Card Size for NLHE Bridge (standard) or Poker (wide) (1 Viewer)

[Jambine]

Personally, I like the Poker size because (1) that’s what I grew up w as a kid playing pinochle and poker

I also used poker size paper cards playing as a kid, because my Dad would not let us use the Kem bridge size cards used in his home game.
FF to 21 years old, I'm in Vegas and finishing dealer school in 1977 (yeah I'm old). Started playing casino poker then, all over but mostly downtown.
FF to today, I've played in hundreds of casinos and still have never seen poker size cards used in a poker room, ever. I understand there are some places using them, I've just never seen it.

 

[TheBigTater]

I've played in hundreds of casinos and still have never seen poker size cards used in a poker room, ever. I understand there are some places using them, I've just never seen it.

The poker TV boom has brought on the use of poker size cards at the poker table because they show up better on TV. I'm like you, in all the casinos/card rooms I ever played in, the poker room always used bridge size cards. Now pit games use poker size but not in the poker rooms.

 

[k9dr]

I think you have to say no offence first. It's in the Geneva convention!

or "bless his heart" after.

 

[JTBass]

@moose is Canadian. I think their healthcare allows them to get eyeball replacements for free.

#WishWeHadCanadianHealthCare

Yeah, Free, but you have to wait 6 months to get in to see anyone.

 

[Mikiethebull]

Poker Zombie - glad you have a sense of humor.

 

[Mikiethebull]

The poker TV boom has brought on the use of poker size cards at the poker table because they show up better on TV. I'm like you, in all the casinos/card rooms I ever played in, the poker room always used bridge size cards. Now pit games use poker size but not in the poker rooms.

. . . as it should be. Poker rooms only started using bridge size playing cards because of the cost savings. Historically, even going back to the riverboat gambling poker boon in the late 1800s, poker size cards were used for poker, hence their name. But since casino poker rooms have been using the wrong size (bridge) cards for decades, players have become accustomed to them, so the the poll does not surprise me. But just because a certain improper custom or practice has been in place for a long period of time doesn't make it correct. I think the Congress ad speaks volumes about what "bridge" size cards were originally intended for, and it certainly was NOT poker.

I'm glad the trend is starting to shift. . . However, I imagine professional dealers, especially female dealers with smaller hands, who deal cards for hours on end, would not appreciate this change. Also, after decades of bridge size card use in casinos, they might have many unhappy players on their hands as well. Between this, and the increased cost of poker cards, to the extent large casino poker rooms are even open to the idea of using poker cards for poker, I would venture to guess the transition will be very slow.

 

[TheBigTater]

I get it, you really like Wide/Poker size cards.

More than likely the next trend shift will have the physical cards (and chips) eliminated & a totally digital game will be the norm.

Good luck with your crusade. :

 

[Jambine]

Poker rooms only started using bridge size playing cards because of the cost savings.

?

 

[Blaster]

. . . as it should be. Poker rooms only started using bridge size playing cards because of the cost savings. ..... But since casino poker rooms have been using the wrong size (bridge) cards for decades, players have become accustomed to them, so the the poll does not surprise me. But just because a certain improper custom or practice has been in place for a long period of time doesn't make it correct. ...

??. This is all pure nonsense ( jibberish, malarkey, alternative facts ... ). Cost savings??
Since blackjack is dealt with "poker" cards, then also, ... nevermind..

?

Agreed.

 

[Jambine]

These would save a lot of money, but I can't find them in PVC acetate, so I guess we are back to paper cards

 

[Mikiethebull]

The poker TV boom has brought on the use of poker size cards at the poker table because they show up better on TV. I'm like you, in all the casinos/card rooms I ever played in, the poker room always used bridge size cards. Now pit games use poker size but not in the poker rooms.

. . . as it should be. Poker rooms only started using bridge size playing cards because of the cost savings. Historically, even going back to the riverboat gambling poker boon in the late 1800s, poker size cards were used for poker, hence their name. But since casino poker rooms have been using the wrong size (bridge) cards for decades, players have become accustomed to them, so the the poll does not surprise me. But just because a certain improper custom or practice has been in place for a long period of time doesn't make it correct. I think the Congress ad speaks volumes about what "bridge" size cards were originally intended for, and it certainly was NOT poker.

