Special Conditions - A Pokémon TCG Podcast

Justin is joined by guest host Lane for a wide-ranging episode of Special Conditions covering the collector side, the player side, and the “wait, what just happened?” side of Pokémon TCG. Lane shares what it’s like working at a card store during modern product drops, while Justin talks Collect-A-Con pickups, Arcanine binder goals, and the continued explosion of Pokémon 151 prices. Then it’s time to look at the post-rotation format. The crew talks Okidogi single-prize decks, Festival Lead, Dragapult’s early dominance, upcoming Regional Championships, and the rise of “Slop Box” — or as Lane puts it, Good Stuff: The Deck. They also dig into Chaos Rising preorders, Pokémon Center queue survival, and why getting product online still feels like its own competitive format. Finally, Justin and Lane discuss the Orlando Regional controversy, the difference between the Pokémon TCG and Pokémon GO incidents, and why competitive Pokémon rulings keep spilling into the wider gaming conversation. 00:49 Lane Joins Special Conditions 04:47 Pokémon Market Shifts Beyond 151 09:52 Justin’s Arcanine Binder Quest 14:00 Chinese 151 and International Exclusives 21:00 Post-Rotation Deck Testing 28:18 Dragapult and the Early Meta 41:38 Slop Box vs. Good Stuff Decks 50:15 Orlando Ruling Controversy 🔗 Connect with us 🌐 Website: pokemonprofessor.com 🎧 Podcast Network: Pokémon Professor Network 🎧 Podcast Host: Pickaxe 💬 Discord: Exclusive access via Patreon 👕 Merch: Available on our site 📞 Call/Text/Voicemail: 732-835-8639 ✉️ Email: specialconditions@pokemonprofessor.com https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Executive Producer Tish Smith Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Card Show Vendors Actually Make Money | Special Conditions 200 Episode 200 of Special Conditions is a real behind-the-table conversation with two guests who live the hobby from the vendor side. We’re joined by Zach and Niche from the New England card scene to talk about how they got started, what made them fall in love with vending, and what the card show grind actually looks like once you’re the one buying, pricing, trading, and trying to keep inventory moving. This one isn’t about fake guru advice or hobby mythology. It’s about the stuff that actually matters: why repeat customers matter more than squeezing every percentage point, why sticker prices and presentation change the whole buying experience, and the mistakes you only make once if you’re lucky. The stories about bad buyouts, early inventory mistakes, and learning how to price for negotiation make this one especially good for anyone who has ever thought about setting up at a show. On top of that, the episode wanders exactly where a good hobby podcast should: Whatnot growing pains, 151 spikes, Prismatic frustration, Japanese cards, oddball collectibles, and the kind of side quests that happen when four cardboard degenerates get talking. It feels like hanging out at the table after a busy show — which is probably why it works so well. 00:00 Intro + guest setup 01:30 How Adam knows the Zachs 06:00 Why card show vending is a volume business 06:45 Whatnot selling, shipping headaches, and singles 13:30 Buying strategy: moving cards 15:30 Dallas spend vs New England spend 17:15 Pricing philosophy at shows 18:45 Big trades, slabs, and hot table stories 29:00 Could Pokémon ever do serialized cards? 32:30 151 spikes, Prismatic, and current market talk 40:00 How both guests got started in the hobby 45:00 Biggest mistakes new vendors make 48:00 Why sticker prices matter 55:00 Show layout, traffic flow, and vendor setup 01:00:00 Slab guards and deal friction 01:10:00 Growing as a vendor 01:20:00 What actually belongs in the showcase vs binders 01:27:30 Rapid-fire advice for new vendors 01:42:30 Why Pokémon’s community keeps people in the hobby 01:46:00 Final thoughts + where to find everyone 🔗 Connect with us 🌐 Website: pokemonprofessor.com 🎧 Podcast Network: Pokémon Professor Network 🎧 Podcast Host: Pickaxe 💬 Discord: Exclusive access via Patreon 👕 Merch: Available on our site 📞 Call/Text/Voicemail: 732-835-8639 ✉️ Email: specialconditions@pokemonprofessor.com https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Executive Producer Tish Smith Giovanni Producer BorisYeah Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New year = new segments! In Episode 198 of Special Conditions, we roll out Burned or Learned, Behind the Booth, Sleeve it or Leave it, Sleepers & Steals, and Status: Recommended—plus a festive Card of the Day to kick things off. 