100% plastic poker cards have become the standard for clubs, casinos and serious home games. Tear-proof, washable and unaffected by moisture, they keep their slide and their shape for hundreds of games, whereas a paper deck gets marked within a few evenings. But not all plastic cards are equal: index size and number, backs with or without a border, colour choice, stiffness, packaging… Copag, Modiano, Fournier, Bicycle or our own Cartes-Production range: here is the complete comparison to help you pick the right deck for your table.
Why play poker with 100% plastic cards?
A poker card goes through a lot: it is shuffled, dealt, slid across the felt, lifted by the corner, thrown into the muck and sometimes bent by a nervous player. A paper card, even a coated one, eventually gets dog-eared, warped or slightly marked. And in poker, a single recognisable card is enough to ruin the game.
100% PVC plastic cards solve this problem:
- Lifespan: one plastic deck replaces dozens of paper decks. Over time it is the most economical option, even if the purchase price is higher.
- Durability: no tearing, no permanent creases, no peeling corners. The card returns to its shape after being bent.
- Hygiene: the cards can be cleaned with clean water or a damp cloth. A spilled drink is no longer a disaster.
- Consistent slide: the smooth surface behaves the same way from the first game to the hundredth, which makes the dealer's job easier.
The trade-off: a plastic card is slightly stiffer in the hand and takes a few games to get used to if you come from linen-finish cards. For any table that plays more than once a month, plastic is the obvious choice.
Poker size: 63 x 88 mm, the only size that matters
All the cards in this guide are poker size, about 63 x 88 mm. Wider than standard cards, they are easier to read when lying on the felt and easier to pick up. This is the size used at Texas Hold'em and Omaha tables and in every tournament.
Decks usually contain 55 cards: the 52 playing cards, two or three jokers and sometimes an advertising card or a cut card. Jokers are not used in Hold'em, but they come in handy as a temporary replacement if a card is damaged or lost.
What makes the difference between two plastic decks
Index size: jumbo or standard
The index is the value and suit printed in the corners. It is what players look at when they lift their cards, and what the whole table reads when cards are turned face up.
- Jumbo index: enlarged value and suit, readable at a glance even from the far end of a 10-player table. It is the reference index for poker, used in almost every tournament.
- Standard (regular) index: classic-size symbols, more discreet. The choice of players who prefer a traditional look with the court cards clearly visible in the centre.
In practice: choose jumbo for a club table, a tournament or players of all ages, and standard for a private table where the classic style is preferred.
Number of indexes: 2 or 4
- 2 indexes: one index in two opposite corners. This is the most common layout.
- 4 indexes: one index in each corner. You can read your cards whichever corner you lift, which is very convenient for left-handed players and for players who "squeeze" their cards without turning them over.
The 4 jumbo index layout combines both advantages: excellent readability and reading from any corner. It is the layout used by Modiano Cristallo, Copag 4 Index and our Cartes-Production cards.
The back: with or without a white border
This detail changes both the look of the deck and how it is used:
- Back with a white border: the design is framed by a white edge. This is the classic casino style. The border hides small printing offsets and makes it harder to identify a card from its back.
- Borderless (full) back: the design or colour covers the whole surface. It looks more modern and the colour of the deck can be seen from a distance, which is very handy for telling two decks apart.
Back colours: how much choice?
A well-equipped poker table uses two decks with different backs: while one deck is dealt, the other is shuffled. Contrasting back colours prevent the two decks from being mixed up by mistake. For a club with several tables, having one colour per table also makes storing and checking decks easier. The number of colours available varies enormously from brand to brand: from 2 colours with most manufacturers to 10 colours with Modiano.
Packaging: single deck, duo or brick
Decks are sold individually, as a duo pack (two back colours, ready for one table), in a gift box or in a brick of 12 or 14 decks. A brick significantly lowers the price per deck: it is the go-to solution for clubs, associations and tournament organisers.
