Age Divisions
The Play! Pokémon program divides players into tournament groups
based on the year they were born. These groups are the Junior, Senior, and Masters
Divisions. Whenever possible, players are paired with other players in the same
age division. Prizes are typically awarded to the best players in each age division.
Age-Modified Swiss Pairing
As an adjustment to the Swiss pairing system, players are paired
both by record and by age division. Players may be matched with players from other
age divisions in certain circumstances. Not to be confused with Age-Separated Swiss Pairing.
Age-Separated Swiss Pairing
When there are at least six players in each age division, a tournament
is typically split, with players from a single age division competing only against
one another. Each division is run as a separate tournament, though the results of
all three divisions are reported as a single tournament. Not to be confused
with Age-Modified Swiss Pairing.
Best Finish Limits
To provide a more even playing field for the largest number of
competitors worldwide, each event series has a Best Finish Limit. If players play
in more events than the Best Finish Limit cap, their top performances will be registered
and the rest discarded.
Booster Draft
A booster draft is a Limited format tournament in which players
are grouped into smaller pods, usually consisting of eight players. Each player
opens a booster pack, secretly takes a single card from it, and passes the rest
of the pack to the next player in the pod, who then makes a selection. Players open
and select from several packs this way, and then build their decks for the event
from these cards. Further details on booster drafts can be found in the Pokémon
TCG Rules and Formats document on the Tournament Rules and Resources page.
Bye
When there is an odd number of participants in a tournament,
a random player in the lowest match-record bracket in a round is not paired with
an opponent and is given an automatic win. This win is called a bye.
Championship Points (CP)
Players are awarded Championship Points based on their finish
position or placement at individual events. Championship Points are needed to qualify
for the annual Pokémon World Championships. Note that Pokémon
TCG Championship Points and VG Championship Points are considered separate and cannot
be used across event types. Get details on Pokémon TCG or Video Game Championship
Points for the current season.
Championship Series Event
A Premier Event such as a League
Cup, International Championships,
or World Championships, in which players from different age
divisions compete for a title for their age division. Results for playing in these
events count toward a player's rating and ranking in the Play! Pokémon system.
Championship Series Season
The timeline by which all Championship Series events are scheduled.
Regional and International Championships are held at regular intervals throughout
the Championship Series season, which runs from July to June, year to year. Not
to be confused with League Season.
Constructed Deck
A deck of 60 cards that is built by the player in preparation
for an event, rather than built from cards received at an event. Specifically required
in the Constructed format.
Deactivation
The suspension of Play! Pokémon privileges, including use of
the Player ID card and participation in tournaments, Leagues,
and Play! Pokémon ratings and rankings. Deactivation may occur if the Pokémon Organized Play program determines that a player violated
the rules or compromised the values of the Play! Pokémon program.
Deck List
All Pokémon TCG players are required to complete a deck list
before competing in a Play! Pokémon competition. A deck list notes which cards and
how many of each card are in the player's deck, as well as what expansion each Pokémon
card is from. Deck lists may be available from the Organizer
at an event or players can use the one on the Rules and Resources page.
Event Locator
A Web-based tool that helps players find Play! Pokémon events
happening near them. Leagues, tournaments, and Premier Events like League Cups can
all be found using the Event Locator.
Expanded Format
A tournament format that places restrictions on what cards can
be used in deck construction, with a larger pool of available cards than the
Standard format. These restrictions can be found in the Pokémon TCG Rules and Formats
document on the Tournament
Rules and Resources page.
Flight
Players in very large tournaments may initially be divided into
similarly sized groups called flights to make the tournament more manageable. After
a certain number of rounds, top players from each flight will be merged into a single
flight or single-elimination bracket. The Tournament
Operation Procedures document contains more detailed information about flighting,
and the types of tournaments at which flighting may be used.
GS Cup
A set of video game rules where players may construct their teams
including up to two of the powerful Legendary Pokémon that are normally prohibited
from tournaments, such as Mewtwo, Groudon, or Necrozma. The term comes from its
original implementation during Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver.
These rules have been used in the 2010, 2016, and 2019 Video Game Championship seasons.
Head Judge
The Head Judge serves as the final arbiter of all rulings and
rules interpretations for a tournament. The Head Judge is chosen by the Organizer prior to the tournament and is ultimately responsible
for making sure that all participants abide by the rules.
