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Bridge vs. Poker Size (2 Viewers)

Back when NL was king, I would have died on the hill of keeping things poker size.
For mixed games though, I find bridge size tend to play better and last longer.
Still regular index though... none of this old man font please!
 
donkSTRIKER said:
Back when NL was king, I would have died on the hill of keeping things poker size.
For mixed games though, I find bridge size tend to play better and last longer.
Still regular index though... none of this old man font please!
Click to expand...
my-man-denzel-washington.gif
 
Nev09 said:
What is your favorite size to play with? Best bridge options besides Copag or KEM?

I am looking to get a set of bridge cards. I have always played with poker (including at the local card room I frequent), however one of my buddies picked up a set and said he will never go back. I understand this is somewhat of a "newbie" question so my apologies but any advice is much appreciated!


Thanks everyone
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Short answer if you're running to work while reading this it's bridge, or poker size if i have to play with jumbo. i've played with paper cards for years and they only come in poker size unless you get very lucky and find Rider back bridge sized cards in a store, they cost way too much online to me.

i'm sure a ton of people have weighted in, but removing back design choices and index bridge as they feel better to shuffle and hold a high number of cards. I rarely get to play poker (i know a sin), but once in the hand unless you are holding 8+ cards there's not THAT much of a difference to the average person imo, i would still want narrow size over poker every time even if it's a 7 cards in hand or lower game. if i'm going to be holding more than 7 then bridge, but it's not like you're holding novelty sized cards in comparison if you choose poker.

unless you are really are on a budget or living a minimalist lifestyle, it's worth owning (or at least trying) poker and bridge size and in an index mix, there's a big difference in jumbo index between the 2 sizes. besides Kem and copag, i own Fournier, Piatnik, da vinci and dal negro freedom x. i think people say freedom X is a very different stock than regular dal negros, but i like bridge Xs better than the poker sized. I gave away a poker sized set of da vincis as i thought they felt bad to shuffle and hold, regardless of how many cards you will hold or the palm size of the player it really is a personal choice and what games you play. solitaire? bridge. regular games? bridge. if there's no other choice or i have to use paper (which always comes in poker size) then well, poker.

I prefer standard index over jumbo in all sizes , but if i have to have a jumbo set in my toy box then it's always poker. jumbo in narrow "squishes" the art work, i think poker size just gives it a little but more breathing room for court card art.

my personal ranking for card sizes and indexes below

bridge size standard>poker size standard>poker size 4 pip>bridge size 4 pip standard/poker size jumbo>bridge jumbo

the bridge size 4 pip and poker size jumbo kind of rank the same, since i play a lot of non poker games bridge 4 pip is listed higher for being standard index. but poker jumbo is very close and depending on the game might be picked above bridge 4 pip, though poker 4 pip is vastly better than 4 pip bridge. bridge jumbo is last for the art being too squished and looking weird, poker size makes up for what bridge falls short on in this index


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jumbo 4 pip is horrible in both sizes, and i can't list them along with playable indexes. the dal negro freedom X index is kind of cool as it uses regular jumbo index in the top left/bottom right, but top right/bottom left you have a smaller suit symbol with the rank inside. so if you are playing poker you can peek like regular index but still see it across the table, but i still find it too busy for regular card games and would take bridge jumbo over the Xs. though i have never seen this on another card brand, and freedom X are very hard to find now.

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Strange aspect of bridge vs. poker size discussion is a fact that cards made in same stock will feel stiffer when bridge size and more flexy when poker size.
This few milimiters of material makes a lot of difference.
 
surfik said:
Strange aspect of bridge vs. poker size discussion is a fact that cards made in same stock will feel stiffer when bridge size and more flexy when poker size.
This few milimiters of material makes a lot of difference.
Click to expand...
It is funny, i think if you just play the game size starts to be natural no matter what unless you have a huge hand size. Because you're physically holding more material, but typeface/index is more important because your brain notices that more than hand feel. And holding 10 jumbo index cards is quite busy imo
 
surfik said:
Strange aspect of bridge vs. poker size discussion is a fact that cards made in same stock will feel stiffer when bridge size and more flexy when poker size.
This few milimiters of material makes a lot of difference.
Click to expand...

I'm sure a structural engineer could explain it to a lay person.
 
abby99 said:
Bridge Jumbo index, and Desjgn's Bridge "Blackjack" index (between standard and jumbo). Standard 2-color cards.
Click to expand...
I'm excited for the new Desjgn blackjack Kickstarter, got 2 sets as i loved the teal/orange. Got that colorway in bridge and the red/blue will be poker, since they are the same cards other than back color i get to try both. Blackjack index is very unique so along with helping a cool guy I couldn't skip on both sizes.
 
