Buy singles when you want a particular card, need pieces for a deck, or are trying to complete a set efficiently. The price is known and you can inspect the exact card. Packs are better understood as entertainment: most openings will not return the retail cost in desirable cards, and published rarity does not guarantee a particular box outcome. Set a pack-opening budget you are comfortable spending even if every pull is ordinary.
Local Pokémon card shops can support both approaches. Singles cases let you compare condition and centering, while sealed shelves provide known manufacturer products without marketplace shipping risk. Ask whether loose packs came from a standard product and inspect seals on expensive boxes; avoid shop-made mystery products whose contents and odds are controlled by the seller. The detailed sealed-versus-singles guide explains expected-value and collecting tradeoffs. A balanced approach is common: buy the single you truly need, then open a small amount for fun. Do not keep opening solely to recover earlier spending, because each new pack is another independent cost rather than a repair for the last one.