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So what is Card Table?

2/1/2014

27 Comments

 
We think everyone will be well-served by an in-depth explanation of just what Card Table is and how it works. So here goes...
What is Card Table?
Card Table is an iOS app for both iPad and iPhone/iPod that lets you and up to three of your friends play your favorite card games with a virtual deck of 52 cards. You need an iPad to run the game and an iPhone or iPod touch for each player. The iPad acts like a card table, and is home to the deck of cards. Players keep their cards on their iPhone or iPod, which becomes their virtual hand. Players can send cards between the Card Table (the iPad) and their hands (their iPhones and iPods).
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How do I play?
  1. Install Card Table on your iPad and on each player's iPhone or iPod touch. Yes, you must have an iPad (iPad 2 or newer) to play Card Table. All of your devices should be running iOS 7.
  2. Enable Bluetooth and/or connect to the same Wifi network on your devices. Bluetooth connections are faster and simpler. Players iPhones and iPods connect to the iPad, which runs the game.
  3. Open Card Table on your devices and create a new game on the iPad. Players will be asked to sign into Game Center. We use Game Center to quickly identify players, get a player picture, and skip requiring players to enter their own name.
  4. On the iPad, select up to four players and assign them to a side of the iPad. You will be shown a list on the iPad of nearby devices that are running Card Table and looking for a new game. You can then assign them to one of the four sides of the iPad.
  5. On the iPad, select the number of cards to deal each player and start the game! You can select between a classic card look or our modern design, whether to include Jokers, and other options as well. When you begin the game players will automatically be dealt their cards from a  shuffled deck, and the remainder of the cards will be placed in the main deck on the Card Table (the iPad).
  6. Send a card to a player by dragging it to the edge of their side of the iPad. They will be notified on their iPhone or iPod of the card(s) they receive.
  7. Send a card to the table by swiping it up on your iPhone. It will slide into view on the Card Table on your side of the iPad.
  8. Flip a card over by double-tapping. You can flip cards over in your hand and on the Card Table. You can send cards to and from players' hands while face-up or face-down.
  9. Combine cards into a group by long-pressing a pile of cards on the Card Table. That sounds confusing now, but once you try it you'll see. Hold a tap on a pile of cards a little longer than usual, then let go.
  10. Shuffle or separate a group of cards by long-pressing on the group. You can also send a group of cards to the bottom of the main deck.
We think you are going to love Card Table. We love it because it lets us use our favorite devices to play our favorite games with our favorite people. Once you send a card between your iPhone and iPad, you'll be hooked on the magic of Card Table (and you'll see why we call it "magic"). 

If you have any questions about gameplay, contact us via Twitter (@cardtableapp) or the contact form found here.

Have fun!
27 Comments
Too vague
4/2/2014 10:15:10 am

Setting up and connecting was simple - but actually playing a game wasn't. You really need to have it setup so you can just click a game and it deals for you. The onboard tutorial was totally bizarre and only accessible after everyone is logged in. Woud be nice if can setup game before getting everyone around to play.

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The Card Table
4/2/2014 04:44:24 pm

Please help us understand what you are looking for. As we understand it, it sounds like you want to simply have to select either Texas Hold 'Em or Hearts or Old Maid and have the game automatically configured to deal the proper amount of cards?

Another way we are interpreting your request is that you want the game to enforce rules (such as turns and legal moves) deepening on the game you select. Is that what you are suggesting?

And regarding the tutorial: we mean for it to teach players how to use the various gestures to manipulate the cards, and not to show players how to play a specific game. Any specific suggestions?

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Mike
4/2/2014 11:10:16 pm

"As we understand it, it sounds like you want to simply have to select either Texas Hold 'Em and have the game automatically configured to deal the proper amount of cards?"

That is what I thought this app was going to do... Otherwise it is kind of a waste. Maybe I am not a big enough card player to take advantage of the functionality, but the casual player would appreciate a "POKER" tab, so you could just press and go.

André arim link
4/20/2019 01:18:07 pm

You are really way off what you can do with this. Send me and e-mail and we can talk

John
8/2/2020 07:34:18 am

Looking for a card game that can save a deal.

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Me again
4/3/2014 07:53:01 am

Well rule enforcing hadn't occurred to me but being able to setup a game was not obvious at all. You get phone screensful of cards and a confusing "tutorial"

So how do you setup a game like crazy eights or blackjack or draw poker or anything!

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GC
4/7/2014 11:45:37 am

Is there a way to use an iPad mini as the hand and not the table?

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The Card Table
4/7/2014 03:15:59 pm

We just added that feature and are testing it now! It looks great. It will be included in our next release later this month.

