Counterfeit Cards: The Business of Trading Card Fakes

Posted on February 18, 2019February 18, 2019 by giftsadmin

Trading cards are a serious business, pulling in billions of dollars each year in revenue. As one would expect, counterfeiting is a real issue. Here’s what you should know about the business of counterfeiting cards, and what we learned tracking some down for ourselves.

Splendor: a Splendid Way to Spend an Evening

Posted on January 17, 2019January 17, 2019 by giftsadmin

Spendor Strategy Game - Gifts for Card Players

Since buying this game last year, the phrase “I would play splendoooooor” is heard almost every time we are deciding what to do next. If you have a group of game-loving friends or family members who are frequently looking for something interesting to do together, it might be worthwhile to pick up a copy of Splendour the next time you visit your local game shop.

Cards for Soldiers

Posted on November 28, 2018 by giftsadmin

Card decks can be utilized for far more than just a card game. The US Military has had several limited-run card decks printed for issue to soldiers, not just to keep their minds and hands busy during idle time, but also sometimes to aid in daring escapes or the identification of hostile forces.

Creepy Playing Card Deaths

Posted on October 11, 2018October 10, 2018 by giftsadmin

Broken Heart Playing Cards - Gifts for Card Players

Did you know card games occasionally land people in the morgue! Don't believe us? In the spirit of the season, here's a few creepy examples.

Our Favourite Card Deck Collections

Posted on September 27, 2018September 27, 2018 by giftsadmin

person holding ace of heart playing card - Gifts for Card Players

From antique to art pieces to special editions, Alex J. Coyne features some of our favourite card deck collections.

The story behind Windows Solitaire

Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018 by giftsadmin

Even if you don't consider yourself a regular card player, it's likely that you will have spent some time clicking your way through a game or two of Solitaire that comes bundled with a standard installation of Windows ever since 3.0. But have you ever wondered just why it was Solitaire and who came up with it? Great Bridge Links and Alex J. Coyne took a closer look at the origins of Windows Solitaire.

Crossing the Bridge to Magic: The Gathering

Posted on April 25, 2018April 25, 2018 by giftsadmin

Magic the Gathering - Gifts for Card Players

It’s easy to see the attraction between trick-taking and trading card games. We took a look at some champion bridge players who are also experts at Magic: The Gathering.

Trick Card Decks & Where to Find Them

Posted on February 13, 2018November 14, 2018 by giftsadmin

Ellusionist and other Trick Card Resources - Gifts for Card Players

Over the years, I’ve developed a deep-rooted fine love for card and coin tricks; those are two things I’m almost never without – when killing time waiting for a taxi to pass, while waiting for an important e-mail to come in or while in conversation on the phone for a radio interview, my hands are usually busy with a coin palm or a card flip.

Cards in Art

Posted on December 4, 2017July 24, 2018 by giftsadmin

We all know about the famous series of paintings depicting dogs playing poker, but what about other art containing cards and games? We went digging for some more card-depictions in classic art and elsewhere. Have you spotted any cards in famous art? Let us know what you’ve found in the comments!

Rare, Beautiful Playing Cards You Won’t Have Seen Elsewhere

Posted on November 29, 2017November 29, 2017 by giftsadmin

In addition to the standard “bicycle” deck of playing cards, many contemporary and historical artists have designed incredible decks with amazing visuals - here’s just a few of them.

Gifts and Gadgets: For the Card Player Who Has Everything

Posted on November 20, 2017November 20, 2017 by giftsadmin

What do you get the card player who seems to have everything? Alex has found some interesting gift ideas -

Learn How to Shuffle a Deck, It Can Give You the Upper Hand

Posted on October 27, 2017July 24, 2018 by giftsadmin

Style and skill go hand in when playing any card game. Looking like you know what you’re doing is part and parcel of every card game. So learning some new shuffling tips and tricks will give your opponents the idea that you’re a whizz at whatever you’re playing.

Gambling of the Ancients

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by giftsadmin

While the first slot machine saw the casino floor for the first time in 1894, gambling is by no means a new phenomenon. In fact, we’d guess that gambling has been around about as far as mankind. We wend digging for some more information about the gambling of the ancients…

Politicians’ Favourite Card Games

Posted on October 3, 2017 by giftsadmin

Politicians Playing Cards - Gifts for Card Players

Politicians really do seem like the most serious of creatures - and in many cases, they have to be that way. However, sometimes they let us catch a glimpse of their not-so-stoic sides...which is always appreciated!

The Evolution of Playing Cards

Posted on September 13, 2017September 18, 2017 by giftsadmin

The evolutions of Playing Cards - Gifts for Card Players

Playing cards are such an integral part of our culture today that many of us never give a second thought to the fact that they exist. It hasn’t always been this way, though!

Michael’s Game: A Card Game for the Treatment of Psychosis

Posted on September 11, 2017September 11, 2017 by giftsadmin

One of the most exciting new uses for cards is one that many of us might not have ever imagined possible: cards as treatment for psychological difficulties.

Looking at Antique and Vintage Card Decks

Posted on September 11, 2017July 24, 2018 by giftsadmin

Vintage Playing Cards - Gifts for Card Players

Guitarists call the phenomenon GAS, short for Gear Acquisition Syndrome: One can never have too many guitars – or in our case, card decks. When last did you buy ‘just one more’ for the collection? We took a look at some really cool vintage and antique card decks and where you can go to find them.

Ode to Solitaire

Posted on September 9, 2017September 18, 2017 by giftsadmin

Solitaire is a peculiar cultural institution. It’s a favourite game of kids at summer camp, procrastination-happy office workers, introverts, and people all around the world. But few people know the true story of how this loner’s game came to be.

Dogs Playing Poker

Posted on August 31, 2017July 24, 2018 by giftsadmin

Dogs Playing Poker

By Alex J Coyne © Gifts for Card Players

Before their viral popularity, these paintings were featured on cigar boxes.

When was the last time you saw a painting of dogs playing poker? Now, when was the last time you really thought of a dog playing poker? It turns out the painting has a richer history than you would expect…

The Paintings

“Dogs Playing Poker”

Coding with Card Games

Posted on August 28, 2017August 28, 2017 by giftsadmin

if you’re a card player, you might already have more of an aptitude for computer programming than you think. Your affinity for bridge, hearts, poker, or whatever your game may be has likely already trained your brain to think computationally.

How can I clean my playing cards?

Posted on August 21, 2017September 12, 2017 by gbladmin

Are your cards sticky with snack grease and finger oils? Restore them to usefulness with these card cleaning tips.

How to tell if your bridge game will go well –

Posted on August 15, 2017September 12, 2017 by giftsadmin

History of Playing Cards - Great Bridge Links

You always carry a deck of cards. Why not use them to tell your fortune ?

Will Kickstarter and New Tech Change Playing Card Design?

Posted on August 7, 2017July 24, 2018 by giftsadmin

Kickstarter and New Tech Change Playing Card Design - Gifts for Card Players

Through crowdfunding the public now has the power to turn proposed projects and products into reality by collectively funding them. From books to businesses, the range of active campaigns is wide indeed, but one particular category of items appears to be a favorite in the crowdfunding market: playing cards.

Inside the Magic Shop

Posted on July 20, 2017July 24, 2018 by giftsadmin

The College of Magic is home to Southern Africa’s only dedicated Magic Shop specialising in all manner of magical marvels. Alex takes us inside ...