Half size decks - what do you think?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Astra	21 Feb 2004
I'm dithering between initially printing only a full size deck and going with both full and half size initially. I wanted to see if I could get some kind of idea how many people here actually like, or prefer, a half size deck (small hands, arthritis, etc.) Thanks!

Moonbow*	21 Feb 2004
Hi Astra I have just replied in the other thread too M*

Le_Corsair	21 Feb 2004
I read less than I shuffle. I'm a fidgety person, and I like to have my hands busy when I'm reading a newspaper, reading forums, etc. I find it soothing to shuffle cards while I do this, and I like tarot, so that is what I shuffle. Occasionally I'll flick out three cards for a quick reading while I shuffle. The larger the deck, the more difficult it is for me to shuffle. The more difficult it is for me to shuffle, the less likely that I will use the deck. I therefore have a bunch of decks that are quite lovely but don't get a lot of use because I can't shuffle them. Minidecks are hard to shuffle, too, so I don't use those a lot. Really, a deck just a little smaller than the standard sized RWS is perfect for me. Of all my decks, the Ator Tarot is the one that fits my hands the best and I find the most pleasure in shuffling. A large deck is nice for at home. I like to have a smaller deck to carry with me to work or to slip into a rucksack. Bob :THERM

skytwig	21 Feb 2004
Hi, Astra. I voted for both sizes available..... My Inner Child cards are humongous and I have small hands, but I like the cards huge..... I guess because they are so filled with color..... Some decks scream to be BIG, others like to cuddle...... With my small hands, I have learned how to shuffle anything..... The only shape i really don't like is ROUND.... sheesh, my Motherpeace deck just runs all over the place..... hard to hold. What is your gut feeling about the deck? Go with that more than your head....... :)

Astraea	21 Feb 2004
I prefer to start with a full-size deck, and if I like it enough to carry it around with me, will also purchase a smaller version.

Agathe	21 Feb 2004
Hi, I voted for full size decks. I even prefer bigger ones. There's something interesting about thm. I also feel pretty comforable shuffling them as I don't have small hands and it's easier for me. Agathe

MoreMagic	21 Feb 2004
I voted for both. Big are nice to study and to see artistic detail. Small are easier for my small, stiff hands to shuffle and deal and lighter to carry around in my always overloaded pack.

Centaur	21 Feb 2004
I voted for both too. It is nice to have the choice. How small and how large where you thinking? C

Astra	21 Feb 2004
Centaur - full size is about standard - 2.75"x4.25", and the smaller deck would be half that. skytwig - my gut tells me that in this case it's the users that count - I've never gotten one of the small decks, but I have friends whose hand size, or arthritis, makes regular decks impossible, so I figured asking was simpler than guessing.

Sulis	21 Feb 2004
I voted for the small size but having read through the rest of this thread I'd say that your full sized deck sounds fine. My favorite deck is the Morgan Greer - I love everything about it including the size - it's 2 3/4" x 4 3/4". I only have one pocket deck; the Pocket Rider Waite but like Le_Corsair I do have a few large decks which I'd love to use but don't because they're too big - the Light and Shadow is one which springs to mind. Love and light Sulis xx

HudsonGray	21 Feb 2004
If you can do both, you'd probably sell 2 to 1 with the smaller decks to full sized. So long as the image on the card isn't compromised by the reduction. (I posted to the other thread too).

Aure	21 Feb 2004
I voted for a half size deck because I find standard sized decks hard to shuffle and it takes so much room if you do other than three card spreads. My pocket sized Thoth deck is about the ideal size, I wish they would make more decks in that size! I like to take a deck with me whenever I go some place (okay, so I don't usually carry one with me when I go to school though) and smaller decks are easier to tuck inside a backpack. So, a big YES here to smaller sized decks! However, I do not like teeny tiny decks like Tiny Universal Waite for example.

Marion	21 Feb 2004
I prefer the larger decks. I have very long hands and find smaller decks hard to handle, my fingers sort of stumble over the smaller cards. I also like to be able to see the images well and my vision is slightly compromised in a way that glasses cannot correct.

Majecot	21 Feb 2004
Astra I am a big deck person, even though they are more difficult to shuffle. Most of my decks are average (full sized) some a little bit bigger. I voted for full size. I have often thought about a pocket sized deck, but end the end I opted for a bigger purse. :D

Snuggle_69217	21 Feb 2004
I voted Both..It is nice to have both so you can get the feel of small and large...But If you do Have Arthritus Then It is better for smaller Decks..thats Probably why they make Small decks for people who have Arthritus But people who have Big hands can USe the Bigger Decks..In the bigger decks There is a lot more detail.

mac22	21 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Astra I'm dithering between initially printing only a full size deck and going with both full and half size initially. I wanted to see if I could get some kind of idea how many people here actually like, or prefer, a half size deck (small hands, arthritis, etc.) Thanks! I like & use both sizes. I start with a full size deck , once it & I are comfortable :) then I move to a smaller deck.

