Pre-Release Events at ORB: What They Are and Why You Should Come
If you play trading card games, there is one type of event that stands above the rest for pure excitement: the pre-release. It is the weekend where everything is brand new, where nobody has an advantage, and where you get to crack open packs from a set that has not even hit store shelves yet. At ORB Trading Cards & Collectibles in Oregon City, pre-releases are some of our most popular events, and they are the single best way for new players to jump into organized play.
Whether you play Pokemon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, or any other trading card game that runs pre-release weekends, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect, how they work, and why you should sign up for the next one.
What Is a Pre-Release?
A pre-release is a special event held at local game stores the weekend before a new card set officially launches. Game publishers like The Pokemon Company and Wizards of the Coast ship special event kits to authorized retailers, and those stores host events where players can be the first to open and play with the new cards.
The concept is simple: show up, receive a sealed kit with packs from the upcoming set, build a deck on the spot using only what you open, and play casual games against other players who did the exact same thing. At the end, you keep every card you opened.
Pre-releases typically happen on the Saturday and Sunday before a set’s official release date. Some stores run multiple sessions across the weekend to accommodate more players.
Our pre-release events tend to fill up fast. The Portland metro area has a strong TCG community, and players drive in from across Clackamas County and beyond to participate. If you have been curious about trying one, keep reading. We will break down exactly how pre-releases work for the two biggest games we host them for.
How Pokemon Pre-Releases Work
Pokemon TCG pre-releases are run through The Pokemon Company International’s official organized play system. When a new expansion is about to launch, authorized stores receive Build & Battle Boxes specifically designed for pre-release events.
What You Get
Each player receives a Build & Battle Box, which contains:
- 4 booster packs from the upcoming set
- A pre-built 23-card deck core featuring one of several possible Pokemon, complete with Trainer cards and a guaranteed foil promo card
- A deck-building tip sheet to help you construct your deck
The pre-built core gives you a solid foundation, and the four packs give you additional Pokemon, Trainers, and Energy cards to customize your deck.
Building Your Deck
Using the cards from your Build & Battle Box, you will construct a 40-card deck. This is smaller than the standard 60-card constructed format, which makes deck building faster and more approachable. The store provides basic Energy cards for free, so you do not need to bring your own.
Here are some tips for building your pre-release deck:
- Start with the pre-built core. It is designed to function as a starting point. Look at the Pokemon and Trainer cards included and decide which ones to keep.
- Add your best pulls. Go through your booster pack pulls and pick Pokemon that fit your deck’s Energy types. Look for strong attackers, useful Abilities, and good evolution lines.
- Keep your Energy count around 12-14. In a 40-card deck, you want roughly a third of your deck to be Energy so you can consistently power up your attacks.
- Don’t overthink it. Pre-releases are casual. Your deck does not need to be perfect. Everyone is building from a random pool of cards.
Staff members are always available to help with deck building. If you are new to the Pokemon TCG or have never built a sealed deck before, just ask. We are happy to sit down with you and walk through your card pool.
Playing the Games
Once everyone has built their decks, you will play 3 to 4 rounds of Swiss-format games. Swiss format means you are paired against opponents with a similar record each round. You are never eliminated, so you play every round regardless of whether you win or lose.
Rounds are casual and friendly. There are no high stakes, no championship points on the line, and no reason to stress. Most players spend as much time chatting about the new cards and showing off their pulls as they do actually battling.
After the event, you keep all the cards you opened. The Build & Battle Box, the packs, the promo, every single card is yours to take home.
How Magic: The Gathering Pre-Releases Work
MTG pre-releases are one of the longest-running traditions in tabletop gaming. Wizards of the Coast has been running them for decades, and they remain one of the most beloved event types in the Magic community. If you are in the Portland metro area and play Magic, a pre-release weekend is not something you want to miss.
