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 which 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 ageing is 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:

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 have excellent resources

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 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
Magnifying aids	Marinoff Low Vision Playing Cards		Designed by an Opthamologist. Card size: 3-1/2 x 2-5/8 inches	Black outline makes it standout 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 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:2.2 x 3.4 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	Bridge 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
Neasyth	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 that 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. Marinoff Low Vision Playing Cards

Who better to design a Low Vision Playing Card than an Opthamologist. Dr Gerald Marinoff recognised the need for individuals with vision problems and developed these playing cards with black outlined , oversized numbers. These playing cards are great! 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!

2. Bicycle Large Print Playing Cards

E-Z See Large Print Playing Cards are made specially 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 Lo Vision Playing Cards

Whether you are vision-impaired or not, Bicycle 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 be seen! 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 have 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 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 are worth considering.

7. Neasyth Plastic Playing Cards, Jumbo Index

For under $10.00 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 Neasyth Jumbo Index Playing Cards are a cost effective choice.

8. VSONE Plastic Braille Playing Cards

The full-color printing and the Braille on two corners means that these cards can be used for sighted and un-sighted players at the same table. No one need 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.

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 eye-sight is impaired you have very big index, jumbo index, additional colors and Braille to choose from. 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!.