Playing Cards
Playing cards is a highly flexible form of entertainment. It's easy to see why card playing remains such a popular activity. Some of the most popular card games include Poker, Bridge, Auction, Rummy, Hearts, and Solitaire. According to some estimates, there are as many as 10,000 different card games in existence, allowing everyone to find a strong suit.
Cards are not used only for games. As any magician knows, cards can be used to shock an audience with a mystifying magic trick.
Card games are often played with a standard deck, consisting of four suits: clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds.
Standard card decks consist of 52 cards in total, plus two Jokers. Today, many decks are customized to suit certain tastes, interests, and purposes. The 'Iraqi Most Wanted' deck of cards became a hot commodity after the Pentagon produced copies for U.S. Special Forces in Iraq and for the media.
Playing cards can be purchased in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. High quality cards (often made with special coating) generally last much longer than less expensive decks; they are also more easily handled and shuffled.
Card players of all ages and skill levels may be interested in useful card playing accessories, including automatic card shufflers and card holders.