Most specialised hobbies have their own terminology, and playing cards are no different. They cover not just one or two but multiple other hobbies, such as magic tricks, card games, cardistry, and gambling. Not only that, but playing cards also come in numerous variations, like custom playing cards, marked cards, plastic playing cards, waterproof playing cards, and limited edition playing cards.

Most of you reading this probably would have some experience with playing cards and familiarity with standard terms. The world of playing cards is huge. There are many ways to refer to the same thing regarding cards. Therefore, there are different types of playing cards and various terminologies for them.

Playing Cards Terminology

Are you using the right playing cards terminology? Do you want to improve your vocabulary when it comes to playing cards and gain better knowledge? Are you willing to become a MASTER of the playing cards terms?

If yes, you’ve come to the right place. We are here to help. This article is aimed at helping everyone from a beginner to a ‘know it all.’ Hopefully, it helps you in becoming better acquainted with such words and probably a step closer to becoming an established card connoisseur.

With that, let’s get started with the list of Playing Card Terms we have listed below.

Popular Playing Card Terms

  • Ace: The top best card of each suit in a deck.
  • Black Queen: The Queen of Spades.
  • Bridge-size: A narrow-size playing card with a width of 2.25 inches and a height of 3.5 inches.
  • Joker: The extra card that comes with a 52-card deck, generally 2 jokers are included with most decks like Bicycle Playing Cards, Black Box Playing Cards, etc.
  • Deuce: A card with two pips, i.e., duggi (2) in Hindi.
  • Cellophane: The protective plastic shrink-wrap that most decks of playing cards are wrapped in.
  • Coating: The protective coating applied on the playing cards as part of the printing process also aids in the improved handling of the playing cards.
  • Court cards: Kings, Queens, and Jacks. Also known as "face cards."
  • Deck: A pack of playing cards containing 52 cards & 2 jokers.
  • Fanning powder: A white powder is applied to the cards to improve handling by reducing friction between the cards.
  • Finish: The type of coating and texture on the surface of a playing card, typically on both sides of the card, for an enhanced feel.
  • Index: The number/letter and suit symbol in the corner of a card shows its suit and value.
  • Marked: A deck that has secret marks inbuilt into the design of the card back, aiding in identifying the cards without looking at the faces, is preferred by magicians.
  • Number Cards: As opposed to courts, also called "pip cards" or "spot cards."
  • One-way: A back design that isn't symmetrical, so when a single card is rotated in the other direction, it can be easily identified.
  • Pack: A deck of playing cards, usually 52 cards plus two Jokers.
  • Pasteboards: Another term for playing cards originated from the time when card front and back were pasted together.
  • Picture cards: Kings, Queens, and Jacks, also called "court cards" or "face cards."
  • Pip: The large suit symbols on a card (Spade, Club, Heart, or Diamond).
  • Pip value: The numerical value of a card.
  • Poker-size: A playing card with a width of 2.5 inches and a height of 3.5 inches.
  • Deck Seal: The sticker is used to seal a box of playing cards.
  • Spot UV: A printing process that adds a clear gloss coating to selected parts of a card or tuck box, adding a shiny glossy effect to that area.
  • Substrate: The type of paper or card stock used for manufacturing a deck of cards.
  • Suicide King: King of Hearts derives its name from the orientation of the sword held by the king.
  • Suit: The 4 suits or tikkas in a deck, i.e., Clubs, Hearts, Spades, and Diamonds.
  • Tuck Box: Another term for "playing card box" or “single carton” holds one entire deck, i.e., 52 cards + 2 jokers.

But Wait! There’s More…

Hope you had a good time reading this, and we hope this aided in expanding your knowledge about terms used in playing cards. Stay tuned for the next blog we will be dropping, related to terms related to playing card games.

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Vivek Singhi