Creating a card game is an exciting endeavor, but one of the most crucial decisions a game designer faces is determining the right deck size.
Deck size directly influences game balance, playtime, strategic depth, and overall player experience.
A deck that is too small can feel repetitive and restrictive, while one that is too large can become unwieldy and slow down gameplay.
Understanding the factors that influence deck size and how to optimize it can mean the difference between a game that players love and one that frustrates them.
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Understanding Deck Size
Deck size refers to the total number of cards in a player’s deck or the complete set used in the game. While some games like Uno or Phase 10 have a fixed 108-card deck size, others like collectible card games (CCGs) allow players to customize decks within certain limits.
Regardless of the style, the size of the deck impacts gameplay in several ways:
- Game Length: A larger deck often leads to longer games since players cycle through more cards. Smaller decks can create faster, more intense matches.
- Card Variety: Deck size affects how often players draw specific cards. Too small a deck may lead to repeated draws of the same cards, reducing strategic variability.
- Player Strategy: A larger deck encourages diverse strategies and card combinations, while smaller decks emphasize careful resource management.
- Luck vs. Skill Balance: Deck size can influence the balance between randomness and strategy. Larger decks often reduce luck because players have more options, while smaller decks increase the impact of chance.
Factors to Consider When Determining Deck Size
1. Number of Players
The number of players in a game is a primary factor in deciding deck size. In games with more players, each participant will draw cards less frequently per round, so having a larger deck ensures the game continues smoothly without frequent reshuffling. Conversely, for a two-player game, a smaller deck can maintain tension and accelerate gameplay.
For instance, Magic: The Gathering recommends a minimum of 60 cards per deck for competitive play, which works well in 2-player matches because players draw multiple cards each turn. On the other hand, casual party games like Exploding Kittens, designed for 2–5 players, have a deck size of about 56 cards, optimized for shorter sessions and quick interactions.
2. Game Length
The intended duration of a game should strongly influence deck size. Games designed for 15–30 minutes typically require smaller decks to ensure that players can reach the end condition without excessive repetition. Longer strategy games, lasting 60 minutes or more, may benefit from larger decks to provide a wider variety of card effects and combinations.
A simple way to estimate deck size based on game length is:
- Short games (15–30 minutes): 40–60 cards per deck
- Medium games (30–60 minutes): 60–100 cards per deck
- Long games (60+ minutes): 100+ cards per deck
These are general guidelines, and designers may adjust based on the complexity of gameplay mechanics and the number of players.
3. Card Types and Mechanics
The variety of card types in a game also impacts deck size. Games with many unique cards, special abilities, or combo mechanics often require larger decks to allow players to explore different strategies. Conversely, games with simple mechanics or few unique card types may function better with smaller decks.
For example, Dominion, a deck-building game, has a small set of basic cards but numerous unique action cards that players can add to their decks during play. The variability is achieved through different card selections rather than massive deck sizes. Designers should consider how players interact with the cards and how much choice or randomness is appropriate for the experience.
4. Player Draw Rate
The rate at which players draw cards is a critical factor. If players draw too many cards too quickly, they may run out of options too fast, leading to frustration. Conversely, drawing too few cards slows the game down and may limit strategic options.
A balanced draw rate can be estimated by calculating how many turns it would take for players to cycle through the deck once. For instance, if players draw 1–2 cards per turn in a 2-player game with a 60-card deck, they will likely cycle through the deck in 20–30 turns—appropriate for a medium-length game.
5. Replayability and Randomness
Deck size can also affect replayability. Larger decks generally increase variability between games, preventing strategies from becoming repetitive. Smaller decks, while faster, can sometimes make games feel predictable after multiple plays. Designers need to balance randomness and strategic control so that each session feels unique without being frustratingly random.
For example, Poker uses a fixed 52-card deck. Its compact size creates intense moments of luck and skill, while the strategic depth comes from how players manage hand strength, betting, and psychology. In contrast, CCGs like Hearthstone allow 30-card decks that vary widely in composition, balancing consistency and unpredictability.
Calculating Card Consumption
To balance deck size against player count, designers need to understand card consumption. Card consumption is the rate at which cards are drawn, played, or discarded during the game. A simple formula can help estimate the minimum deck size:
Minimum Deck Size = Average Cards Drawn per Player per Round × Number of Rounds × Number of Players
For example, in a four-player game where each player draws three cards per turn and the game is expected to last 10 rounds, the minimum deck size would be:
3 cards × 10 rounds × 4 players = 120 cards
This calculation provides a baseline, but designers must also account for additional factors such as reshuffling mechanics, special abilities that draw extra cards, and cards that are removed from play temporarily or permanently. While this formula does not replace playtesting, it gives a starting point for initial design.