🔥 In this episode Card of the Day: Delibird Holiday Calendar promo (snowflake stamp!) Burned or Learned: Light Toxtricity grading gamble (PSA vs CGC talk), Hisuian Growlithe binder copy pickup (customer service win) Sleeve it or Leave it: League Cup recap + Festival Grounds deck talk Sleepers & Steals: budget art rares + a Full Art item pickup Status: Recommended: Britney Spears “Oops” Whatnot swipes + Tricky Gym on Expanded 🗳️ Prompts Delibird: Binder or Pass? Burned or Learned: Burned… or Learned? What are you sleeving up next? What should we watch next? 02:00 Card-of-the-Day — Delibird Holiday Calendar Promo (snowflake stamp) 07:30 Burned or Learned? — Light Toxtricity grading gamble (PSA vs CGC) 13:30 Burned or Learned? — The “just ask” pickup (Hisuian Growlithe binder copy) 16:00 Behind the Booth — NE Card House (Jan 18) + table talk 18:20 Behind the Booth — Whatnot stream: OBS, shipping fixes, and workflow lessons 22:36 Back from break — Delibird canvas + gift/trade stories 28:00 Patron shoutouts + PokemonProfessor.com plugs 28:45 Sleeve it or Leave it — Festival Grounds deck + League Cup recap 36:00 Pack opening break — Twilight Masquerade pulls (Secret Box!) 39:30 Sleepers & Steals — Budget pickups segment intro 40:00 Sleepers & Steals — Ludicolo AR (Phantasmal Flames) 41:10 Sleepers & Steals — Ambipom AR (Phantasmal Flames) 42:30 Sleepers & Steals — Helioptile AR (Mega Evolution) 45:00 Sleepers & Steals — Buddy-Buddy Poffin Full Art 46:35 Status: Recommended — segment intro 47:00 Status: Recommended — Britney Spears / “Oops I did it again” Whatnot swipes 48:15 Status: Recommended — Tricky Gym: “What Happened to Expanded?” Tricky Gym — Expanded video: https://youtu.be/HGCs8nLeThk?si=ZERQ35QMAzFMikPE More links: https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork This episode is brought to you by our Patreon—shoutout to the community that keeps the Pokémon Professor Network rolling. For $1/month, you can support the network and hop into our Patron-exclusive Discord: patreon.com/pokemonprofessor Huge thank you to our Executive Producer Tish Smith, and our Gym Leaders: Ben, Espeon Willow, Herbert, Matthew, and SushiSlayer, as well as the other Executive Producers on the Network: Xander, Monkeybread, and KateTheKonz! Check out PokemonProfessor.com for links to everywhere you can connect with Special Conditions, grab merch, and connect with all the other shows on the Pokémon Professor Network. SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.comVoicemail/Text/Pics: 732-835-8639 Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons Intro Music: Trapped In A Pokéball — Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar (GameChops - Ultraball)Break Music: He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix — Dj CutmanOutro Music: Kanto Trainer Battle — Mykah (GameChops - Ultraball) ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾http://instagram.com/GameChopshttp://twitter.com/GameChopshttp://soundcloud.com/GameChopshttp://facebook.com/GameChopshttp://youtube.com/GameChopshttp://www.gamechops.com Adam TuttleJustin Keller Pokémon and all respective names are trademark & © of Nintendo 1996–2024.Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 196 – Special Conditions (Pokémon TCG) In This Meta Shouldn’t Be This Open… But It Is, Adam, Justin, and Lane dive into how strangely wide-open the Pokémon TCG feels right now—on both the tabletop and Pokémon TCG Live. Lane talks about grinding the ladder while waiting for Phantasmal Flames legality, hunting for underpriced singles, and falling in love with one-prize decks again. Adam shares stories from vending at New England Cardhouse, getting showered in DeliBirds, and chasing graded Mega-era cardboard on a budget, while Justin recaps Collect-A-Con Fort Worth, the surprise dominance of One Piece, and finally snagging a long-time grail Skyridge Arcanine for the binder. From there, the crew breaks down results from the Smart Series charity event and why the top decks prove this meta “shouldn’t” be this open, but absolutely is. They highlight the wild Festival Grounds / Seaking list that surged into third, multiple takes on Goldengo EX (including off-the-wall techs like Picnic Basket), and the brainy Alakazam / Dunsparce Psychic Draw engine that can one-shot while drawing a fresh hand. Lane then spotlights his new favorite rogue: a Conkeldurr “Gutsy Swing” one-prizer that swings for huge damage while effectively ignoring its own energy costs. To close things out, the hosts swap Phantasmal Flames pre-release stories, talk about new event software headaches, and celebrate some seriously spicy Charizard and Toxtricity pulls. They also chat about starter decks, trainer toolkits, and why dollar binders might secretly be the best way into the format right now. If you like card shows, rogue lists, and metas where almost anything feels playable, this episode is your jam. 00:02:15 – Waiting on Phantasmal Flames meta & Live ladder grind00:04:30 – DeliBird cosplay, Mega DeliBird hunt & $2 bird pickups00:08:00 – Vending at New England Cardhouse & ranking local shows00:12:00 – Collect-A-Con Fort Worth: Skyridge Arcanine grail acquired00:18:00 – One Piece everywhere & discovering the Life TCG bird game00:24:00 – Smart Series charity event results & Festival Grounds Seaking00:31:00 – Goldengo EX deck talk: techs, Picnic Basket, and matchups00:36:00 – Alakazam / Dunsparce Psychic Draw engine spotlight00:40:00 – Hydration break & Patreon thank-yous00:41:00 – Conkeldurr “Gutsy Swing” one-prize deck breakdown00:50:00 – Mega Absol toolbox, Monkey Dory spreads & open meta talk00:54:00 – Phantasmal Flames pre-release stories & big Charizard pulls01:00:00 – Starter decks, toolkits, dollar binders & Poké Ball reverses01:04:00 – Charizard UPC, Chinese Arcanine tease & outro 🔗 Connect with us 🌐 Website: pokemonprofessor.com 🎧 Podcast Network: Pokémon Professor Network 🎧 Podcast Host: Pickaxe 💬 Discord: Exclusive access via Patreon 👕 Merch: Available on our site 📞 Call/Text/Voicemail: 732-835-8639 ✉️ Email: specialconditions@pokemonprofessor.com https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Executive Producer Tish Smith Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 194 – Special Conditions (Pokémon TCG) Hosts: Adam Tuttle, Justin Keller, and Lane (Good Morning Johto) We get real about the current card show scene—what collectors actually want, what turns people off, and how vendors can raise the bar. From transparent pricing and fair trade values to kid-friendly engagement and better vibes, this one’s part rant, part playbook. Card of the Day: Umbreon ex (Prismatic Evolutions) – SAR Main Topics: 00:08:45 – Pricing tools & reality checks (TCGplayer, eBay comps, apps) 00:18:30 – Trading etiquette: cash %, trade %, slab pitfalls, & nines vs tens 00:20:40 – How to spot green-flag vs red-flag vendor booths 00:21:45 – Sealed product at shows (Walmart/Costco/Sam’s restocks, reprints) 00:28:25 – Smart strategy: benchmark a single card to sample pricing 00:34:50 – Buyouts, table fees, & why some booths price high 00:53:10 – Why staying until close should be standard (deposits help) 01:05:45 – Helping newcomers & kids enjoy the hobby 01:07:50 – Trade-up challenge: wholesome vs abused Community Challenge: We’re racing the Pokémon TCG Live ladder now through November 5—tell us your rank and deck! We want your take: What do you want from a card show, and what would you change? 