How to choose a good Spanish deck of cards

To choose a good Spanish deck, look for a 48-card pack that lets you play any game, made from card stock with an opaque core, or plastic if you play a lot. A good finish helps the cards glide, while large indices make them easier to read if there are older players at the table. Buy two packs if you want to play with one while the other is being shuffled.

40 or 48 cards

A 48-card pack includes the 8s and 9s. If a game calls for 40 cards, simply remove them; you can’t do it the other way round. We explain this in the differences between 40-card and 48-card decks.

The material

• Card stock: the most common option. Look for cards that stay opaque when held up to the light; we cover this in how modern playing cards are made.
• Plastic: more expensive, but very long-lasting and washable.

The finish

A good varnish helps the cards slide smoothly when shuffling and stops them sticking together. If they catch when you fan them out, that’s a bad sign.

Size and indices

You can get standard-sized packs, pocket-sized packs and packs with large indices. If you’re playing with grandparents or at a poorly lit table, large indices are a real blessing.

The design

A classic design is always a safe choice, but there are also beautiful artist-designed and themed decks. For ideas, take a look at our digital decks. Once you have your pack, follow our tips on how to look after a deck of cards.