I'm glad the trend is starting to shift. . . However, I imagine professional dealers, especially female dealers with smaller hands, who deal cards for hours on end, would not appreciate this change. Also, after decades of bridge size card use in casinos, they might have many unhappy players on their hands as well. Between this, and the increased cost of poker cards, to the extent large casino poker rooms are even open to the idea of using poker cards for poker, I would venture to guess the transition will be very slow.

??. This is all pure nonsense ( jibberish, malarkey, alternative facts ... ). Cost savings??
Since blackjack is dealt with "poker" cards, then also, ... nevermind..


Agreed.

You guys need to do your research. The "standard" size card when they were first becoming uniform was 2.5 x 3.5. Poker was booming in popularity in the late 1800s, and the 2.5 x 3.5 cards were being produced to meet that demand. Casino poker rooms, however would go through cards like water, and what is a marginal difference in price for an individual, amounts to a very large savings for casinos. Bridge size cards were made for playing exactly that, Bridge, where you hold 14 some odd cards in your hand at the same time, not poker where you hold 5 or 2. In fact, bridge cards like the Congress were labeled "dainty" in marketing ads directed toward women bridge players. Anyway, but that's why casinos "originally" began using bridge cards for poker. It's quite likely that cost savings reason for using bridge cards for poker went out the window a long time ago, and by then casino poker players had already become accustomed to the playing with bridge cards. So now you have (1) the fact that casino room card players have been using bridge size cards for decades; and (2) the dealer comfort issue, especially as the number of female dealers increased, that are more modern reasons for using bridge cards to play poker today. However, the ORIGINAL standard card size was 2.5 x 3.5 and the card game surging in popularity in the late 1800's, which created the demand met by companies like like USPC, Bee, Tally Ho, was poker. I respect your opinion. However, the facts are what they are.

 

[Mikiethebull]

I also used poker size paper cards playing as a kid, because my Dad would not let us use the Kem bridge size cards used in his home game.
FF to 21 years old, I'm in Vegas and finishing dealer school in 1977 (yeah I'm old). Started playing casino poker then, all over but mostly downtown.
FF to today, I've played in hundreds of casinos and still have never seen poker size cards used in a poker room, ever. I understand there are some places using them, I've just never seen it.

Not surprising, by 1977, casinos had already long established the use of bridge size cards for playing poker. Which is fine. All I'm saying is, that the original production of "standard" or "poker" size cards was to meet the demand of poker players at a time when the game's popularity started to surge. The initial use of bridge size cards for poker in casinos, however, was a matter of economics, and that turn of events occurred well before your dealer training in the late 1970s.

 

[dirty moose]

Bridge/Jumbo

+1

 

[Old State]

Not surprising, by 1977, casinos had already long established the use of bridge size cards for playing poker. Which is fine. All I'm saying is, that the original production of "standard" or "poker" size cards was to meet the demand of poker players at a time when the game's popularity started to surge. The initial use of bridge size cards for poker in casinos, however, was a matter of economics, and that turn of events occurred well before your dealer training in the late 1970s.

I think you are interpreting this “research” and some people’s comments incorrectly. As I said before I HIGHLY HIGHLY doubt casinos moved to bridge sized card because of cost.
I don’t think anyone is doubting wide “poker” sized card were the original dimensions OR that bridge cards were made smaller so you could hold more of them.

That’s not the point though. I would bet a substantial amount of money that casinos moved to bridge sized cards because 1) unlike Wild West poker games, casinos have a constant dealer 2) with the availability of bridge sized cards someone quickly realized they were easier to shuffle and saw an application in the casino environment.

I also personally agree they are easier to shuffle and because they are just as easy to see on the table, I don’t understand the advantages of not using bridge sized cards. It’s really just that simple.

Actually I think even MORE people would be using narrow cards for Poker if they only knew that they existed!

They have become the preferred size by casinos and more serious home players because they are superior for the application. Not sure what the big issue is. Lots of things are found to be superior in applications not originally intended.

See here:
http://www.businessinsider.com/succ...ded-for-a-completely-different-purpose-2016-3

 

[Old State]

. . . as it should be.

