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In The Cards

January 28, 2000

In the world of Pokemon, adults can claim to be the uninitiated. But if you have any contact with a child between the ages of 3 and 13, it's a scourge you're likely to encounter. You might end up purchasing Pokemon in one of its various forms. If you don't know what you're doing, there's a Pokemon primer on a link to the official Web site. "The world of Pokemon began as an adventure game for the Game Boy, a hand-held electronic game player," the "Pokemon for Parents" page explains. ( asp) But it's the trading cards that cause a peculiar frenzy.

There are 150 Pokemon (short for "pocket monsters") characters. These monsters have an uncanny ability to rob youngsters of their pocket change, if you can call it that. Packs of cards (packaged like baseball bubble gum cards) run about $8. Like any collectibles hobby, Pokemon can teach a child lessons in commerce and investments. Cards cost money. Rare cards can be traded for more value. Extremely rare cards can fetch up to $90. (The whole matter of card valuation varies widely.)

After school, children in the north suburbs often run to Bick's to feed their Pokemon habit. The tiny storefront is where the pint-sized can place high stakes on Pokemon paraphernalia, and there is even arbitrage for more collections.

Owner Frank Bickmore says, "The kids turn into wheelers and dealers. We post a stock exchange (of the cards' current values) and try to give them as much information as we can." Bickmore encourages parents to embrace their new role as loan officers. "We've cleaned houses, washed cars." That way, parents can manage their child's interest. And there's more good news. Experts say most children lose interest at about age 13.


946 Green Bay Rd. Winnetka



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