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Have you ever thought why the precise or standard card size matters in games like poker and card games? Size affects handling, shuffling, and dealing with playing cards to enhance the gaming experience. The size of playing cards in inches 2.5” x 3.5”, which is appropriate for games or specific uses, like marketing.
There are no formal requirements that the size must be the same in all countries. So in various countries, brands produce different sizes of playing cards. Let’s find out the historical background, different types of playing cards, and their sizes, and why the size and dimensions of playing cards matter!
History of the Playing Cards?
The Chinese invented the first playing card before AD1000. After that, they reached Egypt, and during the Mameluke Empire, they also reached Europe. The standard 3 ½ L x 2 ½ W inches will be the standard size of the playing card was decided during the 19th century. With the same size card, it becomes difficult for players to cheat in the card game and enabling players to easily handle multiple cards.
Stay tuned with us to learn about the various sizes of playing cards that the different reputable brands in other countries produce. Let’s discuss what are the measurements of a playing card are one by one.
Poker Cards
Poker card dimensions or sizes are 2.5 x 3.5 inches, like the Kem (US), Piatnik (Austria), and Cartamundi (Belgium) play card dimensions and sizes. Two colors (black and red) are used to print standard playing cards. The hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades printed on these cards are distinguished by their colors, such that hearts and diamonds are printed in red and clubs and spades in black color.
European Playing Cards
Playing card sizes are not necessarily the same in every country. It depends on different factors how big their size will be. European playing card measurements are slightly smaller compared to US playing cards. The mini European playing card sizes are 4.4 cm x 6.7 cm. The size of playing cards in inches 1.73” x 2.64”.
Bicycle Playing Cards
Like the classic playing card, the bicycle playing card size is typically 2.5 inches width x 3.5 inches length. The bicycle company of the USA has been manufacturing playing cards since 1928 and is now celebrating its 140th anniversary. They manufacture various types of playing cards, including:
- Bicycle stars and stripes playing cards
- Bicycle 140th anniversary playing cards
- Bicycle cocktail playing cards
- Bicycle cyberpunk cybernetic playing cards
Bridge Cards
Bridge playing cards are available in different dimensions, which depend on the brand manufacturing them and the country of production. For example, in Belgium, bridge cards manufactured by Cartamundi measure 2.2 inches by 3.4 inches. In the UK, bridge cards made by Waddingtons have dimensions of 2.4 inches by 3.5 inches. In the USA, bridge cards manufactured by Kem typically measure 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches.
Education Cards
Education cards are available in 3.5 by 5.75 inches (89 x 146 mm) dimensions. Education cards are larger than the normal playing card size. These cards are used for a quiz or review for an assessment. They provide a sufficient area to print vibrant colors and graphics without any blur and bleeds.
Trump Cards
Trump playing cards is quite larger than the bicycle playing cards size, available in 62 x 100 mm, or 2.44 × 3.94 inches. If you want to add a personalized touch to your playing card game, we can help you print your trump cards according to your choices.
Flash Cards
The flash cards typically measure 5.8 x 4.1 inches (148.5 x 105 mm), which is quite larger than the average size of playing cards. These cards are printed with learning themes to help kids or young people get information about a specific topic or event.
We hope you have got the in-depth knowledge about the what are dimensions of playing cards of various types.
Thickness of a Playing Card
Like the size and dimensions of playing cards, their thickness is also different, such as 16pt, 22pt, and 32pt. We use various thicknesses of renege cardstock to manufacture these cards, which also have great printing capabilities. They are also robust as well as flexible, which can enhance the gaming experience of players.
Custom & Specialty Card Box Size
If you want to design a standard or a particular card box, then the size of the card will be of the essence when putting up the dimensions. You will definitely need a large box to hold tarot cards, as they are large. Meanwhile, you can get a box of mini cards that is quite small. The best part is that you can build custom boxes to accommodate multiple decks and provide extra sections for accompaniments like instruction books or tokens.
Yes, businesses and designers can order custom playing card boxes from Instant Custom Boxes to meet their design and branding needs. You can design and customize the boxes with your ideas, too. As a result, you can get unique boxes to present your specialty cards.
FAQs
How big is a standard playing card?
The dimensions of a standard playing card are 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches. They are slightly bigger than the bridge cards, European playing cards, Handa, Denmark cards, and Oberg Poker cards that are used in Sweden.
What are the measurements of a deck of cards?
The measurements of a deck of cards depend on the number of cards. The standard playing card deck size is: Length 3.5 inches (8.89 cm), Width 2.6 inches (6.6 cm), Depth 0.75 inches (1.91 cm). The dimensions of a deck of cards are also different according to the manufacturer brand, larger or smaller deck of cards gam, and country trends. This is also an answer to how big a deck of cards is.