What You Get
Each player receives a Pre-Release Kit, which contains:
- 6 Draft Booster packs from the upcoming set
- 1 foil promo rare or mythic rare stamped with the set’s pre-release date
- A spindown life counter die
- A set-themed box to store your cards
Six packs gives you a deep pool of cards to work with. You will typically open around 90 cards total, which provides plenty of options for building your deck.
Building Your Deck
From your pool of opened cards (including the foil promo), you will build a 40-card minimum sealed deck. In practice, most players stick to exactly 40 cards. Here is how to approach it:
- Pick two colors. Look through your rares, removal spells, and strong creatures. Identify which two colors have the best overall quality and stick with those.
- Aim for 23 non-land cards and 17 lands. This is the classic sealed ratio. The store provides basic lands for free.
- Prioritize removal and creatures. Games are won by creatures that attack and spells that remove your opponent’s threats. Fancy combos are less reliable when your card pool is random.
- Check your mana curve. Make sure you have plays at 2, 3, 4, and 5 mana. A pile of expensive bombs with nothing early will lose to fast starts.
- Your promo counts as part of your pool. If it fits your colors, absolutely play it.
Deck building time is usually 30 minutes, but nobody will rush you if you need a few extra minutes. Our staff can help newer players evaluate their pool and make cuts.
Playing the Rounds
Like Pokemon, MTG pre-releases use Swiss pairings over 3 to 4 rounds. Each round is a best-of-three match with a 50-minute time limit. You play all rounds regardless of your record.
MTG pre-releases are sanctioned through Wizards’ EventLink system but are classified as Regular Rules Enforcement Level, which is the most casual tier. Judges and staff focus on helping players learn rather than issuing penalties. If you make an honest mistake, we will help you fix it and move on.
Pre-releases are also one of the best ways to practice the sealed and limited formats of Magic. Since every deck is built from a random card pool, the games test your ability to evaluate cards, build coherent decks, and adapt on the fly.
Why Pre-Releases Are Perfect for Beginners
If you have never attended an organized TCG event before, a pre-release is the absolute best place to start. Here is why:
The Playing Field Is Completely Level
In a standard tournament, experienced players show up with finely tuned decks they have spent weeks building and testing. At a pre-release, that advantage disappears. Nobody has seen these cards before. Nobody has practiced with them. Every single player is opening packs, reading new cards for the first time, and building a deck from scratch. The veteran who has played for 20 years and the person attending their first event are working with the same raw materials.
The Atmosphere Is Casual and Social
Pre-releases are not cutthroat competitive events. They are celebrations of a new set. Players are excited to see what they pull, eager to try out new mechanics, and genuinely interested in what everyone else opened. Expect table talk, friendly banter, and people leaning over to say “Oh, you pulled THAT? Nice!” It feels more like a party than a tournament.
Staff Are There to Help
At ORB Trading Cards & Collectibles, our staff actively help players during pre-releases. Need help building your deck? We will walk you through it. Confused about a new mechanic? We will explain it. Not sure how a card interaction works during a game? Just call us over. That is what we are there for.
You Discover New Cards Together
There is something special about experiencing a new set alongside a room full of other players. Everyone is reading cards for the first time and figuring out the new mechanics together. When someone pulls a chase card, the whole room reacts. That shared sense of discovery is unique to pre-releases, and it is what keeps players coming back set after set.
No Collection Required
You do not need to own a single card to participate. Everything you need to play is included in your pre-release kit. If you have been thinking about getting into Pokemon or Magic but felt overwhelmed by building a collection first, a pre-release eliminates that barrier entirely. Show up, pay the entry fee, and you are ready to go.
What to Bring to a Pre-Release
Pre-releases are designed to be accessible, but a few items will make your experience smoother:
- Card sleeves. Protect the new cards you open. If you do not have sleeves, we sell them at the store.
- Dice or counters. For tracking damage counters (Pokemon) or life totals and tokens (Magic). A handful of six-sided dice works for both games.
- Pen and paper. Useful for tracking life totals in Magic.
- A playmat (optional). Not required, but it makes the play surface more comfortable and protects your cards.
- Snacks and a water bottle. Events run a few hours. You will want something to keep your energy up between rounds.
