FAQ: How many cards are in a deck and which?
A standard deck of playing cards is the foundation of most classic card games. While many games use the same basic deck, the exact number of cards and which cards are included can sometimes vary depending on rules and regional preferences. Below is a clear breakdown of what’s inside a regular deck of cards.
Created By Adam-Davis Fernsby
Standard deck overview
| Card type | Number of cards |
|---|---|
| Total cards (without jokers) | 52 |
| Total cards (with jokers) | 54 |
| Suits | 4 |
| Cards per suit | 13 |
| Jokers | 0–2 |
How many cards are in a deck?
A standard deck contains 52 cards. This is the most common version used in the majority of card games played worldwide. Some games include jokers, which brings the total up to 54 cards, but jokers are optional and not always used.
How many jokers are there?
Most modern decks include 2 jokers, but they are usually excluded unless a game specifically requires them. Many traditional card games are played strictly with the 52-card deck and no jokers at all.
Which cards are in a standard deck?
A standard deck consists of four suits:
- Hearts
- Diamonds
- Clubs
- Spades
Each suit contains 13 cards, made up of:
- Number cards: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Face cards: Jack, Queen, King
This structure — four suits with the same 13 cards in each — is what makes the deck so versatile and suitable for hundreds of different card games, from very easy games to more advanced ones.