bridge or poker size cards

[neo8175]

I'm not sure what size poker cards to get. I've heard alot of casinos use bridge size. Any thoughts or opinions?

[dad604]

Most casinos use bridge size for poker and poker size for BJ. Our group like using bridge size.

[JM]

Just the opposite for my group. They think bridge size is too small, so we use nothing but poker size. Just get a paper deck of both sizes of bicycles or something and try each and see which you like better, then buy the plastic ones in the size you like.

[DEEJAY]

Poker size it for me----lol.

[Limit Breaker]

I use both. It doesn't matter to me. A better question would be:

Why is there even 2 sized cards? What is the actual reason for bridge and arrow sized cards and not 1 official size?

[DoubleDeuce]

Yeah, what's the difference between bridge and poker size?

[Niagara_All_In]

We use both it all really depends on what I grab before teh game but most of the players in our group like the poker size.

[tomb1]

There's always a lot of discussion about this topic.

First of all, here's the actual difference in width:

Picture courtesy of http://www.oldvegaschips.com/1cardfaces.htm


To me, it comes down to just personal preference. But here are some typical comments about each size:

BRIDGE SIZE (smaller)

Bridge size is used for poker in almost all card rooms and casinos. Go figure, but that's the way it is.

Bridge cards are smaller so you can fit more of them in your hand -- especially useful for games like bridge or hearts where you have lots of cards per player. Of course, this makes no sense for Hold 'Em or stud or draw poker games.

It's easier to hold a deck in one hand when dealing, especially for people with smaller hands.

Some people say they are easier to shuffle, especially the riffle-shuffle used by dealers, where the cards are not lifted off the playing surface.

When picking up the muck pile or putting a deck back together after "washing" the cards (rubbing them all around on the table to mix them up), it is easier to square up the bridge cards because they are narrower and you can feel the direction easier. The poker cards are more square, with a smaller "aspect ratio."

POKER SIZE (wider)

Poker size is used for blackjack and other table games in almost all casinos, but not for poker.

This is the size most often seen/sold in stores, so many people have gotten used to them over the years.

Poker cards are the traditional size used by magicians.

* * * * *

FINALLY, my opinion is that the quality of cards you get (plastic cards like Kem/Copag vs. paper) is MUCH MORE important than the size.

[DEEJAY]

Originally Posted by Limit Breaker

I use both. It doesn't matter to me. A better question would be:

Why is there even 2 sized cards? What is the actual reason for bridge and arrow sized cards and not 1 official size?

I can't say for sure but i bet it's because bridge was mainly a womans game some time ago and you know women have smaller hands in general hence the smaller cards. JMHO.

[OnTheButton]

Bridge sized all the way for us.

My first deck of "real" cards was a two pack of poker sized SI "import" Copag's.

As nice as they were, and as much as we enjoyed them, my next set was a bridge sized SI single deck of "casino" KEM's.

That was it for us. I've since bought 4 packs of Gemaco, KEM and A Plus bridge sized cards for our tournaments. Currently our only poker sized cards are the original Copag's I mentioned earlier.

We just like the smaller size MUCH better for shuffling, pitching and hiding your hole cards. Just easier to handle overall.

The concept of card size (I believe) really comes down to what they thought would fit better in your hand, and in poker you usually only have 5 cards in your hand and bridge you can have LOT more.

But with Hold Em you don't really "hold" your cards much in your hand, so the difference comes more to the way you like them when they are being handled and dealt.