Bridge - Jumbo. If my In-laws (late 80s) are over for blackjack, I break out the Poker - Jumbo

I have original Desijn cards for years and my players love them. The Fournier cards are nice as well. I've had COPAGs fail and even with warranty, I don't need the hassle. The ink began to spot and if I recall a couple cards bent at the tip. Guild are nice looking, but a bit slick for my liking - might be best for oval tables, as I run an octagon. Davincis are nice as well. I'm in for the Desijn tapestry (Blackjack index).
 
allforcharity said:
I'm sure a structural engineer could explain it to a lay person.
Click to expand...

Presumably a straw width card would feel way stiff compared to a double width card. We should run some tests, take a knife to a card on Sunday :-) (I don’t know how to get a double wide card)

As for OP - it’s Poker Size for me (but I’m fine with Bridge - I’m not a dealer, play in self-deal games where someone often steps in to deal late) (And winners don’t forget to tip your dealer and host :-) )
The real question for me is font size - for certain games other than Texas Hold Em.
This might be a moot point if I make the anticipated Desjin cards my new favourite. (Kickstarter campaign ending very soon)
 
chopper said:
Presumably a straw width card would feel way stiff compared to a double width card. We should run some tests, take a knife to a card on Sunday :-) (I don’t know how to get a double wide card)

As for OP - it’s Poker Size for me (but I’m fine with Bridge - I’m not a dealer, play in self-deal games where someone often steps in to deal late) (And winners don’t forget to tip your dealer and host :-) )
The real question for me is font size - for certain games other than Texas Hold Em.
This might be a moot point if I make the anticipated Desjin cards my new favourite. (Kickstarter campaign ending very soon)
Click to expand...
It'll be really funny to me personally if the Desjgns replaces both jumbo/standard index cards for me, never have to worry about pip size or card brand. just "what do your hands want today?", shuffle and play no worry.
 
I play with bridge sized almost exclusively. When I go to a game using poker sized they feel uncomfortable awkward and i never get used to them. When I go back to bridge they never feel small…but rather more comfortable. BTW I have large hands too.

As I’ve said many times before - The fact nearly every casino used bridge sized card in their poker rooms and has for over half a century at least (pics of the first or second WSOP show bridge Kems in play) …that’s called a “clue”
 
Old State said:
The fact nearly every casino used bridge sized card in their poker rooms and has for over half a century at least (pics of the first or second WSOP show bridge Kems in play) …that’s called a “clue”
Click to expand...

A clue about what not to do? 🤷‍♂️

Casinos do stuff like taking outrageous rakes... Or never cleaning their chips... Or replacing Paulson clays with ceramics... Or trying to squeeze 9-10 players at a table for a game better played 7-8 handed... Or having lousy climate control... Or making you wait 45 minutes for a drink from a server who is almost never there, then gets your order wrong, when s/he doesn't forget it entirely... Or hiring dealers who don't seem to know know how to chop a pot or run it twice... Or don't even allow running it twice... etc.

I can't assume anything is correct for my home game because just because casinos do it.
 
Taghkanic said:
A clue about what not to do? 🤷‍♂️

Casinos do stuff like taking outrageous rakes... Or never cleaning their chips... Or replacing Paulson clays with ceramics... Or trying to squeeze 9-10 players at a table for a game better played 7-8 handed... Or having lousy climate control... Or making you wait 45 minutes for a drink from a server who is almost never there, then gets your order wrong, when s/he doesn't forget it entirely... Or hiring dealers who don't seem to know know how to chop a pot or run it twice... Or don't even allow running it twice... etc.

I can't assume anything is correct for my home game because just because casinos do it.
Click to expand...
Huh? Strange line you took here. They use bridge because that’s dealers prefer. Just ask them.

Also, not sure what casinos you play at, but in AC and Vegas there has never been 10 at a table and the limit has been 8 for several years now. Climate control? It’s always the exact same temp…usually around 69-70F. I rarely see any dealer make a mistake. Drinks usually come fast enough and are free. You can even order food from the table via the dealer in many Vegas card rooms. Rake has been relatively the same for years in AC and Vegas for as long as I remember and I’ve played casino poker for over 25 years. The only new thing some have is a take for the high hand and bad beat jackpot. it’s high in MA and CA but I only play in MA 2-3x a year and never in CA.

Didn’t you say you lived in the middle of no where far away from any decent casino? That would make sense based in your comment

Can speak for random rinky dink casinos in upstate NY etc.

