Decked Out TCG & Hobbies

Downtown Laredo TCG nook on Salinas Ave stocking Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Funko, with weekly tournaments and late Thursday and Friday play nights.

Tucked into a downtown block on Salinas Ave, Decked Out TCG & Hobbies is the kind of spot you could walk past without noticing, and the regulars seem to like it that way. Step inside and the space opens into a compact hobby shop with sealed card product up front, a wall of Funko Pops, and tables set aside for players who come to battle, trade and snack between rounds.

Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh are the core of the inventory. Downtown players come here for Yu-Gi-Oh singles and sealed product, and the Pokemon selection covers current sets in packs, bundles and boxes. Magic: The Gathering is present but light, so MTG players chasing specific singles should call ahead. Bundle deals on sealed product and an open attitude toward trades make it a practical stop for collectors who want to move duplicates or fill out a binder.

The store's real draw is its community schedule. Weekly tournaments give the shop a steady rhythm, and the extended hours on Thursday and Friday, when the doors stay open until 11PM, are built around evening play. If you are looking for trading cards in Laredo's historic center, this is one of the few options within walking distance of the downtown core.

Hours run 3PM to 9PM Monday through Wednesday, 3PM to 11PM on Thursday and Friday, and 2PM to 8PM on Saturday, with Sunday closed. Because the shop opens mid-afternoon, plan visits for after school or after work. The owner is hands-on with buys and trades, so bring cards you want evaluated, and check the shop's Facebook page for the current tournament lineup before you go. Street parking downtown is metered in places, so give yourself a few extra minutes, and pack a deck box: even on non-tournament nights there is usually someone around looking for a casual game or a quick trade.