Cut Cards: Slightly Oversized or Undersized? (1 Viewer)

[TheOffalo]

Having made custom tuck boxes in the past, I noticed not all decks of cards are exactly 2.5” x 3.5” for poker-size or 2.25” x 3.5” for bridge-size. Some brands are a bit shorter / taller, or wider / narrower.

So cut cards will not often be an exact fit to the playing cards they're used with. That being said, if you've noticed this too (or you'll start noticing it going forward), do you prefer / think it's better for a cut card to be slightly undersized or oversized? Probably depends on the grip one takes when dealing.

I just ordered some cut cards for a mini-GB and I made them just slightly undersized, rounding down to the nearest millimeter (88mm / 3.464" tall, and 57mm / 2.244" wide for bridge or 63mm / 2.48" wide for poker). I don't think it'll be a problem because most playing cards, if they're not exact size, are usually slightly smaller too.

 

[TheOffalo]

Feel free to comment on why you voted the way you did. I could see the case for a slightly oversized cut card, especially in self-dealt games, where the stub may be put down and picked up multiple times during the hand, maybe?

My thinking is that having a slightly undersized cut card may result in the stub being picked up without also picking up the cut card, but in my experience that hasn't really been the case, since the difference is usually less than 1mm so gripping the side of a deck with my fingers and lifting applies enough pressure to also lift the cut card even if it's undersized.

On the flipside, if the cut card is slightly oversized, and I'm holding the deck with an underhand grip, then I'm gripping mostly around the cut card and that may let the deck "slosh" around a bit. Again, since an oversized cut card is usually 1mm or less bigger, there's usually enough pressure with my curled fingers around the side so the deck doesn't move around.

 

[chippitydoodah]

Undersized and you still have contact with the bottom card of the deck.

 

[RocAFella1]

Slightly undersized but not like using a bridge size cut card for magnum size cards.

 

[Machine]

when dealing as a dedicated dealer especially for tips, you grip the deck firmly, the feel of the actual cards not the plastic cut card is the trigger if you have the expected tension or firm hold. If the card is slightly larger you will often grip it too tightly cutting into your hands. It will wear on your hands over the course of a night dealing.

 

[TheOffalo]

when dealing as a dedicated dealer especially for tips, you grip the deck firmly, the feel of the actual cards not the plastic cut card is the trigger if you have the expected tension or firm hold. If the card is slightly larger you will often grip it too tightly cutting into your hands. It will wear on your hands over the course of a night dealing.

That’s a great point. It’s the “side” of the stack of cards that I’m gripping against.

I’m glad my decision to round down the size to the nearest mm seems to align with the majority opinion, but it is still not a landslide. Anyone on the oversized camp would like to offer more details on their preference?

 

[GeeOhVee]

As someone who full time deals when I host, very much prefer slightly under vs oversized. I don't like it when I can't grip the entire side of the deck.

 

[Tonystark137]

I'll be the oddball. We typically self deal. So I don't have experience dedicated dealing.

I like a slightly oversized cause I can tell if there is a cut card on the bottom or not.

 

[drdr]

C - Exactly the same size.
Is why I prefer decks that come with cut cards.
But after that, slightly under.

 

[Baldeagle9]

undersized, for grip feeling!!!

 

[TheOffalo]

C - Exactly the same size.
Is why I prefer decks that come with cut cards.
But after that, slightly under.

Sure exact size would be ideal but like the custom cut cards that get made in the GBs…

 

[glynn]

I'll be the oddball. We typically self deal. So I don't have experience dedicated dealing.

I like a slightly oversized cause I can tell if there is a cut card on the bottom or not.

That's probably the start and end of its benefits. As a dedicated dealer, I would be standing up after the first hand to find two jokers to stick together. It's a dexterity and accuracy thing as much as comfort.