\n
Sizes of Poker Playing Cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Playing cards come in various shapes and sizes. The table below sets out the three most common card size categories - but there are many more. This can be a problem with automatic shufflers - so make sure you look into this if you're thinking of getting one. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCard Type<\/th> Width (in mm)<\/th> Height (in mm)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Poker Cards<\/td> 63mm<\/td> 89mm<\/td><\/tr> Bridge Cards<\/td> 56mm<\/td> 89mm<\/td><\/tr> B8 Cards<\/td> 62mm<\/td> 88mm<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Comparison of the different playing card formats and sizes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nB8 Cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Most cheap playing cards are B8 sized, so it's probably the most common size out there, and the one most people have played with the most. This is because B8 is a standard paper size (think A4, A3 etc) and so it's cheaper and easier to mass produce than the traditional poker size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B8 cards are very unlikely to be even mediocre quality<\/strong> because if the manufacture cared enough about overall quality they would put the effort in to cut the cards to poker size and not B8.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPoker Cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Poker cards are slightly bigger than B8 cards, but the difference is fairly small. The average casual player probably won't notice - but anyone who handles a lot of cards definitely will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technically this is the standard card size for most card games<\/strong>, it's just that people are so used to seeing the mass-produced B8 variety it can seem like they are the standard and poker cards are the variant!<\/p>\n\n\n\nBridge Cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Bridge cards are noticeably narrower than poker cards<\/strong> and B8 cards. This is because in the game of bridge, players have to hold a lot of cards in their hand at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot really a problem for Texas Hold'em players as we don't tend to pick up our hole cards - but draw poker players and stud players with smaller hands might find bridge cards are a better fit. And some people just prefer bridge cards as a matter of personal preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surprisingly enough, many casinos and card rooms will actually use bridge cards at their poker tables instead of poker cards! There are quite a few reasons for this. Smaller cards are easier for the dealer to handle, they work better with automatic shufflers, and they use less material - when you go through as many card packs as a casino that means a big cost saving.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Styles of Poker Playing Cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The standard 52-card deck we all know and love is actually the French variation, and the face-card design is known as the English pattern. This design is not under copyright and so is widely used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But different brands will use different fonts and layouts, and some will even have their own designs. There are some really distinctive designs out there. This can be good fun, but people tend to like the standard design because they are used to it. Radical departure from the classic English pattern of the French design will tend to slow down your game and annoy people! There's a fine balance between originality and playability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nModern card fronts are reversible, meaning they can't be upside down. Another important aspect of front design is the size of the text and pips. This is known as the index, and it varies from standard index to jumbo index to cards with text big enough for the visually impaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The back design of playing cards differs between brands much more significantly than the front design. Backs used to be plain, but these were too easy to mark. There's less room to annoy people here, so long as the back is the same on every card of the deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes card backs are subtly different depending on which way up they are - the backs are not reversible! The technique of \"edge-sorting\" uses this to gain an advantage. Phil Ivey recently lost a court case after edge-sorting in a London casino.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Custom Poker Playing Cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of websites that allow you to make your own custom decks. You upload the back and front designs, then choose your material and finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quality of the finished product will depend very much on who you use. Many printing companies offer a custom card service, but these cards are intended as novelty gifts for weddings and other special events - not really for serious card playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you need a lot of customized decks because you are running a private poker club or just really serious about your home games, then USPCC also offer a custom playing card service. It's much more expensive - and there's a minimum order of at least 100 - but the quality is guaranteed. You also get much more choice, including paper or plastic.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Playing Cards for Poker - FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Answers to the most common questions about poker playing cards<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Do casinos use plastic playing card?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Casinos use plastic playing cards instead of paper cards. Plastic cards are harder to mark and much more durable. But even then, casinos still swap their decks regularly - the average casino gets through hundreds of decks every day.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
What is the best material for playing cards?<\/h3>\n\n\n
The best material for playing cards is largely a matter of preference. Plastic is more expensive but more durable, and the choice of casinos and televised poker tournaments. Paper is nowhere near as durable, and the cards are easier to mark - but it is considerably cheaper, and some people just prefer it.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Are plastic playing cards really waterproof?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Plastic playing cards are waterproof - but plastic-coated playing cards are only spill-resistant at best. Plastic playing cards like those manufactured by KEM and Copag can be washed in soapy water. However, they don't respond well to heat, so use cold water!<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
What is the best brand of playing cards?<\/h3>\n\n\n
The best brand of playing cards is a matter of preference - but it's generally accepted that KEM, Copag and Modiano are the industry leaders for plastic cards, while USPCC's Bicycle brand is the industry standard for paper cards.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n