Which is better for the pool or beach?

The Hoyle Waterproof Clear. It is 100% plastic, so water and sand do not damage it, and it wipes clean. The Bicycle deck is paper and will warp once wet.

For dry table play, the Bicycle Gold Standard. Its Bee stock is the thickest, stiffest and most durable paper stock Bicycle makes. The Hoyle lasts longer in wet or rough conditions, but plastic cards scratch and get slicker with use.

Is the Bicycle worth stepping up to from the Hoyle?

Yes if you play at a table and care about shuffle feel and card snap. The Bicycle shuffles and fans far better. Stay with the Hoyle if your games are outdoors or with young kids.

Are the Hoyle cards hard to read?

Somewhat. The faces are transparent, so they show what is behind them, which slows reading in dim light or over busy surfaces. The Bicycle's traditional 808 faces are easier to read.

Which is better for kids?

The Hoyle. It is rated for ages 4 and up, survives spills and rough handling, and the clear look appeals to children. Paper cards crease and tear quickly in small hands.

Which shuffles better?

The Bicycle. Bee stock with a traditional cut gives a clean riffle and faro. The Hoyle's slick plastic tends to clump and slide.

Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards vs Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards

Buy the Hoyle Waterproof Clear if the cards will get wet, sandy or handled by young kids; the plastic wipes clean and shrugs off pool water. Buy the Bicycle Gold Standard if you want a proper paper deck for serious card play, shuffling and long sessions at a table. The Hoyle is tougher against the elements but slicker and less pleasant to shuffle; the Bicycle's Bee stock is the thickest, stiffest and most durable paper stock in the USPC lineup, and owners rate its feel and snap highly.

Choose the Hoyle Waterproof Clear if your games happen at the pool, beach, campsite or with kids who spill things.
Choose the Bicycle Gold Standard if you play at a table and care about shuffle feel, card snap and a classic Rider Back deck.

Prices

Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards: $5.69 at Amazon (last seen Nov 8)
Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards: $8.81 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards is $3.12 cheaper than the Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 10)

	Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards	Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards
Material	Clear premium plastic, fully waterproof	Paper Bee stock, not waterproof
Durability in wet or rough use	Unaffected by water, sand and spills	Paper warps and swells if it gets wet
Shuffle feel	Slick plastic, can clump and slide	Bee stock shuffles and fans cleanly
Stock thickness and stiffness	Thin, flexible plastic	Thickest and stiffest stock Bicycle makes
Card faces	Transparent, see-through design	Traditional 808 faces, easy to read
Cut	Standard cut	Traditionally cut for faro and riffle shuffles
Extras	Transparent travel case	Two matching Jokers and a blank Rider Back card
Portability	Light, compact, comes in a case	Standard tuck box, heavier paper deck

Spec	Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards	Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards
Waterproof	100% waterproof	—
Card size	Standard playing card size	—
Material	Premium clear plastic	—
Number of players	1-10	—
Item weight	100 g	—
Item dimensions	10 x 7.8 x 2.2 centimetres	—
Size	7.8 cm x 10 cm x 2.2 cm	—
Age range	Kid	—
Container type	Box	—
Special features	Portable, Waterproof	—
Game Type	Classic Playing Cards	—
Age (From)	4	—

Spec	Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards	Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards
Color	Transparent, Multicolor	—
Multipack Quantity	1	—
Back color	—	Red and Blue
Card faces	—	traditional 808 faces
Back design	—	standard Rider Back artwork
Card stock	—	Bee stock
Cut	—	Traditionally Cut
Included Jokers	—	two traditional matching Jokers
Included blank card	—	a blank card with the Rider Bike back
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Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards vs Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards

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Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards vs Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards

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Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards

Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards

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Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards

Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards

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Hoyle Waterproof Clear Playing Cards

Bicycle Gold Standard Playing Cards

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