Compucards Review
Playing cards with binary numbers for the computer generation by Sam Pitroda, 1983.
Playing cards with binary numbers for the computer generation
This set of playing cards is aimed especially at the growing population of
computer users. The cards are different from traditional cards. The cards
use binary values (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc) opposed to the standard decimal
values (Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc). The Queens, Kings, and the Jokers are
replaced with Computer, Programmer and Bug cards. The suit signs have been
kept as the standard (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades) but with a
slight difference. In each suit there is two of each card, there is a ?+?
card and a ?*? card. For example the order of the hearts suit goes: +1 of
hearts, *1 of hearts, +2 of hearts, *2 of hears, +4 of hearts, all the way
up to +128P of hearts and the *128P of hearts (the P representing the
Programmer or King card). In each suit there is 16 cards (two of each)
with the four suits the pack has 64 cards in total. The pack comes with a
small booklet with some history information about the Compucards Company
and also explaining how to play standard games such as Poker, Rummy and
Blackjack using the Binary cards. Playing the blackjack game using the
Compucards is the easiest to learn. Instead of using the standard ?Get to
21 points to win? you have to get to 256 points to win, with using the
additional rule that you can use the multiply (*) to increase you point
value. The back of the card has a border of binary 1?s and 0?s with
Compucards written from corner to corner. There is two Software Bug cards
(Joker) and two instruction cards with the booklet. Overall the pack is
nice to see but tricky to play games with. Manufactured by Carta Mundi for Compucards UK. Packs available from
Jim Cook. |
||
By Adam Wintle
Member since March 15, 1997
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Music playing cards
Portraits of 13 classical music composers.
Club Soft Drinks
Promotional pack for Club soft drinks with amusing illustrations of different kinds of ‘club’.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
American teen film depicting students staging their last spring musical.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
The Beatles • Yellow Submarine
A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of th...
B-Deck
“B-Deck” scurrilous playing cards poking fun at a former UK prime minister.
Don’t come back
“Don’t come back” playing cards produced by Hounslow NHS Primary Care Trust and Feltham Young Offend...
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” video game characters on playing cards, Japan, 2008
Een Kaartspel
Minimalist playing cards from The Netherlands
The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards
Dinosaurs from different ages and locations, with artwork by Virginijus Poshkus.
Old School Playing cards from Moon
Designed and published by Leo Scherfig
Star Wars: a New Hope
‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, ...
The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards
A flicker pack with different backs, advertising the Saab 900 Convertible motor car.
Pixel Tarot
This tarot deck pays tribute to the golden age of pixelated video games, drawing inspiration from th...
National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum with drawings by Stuart Black, United Kingdom, 1993.
Het Nest Brouwerij
Het Nest Brouwerij playing cards from Turnhout, Belgium.
Railway Posters Playing Cards
54 classic images from a bygone age of railway travel from the National Railway Museum, York.
Promo-Québec
Fun designs by Normand Hudon promoting the Canadian province of Quebec.
Jeu des 7 Familles Spider-Man
Colourful card game featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man and some of his fearsome advers...
CNES playing cards
Fully pictorial pack featuring rockets, satellites, scientists and views from space.
Mexican Artdeck
Works by 14 different 20th century Mexican artists.
Velux International
Publicity pack for the Danish company, Velux, manufacturers of roof windows and skylights.
Art for Life
Art for Life playing cards illustrated by Francesc Artigau i Seguí for the British Red Cross, 2014. ...
Old Bachelor™
The 90’s version of Old Maid with illustrations by Susan Wise.
Commedia dell’Carte
Commedia dell’Carte political transformation cards illustrated by Stef van Stiphout, Belgium, 1977. ...
Rembrandt playing cards
Rembrandt playing cards published by the Rembrandthuis (The Rembrandt House Museum) in Amsterdam. ...
New Musical Express
54 black and white photographs of solo singers, duos and groups popular around 1990.
Guildhall Art Gallery playing cards
54 different paintings from the collection of the Guildhall Art Gallery, London.
Les Grands Ecrivains
‘Les Grands Ecrivains’ produced for members of “Le Grand Livre du Mois”, France, c. 1970.
SCANIA 1891-1991
Centenary playing cards illustrating vintage trucks and buses produced by the Swedish company Scania...
Euro Playing Cards
New euro banknotes and coins from several countries on circular cards.
Jackspack Royal Navy Playing Cards
54 humorous illustrations of Royal Navy characters and Navy slang.
Margaret Parrott playing cards
Margaret Parrott playing cards decorated with whimsical parrots, USA, c. 1997.
Cleveland Museum of Art artists card game
Cleveland Museum of Art artists card game, USA, c.1993.
Jeu de Familles Les Pierrafeu®
Quartet game featuring The Flintstones and friends.
Packs of Prizes
‘Packs of Prizes’ playing cards advertising Neosorexa pest control products.