What is a Pokemon master set?

A master set is a complete collection of every card in a Pokemon set in every version printed for it, not just one copy of each card number. For a modern set that usually means each card's regular print and its reverse holo, plus every card numbered past the set's printed total.

Collectors draw the edges differently. Some add stamped promos, extra reverse holo patterns, or the 1st Edition, Shadowless and Unlimited copies of Base Set. Pokemon publishes no definition, so you set your own rules.

Before you buy one

• Count before you start. The total climbs fast. Phantasmal Flames has 130 cards, and 84 of them also have a reverse holo, so a master set of it is far more than 130 cards. Write your full list before you buy the first one.

• Read what a "set" listing includes. Sellers write "master set", "complete master set", "complete set", "full set" and "reverse holo set" for very different bundles, and a "complete set" usually means one of each number, not a master set. Read the description before you compare it with buying singles.

• Plan for the long tail. Most of the work is the reverse holos of commons and uncommons, often titled with no number or no "reverse". Keep a checklist by number and version, and search for each missing card by its number plus "reverse holo".

ChaseBoard watches one card at a time and skips listings titled as lots, which makes it a good fit for the last singles on your checklist.