Casino style chips, cards, chairs, and tables seem pretty popular in this group.
 
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Old State said:
Huh? Strange line you took here. They use bridge because that’s dealers prefer. Just ask them.

Also, not sure what casinos you play at, but in AC and Vegas there has never been 10 at a table and the limit has been 8 for several years now. Climate control? It’s always the exact same temp…usually around 69-70F. I rarely see any dealer make a mistake. Drinks usually come fast enough and are free. You can even order food from the table via the dealer in many Vegas card rooms. Rake has been relatively the same for years in AC and Vegas for as long as I remember and I’ve played casino poker for over 25 years. it’s high in MA and CA but I only play in MA 2-3x a year and never in CA.

Didn’t you say you lived in the middle of no where far away from any decent casino? That would make sense based in your comment

Can speak for random rinky dink casinos in upstate NY etc.

Casino style chips, cards, chairs, and tables seem pretty popular in this group.
Click to expand...

FWIW, there are three casinos between 60-90 minutes from me. All three are run by national chains (MGM, Resorts World, Rivers). I've also traveled to play in more distant casinos, thanks for asking.

I played at one of them for several days this past week (cash and tournament).

Too many of these at times have sat as many as 10, and normally 9, players at a table. Post-pandemic, most are preferring 8, a much better choice -- though they are not choosing it because it makes for a better game, but for marginally more social distancing....

Anyway, the idea that "casinos do it so it automatically must be good" is a ridiculous idea. Committing at least three logical fallacies (argument from authority, argument from popularity, argument from common practice).

During my most recent three-day (profitable) junket, I heard players complain that:

1) They were too cold (sitting under a vent);

2) Some of the dealers sucked (some did really suck);

3) The floor took way too long to intervene in a nasty dispute between two players (which got ugly long before he noticed tons of players yelling "floor!");

4) Having only one person working the cage while a multiday tournament was regularly cashing out players was dumb, causing very long lines for both cash and tourney players;

5) The casino didn't have enough dealers available for the long wait lists for cash, and did not have anything going except 1/3 tables during most of the tourney;

6) The food options sucked (they did suck);

7) They didn't have enough TVs tuned to the Sunday football games (half tuned to the tournament clock);

8) Using blackjack dealers with little poker experience in the poker room was a doomed idea;

9) The felt on most of the tables was even more filthy than the chips;

10) The waitress brought a patron a Glenlivet with two dead fruit flies floating in it, then seemed surprised when the customer asked for a replacement from a different bottle (that one was me).

11) Not having put any bathrooms near the poker room was a big design blunder.

Some of these complaints (and there were many more that I heard) were minor or picayune; others show a real absence of quality control and lack of caring about their patrons.

And I've heard many of the same complaints at "big" casinos.

Again, point remains: If someone thinks it's good only because casinos do it, I have to assume that person also thinks McDonald's is fine cuisine because they've served billions of hamburgers.
 
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Taghkanic said:
FWIW, there are three casinos between 60-90 minutes from me. All three are run by national chains (MGM, Resorts World, Rivers). I've also traveled to play in more distant casinos, thanks for asking.

I played at one of them for several days this past week (cash and tournament).

Too many of these at times have sat as many as 10, and normally 9, players at a table. Post-pandemic, most are preferring 8, a much better choice -- though they are not choosing it because it makes for a better game, but for marginally more social distancing....

Anyway, the idea that "casinos do it so it automatically must be good" is a ridiculous idea. Committing at least three logical fallacies (argument from authority, argument from popularity, argument from common practice).

During my most recent three-day (profitable) junket, I heard players complain that:

1) They were too cold (sitting under a vent);

2) Some of the dealers sucked (some did really suck);

3) The floor took way too long to intervene in a nasty dispute between two players (which got ugly long before he noticed tons of players yelling "floor!");

4) Having only one person working the cage while a multiday tournament was regularly cashing out players was dumb, causing very long lines for both cash and tourney players;

5) The casino didn't have enough dealers available for the long wait lists for cash, and did not have anything going except 1/3 tables during most of the tourney;

6) The food options sucked (they did suck);

7) They didn't have enough TVs tuned to the Sunday football games (half tuned to the tournament clock);

8) Using blackjack dealers with little poker experience in the poker room was a doomed idea;

9) The felt on most of the tables was even more filthy than the chips;

10) The waitress brought a patron a Glenlivet with two dead fruit flies floating in it, then seemed surprised when the customer asked for a replacement from a different bottle (that one was me).

11) Not having put any bathrooms near the poker room was a big design blunder.

Some of these complaints (and there were many more that I heard) were minor or picayune; others show a real absence of quality control and lack of caring about their patrons.

