Are you looking for the best playing cards of 2023? There are so many choices, and it can be hard to decide which ones to get. Worry not, as this article can help you. Whether you’re playing solitaire, hearts, bridge, poker, or anything else, you’ll find some of the best playing cards for a fair price.
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick recap of the best playing cards, based on different criteria.
| Playing Cards | Quality | |
|---|---|---|
 | KEM Arrow Playing Cards | Best Overall |
 | Artisan Luxury Set | Best Premium Option |
 | Rhode Island Novelty, 24 Packs | Best Bulk Buy |
However, if you do have time, let’s take a look at some of the greatest playing cards on the market. There are no cards that would be best for everyone, so you’ll have multiple choices, each one of them with its own set of benefits. This way, you’ll be able to find the perfect ones for you.
What to Look For?
So, what do you have to look for when you’re buying a new set of playing cards? Here are the three most important proprieties, in a set of playing cards:
- Price
- Quality (feel)
- Aesthetics
You probably want to get a good deal on your cards, so naturally the price of a set is important.
On the other hand, you don’t want to go for the cheapest set, as the quality most often takes a hit in these cases. Quality is very important — if you get low-quality cards, they can quickly become marked. Additionally, they also don’t feel that nice to touch, and they can be harder to shuffle. So you’ll certainly want to strike a fine balance between price and quality.
The final thing are aesthetics. They are very subjective — that’s true. Some people like their vanilla, classic look. Others prefer cards with unique and detailed designs. Whichever the case is for you, you’ll want to pay attention to how the cards look.
These three things have varying importance for different people. That’s why we’ll provide multiple options, each of which can excel in a different area. This way you’ll be able to find the best playing cards for you.
Anyway, let’s get to the list — we’re starting with a really solid option.
Best Playing Cards Overall: KEM Arrow
We’re starting at the top. KEM cards are simply the best playing cards you can get. They aren’t the cheapest ones, but you know what they say — you get what you pay for.
Everything from feel, design, and even smell is great on these cards. They make up for their higher price tag, with amazing durability. They can last for many games and even years. You can also very easily clean them, which is another plus.
You could buy a cheaper option, but cheaper cards are often less durable, and don’t shuffle as well. So you’re certainly better off with KEMs in the long run. With them, you’re getting cards of a high quality, that could potentially even last for a lifetime.
All in all, if you’re looking for a quality deck of cards, you can’t go wrong with KEMs.
Best Premium Playing Cards: Artisan Luxury Set
Here’s another great set of playing cards. These cards are still of the very high quality and very durable. What’s the difference between these and the KEMs we mentioned before? Well, these cards don’t have the classic design, which can be rather bland.
They have subtle but very delicate design, that looks absolutely amazing. On top of that, they arrive in a sturdy, nice looking wooden box. This makes sure that you won’t easily misplace them, and also makes them a great gift for any card game aficionado.
So if you’re looking for cards that aren’t just well-made, but also well looking, Artisan Luxury Set is certainly a splendid choice.
Best Playing Cards to Buy in Bulk: Rhode Island Novelty, 24 Packs
Do you need lots of playing cards for an event you’re organizing? Maybe you’re buying them as a small gift for a big group? Whichever is the case, if you require a lot of decks, Rhode Island Novelty has a solution.
Their bundle of 24 packs is real cheap. Some of the more premium decks would cost you more for a single pack, that what you’ll pay here — for 24 packs total. You can check their price on Amazon.
Of course the quality is nothing special, deck boxes are not meant for long term use, but the cards will serve you well enough. They are also great for craft projects.
Cool-Looking Playing Cards: Bierdorf Black Diamond
Some cards really stand out from the rest. This Black Diamond Edition from Solar Matrix is certainly one of those. They look (and feel) simply amazing.
Your friends will certainly be amazed when you’ll pull out these cards for the first time. However, don’t think slick look is the only thing they excel with. They are also:
- waterproof
- washable
- great on feel
- awesome to shuffle
- budget friendly
All in all, it’s a really great deck of playing cards, and you won’t be disappointed with it.
Another Great Design: Medieval Playing Cards
There are plenty of nice looking cards on the market. We already talked about a couple of them, but here’s another option. These cards are sold by Elephant Playing Cards. They have a big inventory, so make sure to check them out to find a design that suits you best.
If you wanted something unique and different from your usual playing cards, these cards can be the right choice for you. As the name suggests, they are going for that medieval feel with their hand illustrated designs.
Best Budget Playing Cards: Bicycle Single Deck
If you’re familiar with cards, you surly know the Bicycle brand. They are your standard playing cards, of regular quality. And they’re also very cheap.
So if you’re just looking for a simple cheap deck of cards, look no further. Yes, they are not the finest cards ever made, but if you just need them for a camping trip, for example — they’re perfect. You won’t mind if they get a bit dirty, since you really didn’t spend much on them.
Best Playing Cards With Big Numbers: Bicycle Jumbo
Bicycle Jumbo cards are actually the same size as your regular playing cards. However, there is one difference — the numbers and symbols are bigger and therefore more distinguishable.
Thanks to that, they are great for players who have trouble reading the numbers and symbols on the cards. So these are a great choice, especially for the elderly.
The cards’ quality is passable, but not the greatest. However, their price is fairly cheap, so you can probably just order an extra pack to have in case the first one gets damaged.
Best Small Playing Cards: Rhode Island Novelty Mini
If you’re looking for small cards, here’s a fine option. These mini cards are both cute and handy. Kids that have problems holding regular-sized cards, will definitely enjoy these. They’ll be able to hold all their cards with ease, which will make your family gaming night more fun.
Additionally, they are great for playing card games like solitaire, when you don’t have very much space. The same is true for travelling — they take almost no space at all.
Surprisingly enough, they are easy to shuffle despite their size and reasonably sturdy. They are also great for craft projects and building a house of cards. On top of that, you can get a whole pack of 24 of them for a really low price.
Conclusion
Anyway, that’s all about the best playing cards. Hopefully, this guide helped you chose the right ones for you. If you have a deck of cards, that you feel we should mention, tell us in the comments below and share it with our readers.
In case you’re looking to get playing cards as a gift, maybe some of the following articles might help you with that:
Until next time, may you have lots of fun playing with your new cards.
I am looking for a good deck, slightly smaller than the standard bicycle deck, I have a smaller hand, and like the smaller cards, often available in old days anywhere, cheaply.