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Whether you are looking for info, want to make your own deck of cards, or want to choose the right deck for the game you want to play, you have come to the right place to find out the dimensions, size, and weight of playing cards. I have been a professional poker player for over 10 years and have played just about every card game on the planet, and I can give you definitive answers.

Typical playing card dimensions- Standard playing card decks are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches (64mm X 89mm) and 0.17mm and 0.24mm thick. Bridge-size playing cards come in at 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches (57mm X 89mm). Most cards have a weight of 280gsm (grams per square meter). However, higher-quality playing cards can be 310gsm or 330gsm.

The main reason that playing cards come in different sizes is how the game is played. You might need to hold multiple cards in your hand at once, and if so, a narrower playing card could be the solution to making your gameplay easier. Larger playing cards are available for those who want to use them as a novelty of for magic tricks. Let’s take a look at the different sizes of playing cards and which games they work best for.

The Difference Between Card Dimensions

If you have ever shopped for playing cards, you may have noticed there are more than one size. While most sets come in a standard size, there are many additional options to choose from. Depending on the game you are playing, you can determine which size of playing cards you need.

We are going to take a look at four different sizes of playing cards. Most of these card decks come with 52 red and black cards and two jokers. They are separated by the type of card they are hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. Up first, the standard playing card and the uses for that size.

Standard Playing Cards

The standard playing card deck comes in at 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches (64mm X 89mm).

Most decks that you find in stores that carry games and cards will be the standard size. Cards that people collect while on vacations of their destinations will come in the standard playing card size.

Standard playing cards are also referred to as poker playing cards. If you play poker, you are going to want to use these standard cards. If you are a serious poker player, you will probably want to use the best quality cards on the market.

The 3 best-quality playing cards are:

If you are wanting to know if the standard playing card is going to work for other card games that you enjoy playing, the answer is yes! You can use standard playing cards for games other than poker.

Some popular card games played with standard playing cards are: 

Bridge Size Playing Cards 

Decks of cards designed for Bridge come in at 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches (57mm X 89mm).

If you are going to be playing bridge, you are going to want to purchase a deck that is made specifically for the game. Bridge decks are known to be narrower than the standard deck of playing cards.

They are designed this way because it makes it easier to hold multiple cards. When you are playing bridge, you will have to hold multiple cards in your hands at one time. By making the cards narrower, it allows you to hold more as you create the bridge of cards in your hands.

Sometimes, bridge cards are used for poker in casinos because they are cheaper to make. We all know that casinos use a lot of cards in their day-to-day operations, and sometimes they need to find a way to cut a few costs.

A few of the best playing cards designed to play bridge are:

Large Index Playing Cards 

Large index playing cards can be very important for people who enjoy playing card games but need a larger index to help them see the cards better. The visually impaired need a little assistance, and a larger playing card could be just what they need. The larger card will help them play the game they love without having to worry about playing the wrong cards because they can’t make out the numbers or letters on the standard playing cards.

Larger index playing cards can come in multiple sizes but are fine to purchase in the standard size of 2.5 x 3.5, which I recommend for most people. They also can be 5 inches by 7 inches or larger. Depending on the size that the person needs, they can find a playing card that will work for them.

Jumbo Playing Cards 

Are you looking for a seriously huge, over-the-top deck of playing cards? Then a jumbo set might just be what you are looking for! They are perfect for outdoor games that require a large card or for someone who just loves to collect excessively large playing cards.

They can be as large as 10.5 inches by 14.5 and even larger in some cases. They can even be a fun gag gift for the card lover in your life if they seem to have every other deck in their collection. Jumbo cards can also be fun when you’re playing some of those early card games with young children.

Playing Card FAQs

Q. How thick is a playing card?

A.  The majority of playing cards are going to range anywhere between 0.17mm and 0.24mm. All cards are manufactured differently, but they should come in somewhere between those numbers. If they are too thick, you will have trouble shuffling, and if they are too thin, they won’t hold up.

Q. How long have playing cards been around?

A.  It’s believed that playing cards have been around for hundreds of years. They show signs of cards dating back 500-600 years ago in the Middle East.

Q. Where did the faces on the cards come from?

A.  Believe it or not, those faces on the cards are represented by real monarchs and important people throughout history. The playing card factory has a full list of all of the cards and who we believe is being represented on that card.

Q. Why aren’t the card values set?

A.  The reason why card values aren’t set is that different games require the cards to play as a specific value. If the values were set in stone, then some games wouldn’t work the way that they do right now.

Q. Why are there 52 cards?

A.  According to TED Blog, the reason the deck is made up the way it is wasn’t just by accident. The deck is made up of four suits, each containing 13 cards that represent the 13 lunar cycles. That makes up the 52 cards that we know today, which also has a meaning. The 52 cards represent the 52 weeks in a year.

Q. How long have Bicycle playing cards been around?

A.  The brand Bicycle has been around since 1885. They are one of the most popular brands and very well known to all card-playing individuals. The name came from the popularity of the bicycle toward the end of the 19th century.

In Conclusion

Playing cards come in different sizes and weights for a variety of reasons. The main reason a deck of cards will be a different size could be because of the game they are designed to be played with. Bridge cards are going to be narrower than your standard poker cards.

The next time you gather around to play cards with your friends, take note of the details of the deck of cards. They are a work of art. Cards are a fun addition to your game library and can create some amazing memories with friends and family.

For more, don’t miss The 3 Best Quality Playing Card Brands.

Jim James

Jim James is well-known as the world’s leading expert on playing short or mid-stacked poker. He has over 15 years of experience playing poker professionally, has written extensively on the topic, and is the author of the best-selling poker strategy book Automatic Poker.

Using a no-nonsense mathematical and logical approach to beating the games, he has won 7 figures at the poker tables. His innovative simple poker charts make the game easier for everyone willing to learn. Today, he helps other players demystify what it takes to win money in No-Limit Hold’em and has helped countless people become winning poker players through his Online Poker Academy.