8 decks of Playing Cards for Sight Impaired Card Players
Standard decks of Playing Cards are often not suitable for people who are sight impaired. We have collated and reviewed 8 decks of playing cards that may better suit your sight impairment. We have included non-Braille and Braille cards.
Everyone needs fun and enjoyment in their life! Playing Cards, either on your own or with other people, endures as one of history’s favorite pastimes. Changes to eyesight that occur due to injury, illness or aging are no reason to stop or fail to start a love affair with Playing Cards. Who says you cannot have fun because you are sight-impaired? If you had been told you can’t, you really need to discard (did you like the pun?) such an idea!
Special Considerations:
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Sight impairment comes in different forms.
Some people can differentiate shapes but not colors. While others cannot differentiate between colors. Is the vision loss central or peripheral? Is the vision limited by a veil of black smudge? If you are buying for someone else, it would be wise to clarify the type of sight impairment involved. If you need more information about Vision Loss the American Foundation for the Blind or Vision Australia has excellent resources
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Motor Skills and Cognitive Changes
Holding and fanning cards may be a problem so a Card Holder may be helpful. The other slightly sensitive issue is some evidence of memory loss. If this is the case in an older person then please consider cards with a classic style of numbers and pictures. Swapping to very big, colorful, unfamiliar numbers may derail your attempts to get your card game going. You may be better with Jumbo Playing Cards. Memory or cognitive changes due to head or brain injuries may do better with the simplified big format of suit and number. Usually, though, there are suitable playing cards for everyone!
Basic Features of Playing Cards for Sight-Impaired Players
- Overall size of card
- Size of the Indices – that is – the size of the numbers
- The Colors of the numbers
- Waterproof
- Please not the difference between Jumbo Cards and Jumbo Index Cards
I have reviewed what I consider to be the best playing cards for vision-impaired people, including one Braille deck. Go through the table below for a quick comparison of my top 8 decks playing cards.
| Brand | Name | Image | The Manufacturer Says |
Comment |
| Ooelyy |
Elite Low Vision Playing Cards |  |
Oversized numbers and letters Card size: 3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches |
Available in single red deck or 2 deck 1-1/4 inch high numbers |
| Bicycle | Large Print Playing Cards |  |
Enjoy playing without having to strain to see the hand you are holding Standard Bridge size |
Standard playing cards with very large font and pips |
| Bicycle | Bicycle E-Z See Lo Vision Playing Cards |  |
Simple color-coded system enabling easy recognition of suits Standard Card Size |
Larger font and pips – very plain. Format may be difficult if memory loss is an issue |
| Fanwer | Fanwer Large Print Playing Cards |  |
Big Faced and Large- numbered, Easy to see Card Size:2.5 x 3.5 inches |
Slightly taller card makes them easier to hold |
| Copag | Bridge Size Jumbo Index Playing Cards |  |
100% PVC plastic, Washable, hard plastic storage case Card Size: 2.2 x 3.5 inches |
For people who have used Copag all their lives and don’t want to change. Jumbo Index |
| Kem | Poker Size, Jumbo Index Playing Cards |  |
100% cellulose acetate plastic- a unique blend of paper and plastic Card size:2.38 x 3.63 inches |
Superior flexibility and Strength. Jumbo Index |
| Bullets | Plastic Playing Cards, Jumbo Index |  |
Waterproof, Jumbo Index, Quality customer service Card size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches |
No fuss, durable, clearly indexed cards for all settings and games |
| VSONE | Plastic Braille Playing Cards |  |
54 premium plastic playing cards, Braille in 2 corners, Full-color printing Card size:5.7 x 8.7 cm |
Comes in metal case to protect the braille pips |
How to Choose the Best Sight-Impaired Playing Cards
- Consider the people who will play the card with you – are they sight impaired or not?
- Consider the color of the cards – Can each suit be easily distinguished?
- How easily can the cards be read?
- Are there other health/ability considerations?
