What Is Bridge Size For Cards?

[ALEN-TNT]

That's my question exactly, for cards what is bridge size? Can someone post pics of bridhe size compared to regular and wide index? Thanks.

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-TNT

[Prettey Toney]

I think that bridge size cards are 3 1/4" wide versus the "wide" size which are 3 1/2" wide.

Bridge size cards are dealt in many poker rooms around the globe.

I'd post pic, but it's basically a 1/4" difference.

[tomb1]

Two different things going on here.

1. Size -- "bridge" size is smaller in width (2-1/4") and was traditionally used for (duh!) playing bridge. This is the "regular" size. Cards were sold in sets of two with two different colors for bridge games. However today, most casino cardrooms actually use this smaller size for poker games.

"Poker" size is the name given to the cards that are 1/4" wider (2-1/2"). This is the "wide" size. At most casinos, this is the size used for blackjack and other table games, but not for poker. Go figure.

For home games, either size works (though lots of people have an opinion about which is better!).

2. You also mentioned "index," which is how the face of the card is designed. Regular index is the traditional card design, and super index (SI) has larger type around the edges and usually a box in the middle with the suites or faces. Super index is easier to see from farther away, but regular index is easier to see your pocket cards without lifting the edge up too much (so someone else could see). (And I'll ignore magnum and European.)

And here's an explanation with pictures:
http://www.kem.com/kemorder.html

[Prettey Toney]

I think that bridge size cards are 3 1/4" wide versus the "wide" size which are 3 1/2" wide.

Bridge size cards are dealt in many poker rooms around the globe.

I'd post pic, but it's basically a 1/4" difference.

Yeah, 2" not 3, my bad

bridge size are smaller so that you (especially little old ladies with small arthritic hands) can hold multiple cards in your hand without "fumbling" them in games like bridge, rummy, etc.

[R Deckard]

I think the best reason to play poker with bridge size vs. poker size is that the bridge size rectangle has a greater aspect ratio which makes them easier to "square up" (by laying the deck on its long edge) after scrambling the deck on the table. In other words, a bridge-size card standing on end sticks out more (1/4" more, in fact) from the side of the deck than does a poker-size card. Poker-size cards are closer to being squares and I find them a bit harder to square up, IMO. Also, I think the bridge size are easier to shuffle as well.

I recall reading somewhere that the intent of poker size was to make a card harder to palm or hide up your sleeve by making the card bigger. Not sure how true this is, though.

[cowtown]

I find the bridge size were a little more awkward to shuffle at first but I got used to them.

I was playing with some friends Copag's he just got while I was waiting for mine to show up. I dealt in back to back games using Copaq Bridge size the first game and Copaq Poker size the next. I'd say that I preferred the Poker ones only because they didn't flex as much as the bridge sized ones, though I certainly don't mind my bridge sized ones that I got later. The only thing is oddly enough the chicks in our group find the bridge size awkward to shuffle? I have a set of poker size ones coming in for just such occasions.

[R Deckard]

The only thing is oddly enough the chicks in our group find the bridge size awkward to shuffle?

. . .and they say that size doesn't matter to chicks. . .

(someone must have seen that one coming, I couldn't resist, though)

[Cyberhwk]

I recall reading somewhere that the intent of poker size was to make a card harder to palm or hide up your sleeve by making the card bigger. Not sure how true this is, though.

I've heard the same.