If you're just starting out playing poker, one of the first things you'll need to buy are a few decks of cards. Not all decks are created equal, though, and there are a few things to learn about the kinds of cards before you shuffle up and deal.
Paper or Plastic?
There are actually three different kinds of materials playing cards are made of: plastic, vinyl, and paper. Plastic cards are the most durable, highest quality cards and are used in almost all casinos. Vinyl cards are a good, slightly cheaper choice, though they will bend and won't last as long as the 100% plastic cards. Paper is the cheapest and least durable -- the corners will fold, and you'll have to get new ones often. But in a pinch, paper cards are better than none.Consider the Design
Before you select a deck, you want to think about both the design of the back and front of the deck. The back, ideally, should have white borders, because it makes it hard for card mechanics to bottom-deal or otherwise cheat. The simpler the back's design, the harder it is to mark the cards, again preventing cheating. As for the front, pick cards that are easy to read even from a distance of five feet, so that players seated anywhere at the table can tell what suits and numbers are showing.Novelty Cards
To add some fun to the game, you might want to add a deck that adds some flair to the design. Especially for lighter home games, it can be pretty entertaining to use a "most wanted" deck, cards adorned with pin-up girls or guys, or even one of the new "invisible" decks.