I'm glad the trend is starting to shift. . . Between this, and the increased cost of poker cards, to the extent large casino poker rooms are even open to the idea of using poker cards for poker, I would venture to guess the transition will be very slow.

Huh? There is no shift trend. They are using Poker sized (often jumbo index) on televised final tables for the sole reason they are easier to pick up on the camera and for you to see ....at home...on your TV.

Cost has ZERO to do with anything. Casinos spend thousands just to pump scented air through their buildings. I would find it extremely hard to believe that they would be deterred from buying Poker sized cards because of price.

Another perspective:
http://www.kemcards.net/kem-narrow-vs-wide-size

“The names "Poker" and "Bridge" only refer to the size of the card and do not necessarily mean the card has been made to play only the games of Bridge or Poker. So why complicate matters with those specific names? Your guess is as good as ours.

Over 95 percent of poker rooms in United States casinos use a narrow (bridge) size playing card. To make matters worse, 95 percent of Blackjack games deal a wide (poker) size playing card! So how did the names of the sizes come about as narrow (bridge) and wide (poker)?

Well, we are not sure. But we do know that during an actual Bridge game, players hold many more cards in their hands than players of other card games. Therefore, it is only common to name the narrow size playing card as bridge. Most games that deal from hand use the narrow (bridge) card to assist with professionally manipulating the deck. Most games that are dealt from a shoe use the wide (poker) size, since larger cards are often preferred by players”

 

[Blaster]

I had a chance this week at work to talk to a couple of "old timers" that played poker, 21 etc. ( not professionally, the"VFW / Elks club/Home games of the time) .., in the 1940's and 50's but they shed some very interesting light when I asked them about "Poker" cards ..;
To them, they did not even know now the nuances of size, ... when buying decks, asking for or choosing a "poker" deck was never about a size, it was, ( "is" to them), a label meant to be sure to get a "normal" 52 card deck, vs. the very common & (same size), Canasta, Pinochle , Euro and other similar packaged non standard decks sold wherever cards were sold ..
. They had stories of the occasional player that bought a new deck, only to find out after opening it, it was a Pinochle deck that could not be used to play poker, bridge or other "regular" games ... THiS makes a lot of sense, & may be the inital reason a deck was labeled "Poker".
It also makes sense that for the last 100 years or whatever, Professional casinos and poker players quickly preferred the slightly narrower Bridge size, for both ease of handling & dealing, which of course, has been the Casino standard for poker many decades ..
I doubt there has ever been a price difference between sizes, there isn't now, ( the cost is in the color lithography, printing, packaging etc, not the 1/8" sides or if an extra joker is included or not), & as @Old State mentioned, Casinos that historically spare no expense, give players free drinks, food, buy the finest chandeliers ect, would worry about the poker room decks.. & is also very counter intuitive to why they would always go thru "massive" amounts of wider Poker sized decks for Blackjack and other table games, where the players are actually closer to the cards.. ..
The more recent trend of seeing Poker "size" at some American Televised final tables probably has little to do with an extra 1/8" on each side of the card, & more to do with WPT/commercial paid endorsement deals for the casino to swap out their normal cards on the final table for the paid commercial endorsement Home game cards .. Bridge Jumbo would Televise the same as the massive index wides ..

 

[Tcollie51]

Poker cards are for poker. I'm a dealer. We get used to it. As a matter of fact the way we shuffle, poker cards are not only easier, but they are the standard. You don't go to the casino and play with bridge cards. EsoeEspeci for Hold em? There's 2 cards....you have a hand in bridge so the cards are more narrow (so you can hold them) if you're playing poker you shouldn't be touching your cards aside from the deal, after, of xourse, you check what it is you hold.

 

[v1pe]

Poker cards are for poker. I'm a dealer. We get used to it. As a matter of fact the way we shuffle, poker cards are not only easier, but they are the standard. You don't go to the casino and play with bridge cards. EsoeEspeci for Hold em? There's 2 cards....you have a hand in bridge so the cards are more narrow (so you can hold them) if you're playing poker you shouldn't be touching your cards aside from the deal, after, of xourse, you check what it is you hold.

From what I've seen, most cards rooms and casinos use bridge size these days.