🔗 Connect with us 🌐 Website: pokemonprofessor.com 🎧 Podcast Network: Pokémon Professor Network 🎧 Podcast Host: Pickaxe 💬 Discord: Exclusive access via Patreon 👕 Merch: Available on our site 📞 Call/Text/Voicemail: 732-835-8639 ✉️ Email: specialconditions@pokemonprofessor.com https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Executive Producer Tish Smith Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Special Conditions, we step away from the usual gameplay and collecting chatter to honor a community staple—The Grading Authority (TGA). After years of serving the hobby, TGA is officially closing its doors, and with it comes the end of an era in card grading. Adam shares his heartfelt thoughts on what TGA meant to him personally and professionally, from the shows he attended with them to the friendships he made along the way. It’s not just about slabs and grades—it’s about the people, the stories, and the passion for Pokémon that connected everyone at TGA. Adam opens up about his experiences working alongside them, the lessons he learned, and the emotions that come with saying goodbye. While it’s tough to see them go, this episode is as much a celebration of their contributions as it is a farewell. Of course, we still bring the heat with our usual segments—talking about the latest TCG buzz, strategies for the upcoming season, and the art of the game. But at the heart of it all, this episode stands as a tribute to TGA, a company that left a lasting imprint on the Pokémon community. 00:00 – Catching Up & This Week in TCG 04:20 – New Releases & Wild Products Hitting the Market 09:45 – Collector Struggles & Market Surprises 15:30 – Meta Talk & 2026 Rule Changes 22:10 – Strategy Spotlight: Prepping for Events 28:35 – Card Art Favorites & Community Shoutouts 35:50 – Honoring TGA: Impact on the Hobby 43:20 – TGA Memories & Emotional Farewell 57:40 – What’s Next: looking forward in the hobby SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639 https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Special Conditions, Adam, Justin, and special guest Lane from Good Morning Johto dive deep into the highs, lows, and downright strange moments from Collect-A-Con Cleveland. From overpriced cards and Wi-Fi woes to epic deals and Final Fantasy box flips, we cover it all — both from the customer and vendor sides. We also talk about variety at shows, the rising popularity of One Piece cards, and those elusive cards that make our collector hearts race. Plus: TGA raw grading fun, Mega Pokémon card reveals, and a few spicy hobby hot takes. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or just love a good con story, this one’s for you. 00:00 – A warm welcome (and warmer convention halls)00:30 – Meet Lane from Good Morning Johto02:00 – Setting the scene for Cleveland’s Collect-A-Con04:00 – Why Cleveland almost didn’t make the cut05:00 – Hunting deals and dodging scalpers08:00 – The Wi-Fi desert and card show survival10:30 – When price checks fail you14:00 – “Market value” vs. “what I’m charging”15:30 – The $200 booster pack pitch18:00 – A floor full of variety… and a few surprises21:00 – The vendor with the untouchable showcase24:00 – Cash-only lines and an ATM apocalypse28:00 – One Piece takes over the trading floor29:00 – Cleveland’s last Collect-A-Con?30:00 – Vendor life: rules, deadlines, and setup drama33:00 – Racing the clock (and the load-in line)36:00 – Whatnot buyers on the prowl39:00 – Slabs worth cracking open42:00 – The $7,200 Final Fantasy surprise sale45:00 – Buying at shows: tips from the trenches49:00 – Pokémon, Magic, and One Piece sales showdown50:00 – Shoutout to the New England Cardhouse crew51:00 – Patreon thanks and TGA partnership53:00 – Peel to Reveal: a shiny Growlithe moment56:00 – How raw grading really works58:00 – The odd charm of a graded Celebrations coin59:00 – First looks at the new Mega EX cards SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639 https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Executive Producer Tish Smith Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special Conditions Podcast Ep. 188 | Rogue Decks & Rage Quits: Top NAIC 2025 Meta Moments! This week on Special Conditions, Adam and Justin take you through the wild ride that was NAIC 2025—from espresso-fueled rants to the rise of rogue decks and the fall of favorites! ☕🔥We dig deep into the meta breakdown, surprising top 32 finishes, and share our personal reactions to Isaiah Bradner's Gardevoir win, the unexpected success of Toedscruel Ogrepon, and why Dragapult variants were everywhere. Plus, we preview some of the adorable merch and art heading into Pokémon Worlds 2025 and end the show with an epic 5-pack opening from Journey Together that may or may not leave us crushed. 