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Choosing a deck

Plastic or paper, poker or bridge size, standard or jumbo index, and how many decks you actually need.

Buying guide · 5 min read

Almost any deck will do for your first game. But if you play often, four choices make a real difference.

1. Paper or plastic

Paper cards (really card stock with a coating) are cheaper, feel crisp, and are easy to shuffle when new. They wear out: after a while the edges fray and the cards clump. Plastic cards cost more but last for years, survive spilt drinks and can be wiped clean. They feel a little slippery at first. If you play every week, plastic pays for itself.

2. Poker size or bridge size

Poker-size cards are 63.5 mm wide; bridge-size cards are 57.2 mm. Both are 88.9 mm tall. Narrower cards fan more easily when you hold 13 or more, so bridge size suits Bridge, Canasta, Whist and Spades. For everything else, poker size is the standard.

3. Standard or jumbo index

The index is the small rank and suit in the corner. Jumbo index decks print it much larger. They are easier to read across a table and in a tight fan, which helps children, older players and anyone playing in dim light.

4. How many decks

Most games need one deck. A few need two: Canasta (plus four jokers), Spider Solitaire, and Rummy or Crazy Eights with a big group. Bridge and Canasta players often keep two decks with different backs, so one can be shuffled while the other is dealt. See which deck each game needs.

Buy two colours. Thank us later.

Our picks

  • Bicycle Standard, back of the cardBicycle Standard, face of a card The classic

    Bicycle Standard

    The deck most people picture. Poker size, standard faces, shuffles well. If you buy one deck, make it this.

    Every game hereFamilies
    Buy now ↗on Amazon
  • Copag 1546 plastic, double deck, back of the cardCopag 1546 plastic, double deck, face of a card Lasts for years

    Copag 1546 plastic, double deck

    Two 100% plastic decks in a hard case. Washable and hard to bend, and a double deck is what Canasta and Spider need.

    CanastaRummyGame nights
    Buy now ↗on Amazon
  • Bicycle Jumbo Index, back of the cardBicycle Jumbo Index, face of a card Easy to read

    Bicycle Jumbo Index

    Extra-large numbers and suits. Readable across the table, for kids learning their first game and grandparents alike.

    KidsOlder players
    Buy now ↗on Amazon
  • For big hands

    Piatnik 100% Plastic, bridge size

    Two plastic decks in the narrower bridge size, 58 × 89 mm. Easier to hold when your hand has 13 cards or more.

    CanastaWhistSpades
    Buy now ↗on Amazon

See all ten decks we like →