Standard Deck of Playing Cards
The most widely known and used deck of cards is the standard deck of playing cards. This deck consists of 52 cards, and it is used for popular card games like Poker, Rummy, and Blackjack. The standard playing card deck is divided into four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. Each suit has thirteen ranks: ace, 2 to 10, and face cards (jack, queen, and king).
The Deck of Tarot Cards
Tarot cards, often associated with divination and fortune-telling, also have a distinct deck size. A traditional tarot deck consists of 78 cards. This deck is larger than a standard playing card deck and contains both the 52 cards for playing and an additional 22 cards known as the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana cards depict significant events and archetypes.
Collectible Card Game (CCG) Decks
Collectible Card Games (CCGs) have gained popularity over the years. Games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon require players to build decks from their vast collections of unique cards. The size of CCG decks varies depending on the game’s rules and restrictions. Common deck sizes for CCGs can range from 40 to 60 cards per deck.
Custom Deck Variations
Besides the standard decks and CCG decks, there are countless other variations of decks, each designed for specific card games or purposes. Some games may require specialized decks with custom card counts and unique card designs. For example, some traditional card games from different countries may have specific deck sizes and suits that are not found in standard playing card decks.
The Bottom Line
So, how many cards are in a deck? The answer depends on the type of game you want to play. Standard playing card decks consist of 52 cards, tarot decks include 78 cards, and CCG decks vary from game to game. Custom decks can have any number of cards depending on their purpose. Next time you reach for a deck of cards, remember that the card count is not universal, and it can vary greatly depending on the game you intend to play.
- Standard deck of playing cards – 52 cards
- Traditional tarot deck – 78 cards
- CCG decks – 40 to 60 cards (varying by game)
- Custom decks – various card counts depending on purpose