Click, rip, repeat: introducing a new way to rip physical Pokémon cards digitally

“I choose you!” was never just about picking a starter—it was the feeling of not knowing what you were about to get. That’s the same jolt every collector chases the second they pick up a pack of Pokémon cards: the trip to the store, desperately trying to determine which pack has the hit, driving home and ripping it open, hoping to see holo peeking through the wrapper. 

Decades after the classic TCG’s launch, the way collectors can buy, trade, and sell their favorite Pikachu, Charizard, Greninja, and more has evolved—and just like using a Poké Ball, it’s as simple as taking your phone out of your pocket. Meet Courtyard.

Creating Your Account:

Just like Ash Ketchum's Pokémon journey started in Pallet Town, yours starts on courtyard.io, where you can sign up for an account in two minutes or less. All you need is an email address, which you’ll verify via the code we send your way shortly after you register. That’s it! Now you can browse Courtyard’s full selection of digital Pokémon packs, as well as cards your fellow collectors have listed on the Courtyard marketplace. And if your collecting journey leaves Kanto, you can always check out our Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and sports cards packs too.

Choosing (and Ripping) Packs:

This is where Courtyard actually lets you open Pokémon packs online. Yes, you read that right: No need to get in your car and wait until you’re back home for a rip; Courtyard’s Pokémon lineup is available instantly, from your phone or desktop, and runs the full tier ladder from entry-level Starter Pack to Pro, Master, Ultra, Platinum, Diamond, Legend, and Mythic Packs. Whether you’re testing the waters or hunting a big-ticket chase card, you can pick your pack, give it a virtual tap, and let it rip—complete with a visual experience that mimics the excitement of tearing through a real pack’s wrapper.

The Reveal - What You Actually Get:

Here’s what separates ripping digital Pokémon packs on Courtyard from a random mystery box or online break: You know the odds, and you know that the cards you’re getting are legit. Before you choose which pack you want to pull, you can see the odds of your pull based on its Fair Market Value (FMV), giving you a clear idea of what to expect. You can also view the latest pulls from your fellow collectors, as well as some of the heavy hitters found within the pack, presenting you with a real picture of what you’re chasing. 

And because every card on Courtyard has already been professionally graded by PSA, CGC, and BGS, you know the card your pack reveals is a verified, third-party-graded Pokémon card, not a ‘breaker’s delight’ that turns out to be a fake. From gem mint PSA 10s to CGC pristine 10s, our cards are the real deal, and you don’t have to take our word for it. Want to learn more about the difference between slabbed (graded) cards vs their raw counterparts? We’ve got you covered via this handy explainer.

Keep It, Trade It, or Bring It Home:

Ripping packs online is the easy part. Next, you’ve got decisions to make:

• Keep it in your collection: The card will remain stored in our fine-art-grade security vault, free of charge. We make sure your collection is safe and sound.
• Trade it on the open market: Every card you pull out of a Courtyard pack comes with an instant buyback offer based on the card’s fair market value. That means that if you pull a Blastoise but wanted a Lucario, we’ll take that Blastoise off your hands, putting money back in your pocket—instantly. Prefer to trade with a fellow collector instead? You can list it on Courtyard’s marketplace with zero seller fees or use our Trade Center to fine tune your collection.
• Bring it home: Any digital card you pull on Courtyard can be redeemed for its physical counterpart, which we ship directly to your door. Just cover the shipping fee and we put it in the mail, turning your digital card into a physical, graded, centerpiece on your mantel.

Get Ready to Rip:

Ash’s Pokémon journey took years, but your Pokémon journey on Courtyard takes just minutes from registration to big pull. Now that you know how it works, the only question is which pack you’re going to get.

Good luck, collectors!

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FAQ:

Is it safe to rip Pokémon cards online?

Yes! Every card pulled from a Courtyard pack is already professionally graded before it's ever loaded into a pack, and it’s placed in a high-security vault, with insurance, all free of charge from the moment you pull it. 

Do I actually get a real, physical Pokémon card?

Yes! Ripping a pack on Courtyard reveals a real, graded card. Once you rip it, you get to decide if you want to keep it in our vault, sell it back to us—or a fellow collector—or redeem it and have its physical counterpart shipped to you.

What does it cost to open a Pokémon pack on Courtyard?

Pokémon pack prices on Courtyard vary by tier, from the entry-level Starter Pack to Pro, Master, Ultra, Platinum, Diamond, Legend, and Mythic Packs, each with increasing odds of of pulling that one-of-a-kind chase card you’ll never forget.

Do I need to verify my ID to rip a pack?

No. ID verification only applies if and when you redeem a card for a physical shipment, and is not required to sign up or open packs.

Can I sell the card I pull instead of keeping it?

Yes! Every card you pull lands in your collection the moment you pull it. From there, you can either sell it back to us, list it on Courtyard’s marketplace with zero seller fees, or trade with a fellow collector in our Trade Center.