# The Card Table — Play card games with friends

> Virtual card deck app for playing any custom card game with friends. (iPhone/iPad app by Porter Hoskins.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-card-table/id775537119 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Porter Hoskins](https://appshunter.io/developer/529732278)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Card, Family
- Price: $1.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 98 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.6 · 11 MB
- Languages: American English, Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China)
- Released: 2014-02-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-card-table/id775537119/reviews.md

## What is The Card Table?

It’s not a card game. It’s every card game. The Card Table gives you a virtual deck of cards so you can play any of your favorite card games. You are in charge of the rules, such as how many cards to deal, how to keep score, and how to take turns. If you know how to play a game with a physical deck of cards, you can play it with The Card Table—without needing to shuffle!

An iPad or Mac becomes your card table, players keep their hands on their iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iPod touch, and you “pass” cards between devices. Players’ devices connect to the iPad via Bluetooth and/or Wifi. The magic is in the direct communication between devices. When you pass a card it doesn’t go through a server—it goes directly from one device to the next! Now you can easily play your favorite games on road trips or airplanes.

*** At least one iPad or Mac and another iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch with at least iOS 13 or a Mac with at least macOS 10.15.5 required***

## Key features

- Virtual card deck
- Customizable game rules
- Direct device-to-device card passing
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Play offline

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $1.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wooden Table Background | $1.99 | one-time |
| Poker Table Background | Free | one-time |
| Standard Card Back | Free | one-time |
| Modern Card Back | Free | one-time |
| Paisley Card Back | $0.99 | one-time |
| Default Table Background | Free | one-time |
| Spiral Table Background | $1.99 | one-time |
| Wave Card Back | $0.99 | one-time |
| Spiral Card Back | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of The Card Table?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 💡 Innovative virtual card table concept using iPad as table and phones as hands
- 🎮 Flexible gameplay allowing any card game without predefined rules
- 📱 Multiple deck options (Standard, Uno, Phase 10, etc.)
- 🔄 Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity options
- 👥 Multiplayer support for local play with friends and family
- 🎨 Clean, intuitive, and well-designed user interface
- ✋ Hand-hiding feature when phone is placed on table
- 🚗 Convenient for travel (car, plane, road trips)
- 📊 Score-keeping functionality
- 🔀 Automatic card shuffling
- ⚡ Easy setup and quick device pairing

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- 🔌 Connectivity issues - devices frequently disconnect mid-game
- 📱 Requires multiple device purchases to play (one app per device)
- 🌐 Requires WiFi or Bluetooth connection - doesn't work remotely
- ❌ App doesn't work on older iOS versions
- ⚠️ Game Center login requirement creates friction
- 💰 Paid app with ads still present
- 🎯 Confusing gameplay without predefined rules or tutorials
- 📦 Requires iPad as table - iPhones/iPad minis cannot be table
- 🚫 No Android support
- ⏱️ Slow card dealing and gameplay speed
- 🔄 Reconnection issues when switching to other apps
- 📐 Limited table space for multiple players
- 🎨 Free background must be repurchased each session

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or during gameplay
- Blurry or black screen on iPad
- Devices fail to connect or stay connected
- Spinning wheel of death/infinite loading
- App doesn't work on iOS 14 and older versions
- iPad Air and iPad mini compatibility issues
- Cards disappear during gameplay
- Networking drops frequently during games
- Cannot determine whose turn it is
- In-app purchase popup spam and blocking
- Game doesn't reconnect after switching apps
- Table appears blank after setup
- Devices stuck on main/drag players screen
- Forced logout from Game Center
- App incompatibility with newer iOS updates

**Most requested features**

- Predefined game modes with built-in rules (Poker, Rummy, Solitaire, Euchre)
- Multiple deck support
- Chip counter for poker
- Allow iPads to function as player hands, not just table
- Ad-free premium version option
- Game saving and favorite deck saving
- Joker customization (high/low joker distinction)
- Phase 10 card display
- Auto-stacking teacher for games like Rummy
- Pinch-zoom capability for table scaling
- Score tracking and tally sheets for specific games
- Shuffle deck button
- Card organization tools for player hands
- Apple TV support
- Custom deck building with user-uploaded card art
- Increased player support (up to 9 players)
- Multitasking support without game restart
- Remote play capability (not just local WiFi)
- Tutorial improvements and game suggestions

## Recent user reviews (10 of 98)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-card-table/id775537119/reviews.md

### 1/5 — bad

*2022-12-23*

u have to b around ppl u cannot play virtually????

