The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published July 03, 1996 Updated May 22, 2022

Compucards Review

Playing cards with binary numbers for the computer generation by Sam Pitroda, 1983.

1983 Cartamundi Sam Pitroda Computers & Technology Add to Collection

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.
 

Reviewed by Adam Wintle

Compucards
avatar
152 Articles

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

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

2020 Commoners playing cards

Commoners playing cards

Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.

2019 Liber Ludorum

Liber Ludorum

Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.

2018 Pike and Clover playing cards

Pike and Clover playing cards

Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.

2023 Inglewood Hunting Deck

Inglewood Hunting Deck

Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.

2004 The Beatles • Yellow Submarine

The Beatles • Yellow Submarine

A colourful deck celebrating the 1968 animated feature film based on the Lennon/McCartney song of th...

2005 B-Deck

B-Deck

“B-Deck” scurrilous playing cards poking fun at a former UK prime minister.

Don’t come back

Don’t come back

“Don’t come back” playing cards produced by Hounslow NHS Primary Care Trust and Feltham Young Offend...

1994 Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” video game characters on playing cards, Japan, 2008

1985 Een Kaartspel

Een Kaartspel

Minimalist playing cards from The Netherlands

1994 The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards

The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards

Dinosaurs from different ages and locations, with artwork by Virginijus Poshkus.

2021 Old School Playing cards from Moon

Old School Playing cards from Moon

Designed and published by Leo Scherfig

2007 Star Wars: a New Hope

Star Wars: a New Hope

‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, ...

1990 The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards

The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards

A flicker pack with different backs, advertising the Saab 900 Convertible motor car.

2022 Pixel Tarot

Pixel Tarot

This tarot deck pays tribute to the golden age of pixelated video games, drawing inspiration from th...

1993 National Railway Museum

National Railway Museum

National Railway Museum with drawings by Stuart Black, United Kingdom, 1993.

Het Nest Brouwerij

Het Nest Brouwerij

Het Nest Brouwerij playing cards from Turnhout, Belgium.

1999 Railway Posters Playing Cards

Railway Posters Playing Cards

54 classic images from a bygone age of railway travel from the National Railway Museum, York.

1973 Promo-Québec

Promo-Québec

Fun designs by Normand Hudon promoting the Canadian province of Quebec.

1996 Jeu des 7 Familles Spider-Man

Jeu des 7 Familles Spider-Man

Colourful card game featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man and some of his fearsome advers...

1995 CNES playing cards

CNES playing cards

Fully pictorial pack featuring rockets, satellites, scientists and views from space.

1993 Mexican Artdeck

Mexican Artdeck

Works by 14 different 20th century Mexican artists.

1988 Velux International

Velux International

Publicity pack for the Danish company, Velux, manufacturers of roof windows and skylights.

2014 Art for Life

Art for Life

Art for Life playing cards illustrated by Francesc Artigau i Seguí for the British Red Cross, 2014. ...

1994 Old Bachelor™

Old Bachelor™

The 90’s version of Old Maid with illustrations by Susan Wise.

1977 Commedia dell’Carte

Commedia dell’Carte

Commedia dell’Carte political transformation cards illustrated by Stef van Stiphout, Belgium, 1977. ...

Rembrandt playing cards

Rembrandt playing cards

Rembrandt playing cards published by the Rembrandthuis (The Rembrandt House Museum) in Amsterdam. ...

1990 New Musical Express

New Musical Express

54 black and white photographs of solo singers, duos and groups popular around 1990.

2002 Guildhall Art Gallery playing cards

Guildhall Art Gallery playing cards

54 different paintings from the collection of the Guildhall Art Gallery, London.

1970 Les Grands Ecrivains

Les Grands Ecrivains

‘Les Grands Ecrivains’ produced for members of “Le Grand Livre du Mois”, France, c. 1970.

1991 SCANIA 1891-1991

SCANIA 1891-1991

Centenary playing cards illustrating vintage trucks and buses produced by the Swedish company Scania...

2001 Euro Playing Cards

Euro Playing Cards

New euro banknotes and coins from several countries on circular cards.

1996 Jackspack Royal Navy Playing Cards

Jackspack Royal Navy Playing Cards

54 humorous illustrations of Royal Navy characters and Navy slang.

1997 Margaret Parrott playing cards

Margaret Parrott playing cards

Margaret Parrott playing cards decorated with whimsical parrots, USA, c. 1997.

1993 Cleveland Museum of Art artists card game

Cleveland Museum of Art artists card game

Cleveland Museum of Art artists card game, USA, c.1993.

1994 Jeu de Familles Les Pierrafeu®

Jeu de Familles Les Pierrafeu®

Quartet game featuring The Flintstones and friends.

Packs of Prizes

Packs of Prizes

‘Packs of Prizes’ playing cards advertising Neosorexa pest control products.

1995 Volvo playing cards

Volvo playing cards

Celebrating 50 years of innovation in Volvo car design.

1980 The Cartoonists' Pack

The Cartoonists' Pack

Semi-transformation pack created by four famous British cartoonists.

2022 Tarot of the Everlasting Day - AI Generated Tarot

Tarot of the Everlasting Day - AI Generated Tarot

Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated tarot deck produced by Marcus Katz. Is this science fiction o...