Let's Talk Playing Cards...!

No one would ever believe that the ordinary playing card has such a long and interesting history, but it does.

It must be a fairly profitable business to make the cards and it is watched fairly closely to make sure that all the guidelines for manufacturing are followed.

Snap

Fact: It is glue, not plastic, that makes playing cards “snap”.

Contrary to popular belief, it is glue that makes playing cards snap, not plastic. Quality playing cards are known for their feel, spring and snap. The tension and elasticity is important for the durability and feel of each card. But while cards feature a plastic coating (usually dimpled, to give a little bit of a slide), it’s layers of glue that give each card its backbone. 

Each card is like an Oreo, where laminated sheets of cardboard are the cookies and glue is the cream filling. The combination provides a curiously strong, thin and pliant piece of paper perfect for a shuffle or a trick. 

Bonus detail: The plastic surface on the paper does not completely enclose each card. The sheets of cardboard are laminated before the gluing process. You can spill a drop of water directly on the center for a few seconds without ruining the card, but if the water gets to the edge? Ruined. The water seeps into the card’s paper like a sponge.

Who would have ever guessed that cards had so many facets to look for? Certainly not me. I found this article over at Listverse.

Coffee outside on the patio this morning