GUIDE TO PLAYING CARDS
GUIDE TO PLAYING CARDS
Playing cards are the absolutely critical supply needed to play poker, so it is vital to use only decks that are in good condition. It may seem trivial, but the fact is that crisp, clean cards will make your poker playing experience more enjoyable. Replace a deck as soon as it becomes dirty or feels sticky or a card becomes marked, creased or cut. The surfaces of cards often do not show how soiled they actually are. The best and easiest place to check are the edges. There are several different styles or types of playing cards to choose from and we describe them here. Over time, with the continual handling it is inevitable that your cards will get soiled. While it might be impossible to prevent, there are common sense steps to take to keep any type of playing card as clean as possible for as long as possible: Clean the surface of your table before the game. Wash your hands before playing and after eating. Keep food and drinks off the table and wipe up spills as quickly as possible. Avoid serving finger foods. Avoid serving oily or greasy foods. Only 100% plastic playing cards can tolerate water or other aqueous fluids. Plastic coated paper cards will be ruined by any exposure to moisture. Choosing a deck of cards is not a major life decision. But, you can end up wasting money if you do not choose the right cards for your situation, so it is worth knowing what style, quality and cost options are available. |
CLEANING 100% PLASTIC PLAYING CARDS
One of the features that makes 100% plastic playing cards last a long time is the ability to clean them if they get soiled. This is a characteristic solely of 100% plastic cards. If your plastic cards came with care and cleaning instructions, be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. If not, here are general guidelines for cleaning most 100% plastic cards: For a quick cleaning, wipe with a damp cloth then dry thoroughly with a clean soft cloth. Do not use paper towel. Use cold water and a soft cloth. Never use hot water. A mild neutral soap (e.g. Dove) can be used if an initial cleaning with plain water is not satisfactory. Rub cards lightly on each side and rinse them quickly. After initially drying with a soft clean cloth allow them to air dry for about an hour per side by laying cards on a clean table. Avoid direct sunshine or close proximity to heat. Do not dry with a hair dryer. Do not stack cards on top of one another while still damp. Never use detergent or alkaline soap, abrasives or solvents. Never put in a washing machine or dish washer. Never put cards away while they are still damp. Never store cards exposed to sunshine or any heat source. Read and follow any care, cleaning, handling or storage instructions that are included with cards. The first time you perform a cleaning, test your process from start to finish with just 1 card (eg. joker) to make sure no damage occurs. |
BRIDGE VS POKER SIZE
All standard playing cards are about 3½ inches high. Bridge decks and poker decks differ from one another in width. Poker decks are 2½ inches wide, while bridge are a slightly narrower 2¼ inches. Most people seem to choose poker sized cards for their home poker games, but you may actually find the narrower bridge size to be easier to handle. Casino card rooms often use bridge sized cards for that reason.
CARD STYLES
Standard index playing cards are the type most often used and with which most people are familiar. The numerals, letters and suit symbols in the corners, called pips are small, about 1/4 - 5/16 inch high.
Jumbo index cards have larger pips about half an inch tall. They are much easier to see, especially when playing poker games where you have to be able to view and identify exposed or board cards, like stud or hold'em. For that reason, even if there is no one in your group that has a vision issue, they are worth giving a try. Jumbo index playing cards most commonly are poker sized cards.
Magnum index cards have huge numerals and letters, often taking up nearly 1/2 the size of the whole card. Pips are also large, being about 50% larger than the pips on a jumbo index card. For visually impaired individuals, if jumbo index is not adequate, magnum index cards are a viable option, though they may be a little more difficult to find and may be more expensive. Magnum index cards may also be called low vision.
4-COLOR PLAYING CARDS
4-color playing cards use different colors for each suit, not just the traditional black and red. Just about all maintain black for spades and red for hearts. Blue and green are the most common other colors, but which color is used for which suit can vary from one card manufacturer to another. The 4-color scheme enables players to more easily distinguish cards, for example recognizing flush draws. 4-color cards are most often available from the premium 100% plastic card manufacturers.
All standard playing cards are about 3½ inches high. Bridge decks and poker decks differ from one another in width. Poker decks are 2½ inches wide, while bridge are a slightly narrower 2¼ inches. Most people seem to choose poker sized cards for their home poker games, but you may actually find the narrower bridge size to be easier to handle. Casino card rooms often use bridge sized cards for that reason.
CARD STYLES
Standard index playing cards are the type most often used and with which most people are familiar. The numerals, letters and suit symbols in the corners, called pips are small, about 1/4 - 5/16 inch high.
Jumbo index cards have larger pips about half an inch tall. They are much easier to see, especially when playing poker games where you have to be able to view and identify exposed or board cards, like stud or hold'em. For that reason, even if there is no one in your group that has a vision issue, they are worth giving a try. Jumbo index playing cards most commonly are poker sized cards.
Magnum index cards have huge numerals and letters, often taking up nearly 1/2 the size of the whole card. Pips are also large, being about 50% larger than the pips on a jumbo index card. For visually impaired individuals, if jumbo index is not adequate, magnum index cards are a viable option, though they may be a little more difficult to find and may be more expensive. Magnum index cards may also be called low vision.
4-COLOR PLAYING CARDS
4-color playing cards use different colors for each suit, not just the traditional black and red. Just about all maintain black for spades and red for hearts. Blue and green are the most common other colors, but which color is used for which suit can vary from one card manufacturer to another. The 4-color scheme enables players to more easily distinguish cards, for example recognizing flush draws. 4-color cards are most often available from the premium 100% plastic card manufacturers.