Transparent Playing Cards: Clear Decks Explained

Transparent playing cards are exactly what they sound like: a full deck printed on clear plastic, so the pips seem to float in the air. Fanned on a table, they look like nothing else, and they are a guaranteed conversation starter.

How they are made

Clear decks are printed on transparent PVC, with the pips, indices and court designs printed directly onto the plastic. Because the material is plastic all the way through, they are:

• waterproof — take them to the pool or the beach
• washable — wipe them clean
• durable — they spring back rather than creasing

The one thing to check before you play

On a fully clear card, the face printing can often be seen from the back. That makes no difference for games where cards are face up, but it matters for games where your hand must stay hidden. Before you deal a hand of poker with a clear deck, hold a card up and look at it from behind:

• If you can read it, keep the deck for open games, solitaire, display and show.
• If the back is printed or frosted enough to hide the face, it plays like any other deck.

What clear decks are great for

• Talking points. Put one on a table at a party and watch it get picked up.
• Open games. Solitaire, patience, and any game played face up.
• The pool, the beach and the bath. No paper deck survives those.
• Gifts. A boxed pair of clear decks is a striking present for a card player who has everything else.

Caring for a clear deck

Store them flat in their box. Wipe off fingerprints with a soft, dry cloth — clear plastic shows them. Avoid leaving them in hot sun, which can warp any plastic deck.

Clear vs standard plastic

If you want a plastic deck for regular games, a standard opaque plastic deck is the practical choice: the same waterproof, long-lasting material, with a printed back that keeps your hand hidden. A clear deck is the one you buy for the look.