International Challenge
An International Challenge is a video game Premier Event that is conducted entirely online. Players
compete with opponents from all over the world in specially designed formats that
change with the arrival of each tournament. Not to be confused with International Championships.
International Championships
The Pokémon International Championships draw Pokémon TCG and
video game players from all around the globe during the Championship Series season.
These amazing events will feature high Championship Point payouts.
Not to be confused with International
Challenge.
Judge
A person who is well versed in the rules and gameplay of the
Pokémon games and who is responsible for administering the rules of an event, including
the Tournament Rules, for either the Pokémon TCG or video games.
Kicker
Additional Championship Points will be awarded at an event if
age division attendance meets a certain threshold, known as the Kicker. The number
of points awarded to an individual player does not change, but if the Kicker is
reached, points are awarded to more players. (For example: If an age division has
at least 8 players, the 3rd- and 4th-place finishers get points. If an age division
has at least 32 players, the 5th- through 8th-place finishers get points.)
League
A casual event often held in local trading card game retail stores
or community centers, in which the Pokémon TCG and Pokémon video games are played.
Results for playing in these events do not count toward a player's rating or ranking
in the Play! Pokémon system. League events are sanctioned and supported by The Pokémon
Company International but organized and operated by independent third parties.
League Challenge
A low-level Pokémon TCG Championship Series event designed specifically
to introduce newer players to the Championship Series and allow players to earn
Championship Points. They are smaller, local events that do not require an invitation
or qualification. All players in good standing are welcome to participate. Not
to be confused with League Cup.
League Cup
Pokémon TCG League Cup tournaments give players an opportunity
to earn Championship Points and practice their skills for larger competitions. They
represent the next step up the Championship Series ladder from League Challenges
for Pokémon TCG players. League Cups do not require an invitation or qualification.
All players in good standing are welcome to participate. Not to be confused
with League Challenge.
League Leader
A person who organizes and administers a League. This person
is usually a fan of the Pokémon TCG and/or Pokémon video games who wishes to give
Pokémon players in their area an opportunity to gather regularly. League Leaders
are third parties independent from The Pokémon Company International—that is, they
are not employees, agents, or independent contractors of The Pokémon Company International.
Not to be confused with Organizer, Head Judge, or League Owner.
League Owner
A person who is ultimately responsible for everything that takes
place during their League sessions. League Owners are third parties, such as owners
of a local trading card game retail store. They are independent from The Pokémon
Company International—that is, they are not employees, agents, or independent contractors
of The Pokémon Company International—and they allow Leagues to be held at their
locations. Not to be confused with Organizer or League Leader.
League Season
A League Season lasts for one calendar month. It marks the period
of time in which players can earn a certain reward for participating in League sessions,
and at the end of which League Owners and League Leaders should submit attendance
reports and order additional League material for players' future rewards. Not
to be confused with Championship Series Season.
Limited Format
Any tournament format in which all players receive the cards
they will use in the tournament at the event. Players may not use cards from their
collections for these events, but they do get to keep the cards they receive for
use in the tournament. Not to be confused with Sealed Deck.
Local Ban
A ban implemented and enforced by a League Owner, specifically
restricting entry to events organized by that person. Local bans are not issued
or enforced by Pokémon Organized Play, and a local ban does not prohibit a player
from entering events outside the venue from which they are banned. Not to be
confused with Suspension.
Match
A number of games played in a single round of a tournament. A
match may be a single game or best of three. Not to be confused with Round.
Midseason Showdown
The Midseason Showdowns give Pokémon video game players more
opportunities to earn Championship Points and to test their skills in preparation
for larger events. They represent the next step up on the Championship Series ladder
from Premier Challenges for video game players. Midseason Showdowns do not require
an invitation or qualification. All players in good standing are welcome to participate.
Organizer
The person in charge of all organizational aspects of a tournament
and who typically handles staffing, scheduling, and venue selection. This person
is ultimately responsible for all aspects of running a successful tournament. Not
to be confused with League Owner or League Leader.
Penalty
Penalties may be issued to event participants by judges when
tournament rules are broken, to restore game balance and/or discourage poor behavior.
Penalties range in severity from Cautions through to Disqualification. Pokémon Organized
Play tracks penalties earned across sanctioned events, and players who routinely
receive severe penalties may be considered for Suspension. Not to be confused
with Suspension.
