A lot of people collect Pokemon cards but never actually play the game. They see tournament players with custom decks and strategy guides and assume it is too complicated. It is not. The Pokemon TCG is one of the most approachable trading card games out there. Each player starts with a deck of 60 cards. You draw cards, play Pokemon to your bench, attach energy cards, and attack your opponent's Pokemon. When you knock out enough of their Pokemon, you win. That is the core loop. If you can understand that, you can play.