Comparison of 100% plastic poker card brands
| Deck | Index | No. of indexes | Back | Back colours | Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartes-Production | Jumbo | 4 | Borderless | Red, black | Single deck |
| Modiano Cristallo | Jumbo | 4 | Borderless | 10 colours | Single deck, pack of 10, brick of 14 |
| Modiano Texas Poker Hold'em | Jumbo | 2 | With border | 10 colours | Single deck, pack of 10, brick of 14 |
| Copag Texas Hold'em Gold | Jumbo | 2 | With border | Two-tone, red | Single deck, gift box, brick of 12 |
| Copag 4 Index | Jumbo | 4 | With border | Blue, red | Single deck |
| Copag WSOP | Jumbo | 2 | With border | 2 decks per box | Box of 2 decks, hard case |
| Fournier Titanium Series Jumbo | Jumbo | 2 | With border | Red, black | Single deck, duo, brick of 12 |
| Fournier Titanium Series Standard | Standard | 4 | With border | Red, black | Single deck, duo, brick of 12 |
| Fournier EPT | Jumbo | 2 | With border | Red, blue | Single deck, brick of 12 |
| Bicycle Prestige | Jumbo | 2 | With border | Blue, red | Single deck, duo, brick of 12 |
Cartes-Production: the best value for money
Our own range was designed as an equivalent to Modiano Cristallo, at the lowest price in our plastic catalogue. Cartes-Production cards are 100% plastic, poker size, with 4 jumbo indexes, American court cards and a full borderless back in red or black. One red and one black deck make the ideal pair for a table.
Who is it for? Clubs and associations equipping several tables, casino event organisers and any player who wants 4 jumbo index plastic cards without paying big-brand prices.
See Cartes-Production cards · red · black
Modiano: the widest choice of colours
Italian manufacturer Modiano makes plastic cards with a supple finish and very sharp printing. Its great strength is its colour range: 10 back colours for each of its two poker ranges (blue, dark blue, red, green, dark green, black, grey, orange, purple, brown). You will not find a wider choice for giving each table in a club its own colour.
Modiano Cristallo
The reference for 4 jumbo index cards with a full borderless back. The Cristallo is very popular in casinos and tournaments: instant reading from any corner and a back colour visible from afar. Available as single decks, in packs of 10 decks or in bricks of 14 decks of the same colour.
Modiano Cristallo · brick of 14 decks
Modiano Texas Poker Hold'em
The 2 jumbo index version with a white-bordered back, in a more classic casino style. Same 10 colours and same packaging options as the Cristallo. How to choose: the Cristallo for the comfort of 4 indexes, the Texas Poker for a traditional look.
Modiano Texas Poker Hold'em · all Modiano cards
Copag: the tournament reference
Copag, a Brazilian brand now part of Cartamundi, rose to prominence with the poker boom and equipped major tournaments for many years. Its cards, made in Europe, are known for their stiffness and longevity.
Copag Texas Hold'em Gold
The brand's best-seller: 2 jumbo indexes, white-bordered back with the gold Texas Hold'em design. It comes in a two-tone version and a red version. It is the deck you see most often on club tables. Available as single decks, in a brick of 12 decks (11 + 1 free) and in a gift box with a metal card guard, a popular gift idea.
Copag Texas Hold'em Gold · red version · brick 11 + 1 · gift box with card guard
Copag 4 Index
Copag's 4 jumbo index version, in blue or red, with a bordered back. The two colours make a perfect pair for one table. It is Copag's alternative to the Modiano Cristallo for players who prefer a bordered back.
Copag WSOP
A box of 2 decks with 2 jumbo indexes in a rigid plastic case that protects the cards when travelling. The ideal format as a gift or to take your own cards to a tournament.
Copag WSOP box · all Copag cards
Fournier: the only choice for standard indexes
Fournier, the historic Spanish manufacturer, supplies many casinos around the world. Its plastic cards are made in Europe.
