Before we dive into the details of pack weighing, I want to make it absolutely clear: we do not endorse, encourage, or support this practice in any way. As passionate members of the Pokémon TCG community, we are firmly against pack weighing. It undermines the spirit of fairness, excitement, and surprise that makes collecting and opening packs so enjoyable for everyone. By selectively targeting packs with potential high-value cards, it leaves others with diminished chances, often affecting casual fans, kids, and honest collectors the most. This creates an uneven playing field and erodes trust in the hobby we all love.
Our goal in sharing this guide is purely educational. We believe that raising awareness about how pack weighing works is essential to highlight the problem and empower collectors to protect themselves. Knowledge is power—understanding the mechanics can help you spot signs of tampering, choose safer products like sealed boxes or sleeved packs, and shop from reputable retailers like Card Chill. More importantly, by discussing this openly, we hope to put pressure on manufacturers, such as The Pokémon Company, to innovate and implement stronger solutions. Whether through advanced randomization, uniform card weights, or tamper-proof packaging, it’s time for the industry to step up and eliminate this flaw once and for all.
Ultimately, the Pokémon TCG should be about community, fun, and the joy of discovery—not exploitation. If you’re reading this as someone curious about weighing, we urge you to reconsider and join us in promoting ethical practices. Let’s work together to keep the hobby accessible and exciting for generations to come. Now, with that said, let’s explore the topic to better understand and combat it.
As a dedicated Pokémon TCG collector, I’ve seen the hobby evolve over the years, but one persistent issue that divides the community is pack weighing. This practice involves using scales to determine if a booster pack contains higher-value cards, like holos or ultra rares, based on subtle weight differences. While it’s been around since the early days of the TCG, it’s still relevant in 2025, even as The Pokémon Company (TPC) ramps up efforts to combat it. In this guide, I’ll explain how weighing works in simple terms, explore the good and bad sides (from ethical and practical angles), and detail what TPC is doing to prevent it. Whether you’re a curious collector or an investor shopping at Card Chill, understanding this can help you make smarter buys and avoid weighed packs. Note: Weighing is often seen as unethical, and many retailers ban it—proceed with caution if you’re tempted.
How Pack Weighing Works: The Basics
Pack weighing exploits tiny variations in the weight of Pokémon TCG booster packs, which typically contain 10-11 cards (depending on the era: Sword & Shield had 10, Scarlet & Violet has 10 plus an Energy). A standard pack weighs around 21-23 grams, but those with premium cards—like holos, full arts, or ex/VSTAR cards—are slightly heavier due to foil layers, thicker card stock, or denser printing.
Step-by-Step Process
- Get a Scale: Weighers use precise digital scales (0.01g accuracy), like jewelry scales available on Amazon for $10-20. They calibrate it for accuracy.
- Establish Baselines: Test multiple packs from the same set to find average weights. “Light” packs (commons only) might be 21.5-22.4g, while “heavy” ones (with hits) hit 22.5g+. For example, in 2025 sets like Black Bolt & White Flare, packs over 22.47g had a 110% hit rate in one study (one pack even had two hits).
- Weigh in Secret: In stores, weighers discreetly check loose packs (not sleeved ones, as blisters prevent it). They buy or set aside heavies, leaving lights for others.
- Advanced Tricks: Some use electronic calipers for thickness or even apps for consistency. Online sellers might weigh and sell “heavy” packs at a premium.
This works because foils add about 0.1-0.3g per card, and TPC’s manufacturing isn’t 100% uniform. However, it’s not foolproof—variations in glue, wrappers, or card distribution can lead to false positives
The Good Side: Pros of Pack Weighing
From a purely pragmatic view, weighing has some upsides for the person doing it—though these are often debated as selfish or unethical.
- Higher Chance of Hits: Weighers can “guarantee” better pulls, turning a $4 pack into a jackpot with cards worth $50+. In tests, heavy packs from 2025 sets like Temporal Forces hit rares 92.4% of the time vs. 7.6% for lights.
