New Target 'Pokémon' Card System Will Make Collectors Very Happy

3 hours ago 5

Published Sep 28, 2026, 11:07 AM EDT

Patricia is the former editor-in-chief of Kotaku, where she spent a decade writing and editing. Prior to that, she served as the Culture Editor at Polygon, and as a reporter at The Verge. Hernandez specializes in Pokémon TCG, Nintendo, and offbeat internet culture stories.

Target's new Pokémon TCG system might one-up Walmart's raffles

Online Pokémon trading card game drops are awful across the board, but Target's current system is a special brand of hell. The retailer largely releases TCG content in the wee hours of the night — pushing some collectors to get zero sleep and still have no Pokémon cards to show for it. Based on recent rumors, it seems that Target might be taking a page out of Walmart's playbook. That's a good thing.

What is Target's Pokémon draw system?

There's no formal announcement yet, but cybersecurity expert and known Pokémon botter, @themacint0sh, recently shared some images that suggest Target is in the middle of developing a new drawing system. In theory, users would express interest in a specific product during a set period of time. Once that period passes, Target will randomly select winners from the entries. Users would then have 24 hours to complete their purchase. If a customer failed to do so, Target's system would move on to find another potential buyer.

In other words, it would be much like Walmart's current raffle system. Walmart's drawings can still be hit or miss — botters can enter multiple times if they have the accounts to do so. Still, since the retailer implemented the system earlier in 2026, reports suggest that more real people, not scalpers, have managed to score products from the hyped Pokémon 30th Anniversary set.

How is Target's drawing system different from Walmart's raffles?

30th Anniversary Pokémon TCG Mew ex and Mewtwo ex Screenshots

@themacint0sh's assertion is based on backend findings on Target's website that list a handful of new text strings outlining a drawing system. The text informs people how the new system works, what to expect, and how to participate. Notably, one of the messages reads, "You've purchased the maximum allowed for this drawing (one per account)." Currently, online Target TCG drops have a limit of two units per transaction and up to two transactions total for the same product. A limit of one would be much harsher, yet it could give more people a chance to purchase Pokémon cards.

The text also says that, unlike Walmart, users will be able to enter drawings automatically — so you won't even need to be logged in to participate.

If nothing else, Target customers may be happy to hear that they no longer have to be up at 3 a.m. just to watch a scalper finish 25 checkouts.

Read Entire Article