 

[Jambine]

Poker cards are for poker. I'm a dealer. We get used to it. As a matter of fact the way we shuffle, poker cards are not only easier, but they are the standard. You don't go to the casino and play with bridge cards. EsoeEspeci for Hold em? There's 2 cards....you have a hand in bridge so the cards are more narrow (so you can hold them) if you're playing poker you shouldn't be touching your cards aside from the deal, after, of xourse, you check what it is you hold.

Well, there you have it
Oh, and welcome to the forum BTW

 

[Schmendr1ck]

Oy vey, another "which card is better" jihad. The only correct answer is: use what you like. It is 100% a matter of personal preference.

This thread is now an unsolicited advertisement for Desjgn - my preference is Classic Vic. Poker size, large-but-not-jumbo index for good readability, and damn nice look-and-feel.

I haven't tried the Classic Flourish yet, so I'm ordering a couple setups right now.

 

[Tcollie51]

Oy vey, another "which card is better" jihad. The only correct answer is: use what you like. It is 100% a matter of personal preference.

This thread is now an unsolicited advertisement for Desjgn - my preference is Classic Vic. Poker size, large-but-not-jumbo index for good readability, and damn nice look-and-feel.

I haven't tried the Classic Flourish yet, so I'm ordering a couple setups right now.

I agree about preference. Whatever floats your boat!

 

[Old State]

From what I've seen, most cards rooms and casinos use bridge size these days.

These days and for a very long time. I recently posted a video from the 1973 WSOP and they were using bridge sized Kems.

I’ve never seen Poker sized cards ever in any AC or the few I’ve been to in Vegas. I never liked to use the word “all” only because I figured there probably is some card room somewhere using Poker sized cards. Guess we found one.

That said use what you like as stated.

 

[Old State]

Poker cards are for poker. I'm a dealer. We get used to it. As a matter of fact the way we shuffle, poker cards are not only easier, but they are the standard. You don't go to the casino and play with bridge cards. EsoeEspeci for Hold em? There's 2 cards....you have a hand in bridge so the cards are more narrow (so you can hold them) if you're playing poker you shouldn't be touching your cards aside from the deal, after, of xourse, you check what it is you hold.

Quick question: are you a Poker dealer or deal something else? Not trying to be a jerk but Wide Poker sized cards are not in any way shape or form the standard in Vegas and AC. As a matter of fact, I would wager a good deal of money you couldn’t find a Poker sized deck of cards at any poker table in either of those two gambling Mecca’s.



Where do you deal?

 

[Megsy9]

I’m a big fan of the jumbo pips but never tried bridge size cards I am going to have to pick up a few decks

 

[Old State]

I’m a big fan of the jumbo pips but never tried bridge size cards I am going to have to pick up a few decks

Most think they feel odd when they first switch but you will get used to it. Then, when you pick up a wide deck again you will realize why bridge sized are so popular among many here and professional dealers.

 

[RocAFella1]

Once you go bridge, you won't go back.

 

[chipjoker]

Bridge/jumbo all the way for me, and my players.

 

[BELGRADE]

I have a double deck of copag with a magnum index.

Imo there are nice if you play some 7 Stud poker.
Easier to see the cards displayed at the other end of the table (especially after a whole night playing).

For playing Omaha or Big O I think the Best is some bridge with the jumbo index.
For NLH imo Jumbo Poker size.

 

[Darson]

I was all excited and pulled out a new deck of Kems last Friday, bridge size/standard. While I doubt my group thinks of us as old, it took about one orbit before people started clamoring for jumbo. Fortunately I had another new deck of Kem/bridge/jumbo which was quickly put into play.

The holy grail is plastic/bridge/jumbo/4-colour. I don't think such a thing exists.

 

[chipjoker]

I was all excited and pulled out a new deck of Kems last Friday, bridge size/standard. While I doubt my group thinks of us as old, it took about one orbit before people started clamoring for jumbo. Fortunately I had another new deck of Kem/bridge/jumbo which was quickly put into play.

The holy grail is plastic/bridge/jumbo/4-colour. I don't think such a thing exists.

I agree with you, plastic/bridge/jumbo/4-colour would be AWESOME, however, some of my players (most) dont like it and it throws them off.

I also believe that the bridge size do not exsist, I have plastic/Poker/ ? / 4 color..