💔💬 What was your favorite deck at NAIC 2025? Drop a comment and don’t forget to subscribe for more TCG coverage and collecting chaos!✅ Sponsored by The Grading Authority - TGAUse code FULLHEAL for 10% off your grading order!🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!🔗 Follow us: https://pokemonprofessor.com📧 Email: specialconditions@pokemonprofessor.com📱 Text/Voicemail: 732-835-8639CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 – Intro, Espresso Woes & UPS Rage03:00 – Father’s Day Soap & Mario Kart Wins05:30 – Pokémon Go Pikachu Hat Gift Surprise06:30 – NAIC 2025 Recap Begins!08:00 – Mahone vs Tord Breakdown10:00 – Why Tord Reklev is a Machine11:30 – Miradon & Dragapult Tech Talk13:30 – Adam Hates Monkey Dory (And Why)16:00 – Meta Share Breakdown: Dragapult vs Gardevoir18:30 – Grimmsnarl, Rogue Decks, and Spicy Tech19:30 – Toadscruel + Ogrepon Deck Breakdown21:30 – Iron Leaves EX & Energy Switch Usage22:30 – Dragapult Variants Dominate Top 3224:30 – Meta Share: 71% Made Up of 3 Decks?!26:00 – Flareon Deck Frustrations27:30 – Worlds 2025 Hype Begins28:00 – Adorable Junior Finals: Brother vs Sister30:00 – Worlds Merch & Arcanine Fan Art35:00 – Events at Worlds: Cosplay, Collecting, Pin Trading36:30 – Instagram Art Breakdown & Arcanine Spotlight39:00 – Journey Together Pack Opening Begins44:00 – 5 Packs Later: The Pain is Real44:30 – Outro: Don't Forget to Use a Full Heal!https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾http://instagram.com/GameChopshttp://twitter.com/GameChopshttp://soundcloud.com/GameChopshttp://facebook.com/GameChopshttp://youtube.com/GameChopshttp://www.gamechops.comIntro MusicTrapped In A PokéballDj CUTMAN and BelthesarGameChops - Ultraballhttp://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMANhttp://soundcloud.com/belthesarBreak MusicHe Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutmanhttp://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutmanOutro MusicKanto Trainer BattleMykahGameChops - Ultraballhttp://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykahHostsAdam TuttleJustin KellerExecutive ProducerTish SmithPokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo#pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Special Conditions Podcast Episode 186! 🛡️✨ Today, Adam and Justin sit down with Ray from Collectible Tags for an incredible deep dive into the competitive Pokémon TCG scene! We break down: 🛡️ Dragapult ex deck strategy — how to master Itchy Pollen and when to break Trainer Lock 🛠️ Pokémon TCG deck building tips — why you should master the top meta decks before going rogue 🏆 Mindset and preparation for competitive Pokémon TCG tournaments 🎯 How Collectible Tags is growing their local Pokémon TCG scene with awesome events!🎮 Ray’s esports background and his approach to winning more consistently. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to competitive play, this episode is packed with Pokémon TCG podcast insights you won't want to miss. Learn how to level up your game and build better decks today! 🔵 Subscribe for Pokémon TCG news, strategy, and deck building content! 02:25 – Guest Introduction: Ray from Collectible Tags | Pokémon TCG Background 04:42 – Pokémon TCG Tournament Talk: How to Win More Cups and Challenges 08:32 – How to Organize and Run Successful Pokémon TCG Tournaments 15:39 – Competitive Pokémon TCG Tips: How to Improve Your Gameplay Fast 34:29 – Dragapult Deck Strategy and Advanced Meta Discussion 43:11 – How to Master Tournament Play: Smart Strategies and Big Wins 44:01 – Top 4 Misplays to Avoid in Competitive Pokémon TCG 47:57 – The Panda Global eSports Drama Explained (Nintendo vs. Smash Bros.) 54:42 – Deck Building Discussion: Choosing the Right Deck for Pokémon TCG 01:08:09 – Preparing for Pokémon TCG Regionals and International Championships 01:25:09 – Final Thoughts: How to Succeed in Competitive Pokémon TCG + Shoutouts Use code FULLHEAL at https://tgacards.com/ for 10% off your order! SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639 https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Executive