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Matt
4/10/2014 12:44:55 pm

Dudes sounds great but how come I can find a name for this app or a link straight to iTunes to download it. I skimmed the ksl story and this page and it's to hard to find the name and link to the download. Good luck.

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The Card Table
4/10/2014 01:12:29 pm

It's on the App Store under "The Card Table." We have a "Download on the App Store" button in the footer on this website, and a "Download" button on the Home page. Here is the link right now too: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-card-table/id775537119?mt=8

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Ken
6/7/2014 09:13:51 pm

Currently the link for the download doesn't go to any app in the App Store; searching finds nothing either (this is the AU store by the way, I have the latest version as there was an update recently).

The Card Table
6/8/2014 03:17:53 pm

Hi Ken. We pulled it from the App Store for the time being. We included a bunch of new media in version 1.3 that didn't show up after we deployed it to the App Store. We're looking into why that happened and plan to have it available again soon.

Sarah
2/2/2015 08:27:02 pm

Sooooooo
You can't play against a game centre friend unless they're in the room with u?
Not my solution to playing phase 10 long distance without a computer :(

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jennifer terbush
2/8/2015 07:46:12 am

I'd like to play cards, digitally, with family and friends that live in other states....when that app becomes available I believe you'll have millions of downloads.

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Blake
9/6/2015 08:23:39 am

Guys, this is really great! I just downloaded it today and have been trying it out. Ive been looking for a solution for a cardless texas holdem home game for a while now. I like the idea of doing a small live "sit n go" style tournament, but the problem is the slow pacing of the live game because of shuffling and dealing. The ideal timing for a 6 person holdem tourney would be somewhere around an hour or so. In order to get that you have to keep increasing the blinds pretty aggressively. The more hands dealt during the tournament, the better the game gets because it becomes more of a skill game than luck. I would love to set this up as a 6-player "sit'n'go" style holdem home poker but currently it maxes out at 4-players. Do you think this may become an available feature in the future, to add additional players?

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Cort
12/4/2015 07:41:33 pm

I was looking for an app like this for long distance card games. Let me know when you don't have to be in the same room.

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Craig
1/19/2016 09:08:34 pm

It seems that an iPhone won't connect to the iPad running in table mode if both devices are logged in as the same Apple ID - correct?

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Kev
7/6/2017 08:25:58 am

I added the bamboo table and crashed my iPad Pro. No longer functional. It flashes when I open it and then returns to home screen. A double tap on the home button reveals an open app. When selecting it from the open viewer, it flashes and returns to home screen. Suggestions? Also include detailed instructions for hearts please.Thanks and well done for being a pioneer on a bluetooth card game for the airplane.

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Emma
4/3/2019 08:31:05 am

How come this is no longer working on the iPad?

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Monica
4/8/2019 01:54:51 am

Hi the app keeps crashing when launch, tried all possible ways. Rebooting my iPad and reinstalling the app, still didn’t work. Please advice.

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Julie link
4/23/2019 02:44:13 pm

Interesting way to use an ipad to become a table!

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buzz link
3/18/2020 08:13:32 am

now is your time to highlight this app for long distance players as everyone is locked down at home and looking for alternative means to be close to loved ones and friends.
do you plan on making a remote session app available?

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Harriet
3/26/2020 02:16:39 am

Agree with buzz. We are all looking for ways to connect in real time with others far away without leaving our homes.
I play a card game with several friends and will be doing so remotely now that we are self isolating. The first person to work up a good virtual pack with At least 4, even better 6, players will sell tons. If it can look nice that would be good too (choose background colour at least? I hate green). Please get this off the ground. It will catch on really fast! Thank you.

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Jeanne
3/26/2020 04:51:21 pm

Just get a blurry screen; doesn’t load on my iPad and I have tried everything. Giving up and getting my $2 bucks back.

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Kelly
3/30/2020 01:20:36 pm

Agree with Harriett and Buzz! Don't need rule enforcing, but do need it to be accessible from different wifi networks / remotely. A virtual deck of cards that my parents (in one city), my sister (in a second town), and myself (a 3rd town) can all access together to play a card game while on lockdown is what we are looking for. All the Canadians are itching to play Euchre!!!!! Without hockey, that is our go-to. :-D

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Nathan link
4/19/2020 04:25:56 pm

Can’t get this to work w! Used to work. iPad stays out of focus and iPhone just keep trying to connect to game! What’s gone wrong?

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Matt Hollister
7/27/2020 05:59:28 pm

Do Not Buy. Get blurry screen on the iPad and can’t get anything to connect fully. iPhones say they are connected to the iPad but nothing happens on the tablet or phone after that. Messed around with Bluetooth and WiFi settings. Also reinstalled the app and tried an iPad mini too.

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