Gaming Cards

A card game is played with a deck, or pack of cards intended for that game. In gambling a deck of cards is used. Because they are both standard and commonly available.

In a deck there is a fixed number of pieces of printed cardboard known as cards. The cards in a deck are identical in size and shape. Each card has two sides, the face and the back. The backs of the cards in a deck are indistinguishable. The faces of the cards in a deck may all be unique, or may include duplicates, depending on the game. In either case, any card is readily identifiable by its face. The set of cards that make up the deck are known to all of the players using that deck.

The front (or Face) of each card carries markings that distinguish it from the other cards and determine its use under the rules of the game being played, the back of each card is identical for all cards usually a plain color or abstract design. In most games, the cards are assembled into a deck, and their order is randomized by shuffling.