Of all the rules new players forget mid-game, losing track of Prize cards is the most common.
Where they come from
Before a game starts, each player takes 6 cards from the top of their own shuffled deck and sets them face-down as Prize cards. They come out of your own deck, not a separate pool — which is exactly why they stay unknown to you until claimed.
You can't see them until you earn them
Prize cards stay face-down and unseen until you knock out an opposing Pokémon, at which point you take one into your hand. This is why thorough shuffling matters so much — a key card buried in your Prizes is effectively removed from the game until you claim it.
Why ex cards cost more when knocked out
Standard Pokémon give up 1 Prize card when knocked out; ex cards like Zarude give up 2. It's the built-in trade-off for a mechanically stronger card.
Frequently asked questions
How many Prize cards does each player start with?
6, taken from the top of their own shuffled deck.
Do you ever look at your Prize cards during the game?
No, not until you claim one after a knockout.
Why do ex cards give up 2 Prize cards instead of 1?
It's the balancing cost for their stronger stats.