Producer Trainer Mystic - Michael Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #PokemonTCG #PokemonTCGPodcast #DragapultDeck #PokemonDeckBuilding #CollectibleTags #PokemonCompetitiveTCG #PlayPokemon #PokemonPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this exciting episode of *Special Conditions*, Adam and Justin celebrate a major victory — *Special Conditions* won the European International Championship (EUIC)! They break down Ryuki Okada’s winning Brute Bonnet deck, the powerful combos with Sneasler, Bidoof, and Cloth, and how the poison-heavy strategy led to a championship win. Along the way, they share stories about opening Shrouded Fables packs, pulling incredible cards like Iron Leaves, and playing "Guess That Grade" with recent TGA submissions. Plus, a fun detour into Giovanni’s Persian, Pokémon Center promo code struggles, and a double-hit Prismatic Evolutions pack! 00:00 Winning the Tournament01:06 Community Shoutout01:41 Podcast Introduction02:11 Weather and Small Talk03:03 London Tournament and Card Pulls03:26 Best Buy Illustration Packs04:05 Drawing Contest and Delibird04:58 Promo Code Issues07:26 Card Reviews and Purchases10:00 – Prismatic Evolutions pack opening: Eevee, Flareon, and more 19:21 Grading Authority and Guess That Grade21:35 Card Condition Analysis23:13 Guess That Grade24:39 Celebrating a Perfect 1026:27 Patron Shoutouts26:54 EUIC Recap28:43 Deck Strategies and Insights37:48 Pack Opening Finale40:40 Closing RemarksUse code FULLHEAL at https://tgacards.com/ for 10% off your order!SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾http://instagram.com/GameChopshttp://twitter.com/GameChopshttp://soundcloud.com/GameChopshttp://facebook.com/GameChopshttp://youtube.com/GameChopshttp://www.gamechops.comIntro MusicTrapped In A PokéballDj CUTMAN and BelthesarGameChops - Ultraballhttp://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMANhttp://soundcloud.com/belthesarBreak MusicHe Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutmanhttp://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutmanOutro MusicKanto Trainer BattleMykahGameChops - Ultraballhttp://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykahHostsAdam TuttleJustin KellerProducerKen PescatoreExecutive ProducerTrainer MysticPokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo#pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Special Conditions Podcast, hosts Adam Tuttle and Justin Keller delve into the challenges of finding Pokémon cards anywhere. People are camping overnight! Surprise mail call brings Justin more cards than he knows what to do with. Also some never before seen cards! Pokémon Center is giving away the 2025 Pokémon Illustration Content cards with purchases with the special code. They discuss the artistic journey of Pokémon card artist Atsushi Furusawa, and break down the intricate process behind creating Pokémon TCG artwork. Additionally, the hosts talk about new Pokémon card sets revealed in Japan. The episode concludes with an announcement of new product releases and an exploration of strategies to tackle bots on the Pokémon Center website. 00:00 The Crazy Line-Up for Chicken Nuggets 00:26 Pokemon Card Art Appreciation 01:51 Internet Woes and Community Day Plans 04:40 Exciting Pokemon Mail and New Battle Deck 06:13 Opening Happy Meal Pokemon Packs 10:31 A Box Full of Pokemon Surprises 24:14 Illustration Contest Promos and Scalping Concerns 28:49 Excitement for New Releases 29:22 Arcanine Illustration Contest Insights 30:20 Artist Atsushi Furusawa's Journey 31:48 Detailed Art Creation Process 35:29 Exploring Other Works by Furusawa 40:38 Break and Housekeeping 42:45 Lily Premium Tournament Collection 45:19 Dragapult EX League Battle Deck 51:17 Scalping and Product Availability Issues 57:15 New Set: Heat Wave Arena 01:04:17 Final Thoughts and Sign-Off 2024 Illustration contest https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/02/illustration-contest-promos-also-available-at-pokemon-center-and-retailers Artist spotlight https://pkmncards.com/artist/atsushi-furusawa/ https://www.ptcgic-cr.com/2024/en/column/article-8/ New Journey Together Products