How to Tell if a Pokémon Card Pack Contains Holo Cards

As a Pokémon TCG enthusiast, one of the most exciting parts of opening a new pack of cards is the possibility of pulling a rare holo card. But is there a way to know if a pack contains a holo card before you even open it? Here are some tips for identifying holo card packs:

Check the Pack Wrappers

• On most modern Pokémon TCG packs, the wrappers will indicate the possible rarities inside. For example, a pack with a label like "UP TO 7 HOLOS!" is guaranteed to have at least one holo card.

• Vintage sets didn‘t advertise holo pulls on the packaging, so you‘ll need to rely on other signs for older packs.

Inspect the Pack Weight

• In general, packs containing holofoil cards will weigh slightly more than non-holo packs. The holofoil material adds a bit of extra weight.

• Weigh unopened packs on a precision scale. Packs with holos tend to weigh 0.1-0.2g more than non-holo packs.

• Note that weighed "light" packs may still contain better hits like ultra rares. Weight alone doesn‘t guarantee holo pulls.

Check for Texture Differences

• Feel along the edges and surfaces of unopened packs. Packs with holo cards will have a slightly rougher texture due to the holofoil material inside.

• Run a fingertip gently across the pack – holo packs will have more friction than smooth non-holo packs.

• The texture difference is subtle, but may be detectable with practice. Be very gentle to avoid damaging the cards inside.

Identify Special Set Packs

• Certain Pokémon TCG sets have improved holo pull rates, like Shining Legends which contains a guaranteed holo/reverse in each pack.

• Other sets like Hidden Fates contain multiple holo card slots per pack. Learn to identify these special sets with holo guarantees.

• Check bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net to lookup details on specific TCG sets and their makeups.

With a bit of practice, you can increase your odds of pulling an exciting holo card by picking out holo packs. But even non-holo packs can contain rare and valuable cards, so don‘t be afraid to give any pack a chance!