What is Pips in Poker?

Introduction

In the grand scheme of poker strategy, terms like ‘bluff’, ‘equity’, or ‘range’ dominate the conversation. Yet beneath the surface of every card lies a subtle but essential element that makes card recognition possible: pips. Though the term ‘pip’ originates from card design, it has made its way into poker discussions in several indirect and colloquial forms.

Here’s everything you need to know about pips and their use in the game.

Definition of Pips in Poker

In the most literal sense, pips are the small suit symbols (♠ ♥ ♦ ♣) printed on the face of playing cards. They serve two main purposes:

• Representing the card’s suit and numerical value visually
• Enabling quick and intuitive recognition of the card’s identity

Pips appear on all cards except jokers and can range from 2 to 10 symbols on numeric cards. Even the face cards (Jack, Queen, King) and Ace feature smaller versions of suit symbols, though not based on their card number.

Breakdown by Card Type

These visual elements are critical to card recognition, especially when holding a hand, fanning cards, or viewing them across the table in live play.

Pips in Card Design

The design and layout of pips are highly standardized in professional-grade poker decks. Here’s how they are crafted for gameplay efficiency:

1. Symmetry and Balance

• Cards are printed with pips mirrored across the vertical axis so they can be read upright or upside down.
• This symmetry makes fanned cards easy to interpret quickly.

2. Corner Indices (Mini-Pips)

• Each card also contains a smaller pip in the corner, along with the rank (e.g., ‘6♠’), allowing players to view cards clearly when they’re fanned or stacked.

3. Suit Recognition

• Each suit has a unique pip symbol:

o ♠ Spades – black, pointed top

o ♥ Hearts – red, rounded

o ♦ Diamonds – red, angular

o ♣ Clubs – black, three-leaf shape

High-end decks sometimes color-code face cards differently, but the suit’s pip always remains clear.

Pip as a Colloquial Term in Poker Strategy

Although the formal definition of ‘pip’ is visual and design-oriented, poker players often use the term metaphorically in hand analysis:

‘One Pip Better’ or ‘Won by a Pip’

In casual speech, you might hear:

‘We both had top pair, but his kicker was a pip better’

This refers not to the actual number of suit symbols but rather to the numerical value difference between two cards. For instance:

• You: K♠ T♣
• Opponent: K♦ J♠
• Board: K♥ 7♦ 3♠ 9♣ 4♦

Both players have a pair of Kings, but the opponent wins due to a higher kicker (Jack vs Ten) a ‘one pip’ advantage.

This isn't literal but symbolic. It’s become part of poker lingo, especially when comparing close hands.

Strategic Scenarios Where Pips (Metaphorically) Matter

While pips don’t change the rules, they can factor into specific strategic moments:

1. Kicker Situations

A small numerical difference can swing the entire pot.

• Example: A♠ 9♦ vs A♥ 8♣, both hit top pair, but A9 wins.
• The 9 is ‘one pip’ higher than the 8, hence the win.

2. Preflop Decisions in Tight Ranges

Hands like Q-J and Q-T seem similar but are separated by a single rank pip. That one pip changes your flop playability, kicker strength, and overall EV (expected value).

3. Short Deck or 6+ Hold’em

In Short Deck poker, where cards below 6 are removed, each pip in card value becomes more significant. There are fewer possible combinations, making kickers more likely to be decisive.

Pips and Deck Manufacturing

For casino operators and tournament organizers, pip design affects:

• Card clarity
• Shuffling efficiency
• Security (against marked cards or duplicate design flaws)

High-quality decks (e.g., Copag, KEM) are made with:

• Consistent pip sizing
• Deep contrast between pip color and background
• Durable materials for thousands of hands

For televised poker, larger corner pips or jumbo indexes are used to ensure cards are readable by viewers on screen.

Pips in Online Poker Interfaces

In digital poker platforms, physical pips are replaced with graphical symbols. Still, the concept remains:

• Cards are displayed with a suit symbol (pip)
• Color-coded (red/black)
• Indexed for readability in multi-table setups

Some HUDs or overlays may use ‘pip-based equity maps’ (not common) to visualize how close a player’s hand is to another in terms of rank.

Common Confusions

Pips vs. VPIP

VPIP stands for ‘Voluntarily Put Money In Pot’, a stat measuring how loose/tight a player is. It has nothing to do with pips on cards.

Pips vs. PIP in Forex

In foreign exchange markets, a pip refers to a unit of currency change. Unrelated to poker terminology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pips unique to poker cards?

No. Pips appear on all standard playing cards used for games like bridge, rummy, blackjack, etc.

Do pips affect the rules or gameplay?

Not directly. They are a design feature that assists in visual recognition but don’t influence game outcomes.

Is ‘pip’ used in professional poker language?

Rarely in official strategy contexts, but it appears in casual conversations to describe minor hand value differences.

Can two cards have the same number of pips but differ in strength?

Yes. For example, both 10♥ and 10♠ have 10 pips, but their impact on your hand depends on suits and board texture.

How do face cards represent pips?

Face cards usually feature artistic illustrations and only a small number of suit symbols, more for visual identity than count accuracy.

Conclusion

Pips may not be part of advanced poker strategy or decision-making tools, but they are an essential visual language of the game. They help players quickly identify the rank and suit of a card, maintain the integrity of gameplay, and even influence casual discussions when players refer to ‘one pip better’ hands.