🏷️ Best Budget
Right, let's be honest here — when was the last time you actually bought a pack of playing cards? We're betting it was probably for a camping trip or because the kids were driving you mad on a rainy afternoon. Well, we picked up a deck of Waddingtons Number 1 playing cards for £1.99 to see if the classic British brand still cuts it in 2024.
For those who don't know, Waddingtons has been making cards since 1896, so they've had plenty of time to get this right. These are proper traditional playing cards — none of that novelty nonsense — and they come in either red or blue (though you won't get to choose which colour, more on that later).
Spoiler alert: for two quid, we were genuinely surprised by what we got. But there are definitely a few things you should know before clicking 'add to basket'.
The pack arrives as a standard 52-card deck plus jokers, all sporting the classic Waddingtons design that hasn't changed much in decades. The cards feel properly substantial — not flimsy like some budget decks we've tried. Each card has that slightly textured finish that makes them easy to shuffle without being too slippery.
The packaging is basic but functional, with a tuck box that'll keep your cards together. Winning Moves (who now own the Waddingtons brand) include their authenticity seal, which is a nice touch that shows you're getting the real deal.
We put these through their paces with everything from poker nights to teaching the kids snap. The cards shuffle nicely — not too stiff, not too bendy. After several weeks of regular use, including being stuffed into bags and pockets, they're showing remarkably little wear.
The print quality is solid too. Numbers and suits are clear and crisp, which matters more than you'd think when you're squinting at cards across a dimly lit pub table. We particularly appreciated that they don't have that cheap, plasticky feel you get with some budget cards.
Here's where things get a bit annoying. The listing says you'll get either red or blue cards, but it's completely random. We ordered three packs for testing and got two red, one blue. If you're particular about matching your existing set or have a colour preference, this could be frustrating.
It's not a dealbreaker, but it feels like an unnecessary gamble for what should be a straightforward purchase.
These really shine as a travel companion. They're compact enough to chuck in any bag without taking up space, and sturdy enough to survive being bounced around. Our editor took a pack on a recent family holiday and they kept three generations entertained during a particularly grim motorway service station stop.
This deck is spot-on for parents looking for screen-free entertainment that won't break the bank. It's also ideal for anyone who needs a reliable pack of cards for camping trips, pub games, or keeping in the car for emergencies. Card game enthusiasts who go through multiple decks might find better value buying in bulk elsewhere, but for casual players, this hits the sweet spot of quality and price.
For £1.99, these Waddingtons cards are an absolute steal. They do exactly what they're supposed to do without any fuss, and they'll probably outlast cards costing three times as much. Unless you're dead set on a specific colour, we'd definitely recommend grabbing a pack.
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