Play! Points
Players are rewarded Play! Points simply for participating in
sanctioned Pokémon events, such as official Pokémon tournaments or League events.
Larger events such as Championship Series tournaments award even more Play! Points.
Play! Points are used to qualify players for high-level events. Play! Points differ
from Championship Points because they reward players just for playing, while Championship
Points reward players for high placement at tournaments. Not to be confused with
Championship Points.
Play! Pokémon
The name of the program that encompasses all official Pokémon
Leagues and tournaments. This program is run by Pokémon Organized Play. Not to
be confused with Pokémon Organized Play.
Player ID
Each player is assigned a Play! Pokémon Identification Number
(Player ID) that is used to track that player's tournament play and League participation,
and to identify them in our system. Players must have this number with them whenever
they attend a Play! Pokémon event. If a player doesn't already have a Player ID,
they can get one from the Organizer of the next Play! Pokémon event they attend.
A player can also get a Player ID online if they already have a Pokémon Trainer
Club account. Not to be confused with Pokémon Trainer Club (PTC).
Pod
A competition may actually be a cluster of smaller competitions
known as pods. Pods are typically filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and
play begins once a pod is full. All pods within a competition use the same rules
and regulations. Pods are typically used in non-Championship Series events such
as side events. Not to be confused with Flight.
Pokémon Organized Play (POP)
The governing body for all official Pokémon Leagues and tournaments
that comprise the Play! Pokémon program. POP maintains all player data, event data,
and rules for use in officially recognized events. Not to be confused with
Play! Pokémon.
Pokémon Trainer Club (PTC)
A registered account on the official Pokémon website. Pokémon
Trainer Club members set preferences for their Play! Pokémon membership, including
whether or not to have their names and Play! Pokémon rankings listed on the website.
Before registering for a Pokémon Trainer Club account, please read our Privacy Notice
and Terms of Use. Not to be confused with Player ID.
Preconstructed Deck
See Theme Deck.
Premier Challenge
A low-level Pokémon Video Game Championship Series event designed
specifically to introduce newer players to the Championship Series and allow players
to earn Championship Points. Premier Challenges do not require an invitation or
qualification. All players in good standing are welcome to participate.
Premier Event
A high-profile Play! Pokémon tournament, such as a Championship
Series event. With the exception of Prerelease events, results for playing in these
events count toward a player's Premier Rating and ranking in the Play! Pokémon system
and earn them Championship Points.
Premier Rating
This score is determined by a modified Elo method that tracks
player performance at all Premier Events. This can be used as a tiebreaker at events
and as a way for players to compare their performance to that of their peers. Not
to be confused with Championship Points.
Prerelease
A tournament in which players have access to cards from an upcoming
Pokémon TCG expansion, usually held a week or two before that expansion is available
for retail sale. Prerelease tournaments always use the Limited format.
Probation
Players or Professors may have their Pokémon Trainer Club accounts
placed on probation as a result of a policy or rules infringement. During a period
of probation, behavior is closely monitored for any evidence of further undesirable
activity. Those who commit further infractions during probation may receive a suspension.
Not to be confused with Suspension.
Professor
Professors are dedicated fans of the Pokémon games who contribute
their time to organize events and teach new players the Pokémon TCG and Pokémon
video games. Because many Professors go on to judge at events, they must demonstrate
their rules knowledge and ability to organize events by first passing a required
exam. Professors are third parties independent from The Pokémon Company International—that
is, they are not employees, agents, or independent contractors of The Pokémon Company
International.
Ranking
The relative standing of an individual player based on Championship
Points totals of all eligible players in a given group. The rankings page posts
a player's state, country, or worldwide ranking, so they can find out, for example,
if they're the third-best player in their state, or if they're one of the top 100
players in the world.
Rating
The standings of an eligible participant based upon the number
of points that participant earns by playing in sanctioned tournaments. A player's
rating fluctuates as they win and lose matches in sanctioned tournaments. Only matches
played against an opponent from the same age division at Premier Events count toward
a player's rating.
Regional Championships
A Championship Series event open to all eligible players in which
players compete in different age divisions to win the Regional Champion title for
that age division.
