Best Deck of Playing Cards for Poker: Plastic, Jumbo and 4-Colour Decks

Every poker night starts with the same thing: someone opens a deck of playing cards. It is the cheapest piece of your setup, yet you touch it on every single hand. A deck that sticks, bends or shows marks after one evening slows the game down and can even give away cards. In this guide we explain what makes a good deck of playing cards for poker: plastic or paper, 2 index or 4 index, regular or jumbo index, poker size or bridge size. We also share our favourite decks for home games, clubs and players who want something special.

Short answer: for poker, choose a deck of 100% plastic playing cards with a jumbo or 2-index print. Plastic cards are waterproof, do not bend and last far longer than paper. Our everyday pick is the Poker Merchant Plastic deck, the classic choice is Modiano Plastic, and for a standout table the Gilded Blades Premium deck is our most premium option. Always keep two decks on the table so one can be shuffled while the other is dealt.

What makes a good deck of playing cards for poker?

Poker is harder on cards than most card games. Cards are pitched across the felt, squeezed, riffled and shuffled hundreds of times a night. A good poker deck therefore needs four things:

• Durability: the cards stay flat and clean after many sessions, without creases or frayed edges that make a card recognisable.
• Easy to read: big, clear indices so every player can see their hole cards with a quick peek and read the board from across the table.
• Smooth handling: cards that slide easily when dealt and shuffle without clumping.
• Opaque cards: no light shining through, so nobody can see the value from the back.

Almost all of these points come down to one choice: the material.

Plastic vs paper playing cards

Most decks you find in a supermarket are made of paper or card stock with a coating. They are fine for a casual game, but poker players quickly notice the difference with 100% plastic cards.

Because one plastic deck outlives many paper decks, plastic is usually the better buy if you play more than a few times a year. Almost all decks in our poker playing cards collection are 100% plastic. Prefer the classic paper feel? The Bicycle Paper deck is available as well.

2 index, 4 index or jumbo index?

The index is the small value and suit printed in the corner of each card. It matters more than you might think, because in Texas Hold'em you only lift the corner of your cards to look at them.

2 index

The index is printed in two opposite corners. This is the classic layout and the most common in casinos. With a jumbo print, the index is large and easy to read from a distance.

4 index

The index appears in all four corners, so you can read the card however you pick it up. Left-handed players often like this. The Lazar 2210 Plastic 4 Index is a good example.

Jumbo index

A jumbo deck of cards has an oversized index, which makes the cards easy to read for every player, also for those who prefer not to wear glasses at the table. Many poker rooms use jumbo index cards for the board. Try the Bicycle Jumbo (paper) or the Poker Merchant Jumbo Plastic in a 12-pack.

Four-colour decks

In a standard deck, hearts and diamonds are red and spades and clubs are black. In a four-colour deck every suit has its own colour, usually with blue diamonds and green clubs. That makes flushes much easier to spot and prevents costly misreads, especially late at night. The COPAG Plastic 4 Colored Deck is a popular choice for players who already know four-colour decks from online poker.

Poker size or bridge size?

Poker size cards are slightly wider than bridge size cards. The wider card is the standard for poker, because it feels natural in your hand and is easy to read on the table. Bridge size cards are narrower, which makes them easier to hold when you have many cards in your hand, as in bridge or rummy. Some players also like them for poker variants with four or more hole cards, such as Omaha. If that is your game, take a look at the Lazar Bridge Size Plastic deck.

Best deck of playing cards for poker: our picks

All decks below are available in our shop. Check the product page for the current price in your currency.

Best value: Poker Merchant Plastic

Our own Poker Merchant Plastic deck is made of 100% plastic, waterproof and resistant to bending and tearing. With a red and a black deck you always have a pair ready to alternate. Playing every week? The 12-pack with jumbo index keeps you stocked for a long time.

The classic: Modiano Plastic

Modiano Plastic cards have a traditional design with a crisp print and shuffle smoothly. They come in many back colours, from black and dark blue to orange, purple and green, so you can give every table or every tournament level its own colour.

Most premium: Gilded Blades

The Gilded Blades Premium deck combines 100% waterproof plastic with a luxurious gold and black design and a striking tuck box. Each card has extra texture for better grip and control. A great gift and a real eye-catcher on a premium table.

How many decks do you need?

For a home game, buy at least two decks with different back colours. While the dealer deals with one deck, another player shuffles the other one. That saves time on every hand. Running a club, a league or several tables? A 12-pack is the most affordable way to buy cards per deck, and it lets you replace decks regularly so no card ever becomes recognisable. Most of our decks, such as Modiano and Lazar, are also sold in 12-packs.

Complete your setup

A good deck of playing cards gets even better with the right accessories:

• Automatic Standard Card Shuffler: one press and it shuffles and stops automatically. Wireless with a rechargeable battery.
• Automatic Advanced Card Shuffler: shuffles and deals the cards evenly to every player, clockwise or counterclockwise. See all card shufflers.
• Cut Card Poker Merchant: keeps the bottom card hidden while dealing.
• Premium Leather Case for Deck of Cards: faux leather with a snap closure, protects your favourite deck on the go.
• Poker Mat Deluxe Black 180x90: a smooth felt surface where cards slide easily and chips stack neatly. More options in our poker mats.
• Dealer Button Classic: shows who deals and who posts the blinds.

Our advice: which deck of playing cards should you buy?

• Regular home games: two decks of Poker Merchant Plastic or Modiano Plastic in different colours.
• Clubs and leagues: a 12-pack of Fournier 2800 or Poker Merchant Jumbo, plus a cut card.
• Fewer misreads: the COPAG 4 Colored Deck.
• A premium table or a gift: Gilded Blades Premium in a leather case.

Still need chips to go with your cards? Read our guide on what poker chip set to buy or our overview of the best poker sets. Ready to choose your deck? Browse all poker playing cards and find the deck that suits your table.