And I've heard many of the same complaints at "big" casinos.

Again, point remains: If someone thinks it's good only because casinos do it, I have to assume that person also thinks McDonald's is fine cuisine because they've served billions of hamburgers.
Click to expand...
You seem very angry about the fact casino use bridge cards. A little weird. You also seem to chime in on any thread to contradict posts I make

Casinos use bridge cards almost exclusively because that’s what dealers like. They could use any size they like but they chose this. There choice of card size isn’t about the player experience its about the dealers experience. Ask them. They are more comfortable to shuffle and deal for most hand sizes. Those advantages are relevant to home games because they usually pass the deal.

This shouldn’t be an emotional subject leading to discussions on whether casinos know how to run games.
IMG_0308.webp
 
If cards were sized "Standard" and "Odd" but they were just 7mm different, I would buy decks of each to see which size I preferred. If you say "I would never buy odd," I am confident that you only own Poker Size.

Ignore the names and use one size for a year and the other size for the next year. Get a clear vision of which is better - I almost guarentee you will switch to bridge. If not, no worries - someone here will buy your used bridge cards!
 
In casinos, dealers regularly fill in for other dealers, so there has to be some type of standard for the casino. As the various types of Black Jack and Baccarat (along with tournament play in Gin Rummy, etc.) all use Bridge-sized cards, this makes Poker the red-headed stepchild and it is forced to adapt.

The slimmer Bridge card size also allows more women to join the dealer community, as well as men with smaller hands. And this factor is true for both dealers and the players who hold the cards. Bridge cards are also more easily held and manipulated by this smaller-handed gambling segment.

Bridge cards are also cheaper and more readily available than Poker cards, and there are also cost savings in needing only one type of shoe or card shuffler in an establishment- this is an important factor for greedy casinos, believe me.

Personally, I like using Poker cards for poker (especially Texas Holdem) , but I do understand why the casinos streamline with Bridge cards - the alternative would be an HR nightmare with specific lumberjack-sized-handed dealer employees required only for poker. And it would also force the casinos to pay out more money for employees, cards and other devices, which would eat into their bottom line, so it's one-size-fits-all.
 
Vinman said:
In casinos, dealers regularly fill in for other dealers, so there has to be some type of standard for the casino. As the various types of Black Jack and Baccarat (along with tournament play in Gin Rummy, etc.) all use Bridge-sized cards, this makes Poker the red-headed stepchild and it is forced to adapt.

The slimmer Bridge card size also allows more women to join the dealer community, as well as men with smaller hands. And this factor is true for both dealers and the players who hold the cards. Bridge cards are also more easily held and manipulated by this smaller-handed gambling segment.

Bridge cards are also cheaper and more readily available than Poker cards, and there are also cost savings in needing only one type of shoe or card shuffler in an establishment- this is an important factor for greedy casinos, believe me.

Personally, I like using Poker cards for poker (especially Texas Holdem) , but I do understand why the casinos streamline with Bridge cards - the alternative would be an HR nightmare with specific lumberjack-sized-handed dealer employees required only for poker. And it would also force the casinos to pay out more money for employees, cards and other devices, which would eat into their bottom line, so it's one-size-fits-all.
Click to expand...
If I'm not mistaken, casinos use bridge size in their table games, poker size for poker rooms. If so, the storage/cheaper arguments are moot.

edit: Accidentally typed "poker" instead of "bridge"
 
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Poker Zombie said:
If I'm not mistaken, casinos use poker size in their table games, poker size for poker rooms. If so, the storage/cheaper arguments are moot.
Click to expand...

I thought this entire thread was the fact that casinos have moved/are moving to Bridge-sized cards for their poker games, and now you're contending that they're not?
 
Poker Zombie said:
If I'm not mistaken, casinos use poker size in their table games, poker size for poker rooms. If so, the storage/cheaper arguments are moot.
Click to expand...
Bridge sided plastic cards are only used for poker. Black Jack, baccarat, etc all use paper poker sized cards. The rule of thumb is that if a game is dealt from the hand the use is bridge….if it’s from a shoe poker or wide.

I’m not sure why casinos don’t use plastic wide cards though for black jack etc. I would think it would save them money in the long run not having to throw out so many decks but maybe they don’t work well in the card shoes
 
Old State said:
Bridge sided plastic cards are only used for poker. Black Jack, baccarat, etc all use paper poker sized cards.
Click to expand...

That's weird because I've seen Baccarat dealers using Bridge-sized cards in casinos.

Is this just a random thing determined by the casino, or is there some kind of industry standard out there?
 

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