How to Choose Large Print Playing Cards for Seniors
We may earn a commission from qualifying eBay purchases. We don't test products; this guide explains what to look for.
Good large print cards let you read your hand without lifting it to your nose. A few words on the box tell you most of what you need. Here is what they mean, and a few helpers that make a long game easier on the hands.
Jumbo index, large print and giant cards
These words get mixed up, so it helps to know the difference.
| Label | What it usually means | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo index | Normal size card with bigger corner numbers and suit marks. | Most players who want an easier read. |
| Large print | Numbers even bigger than jumbo index. Sizes vary by maker. | Low vision or reading across a table. |
| Giant or jumbo cards | The whole card is bigger. | Reading from a distance. Harder to hold a full hand. |
For most people, large print playing cards or jumbo index playing cards in a normal card size are the easiest to hold and to read. Look at the photos. The best sign is a big, bold number you can read from the photo alone.
Bridge size or poker size
Both are 3.5 inches tall. Poker size is 2.5 inches wide and bridge size is 2.25 inches wide. That quarter inch matters when you hold 13 cards or more. Bridge size fans out more easily in a smaller hand. If you play bridge, canasta or rummy with big hands, try bridge size large print cards. Pinochle uses its own 48-card deck, and large print pinochle decks are sold too.
Four colors and plastic cards
Four-color decks give each suit its own color, often blue for diamonds and green for clubs, so you do not mix up a heart and a diamond. Some players love them. Others find them confusing after decades of red and black. If you are buying a gift, ask first, or get one of each.
Plastic cards last much longer than paper ones, wipe clean and do not crease easily. Paper cards with a coating cost less and are easy to replace.
Card holders: no more aching hands
Holding a fan of cards for an hour can tire anyone's hands. A card holder stands your hand up on the table so you only pick up the card you play. There are wooden trays with a slot, round plastic discs that hold cards in a fan, and long racks for a big canasta hand. For a hand of 13 or more, look for a longer tray. Search playing card holders and check the photos for how many cards it holds.
Card shufflers
An automatic shuffler mixes the deck for you, which helps when shuffling has become hard. Check three things in the listing: how many decks it takes at once (one, two or more), whether it fits bridge or poker size cards, and what batteries it needs. Many shufflers are made for regular paper or plastic cards and may not fit cards in sleeves. Search automatic card shufflers to compare.
What to skip
- Fancy art decks for daily play. Pretty faces often have small, decorative numbers.
- Giant cards for hand games. Great for reading, hard to hold 13 at once.
- Decks with no photo of the card face. You need to see the corner numbers before you buy.
Play a hand free first
Want to see what big, easy-to-read cards feel like? Our free Klondike Solitaire uses big, easy-to-read cards, and Rummy 500, Gin Rummy and Cribbage play free in the browser too. For game night at the table, print a free score sheet with big boxes to write in.
Quick checklist
- Read the corner number in the listing photo.
- Jumbo index or large print, in a normal card size.
- Bridge size for big hands, poker size for most games.
- Ask before buying a four-color deck as a gift.
- Plastic lasts longer; coated paper costs less.
- Card holder: check how many cards it holds.
- Shuffler: number of decks, card size, batteries.
Questions
What is the difference between jumbo index and large print cards?
Jumbo index cards are normal size with bigger corner numbers. Large print cards usually have even bigger numbers. Giant cards are bigger cards overall.
Are bridge size cards easier to hold?
They are a quarter inch narrower than poker size, so a big hand fans out more easily, especially in smaller hands.
Do card shufflers work with plastic cards?
Many do, but check the listing. Also check the card size it takes and how many decks it holds.