Emily	23 Feb 2004
I voted for both sizes too. I like the smaller size decks because I have small hands and although I can shuffle decks like the Rohrig and large size Thoth, I do prefer the smaller deck. But I do think that with the pocket versions, I have the Rider Waite and Thoth, you have to be careful not to lose the detail. The Morgan Greer is about the largest size comfortable for me to shuffle normally anything bigger and I go all fumble-fingered lol - saying that I would love to see the Morgan Greer in a pocket size :)

Thea Lynx	23 Feb 2004
I love the size of the Hanson Roberts and the pocket sized Rider as my hands are rather small and I find it much easier to get a thorough shuffle when I have not problems handling the decks. However, since most decks come in larger sized (can't wait to see what happens when I would my Rohrig or Gilded decks!!!) I have to adapt to not have cards flying all over the place. If a smaller sized Universal really is coming out - not the mini - just one the size of the Hanson Roberts, I will happily use it. My only reservation is that I wonder if I may miss something in the image by going with a smaller deck - I would probably refer to a larger version for just this purpose. Thea Lynx'

Melissa`	23 Feb 2004
I have recently just picked up two mini tarot decks and I adore them. I am also buying the normal sized ones next. I find them easier to shuffle. Also easier to carry around if I have limited room to carry things.

VGimlet	24 Feb 2004
I have small hands too, but I prefer full sized (or even larger) decks. Probably because I learned to shuffle with a large sized deck, and my years of piano, which gave me strong fingers. :) I voted both, though, because smaller decks are easier to take along.

crystal cove	24 Feb 2004
I voted for both sizes. I'm a variety girl and can't imagine not having choices. :D

Osher	24 Feb 2004
I have Mini 1" high cards, half-size, full size, and WOW they're huge cards. Hey, size matters! Of course, it's what you do with them that makes the difference.... Seriously, I know that for some people with small hands, even 'normal' size cards can be too large

Nevada	24 Feb 2004
I voted that I like to have both sizes available, because I have small hands and I'm nearsighted. I prefer smaller decks to read with, because they're easier to shuffle. But for study, I'd love to have a larger size of every deck I own. I'd like two of each deck (maybe three), one large to study with, one half size to read with, and maybe a tiny one to carry along in my purse. I want it all! :D But since you're asking because you plan to print a deck, and if you can only choose one size, I think I'd go with the half size. Nevada

nocturnaldreamr	24 Feb 2004
i have owned a regular size deck (RRW), a mini size (RWD) and a larger size one (LS). i have VERY small hands, so shuffling is a funny task. the mini size was perfect, but unfortunatly i had these when i was 11 and my mom found them and burned them (she's scared of them for stereotypical reasons). the reg size deck is totally fine for me now, i can shuffle better (takes practice..hheehe). i like the LS deck if a bigger spread is required, i can lay them on a blanket on my floor and study them at eye level on my belly.. hahah... or while sitting.. im very small (4 foot 8''), and for some reason i like to be near to the ground.

Astra	25 Feb 2004
Nevada - the full size deck is going to happen in any case. What I'm trying to get a feel for is whether I should kick out the money up front for the mini at the same time. From the responses so far, it looks as though it may be worth doing that way.

laura_borealis	25 Feb 2004
I like minis for sheer cuteness. But if I'm going to use a deck, I want it to be the size it was designed to be, if that makes sense. The clarity of the art will be best at the intended size. I have medium sized hands and have never noticed a problem shuffling any deck except for very small ones.

Island Dreamer	29 Feb 2004
From a purely practical point of view, a full size 78 card deck in a standard size is too unwieldy for me to shuffle effectively. I get cards slipping out and getting themselves front-to-back. I end up spending as much time trying to get them back into place as actually shuffling. So I voted for the smaller sized deck. But I can see how having both a large/standard deck and a small pocket deck would be benefical. Island Dreamer

Astra	01 Mar 2004
Many thanks to all of you who voted, and posted. The final quotes are in, and it looks as though it's probably well worth doing both sizes up front. I thank you (even though I'm not sure my bankbook does).

The Half size decks - what do you think? thread was originally posted on 21 Feb 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.