"If you want to play, you won't be content to just wait for an answer."
In recent years, the TCG craze has resurfaced. Pokémon TCGs have gone from being a few players competing in food courts a decade ago to becoming a top-tier, almost ubiquitous TCG. Bandai has finally found the right business model for TCGs, with their 2021 ONE PIECE TCG and 2025 Gundam TCG being phenomenal top-tier TCGs. You might know about TCGs because Charizard is expensive and getting cards is exciting. But beyond the beautiful artwork, there's a lot of text and pre-defined game rules behind each card. I hope that beyond appreciating Charizard's attractive design, large and small edges, white dots, and whether it's PSA10, you'll pay more attention to the gameplay and its development—in short, I want to get you hooked and play together.
When I was a child, my parents laughed at me for wasting money on collectible cards; my high school teachers laughed, "Wow, people actually play with cards!"; and in college, my classmates teased me. Ten years ago, within the PC gaming community, it was taboo for outsiders to know I played with cards (a joke from 10 years ago: Don't Google Brian Law Yugioh). In recent years, I've started having clients from tutoring centers and schools, and in conversations, I've learned that students have improved their concentration, competitiveness, and mental well-being through playing with cards. They're less likely to give up easily when facing difficulties, and their grades have improved—better than looking at their phones. Ironically, in this technologically advanced era, one of the few hobbies that requires face-to-face interaction—playing with cards—is finally being vindicated in 2025, no longer seen as a addictive toy, and not just as simple as a collectible card.
Let me first share how I learned to play cards when I was a kid, before the internet was widespread. Back in 2011, a classmate asked me to play Yu-Gi-Oh! together. At first, we played with dinosaur decks. You have to understand that back then, the mainstream meta was already dominated by cards like Angel, Hero Beat, and Six Samurai, a huge difference. As a newbie, I used a Mega Evolution Potion to summon Ultimate Terror, which had 3000 ATK, comparable to Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and a powerful effect that could wipe out the opponent's board instantly by attacking each monster on the field once. It was my deck's ace monster. Back then, it wasn't too difficult, but it still took some time to understand things like chaining, second-to-first-to-last, spell speed, card timing, priority, and the fact that there were eleven damage steps... The internet wasn't very developed then, so to copy decks, you had to go to a Japanese website without pictures - ocg.xpg, and there were no videos that taught you everything in one go. Strangely enough, everyone seemed to understand the complex rules. Later, I played Yu-Gi-Oh! on the NDS every night. The system handled every step for me, so I played it day and night, plus every day after school. Back then, there were no tutorials, so I relied entirely on the Yu-Gi-Oh! knowledge I learned on my own, which I can still apply today. When I play with the old cards today, my muscle memory allows me to recognize the cards as soon as I pick them up.
By 2025,
Below, I've compiled some common questions I've encountered as a beginner since opening my shop.
Q: What TCG games do you play?
A: I got into Yu-Gi-Oh! when I was a kid because ATV aired it, and Battle Spirits aired it in After School ICU. Aside from Battle Spirits: Vanguard, no TCGs in 2025 had anime adaptations. Instead, many popular works spawned card games, like One Piece, Gundam, Union Arena (with multiple anime themes), Warcraft III, Dragon Ball, Pokémon, Digimon… People can get into it based on their own preferences, the appeal of the game rules, or peer influence. Some people get into it for the competitive aspect. It's basically like randomly downloading a mobile game or randomly picking up a board game at a board game store.
Q: How difficult is the game? TCG seems really hard to learn?
A: The TCGs launched in recent years are not particularly difficult. The Pokémon TCG is a completely turn-based game, with no counter-attacks during the opponent's turn. Bandai-style TCGs are "pay-to-win" games, with each game having different colors and cost mechanisms for playing cards. During the opponent's turn, there are basic blocking, shield-blocking, or security mechanisms. Both types of games have a very low learning curve; even a spectator could play them. Game strategy, card-playing tactics, adapting to different matchups, defensive awareness, pressure-inducing strategies, and game rhythm are the more advanced aspects, making them easy to learn but difficult to master. Personally, I got into Yu-Gi-Oh! as a child, and starting to play Yu-Gi-Oh! now requires a greater time investment and involves learning more about the game. Yu-Gi-Oh! 2025 is a real-time fighting game that departs from turn-based combat, where the player who attacks first sets up a block and the player who attacks second breaks through. As long as you can use up your deck's combo first, block effectively, and break through the opponent's board when you attack second, you can win. I define it as a game that is difficult to learn but easy to master.
Q: How can I learn the basic rules more quickly?
A: Many TCGs have electronic versions - Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Link, Master Duel, Pokemon (PTCGO, Pocket), MTG (MTG Arena), Bandai Games (app tutorials). From the past to the present, automated processing has made it easy for everyone to understand the game theory.
Secondly, participate in beginner activities. Pokémon TCG beginner tutorials are quite successful in Hong Kong, with Yata, Chicco, and mall booths offering tutorials, resulting in high exposure. However, beginner tutorials at card stores are less frequent and less regular, as not all card stores have the staff to support tutorials at any time. I believe beginner tutorials should be held at specific times.
And there will be a card exhibition on October 18-19 specifically for beginners to learn how to play. 
If you're interested in supporting the Draw 2 Card Show in Lai Chi Kok, please check it out! (Details at the end)
Q: What themes should I play when I first start?
A: Playing with multiple players doesn't necessarily mean you want to play a particular theme. Perhaps you're drawn in by the card art, or maybe you got into the game by playing the digital version. You could build a deck based on the digital version. If you want to build a deck based on the card art, go to some card game websites to find top-tier decks to start your gaming journey. TCG is as free as Gunpla. 
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Q: What is the best way to group them?
A: There's a slight logical problem here. If you don't know how to play the deck, you can't judge what the best build is. I understand you don't want to waste money or pay an "intelligence tax" when you start playing, but if you haven't played it yourself, don't understand how the deck works, and don't know how to counter the current meta with appropriate cards, then it can't be the best build for this period. I suggest first copying a recent build, then understanding it. Adding your own style and understanding to the deck is part of the charm of TCGs.
Q: How can I reduce the "newbie tax" when buying a card?
A: We no longer need to go through the days of opening a basic deck and playing with durable, high-quality cards. Plus, the price of individual cards and the cost of building decks are very low. It's safe to say that the new player tax rate in TCGs has dropped significantly.
Q: I don't have any friends to play with.
A: The digital version can be played like an online game, but physical cards require two people playing face-to-face. I recommend participating in in-store tournaments. Popular games like POKÉMON TCG and ONE PIECE TCG usually have tournaments every night. These tournaments are mostly for fun after work, with a casual attitude towards playing a few rounds; winning or losing isn't that important, so there's no need to be afraid of losing. But by participating in in-store tournaments, the entry fee of a few tens of dollars guarantees someone to play with you all night – it's a steal!
After many years of experience, my answer to this question at the end of this article is:
First, gain a basic understanding of the TCG, either through tutorials offered by retailers/distributors or by learning online. Then, choose a theme that interests you. I firmly believe that if you play what you want to play, you won't quit quickly.
If you want to play, you won't be content to just wait and ask others how to get started, what themes to create, how to create better themes, or how to play better.
The path to becoming stronger through card games can only be paved by oneself.
I hope everyone can experience the fun of TCG.