revealed https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/02/lillie-premium-tournament-collection-revealed-for-april New Battle league deck https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/02/dragapult-ex-league-battle-deck-revealed-for-april AZUL went 4-0, we will link to his video New System to battle bots https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/02/pokemon-center-implementing-a-new-queue-system-presumably-to-combat-bots Journey together cards https://www.justinbasil.com/visual/sv9 https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/02/heat-wave-arena-set-revealed-featuring-misty-ethan-cynthia-and-arvens-pokemon Use code FULLHEAL at https://tgacards.com/ for 10% off your order! SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639 https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Producer Ken Pescatore Executive Producer Tish Smith Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024 Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special Conditions Ep. 180: Unwrapping Goals for 2025 Recording Date - 01/08/25 Publish Date - 01/12/25 On this week's episode Adam and Justin return to the podcast with holiday updates! Justin opens some of Japan's latest high class set Terastal Festival while Delibird delivers some mail! Goals are set between the two of them and now to succeed in making these a reality for the new year! No need to worry about Prismatic Evolutions as we will discuss the set next week a little more in depth. Maybe we can even find some early if we're lucky… 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Banter and Australia Trip 01:57 Laid Back Show Plans 03:25 Opening Terrestrial Festival Packs 08:37 Christmas Break Recap 22:00 Mail Call and Card Grading 29:21 Sponsor Shoutout and Housekeeping 29:54 Mail Call: Kickstarter Finds and More 31:21 Card Storage Solutions and Deals 32:36 New Decks and Meta Evolution 33:31 Pack Opening and Pulls 36:39 Setting Goals for the Year 49:34 Australia Zoo Adventure 54:26 Final Pack Openings and Wrap-Up Use code FULLHEAL at https://tgacards.com/ for 10% off your order! Support the show by shopping at TCGPlayer.com using this link - https://bit.ly/TCGPlayerAffiliate SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639 https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Producer Ken Pescatore Executive Producer Tish Smith Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024 Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special Conditions Podcast Recording Date - 11/05/24 Publish Date - 11/11/24 In this week's episode Justin and Adam are BACK to talk about TCG pocket! With help from Luis (Host of the Purified Podcast) they take a deep dive into the new world of competitive and collecting Pokemon cards DIGITALLY! Enjoy the new of a new Moonbreon alt art from the newest eeveelutions based set named Prismatic Evolutions which is going to break most of us Eevee fans wallets. The discussion continues onto the Gym leader-esc sets coming out named The Glory of Team Rocket which will include a Rocket’s Mewtwo ex card! The 2024 Illustration contest winners were announced and they include a Pikachu, Feraligatr, and a Toxtricity ex. Use code FULLHEAL at https://tgacards.com/ for 10% off your order! Support the show by shopping at TCGPlayer.com using this link - https://bit.ly/TCGPlayerAffiliate SpecialConditions@PokemonProfessor.com Voicemail, Text, and Picture Line - 732-835-8639 https://linktr.ee/PokemonProfessorNetwork Music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Trapped In A Pokéball Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN http://soundcloud.com/belthesar Break Music He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix Dj Cutman http://soundcloud.com/djcutman http://twitter.com/videogamedj http://youtube.com/djcutman Outro Music Kanto Trainer Battle Mykah GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/mykah Hosts Adam Tuttle Justin Keller Producer Ken Pescatore Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024 Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo #pokemon #pokemontcg #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices