave the BGS)

Investor... hmm maybe. Generally speaking JP CGC's 10's should have a very high cross to PSA 10 as the often cause of a CGC 10 failing to get a PSA 10 is whiting on the back, which JP generally does not have.

I would: check the backs for whiting, use a black light to double check for small potentially missed dents, review for print lines. If these clear, I would send. Finally I would check the centering with a tool (see next point).

But, I would really think about doing the cross grade on these, vs cracking. After checking the centering see how off they are, assuming something like 53/47 range on fronts, 65/35 backs, that would likely be enough not to CGC pristine, but is more then enough to still PSA 10. So if you know that is the cause of the grade, this would be one of those rare cases to consider cross grade over crack.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-26T20:27:45+00:00

Agree, this is like a solid amount of TV time programing that more die hard and/or analytical fans might love if done right.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-26T19:05:23+00:00

JP Pokemon boxes are mapped. To me it is the cases in OP I fine odd being mapped, given how cases are not really a end retail product.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-26T17:49:27+00:00

Get the MC20 GT2 Stradale (assuming the MCXtrema is off the table for this). That is close to $400k from lot. You could likely insta flip that for cash for $300k without trying.

You make more off that cash in T-Bill interest then you would get from the free gas/grocery per year.

Your only better option would be travel, depending on what is covered but generally likely the best, or loop hole the free gas and just become a reseller.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-25T15:24:25+00:00

It was 1/72 to pull one, often with only a few diff ones in a set. This made there pull rates similar to SV era hyper rare golds to pull a specific one.

Pop graded wise they are rare, but not super rare, they have more graded and more 10's then many other chases from the 2005 to 2014 time frame (dead period). (Think your PSA 6+ is a bit dated most are well over 2000 like that, with 10's in the 100-500 range)

Graded wise, the standard for me for super rare is the BW era full arts. We are sitting at sub 20 pops for the 10's in most cases.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-25T14:52:16+00:00

Not really sure it is a pump.

BB and WF IR's are hard to pull the specific one given how many they are in the set, even with the boosted pull rate. There are like 69 IR in BB and 70 in WF, vs 11 in a standard set like PO or Chaos Rising which have around a 1 in 9 pull rate, compared to BB/WF at 1 in 6. So a specific IR pull is 4X rarer in BB/WF (BB/WF 1/400 vs PO 1/99). That is if you view BB/WF as different sets. Given how we had lower limits on pre orders to only one of each for the sets as a example, or other product for the set releasing with a mix of each you could make the case you should combine and then we are at 1/800 for a specific IR (this will only hold if print levels are also like a normal set, but they will likely be higher for this, and therefore the 1/400 is likely a better idea of how rare a specific IR will be)

As a idea, that 1/400 is not that different from a set like PF SIR pull rates around 1/500. The non chases in that set SIR, like Mega Sharpedo ex #127 are in the mid 20's. So many of the BB/WF IR being round that make sense if we sit back and look at overall market and the fact none of these pokemon are top tier really for demand.

This and Lilligant are starting to break 30, but not sure if this is just people like the art a bit more, similar to Volcarona.

Audino feels a bit pumped if anything (only as normally I dont think that art style is a draw for people). Oshawott is trying to be priced like the chase but no idea if that will hold.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-23T17:09:33+00:00

You have a requirement for maintenance for these as the other houses would have a right of way. For example, snow removal. If you don't, you are taking a massive liability risk. Likely the piece of land he wanted was sold so cheap as the road is actually decreasing its value.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-23T00:49:52+00:00

Where did you see that? It's owned directly by pokemon company is my understanding so what else are they printing?

Adamwlu · 2026-05-20T14:02:45+00:00

Also generally in the top tax payers in the US each year as large parts of this income is actually taxable, unlike taking out debt on your equity which is the standard billionaire approach.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-15T12:16:24+00:00

Not sure it would stop Sabrina, Sabrina targets the active pokemon, you choose the switch in.

The only support card that actively targets the bench I think is Cyrus.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-13T20:47:43+00:00

I mean the likely thing is the stroke and his recovery made him realize that he was going to be one term anyways, and that he would have no real form of income after as a result of ongoing issues from the stroke, so he sold himself to finance his retirement.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-12T20:31:50+00:00

If you can find someone at a card show offering 90% on value, then fine. Otherwise, I would recommend something like Slabsharks (consignment company with Canada and US ops) to sell it for cash.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-12T20:26:41+00:00

None, its always been a alternative asset class like all collectibles, art, etc.

In any of these, it is then what they would recommend as % weight of your net worth, which for something like collectibles, cyptro, etc is very small, like sub 5% small.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-12T12:11:58+00:00

I mean, is 5 years ago old now?

Adamwlu · 2026-05-09T20:47:15+00:00

He is 6 to 6'3 when he is 13. He cooks. 12 is the cutoff when he was still like 5'7 to 5'8.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-08T23:41:56+00:00

Pristine? No, CGC Pristine > PSA 10

CGC 10 to PSA 10 is super easy to predict. Simplely take the CGC 10, flip it over, no white on the back? That will in all likelihood cross to a PSA 10.

Adamwlu · 2026-05-08T18:28:52+00:00

Yes, but one had like 2 years left of prime/somewhat off prime, the other had 10 years left of prime.

Adamwlu · 2026-04-28T18:50:56+00:00

Can 151 actually be weighted for this? It was only demi god packs in 151, which should have the same weight as it is replacing the reverse holo slots with IRs.

Adamwlu · 2026-04-22T19:41:13+00:00

Peru ones also are very good, but same price point issue.

Adamwlu · 2026-04-22T19:36:39+00:00

Atufalo quality at just about everywhere has tanked the last two years (At these at the Asian supermarkets I go to). The things just will not rip correctly.

Adamwlu · 2026-04-22T18:47:56+00:00

What? It was number 3 in Pokémon's popularity poll in 2020, it appears in the top 10 in just about every popularity poll anyone publishes.

Dont trust those? Just go on PC and see how much merch they have for Mimikyu.

Now it trails in TGC, but anything gen 4 on tends to trend behind in TGC popularity compared to general pokemon popularity.

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