Walmart Is Having A 'Pokémon' TCG Blow-Out, And It's A Must-See

It's Walmart Wednesday, the one weekly raffle for collectibles like the Pokémon Trading Card Game and NeeDohs. This Walmart Wednesday is not like the others, though. This week, the retailer is offering a wide range of new, in-demand products — including the Eevee-themed Ultra Premium Collection from Pokémon's 30th Anniversary. In a twist, Walmart's prices are better than both your local card shop and Target.

What is Walmart's Pokémon drawing on Nov. 4?

Walmart is offering six Pokémon products today, five of which are pre-orders for items that come out on Friday, Nov. 6. That includes items from the new set, Delta Reign, and some products from the 30th Anniversary's final batch of items. The sixth item, a box from the highly venerated Prismatic Evolutions set, will be just as exciting for collectors.

Here's the breakdown:

- Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection, Day and Night: $224.97 (MSRP: $179.99)

- Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Ditto Premium Collection: $49.97 (MSRP: $39.99)

- Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box: $60.00 (MSRP: $49.99)

- Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle: $34.97 (MSRP: $26.94)

- Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Delta Reign 3 Pack Blister: $15.97 (MSRP: $14.99)

- Pokémon Trading Card Game Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box: $69.00 (MSRP: $49.99)

There are mark-ups on nearly everything, but Walmart's still generally offering a good deal compared to the resale market rates for these products and the prices at other major competitors. The UPC, for example, costs $249.99 at Target and Barnes & Noble and $399.99 at GameStop. You'll only find it cheaper in two places: the Pokémon Center, which is plagued by bots, and Best Buy, where you may need to camp out for days. Walmart will ship the product to you for free. Considering how messy the UPC's release has proven to be, that's a big deal. One of Walmart's products, the 3-pack Delta Reign blister, only has a difference of about a dollar from the MSRP pricing.

The caveat, of course, is that this is a raffle. You express interest in the products, and Walmart selects winners at random. There's no guarantee you'll get the item you want, but you lose nothing by simply entering.

When is Walmart's UPC raffle?

The entry period begins at 2:00 p.m. PST and lasts for exactly one hour. Winners are typically contacted the next morning, but the selections come in waves. Participants who are not selected the next day may still find a confirmation email up to 72 hours after the raffle. The lucky contestants are charged automatically. Everyone else will not receive any notification.

How do I enter Walmart's drawing?

You can view the Pokémon items and enter their respective drawings here. You'll need a Walmart account and a saved payment profile to participate.

Where is The Pokémon Center's UPC sale?

Good question! The UPC releases in two days, yet TPC has not begun sales for the most hyped product in its 30th Anniversary lineup. It is unclear if or when the official Pokémon storefront will make the UPC available for purchase. The retailer usually begins sales for upcoming products at least a month in advance, so the UPC's continued absence is befuddling. Since that's the case, avenues like Walmart's collectibles drawing may be your next bet.

Walmart's timing is impeccable here. Target announced its own Pokémon drawing system, and it offers some perks over Walmart's—a longer entry window and a confirmation step after selection. Ultimately, though, what people want is better prices.