Pokémon Game Starting Rules

In a Pokémon game, players must start with at least one basic Pokémon in their hand. If not, they must show their hand to the opponent, shuffle it back into the deck, and draw a new hand of seven cards. This process, called a mulligan, is repeated until a basic Pokémon is drawn. The opponent can draw a card for each mulligan the player takes. If both players mulligan, only the player with fewer mulligans can draw extra cards. For example, if player 1 has three mulligans and player 2 has two, player 2 can draw one additional card.

What must you have in your hand at the start of a Pokémon game?

• At least one basic Pokémon

• At least two energy cards

• A full set of seven cards

• A rare Pokémon

What should you do if you don't have a basic Pokémon in your first hand?

• Discard the hand and draw five new cards

• Show your cards to your opponent and shuffle them back into your deck

• Exchange cards with your opponent

• Keep the hand and start the game

What happens if you still don't have a basic Pokémon after drawing a new hand?

• You lose the game

• You must forfeit your turn

• Repeat the process of shuffling and drawing new cards

• You can choose any card from your deck

What can your opponent do if you had to mulligan?

• Draw a card for each time you had to mulligan

• Discard one of their cards

• Skip their turn

• Exchange a card with you

If both players have to mulligan, how are additional cards drawn?

• You draw a card for each additional mulligan your opponent had

• Each player draws a card for every mulligan

• Only the player with fewer mulligans draws additional cards

• No additional cards are drawn