Regional Professor Coordinator (RPC)
An experienced Pokémon Professor who acts as a point of contact
for other Pokémon Professors, and who offers help and advice. RPCs are third parties
independent from The Pokémon Company International—that is, they are not employees,
agents, or independent contractors of The Pokémon Company International.
Regulation Mark
A letter symbol found on each card that identifies whether it is legal to use in tournament play. Regulation marks were introduced on cards in the Sword & Shield Series.
Round
All of the matches being played at one time during a tournament.
Each player participates in one match during each round of a tournament. A tournament
consists of a number of rounds based on the number of players in that tournament.
Not to be confused with Match.
Runner
A person who assists at a tournament by performing administrative and logistical tasks such as delivering match slips or posting pairings and standings.
Sanctioned Event
Any tournament that is created and advertised on the official
Pokémon website and run according to the rules and regulations outlined on the Tournament
Rules and Resources page. Not to be confused with Premier Event.
Scorekeeper
A person who assists at a tournament by using the Tournament Operations Manager software to accurately record all match results.
Sealed Deck
A Limited tournament format in which players receive and open
several booster packs and build their decks from these cards. Further details on
Sealed Deck can be found in the Pokémon TCG Rules and Formats document, found on
the Tournament Rules and Resources page.
Side Events
Any tournament held on the same day as a larger event, often picking up players after the main event has concluded.
Single Elimination
A pairing method in which players are eliminated from the event when they lose. Swiss pairing events may shift to single-elimination finals after a number of rounds. The last remaining undefeated player is the winner of the tournament.
Special Premier Event (SPE)
A Premier Event that does not correspond to any of the other Premier Event classes, and that may be run in certain areas where there is particular need.
Standard Format
A tournament format that places restrictions on what cards can
be used in deck construction or what Pokémon and items can be used for team construction.
These restrictions can be found in the Tournament Formats document on the Tournament
Rules and Resources page.
Store Owner
The owner of the store or event space where matches and tournaments are held.
Suspension
Someone who is suspended from the Play! Pokémon program may not
participate as a player or Professor at any sanctioned Play! Pokémon event. Suspensions
are issued by Pokémon Organized Play, and may last indefinitely or for a set period
of time. Not to be confused with Local Ban.
Swiss Pairing
Matches for tournaments are set up using the Swiss pairing method.
In this method, each player in a tournament plays each round against an opponent
with a similar win/loss record. Players are not paired against opponents they have
previously played.
Team List
Completing a team list may be required to participate in some
Pokémon video game tournaments. A team list allows players to note the Pokémon,
moves, and other traits of their teams. The Tournament Organizer will provide players
with a team list to fill out if it is required.
Theme Deck
A deck of 60 cards that is built by The Pokémon Company International and packaged as a ready-to-play product.
Top Cut
A general term for the final rounds of single-elimination play
in a competition, including the finals. The top cut typically takes place after
the conclusion of Swiss rounds.
Tournament
A generic term for competitive Play! Pokémon events.
Tournament Format
The rules and restrictions on card selection and deck construction
for TCG events and the Pokémon and items allowed when building a team for video
game events are as specified by the tournament's format. The format also dictates
how many games are played, how much time is allowed for each game, and how these
games are to be resolved.
Tournament Operations Manager (“TOM”)
The official computer program used by Tournament Organizers to administer sanctioned Play! Pokémon tournaments.
Tournament Rules
The rules established by the Pokémon Organized Play staff. These
rules must be followed at tournaments by Play! Pokémon players, Tournament Organizers,
Judges, and others in order for the event to be a Play! Pokémon sanctioned event.
The Tournament Rules are found on the Tournament Rules and Resources page.
Travel Award
A prize earned during a player's participation in the Championship
Series season that completely covers the costs of that player's travel arrangements
to a specific subsequent event. Not to be confused with Travel Stipend.
Travel Stipend
A prize earned during a player's participation in the Championship
Series season that partially covers the costs of that player's travel arrangements
to a specific subsequent event. Not to be confused with Travel Award.
Unlimited
A tournament format allowing the use of all authentic Pokémon TCG cards ever printed. Unlimited is classified as a Fun format.
World Championships
The ultimate Play! Pokémon Championship Series event of the year.
Players earn invitations to this tournament by earning Championship Points at Premier
Events held earlier in the year. Players compete in different age divisions to become
the sole World Champion in their age division.