### 5/5 — Perfect for when you don’t have a deck of cards!

*2022-01-26*

This app is great for when your in the car or on a plane and you don’t have a deck of cards or using cards is a hassle. 

It is also great for playing cards around a little kids who get too grabby with the deck!

### 5/5 — Love it!

*2022-01-01*

Changing my review from one star to five. When I purchased this app a year ago, it didn’t function at all. With the latest update, it works perfectly. I use it to play cards with a friend who is paralyzed, and we love it. The app has multiple decks to choose from (Standard, Uno, Phase 10, and more), score keeping, shuffling, and even hiding your hand before setting down your phone. Thank you for taking the time to build this app and fix the bugs! My friend and I will use it often :)

**Developer response:** Sorry about this 😞 The app has been fixed and should work great now.

### 3/5 — Exactly what I’m looking for but no Androidsupport

*2022-01-01, version 3.0*

I have an Android phone and can’t use it.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work on iOS 14

*2021-01-07*

It used to work and was one of the best apps in thestore. It doesn't work anymore.

### 1/5 — Literally does not work

*2020-12-21, version 1.31*

If this app is outdated and no longer works, please remove it from the app store. The app will literally not load anything when I open it. I was hoping to have a virtual card deck to use for teaching, but this is now pretty much just a scam.

### 1/5 — It won’t run on my iPad.

*2020-11-22, version 1.31*

Uninstalled and reinstalled, restarted etc.

### 1/5 — Does not work anymore, just blurry iPad, phones don’t connect

*2020-09-29, version 1.31*

Title says it all.

### 1/5 — App does not work

*2020-07-11, version 1.31*

After purchasing and downloading, the app did not even load. How can I get my money back??

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work!

*2020-06-16, version 1.31*

No longer works!

## Frequently asked questions about The Card Table

### What is The Card Table app?

The Card Table app provides a virtual deck of cards that allows you to play any of your favorite card games. You have complete control over the rules, such as how many cards are dealt, how to keep score, and how turns are taken. It's designed to replicate the experience of playing with a physical deck of cards, but digitally.

### How does The Card Table app work?

The app uses a virtual deck of cards and allows players to keep their hands on their own devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iPod touch). An iPad or Mac acts as the central card table. Cards are passed directly between devices using Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi, creating a seamless and interactive multiplayer experience without needing a server.

### What are the system requirements for The Card Table app?

To use The Card Table app, you will need at least one iPad or Mac, and another device such as an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. The devices must be running at least iOS 13 or macOS 10.15.5. This ensures compatibility for the direct device-to-device communication features.

### Can I play card games with friends who don't have the app?

No, all players involved in a game using The Card Table app must have the app installed on their compatible devices. The app facilitates direct communication between these devices, so each participant needs their own instance of the application.

### Is The Card Table app free to use?

The application is free to download and use, with the option for in-app purchases. While the core functionality of providing a virtual deck and enabling custom games is available, certain features or enhancements might be accessible through these in-app purchases.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2022-01-02

Built for iOS 14 & 15

### 3.0 — 2021-12-31

Built for iOS 14 & 15

### 1.31 — 2014-06-13

Tons of new features in this one. Literally tons. In no particular order, here's a list of new things you can do:
- Use your iPad as a hand 
- New card and table designs! These are made available as in app purchases.
- Use multiple decks 
- Select how many Jokers (or other special cards) you want in your deck 
- Save your favorite game configurations 
- Play with three new deck types in addition to the standard face cards 

***Fixed In-App purchases issue

### 1.3 — 2014-06-07

Tons of new features in this one. Literally tons. In no particular order, here's a list of new things you can do: 
- Use multiple decks
- Select how many Jokers (or other special cards) you want in your deck
- Save your favorite game configurations
- Play with three new deck types in addition to the standard face cards
- Use your iPad as a hand

We've also added more options for card backs and game tables. These are made available as in app purchases.

### 1.2 — 2014-03-17

- Fixed disappearing card bug that affected first time users
- Other performance improvements

We'd like to thank everyone for the fantastic support you've shown us during our launch. And a special shout out to @bighagrid for saving us from a big headache. 

If you are feeling generous please take a moment and leave us a review in the App Store!

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## More apps by Porter Hoskins

- [File Uploader for SharePoint](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-uploader-for-sharepoint/id1422996585)

All apps by Porter Hoskins: https://appshunter.io/developer/529732278

## Related topics

[jable card](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/jable-card)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*