Poker is one of the many games involving the use of a 52-card deck of playing cards. The 52 cards are categorized by 13 ranks from Two through Ace (Aces can be counted as both higher than King and lower than Two when needed, but can only count as one at a time in a hand), and by four suits: diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs. Size difference between Bridge and Poker Size Cut Cards: Our picture below shows the difference. Bridge size is 2 x 3 inches and poker is 2 x 3.25 inches. For plastic cards below in bridge and poker size to purchase, you can click the picture below: For a variety of poker size decks from different casinos to purchase, click the picture below. The simple answer is that the dimensions of the common playing card is approximately B8 size, 62mm wide by 88mm length (2.45 inches by 3.5 inches). The not so simple answer is that for Bridge, playing cards are 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches, and for Poker, playing cards are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. Bridge Decks: Bridge decks are a little bit narrower than poker decks, which make it easier for players to hold more cards at a time. A traditional deck of bridge cards is 2.25-inches wide and 3.5-inches tall. As is the case with poker decks, bridge decks usually also have a pair of Jokers.

The simple answer is that the dimensions of the common playing card is approximately B8 size, 62mm wide by 88mm length (2.45 inches by 3.5 inches). The not so simple answer is that for Bridge, playing cards are 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches, and for Poker, playing cards are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. Therefore, B8 is a good common ground.

Some Detail on Playing Card Size

You probably came to this page via an Internet search. Which produces the above quick answer to the answering the question on the size of a playing card. But the quick answer is not the simple answer, because of the two sizes. Hence on some playing card boxes it will say Poker Size or Bridge Size. To get to the above quick answer answer you need to look at some detail.

There are hundreds, possibly several hundred, of different playing card games, and the type of game can influence the design and size of the playing card. The popularity of games varies from country to country, with some games played exclusively in a particular country, and the cards used in those countries may not look familiar to people from outside that country. However, some games are popular in many countries, games like Bridge, and Rummy, and casino games such as Blackjack and Baccarat; plus the game of Poker has seen a huge growth in popularity, fuelled by online gaming. These games mean that the Anglo-American style of playing cards, derived from early French designs, is almost universally available and recognisable. The Jack of Hearts aboove is an example of the common card style. The common pack of playing cards can be purchased in almost any town and city.

The common deck consists of 54 playing cards, divided into four Suits of thirteen cards, and two Jokers. The Suits are Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs. The thirteen cards are Ace, 2 to 10, Jack, Queen and King. This type of deck is widely available in Poker size, 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. However the deck can also be brought in Bridge size 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches, because in the game of Bridge you need to hold a lot of cards and using a narrower card helps. Measurements are in Imperial inches because mass card manufacture became dominated by British and American printers prior to the widespread use of metric measurements.

There is no standard for playing card size, it is entirely down to tradition and manufacturers whims. Although cards too big would be uncomfortable to hold and shuffle, and cards too small difficult to read and shuffle. I measured seven packs of cards in my possession, all from different manufacturers:

Table of Sampled Playing Card Sizes

All Sizes are in Inches

The widths of 2.25 and 2.5 inches convert to 57 and 63.5 millimetres, the heights 3 and 7/16th and 3.5 inches convert to 87 and 89 milimetres. Looking up international standards for paper sizes (ISO 216) a good fit for a playing card is paper size B8, 62mm by 88mm. Now we can provide a simple answer to those that require it.

The Simple Answer

So, how big is a playing card? The dimensions of the common playing card is approximately B8 size, 62mm wide by 88mm length (2.45 inches by 3.5 inches).

The Not So Simple Answer

For Bridge, playing cards are 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches. For Poker, playing cards are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

See Also

• For a large table of playing card sizes see http://www.numericana.com/answer/cards.htm
• Those interested in cards to use in software can view and download these Scalar Vector Graphics (SVG) versions of playing cards.
• For a full list of all the articles in Tek Eye see the full site Index.

Bridge Or Poker Size Cards

Have you always wanted to know how poker size cards differ from bridge size cards when it comes to choosing or playing with cards? Size is one of a few factors to consider if you want to purchase your own playing cards. Should you purchase plastic or paper cards? Should they be bridge size or poker size? These questions are even more important if you’re planning to purchase an expensive high-quality deck.

A little picturebook

Bridge Vs Poker Size Cards

All my life, I’ve loved cards. As a child, my parents would give me their old decks and I’d spend hours with them, pretending they were a little book, or building structures, or making up games. You can find many beautiful card decks on the Accessories page on our sister site at Gifts for Card Players. And if you’re wanting to play card games on your computer, you could try some blackjack and other table games at MyChance.com.

Size Makes the Difference

From a technical perspective, size is determining factor that separates the two types of playing cards. Bridge size cards are 57 x 89 millimeters or 2.25 by 3.5 inches while poker size cards are 64 x 89 millimeters or 2.5 by 3.5 inches. Both decks consist of 52 cards including some Jokers, but one set of cards is relatively thin compared to the other. When playing with bridge size cards, the player holds up to thirteen cards and that extra 0.25 inch can add up fast when holding poker size playing cards. Simply put, bridge cards are smaller and thinner because you have to hold more of them.

Bridge Vs Poker Size

Bridge Size Playing Cards for Poker

You can use bridge size playing cards to play poker. And in actual fact, most poker rooms in professional casinos use these cards because of their cost and size. The cards are more affordable than poker size playing cards. Moreover, KEM, the most popular casino card manufacturer, focuses on bridge size playing cards. Interestingly, players use poker cards to play blackjack and use bridge cards in poker rooms.

Poker Size Vs Bridge Size Cards

Which Set of Playing Cards Should You Buy?

If you have to choose between poker size and bridge size playing cards, one of the key factors to consider when buying a new set of playing cards is why you want to buy the cards. If you are purchasing a new deck of cards to replace COPAG or KEM plastic cards that you like because you’ve been using them for a relatively long time, you are likely to buy the same size of cards again. However, if you want to have a new experience and feel like to you are playing in a poker room in a Vegas casino, the best option is to buy bridge size playing cards. As indicated earlier, if your goal is to get some basic cards such as Hoyle, Bicycle, and Aviator, then you have no options. Did you know? If you want to perform some illusions or magic tricks, illusionists and magicians tend to use large poker size playing cards.

Bridge Or Poker Size Cards For Magic

So bridge-size if you’re playing games that require a lot of cards in one’s hand, but poker size works if you’re playing casino games or if you’re planning to amaze your friends with some awesome card tricks. And by the way, one of the greatest resources for playing cards suitable for card tricks can be found on The Ellusionist website.

Poker Size Vs Bridge Size