🎯 Should You Buy Singles or Packs? The True Cost of the Chase

We’ve all been there — standing in front of a display of sealed Pokémon booster packs, wondering:

“Should I just buy the card I want… or try my luck?”

In 2025, with ultra rares and special illustration cards more stunning (and expensive) than ever, collectors face a critical decision:
Buy singles or rip packs?

Let’s break down the true cost of the chase and help you make smarter decisions with your collection — and your wallet.

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💰 The Pack Opening Experience

There’s no denying it: opening packs is fun. You get the thrill of surprise, the feel of foil in your hand, and the slim-but-satisfying chance of a big pull.

Pros:

• 🎉 Exciting and nostalgic

• 📦 Can complete multiple parts of a set

• 🧃 Often includes bulk for trades or play

• 📈 Chance to hit a high-value card

Cons:

• 💸 Pull rates are inconsistent

• 📉 Most packs don’t return their cost

• 🔁 May require many packs to get one specific card

Example:

You want the SIR Iono from Paldean Fates (avg. price: $50). With a ~1:70 pull rate, you may need 12–15 packs ($60–$75) at best — and walk away with less.

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🃏 Buying Singles: Efficient but Less Exciting

Buying singles means purchasing the exact card you want from marketplaces or shops. No surprises — just results.

Pros:

• 🎯 Guarantees you get the card you want

• 💵 Often cheaper than chasing

• 🛡️ Choose the condition (NM, LP, graded)

• ⏳ Saves time, effort, and frustration

Cons:

• 🤷‍♂️ Less fun than ripping packs

• 🚫 No chance to pull multiple hits

• ❌ Not great for building full sets

Example:

Instead of opening 20 packs hoping for a chase, you buy the card directly and spend the rest of your budget on other essentials (binders, sleeves, etc.).

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📊 The Math: Cost vs. Value

Let’s do a real comparison using 2025 data:

🎯 In every case, singles are cheaper — if you’re only after that card.

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🧠 So… What’s the Right Answer?

It depends on your goal:

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🔄 Pro Strategy: Mix Both

Most smart collectors blend both approaches:

• Rip packs for fun and binder building

• Buy singles to complete high-value parts of the set

• Sell or trade extra hits to fund your singles

🧃 Bonus tip: Buy your singles shortly after set release — prices are lowest in the first 1–2 weeks.

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🛍️ Where to Buy

• 🃏 Singles: TCGPlayer, eBay, local card shops, trusted sellers

• 📦 Packs & Boxes: Get sealed, authentic products at PikachuPulls.com

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✅ Final Thoughts

If you’re collecting strategically, buying singles is usually cheaper — but if you’re here for the experience, packs offer unbeatable excitement. Just know the odds before diving in.

Whichever path you choose, make it fun, make it smart, and may your pulls be fire! 🔥