- Cost Efficiency: For resellers or flippers, it’s like insider trading—buy low, pull high, and profit. Some argue it’s “smart shopping” since packs aren’t identical anyway.
- Educational Value: It teaches about card manufacturing, helping collectors spot fakes or understand print variations.
- No Legal Issues: Weighing isn’t illegal—it’s just frowned upon by communities and banned in stores as it’s seen as exploiting a flaw.
Proponents on forums like Reddit say it’s no different from checking expiration dates—using available info to make better choices.
The Bad Side: Cons of Pack Weighing
The downsides far outweigh the pros for most in the community, as it undermines the hobby’s fairness and fun.
- Unfair to Casual Buyers: Weighers cherry-pick heavies, leaving “dud” packs for kids or new collectors, leading to disappointing openings and lost trust in the TCG.
- Ethical Concerns: It’s often called “cheating” or “stealing value,” as it exploits manufacturing inconsistencies meant to be random. TPC has publicly called weighers cheaters in videos. Communities like PokeBeach debate its morality, with many viewing it as harmful to stores and fans.
- Harms Retailers: Stores lose sales if weighed packs sit unsold, and it discourages fair distribution. Some ban scales or monitor aisles
- Reduces Community Spirit: It fosters distrust—buyers avoid loose packs, opting for sealed boxes or sleeved blisters, which limits accessibility.
- Inaccurate and Risky: Not all sets weigh consistently (e.g., modern Scarlet & Violet can vary), leading to wasted money. Plus, getting caught could mean store bans or online backlash
In 2025, with sets like White Flare still weighable, the practice normalizes unethical behavior, per community discussions.
What The Pokémon Company Does to Prevent Pack Weighing
TPC has acknowledged weighing as a problem and implemented measures over the years, though it’s an ongoing battle. As of 2025, here’s what they’ve done:
- Randomized Card Distribution: In modern sets (Scarlet & Violet onward), TPC randomizes foil placement and uses varying card stocks to minimize weight differences. However, tests show it’s still possible (e.g., 22.47g threshold in 2025 sets).
- Foil and Material Changes: Lighter foils and consistent wrappers reduce variances. Articles note weighing “isn’t worth it” in 2025 due to these tweaks, but data contradicts this for some sets
- Public Callouts and Education: TPC videos label weighers as “cheaters” and encourage fair play. They also promote sealed products like ETBs or blisters, which resist weighing.
- Retailer Partnerships: TPC works with stores to ban scales and monitor for tampering. Some use locked displays or sell only sealed boxes
- Digital Alternatives: Promoting Pokémon TCG Live reduces physical pack reliance, though it doesn’t eliminate weighing. Ongoing Innovations: Rumors of AI-monitored manufacturing or weight-equalizing tech in future sets, but no confirmed 2025 breakthroughs
Despite efforts, weighing persists in sets like Temporal Forces (2024) and Black Bolt (2025), with community studies showing 90%+ accuracy for heavies.
Tips for Avoiding Weighed Packs
To protect yourself:
- Buy Sealed Products: Opt for ETBs, UPCs, or Booster Boxes from Card Chill—they’re tamper-proof.
- Choose Sleeved Packs: Blisters prevent weighing.
- Shop Trusted Retailers: Avoid high-traffic spots; buy from Card Chill’s TCG Sets page or sealed online.
- Check for Signs: Avoid packs with creases or uneven seals.
- Community Advice: Join forums like Reddit’s r/pkmntcg for alerts on weighed stock
Final Thoughts: Weighing the Hobby’s Future
Pack weighing is a clever exploit of manufacturing quirks, offering short-term gains for weighers but long-term harm to fairness and fun. While pros like guaranteed hits appeal to some, the cons—ethical issues, community distrust, and retailer losses—make it a net negative. TPC’s prevention efforts, from randomization to callouts, are stepping up, but as 2025 data shows, it’s not foolproof yet. As collectors, let’s promote fair play—buy sealed, support ethical sellers like Card Chill, and keep the TCG accessible for all. If you’re tempted to weigh, remember: the real thrill is the surprise pull!