Top 8 Sight-Impaired Playing Cards
1. Elite Low Vision Playing Cards
These cards are big, bold, and in two colors only – red and black. Great for people who are color-limited. The letters are clear and you will find them easy to read. If playing cards is one of your favorite things and you are having an issue seeing them, these cards will help. Very bold and clear! There are no pictures on the royals (King, Queen, Jack) which unclutters the cards but may confuse some established players. Available as a single blue or red back deck or 2-pack.
2. Bicycle Large Print Playing Cards
Large Print Playing Cards are made especially for players with low and poor vision! Suppose you find it difficult to read a regular deck of playing cards. In that case, these particular cards are exactly what you need to get yourself! The very big print can be easily recognized across the table. It comes in a standard-size card that fits nicely in hands. The simplicity of this deck makes it one of my favorites ever made for poor-vision individuals! With these playing cards, feel free to take part in family card games.
3. Bicycle E-Z See Lo Vision Playing Cards
Whether you are vision-impaired or not, Bicycle E-Z See Lo Vision Playing Cards are for everyone! Its simple color-coded system makes all suits easy to recognize and helps players keep track of their hand. The jumbo index is an added extra. For enhanced gameplay, the cards feature sandwich construction and softly beveled edges! It is such an excellent product that makes card-playing games more fun! There is no way you won’t be pleased with it if you have low vision. Note: if you are color blind, these cards are not for you.
4. Fanwer Large Print Playing Cards
Fanwer Large Print Playing Cards are specially made for elderly people. The fonts on these cards make them easy to see! Apart from the fact that these cards feel great, they are also durable! Its subtle size adjustment makes it easy to handle. For people who prefer the feel of paper cards, the three-layer-paper core will discourage your opponents from tearing the cards to cheat while still maintaining the flexibility and strength of the outer plastic seal. You will find these playing cards useful for all card games! You will also find it valuable and helpful to players who are sight-impaired.
5. Copag Bridge Size Jumbo Index Playing Cards
Copag has been producing Playing Cards for over 100 years. The Kem Bridge Size Jumbo Index Playing Cards are 100% PVC plastic and will outlast your paper cards every time. They are washable and for loyal Copag users upgrading to a Jumbo Index deck will help you keep the joy of playing cards go on and on and on. These famous international cards are competitively priced under $20.00 for a 2-deck pack with a solid plastic storage case.
6. Kem Bridge Size, Jumbo Index Playing Cards
Kem Cards are made entirely of cellulose acetate material, the most durable plastic. The unique blend of paper and plastic provides flexibility and strength. These cards at over $35.00 for a 2-deck pack are unashamedly expensive. However, if you are used to quality cellulose acetate cards and you want cards that are scuff and break-resistant AND have Jumbo Index for your failing eyesight then these are the cards worth considering.
7. Bullets Plastic Playing Cards, Jumbo Index
At over $20.00 this 2-deck pack of plastic waterproof cards with jumbo-index are easy to handle and read. The simple design makes them suitable for all settings and games. For people with mild vision issues the Bullets Jumbo Index Playing Cards are worth considering.How to buy
8. VSONE Plastic Braille Playing Cards
The full-color printing and the Braille on two corners mean that these cards can be used for sighted and un-sighted players at the same table. No one needs to be left out. Made of premium plastic these cards are waterproof and durable. To prevent damage to the braille in storage these Braille Playing Cards come with a lidded metal case. At under $20.00 per deck, they are a great buy.
- Information in this article update December 2024
Sight Impaired Playing Cards Summary
Playing Cards is meant to be fun. The best playing cards should be easy to handle, and easy to read. If your eyesight is impaired you have choices. Very big index, jumbo index, additional colors, and Braille playing cards. Think about and choose the features that fit your circumstances and personal likes and dislikes. Once you’ve sorted through our selection of 8 Cards for the Sight Impaired you will be able to settle in, relax and make your game night fun and comfortable. Enjoy!.
