When you think of a “deck of cards,” you might picture the standard 52-card poker deck... but not all decks are created equal! It makes sense that tarot decks, kids' quartett card games, and strategic climate education games for teens and adults would need different card counts. The number of cards in a deck influences gameplay, depth, and even how you learn. Let’s break it down.
How Many Cards Are in a Standard Deck?
A traditional playing card deck has 52 cards, divided into four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) with 13 cards each, plus usually 2 jokers. This classic setup is designed for games like poker, bridge, and solitaire. In euchre, you need 24 of the traditional deck's cards.
For canasta, you need 108 cards → 2 decks of 54.
How Many Cards Are in a Tarot Deck?
A full tarot deck has 78 cards, which include:
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22 Major Arcana: Archetypal cards like The Fool, The Magician, and Death.
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56 Minor Arcana: Four suits (Cups, Pentacles, Swords, Wands) similar to a playing card deck, but with extra court cards.
Some modern tarot decks (like our Club Tarot Deck) follow the traditional 78-card structure, while others (like our Ancestral Healing Tarot Deck) may include extra cards or reinterpretations for added symbolism.
Why it matters: A complete deck gives you the full symbolic range for readings, while smaller oracle decks offer focused themes (e.g., affirmation or healing decks).
How Many Cards Are in a Conversation Card Deck?
Depends on the deck! Conversation card games vary widely, but typically:
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30–60 cards: Great for icebreakers and party games.
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60+ cards: For deeper discussions and structured play.
For example, our A Little Less Awkward sex education conversation cards include 100 questions and activities designed to make parent-teen talks easier and more positive.
Why the Card Count Matters
The number of cards affects:
- Replayability: More cards = less repetition
- Game Length: Fewer cards mean quicker rounds, ideal for casual play.
- Depth & Complexity: Larger decks allow more strategic gameplay across rounds
- Learning & Education: Climate change is a huge topic... in Sinner or Saviour, we need all 60 cards to give a comprehensive lesson in carbon emissions!
Ready to Explore?
If you’re looking for queer playing cards, queer tarot cards, kid's quartett games, or climate education games, we've got you covered.
FAQs
Why do tarot decks have 78 cards?
Tarot decks following the Rider-Waite-Smith system typically have 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana, made up of four suits (Swords, Pentacles, Cups, Wands), which together create a graphic storyline of the Fool's Journey.
Are all tarot and oracle decks 78 cards?
Most RWS decks have 78 cards, but some indie decks add extra cards or remove certain suits for creative interpretation. There are other tarot systems as well, like Marseille and Thoth. And then there are Oracle Cards - which is a more flexible format and can be any number of cards!
How many cards are in a conversation card deck?
It varies... our sex education deck has 50 cards with 100 questions. That's enough. 😉
Does the number of cards affect gameplay?
Yes! More cards often mean longer play and less repetition. Fewer cards make for quicker, more casual sessions.
Which Polar Embassy decks have the most cards?
Our Ancestral Healing Tarot Deck has 83 cards, Club Tarot has 78 cards, and Sinner or Saviour includes 60 thoughtful questions for parents and teens.