Playing Cards - Paper vs. Plastic
R Mongoose
The same common supermarket question exists in the poker world
as well. When it comes to playing cards there are two choices,
paper or plastic.
Paper Playing Cards
Paper cards are the cards most people use growing up. They are
cheap, easy to find, and most people are accustomed to their
texture, thickness, and flexibility.
Paper cards are usually made of one to three plys of card stock
covered in a varnish. This coating protects the cards, but it is
not able to withstand everything.
The coating wears off as cards are shuffled and handled.
Eventually the coating becomes thin enough that the cards are
too difficult to comfortably handle and they need to be
replaced.
The coating does not stand up to liquids well. Spilling a drink
on a card will most likely ruin it. And, paper cards are not
washable, so soap and water is not an option for removing
cheese puff residue or any other dirt that the cards might
attract.
Paper cards are not very flexible either. It is not difficult
for a player to, either accidentally or on purpose, leave
creases or marks on the cards. This immediately ruins the card
for serious play, and often requires a new deck to be brought
out.
Plastic Cards
Plastic cards do not suffer from the same drawbacks as paper
ones. First of all, they are very slick. That slickness does
not wear away in the same manner as it does on paper cards.
They will shuffle and slide easily for tournament after cash
game after tournament.
Plastic cards are incredibly flexible and will snap back to
form after bending. This means that they can endure more player
abuse and not become creased or marked.
And finally plastic cards can be washed. If they become soiled
in any way, soap and water will clean them, not ruin them. Of
course that means they stand up to wet picnic tables and
spilled ice teas as well.
Many makes of plastic cards do not have a texture or feel that
resembles paper cards. Often they are too slippery for less
than nimble hands to shuffle. They can also feel flimsy when
compared to paper cards.
Since many people are accustomed to the feel of paper cards,
they are uncomfortable handling plastic cards and would prefer
to replace decks more frequently than to make the switch. The
truth is that because plastic cards last so much longer than
paper ones, they are a much cheaper option per play than paper
cards.
As in all things, there is give and take in deciding which type
of card is best for you. Purchasing a deck of premium plastic
cards is more of a commitment because they cost more and last
longer. Paper cards are for many a comfortable short-term
solution.
About The Author: Mongoose is a poker enthusiast who has
recently taken a keen interest in the cards themselves. He is
also a webmaster whose work can be seen at Playing Cards.
http://www.online-poker-rules.net/playing-cards.html
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