In the world of playing cards, there are some big names and recognizable entities like United States Playing Cards and their Bicycle brand of playing cards. Other leading figures in the industry include successful publishing companies like European-based Cartamundi. There are also several smaller Taiwan-based manufacturers that have been making an impact, such as Legends…
Trying to find something fun for just two people can be a bit daunting. If you are well acquainted with your partner then you might find yourself at ease, but breaking the ice with a new potential friend can be a whole different story. Many activities that can occupy two people, like watching a movie,…
Who are Tom and Judy Dawson? Once in a while, while traversing the wilds of the internet, you unexpectedly come across an outstanding resource. That’s exactly what happened to me when I came across a fantastic video featuring playing card collectors Tom and Judy Dawson, where they talk about playing cards as part of a…
In previous articles we’ve taken a look at some well-known brands and well-known playing card manufacturers. We’ve also focused on a few well-known playing card designers and creators like Alex Chin (Seasons Playing Cards) and Randy Butterfield (Midnight Playing Cards). In this article I want to introduce you to a lesser known designer, although perhaps…
The Amazing Colour Changing Card Trick To start off, I need you to do a quick exercise. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult, and I promise you’re going to love this. I want you to watch this short video clip called the “Colour Changing Card Trick” which starts with a blue-backed deck of playing cards. Some…
Who is Steve Brooks? Steve Brooks can best be described as a man who wears many hats, and has a wide range of interests. He makes his living from various sources, including the running of The Magic Cafe, which is arguably the most well-known and highly populated forum for magicians on the internet. Besides that, he’s…
Playing solitaire with a traditional deck of playing cards is a pastime that goes back a couple of hundred years. But the birth of the personal computer injected new life into these classic games, and the digital revolution has helped bring solitaire card games to a whole new audience. Chiefly responsible for this development is software giant…
In a previous article I covered some of the benefits of playing a digital versions of solitaire. But of the many apps that are out there for playing digital solitaire, which ones are the best, particularly if you have an iPad or iPhone? That’s what I’ll be focusing on in this article. But don’t stop reading if…
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: An Essential Guide for Newbies Welcome to the hobby of collecting playing cards! Welcome to the wonderful hobby of collecting playing cards! There will be many old-timers who are reading this, and who have already been collecting playing cards for years. Associations and clubs devoted to collectors of playing cards…
Playing cards really started blossoming more than six centuries ago, after arriving in Western Europe in the late 1300s. So what was the huge catalyst that was key to spread throughout Europe and eventually around the world? Card games. Solitaire card games, however, only began making a lasting mark after experiencing a boom in development…