We’ve tried a few card game apps. Usually when we’re on a train with dodgy signal or someone’s left the actual cards at home. They’re… fine. You can tap to deal, flick to shuffle, maybe even hear a sound effect if your phone’s not on silent. But it’s just not the same.
Games feel better when you’ve actually got the cards in your hands. Playing with real cards just pulls you into the game in a way an app never could. Not in a deep way, it’s just easier to get into it. You’re actually in the game, not just watching it happen on a screen. And when someone deals you two face-down cards and you pause for a second, wondering if you’ve just been handed something brilliant or total rubbish. Apps don’t do that. They’re too clean, too quick, too easy to quit and restart if things don’t go your way. With real cards you get a natural pause between rounds; just enough time to reset, re-think, maybe wind someone up a bit.
We play a lot of cards. Sometimes it’s a quick game of rummy after dinner. Sometimes it’s poker night, with snacks on the side and someone always insisting they know exactly what they’re doing. If it’s a themed night, we’ll go all in with the table setup, background music, maybe even a martini if someone’s feeling fancy. A set like the James Bond playing cards fits the vibe perfectly. Sharp design, slick feel, and they add a bit of drama to the deal, even if the actual poker is mostly chaos and guessing.
Card games have this great way of bringing people together without needing much setup. Just a table, a deck of cards, and you’re off. No chargers, no updates, no trying to explain the rules over loud music and app notifications. And if you’re playing outside and the wind takes off with the Ace of Spades, you’ll remember that forever. (We once lost a 7 of Hearts to a paddling pool which somehow became a running joke for years.)
Even the little in-between bits feel better with physical cards. The shuffle between rounds, the quiet moment while someone deals, the over-dramatic gasp when someone plays a wild card or a perfect hand. You miss all that on a screen. There’s no anticipation. Just instant gameplay, zero build-up.
And it’s not just the games, the cards themselves make a difference. We’ve seen some amazing designs over the years, especially the ones themed around films, books or bands. Those decks always catch the eye. A set of premium playing cards with a bit of character behind it can turn a regular game into something a bit more special.
We still use our phones for word games and the occasional quiz app, but when we want proper fun with people we actually like, playing cards win. Every time.
Apps don’t stick in your memory. Card games do. Especially the ones where someone ends up throwing down their hand dramatically and swearing revenge in the next round. Or the ones that go off the rails completely because someone misread the rules and no one noticed for half an hour.
Give us a proper deck, some good company, and the kind of games that don’t always go to plan. No app gives you memories like a slightly soggy 7 of Hearts drying in the sun.