- A trade binder (optional). Many players like to trade between rounds. Pre-release weekends are great for trading since everyone has fresh pulls.
- A good attitude. That is the most important thing. Win or lose, you are walking away with new cards and new experiences.
How to Sign Up for Pre-Releases at ORB
We run pre-release events for every major Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering set release. Here is how to secure your spot:
- Check our events calendar for upcoming pre-release dates and times. We post event details as soon as they are confirmed.
- Register in advance. Pre-release kits are limited by what the publisher allocates to each store. Events can and do sell out, especially for highly anticipated sets. Signing up early guarantees your spot and your kit.
- Stop by the store. You can register in person at ORB Trading Cards & Collectibles, 1900 McLoughlin Blvd, Suite 127, Oregon City, OR 97045. We are open 11am to 7pm, seven days a week.
- Call us. Have questions about an upcoming pre-release? Give us a call at (503) 389-5404. We can answer questions about entry fees, event times, and available spots.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the earliest announcements. When a new set pre-release is announced, we typically post registration details on social media first.
Upcoming Sets and Releases to Watch For
Both Pokemon and Magic release multiple new sets throughout the year, which means there are several pre-release opportunities annually. The Pokemon Company typically releases four main expansions per year, while Wizards of the Coast releases four Standard-legal Magic sets plus supplemental products.
Check our TCG Release Calendar for a full rundown of upcoming set release dates. We update it regularly as publishers announce new products. When a pre-release weekend is confirmed for a set, we will add the event to our events page with all the details you need to sign up.
If you want to stay in the loop, our Pokemon League page is also a great resource for keeping up with all things Pokemon at ORB, including pre-releases, league play, and special events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to play the game to attend a pre-release?
A basic understanding of the rules helps, but you do not need to be an expert. Pre-releases are beginner-friendly, and our staff can teach you the fundamentals during deck building and your first games. If you know the very basics of how turns work and how to attack, you will be fine. Many of our regulars started their TCG journey at a pre-release.
Can I attend a pre-release by myself, or do I need to bring a friend?
You are absolutely welcome to come solo. Pre-releases are one of the most social events we host, and it is very common for players to attend alone and leave having made new friends. The Swiss pairing system means you will play against multiple different opponents throughout the event. That said, bringing a friend is great too.
What happens if I pull a really valuable card during the event?
You keep it. Every card you open at a pre-release is yours to take home, including chase rares, full arts, and alternate art cards. If you open something valuable and want to protect it immediately, bring a few extra sleeves or a top loader. We also sell card protection supplies at the store.
How long does a pre-release event usually last?
Plan for approximately three to four hours. That includes registration, opening your kit, deck building time (usually 20 to 30 minutes), and three to four rounds of play. Some events run a bit shorter if there are fewer players, and some run longer if the rounds go to time. It is a good idea to keep your schedule flexible.
Are pre-releases only for adults?
Not at all. Pre-releases are open to players of all ages. Pokemon pre-releases in particular attract a wide range of ages, from younger kids playing with a parent’s help to experienced adult players. Magic pre-releases also welcome all ages, though the player base tends to skew a bit older. The atmosphere is family-friendly and welcoming. If your child is interested in TCGs, a pre-release is a fantastic way to introduce them to organized play.
Come Play With Us
Pre-releases capture everything that makes trading card games great: the thrill of opening new packs, the challenge of building a deck on the fly, and the fun of playing games with a community of people who share your hobby. They are low-pressure, high-excitement events where everyone starts on equal footing and walks away with new cards.
At ORB Trading Cards & Collectibles in Oregon City, we make every pre-release welcoming, well-organized, and genuinely fun. Whether you are a seasoned player or someone who has never shuffled a deck before, there is a seat at the table for you.
Check our events calendar for the next pre-release, and sign up before spots fill up. Stop by the store at 1900 McLoughlin Blvd, Suite 127 in Oregon City, or call us at (503) 389-5404. We are open 11am to 7pm, seven days a week.