Fournier Titanium Series
The range comes in two versions, each in red or black with a bordered back:
- Titanium Series Jumbo: 2 jumbo indexes, the classic poker layout.
- Titanium Series Standard: 4 standard indexes. It is the only deck in our plastic selection with classic-size indexes, for players who want a traditional-looking card while reading from every corner.
Both versions are available as single decks, as a red and black duo pack and in a brick of 12 decks.
Titanium Jumbo · Titanium Standard · Jumbo duo pack · Standard duo pack
Fournier EPT
The deck bearing the colours of the European Poker Tour: 2 jumbo indexes, bordered back, in red or blue. Available as single decks or in a brick of 12 decks.
Fournier EPT red · blue · all Fournier cards
Bicycle Prestige: plastic from the legendary brand
Bicycle is best known for its linen-finish cards, but the Prestige range is 100% plastic. It keeps the Bicycle look, with 2 jumbo indexes and a bordered back in blue or red. It is the right choice for fans of the brand who want the durability of plastic. Available as single decks, as a duo pack and in a brick of 12 decks.
Bicycle Prestige blue · red · duo pack · brick of 12
Which deck for which use?
| Use | Our recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Club with several tables | Modiano Cristallo or Texas Poker in bricks of 14 | 10 colours to identify each table, lower price per deck |
| Tight budget, heavy use | Cartes-Production red + black | 4 jumbo indexes at the lowest price |
| Tournament, casino style | Copag Texas Hold'em Gold or Fournier EPT | 2 jumbo indexes, bordered back, the tournament table standard |
| Left-handed players, squeezers | Modiano Cristallo, Copag 4 Index, Cartes-Production | 4 jumbo indexes, readable from every corner |
| Traditional look | Fournier Titanium Series Standard | The only plastic deck with standard indexes |
| Gift | Copag WSOP box or Copag gift box with card guard | Premium presentation, protective case |
| Home game with friends | Bicycle Prestige or Fournier Titanium duo pack | Two colours ready to play, one table equipped in one purchase |
How many decks do you need?
- Home game: 2 decks of different colours per table, plus a spare deck.
- Club: 2 decks per table and a replacement stock. A brick of 12 or 14 decks equips 6 to 7 tables.
- Tournament: plan to change decks at each major stage (the final table, for example). With plastic, retired decks can be reused for cash games or practice.
Looking after your plastic cards
- Cleaning: a slightly damp microfibre cloth, possibly with a drop of mild soap, then dry each card immediately. No solvents or alcohol, which dull the printing.
- Drying: lay the cards flat, never on a radiator. Strong heat can warp PVC.
- Storage: in their case, flat, away from sunlight. When travelling, a rigid case is best.
- Checking: inspect the deck from time to time. If one card is marked or warped, the whole deck must be replaced.
- Cut card: always use one. It protects the bottom card of the deck and stops it from being seen.
Complete your poker table
Quality plastic cards deserve matching equipment: discover our poker chips and poker tables, as well as our guides to choosing a casino mat and a casino table. Our full card selection is on the poker cards page.
Frequently asked questions
Are 100% plastic poker cards really tear-proof?
Yes. PVC does not tear and does not keep permanent creases in normal use. Only strong heat or a sharp object can damage them.
What is the difference between a jumbo index and a standard index?
A jumbo index shows the value and suit in large print in the corners, for instant reading on the table. A standard index is smaller and more discreet. In poker, jumbo is the most widely used.
2 indexes or 4 indexes: which should I choose?
A 4 index card shows the value in all four corners: you can read your card whichever corner you lift, which is handy for left-handed players. 2 indexes remain the most common layout in tournaments.
Which brand offers the most back colours?
Modiano, with 10 back colours for both the Cristallo and the Texas Poker Hold'em. It is the ideal brand for giving each table in a club its own colour.
How do you clean plastic poker cards?
With a slightly damp microfibre cloth, possibly with a little mild soap, then dry them immediately. Avoid solvents, alcohol and heat sources.