Playmats: the types, the designs and the care

A playmat is a fabric mat with a rubber backing, normally around 35 by 61 centimetres, that you play on. It protects the cards from the table surface, makes them easier to pick up and keeps the deck in place. At tournaments it is practically standard. If you are unsure which one to choose: get one with a stitched edge.

Quick facts

Standard size	Around 35 × 61 cm
Material	Fabric surface on a rubber backing
Table size	Six or eight feet, for several players
Washing	Damp cloth. Rarely machine washable
Storage	Rolled with the fabric side out, ideally in a tube
Lifespan	Several years, considerably longer with a stitched edge

Why you play on a mat

Cards lying directly on the table get scratches and dirt on the edges, and a card on a hard surface is hard to pick up without bending it. The mat also absorbs moisture from the table and hands, marks out your play area when several people are playing, and evens out an uneven or worn table. These are five small things that together decide what a deck looks like after a year.

The types

Standard	Printed fabric surface on rubber. The basic version and the most common.
Stitched	Stitched edge around the whole mat. The edge does not fray and the mat lasts considerably longer.
Foil or shiny	Metallic print that shimmers. Often a limited run, but can cause reflections in strong light.
Prime	2 mm rubber mat, one of the thicker versions.
Table size	Six or eight feet, i.e. the whole table. For Commander and games with several players.

The stitched edge is the only difference you really notice after a year, and it is worth the extra cost.

Otherwise it is the surface that matters most in practice. A smooth surface lets the cards slide easily and shuffle quickly, a rougher one gives more grip. The thickness decides how well the mat hides an uneven table, and the size decides whether you need one mat per person or a shared one.

Licensed designs

Ultra Pro holds official licences for Pokémon and Magic, and also makes mats with sports designs. Dragon Shield, Gamegenic and Ultimate Guard have their own patterns but also licensed designs. Licensed mats often accompany a new set and are printed in limited quantities, which means designs from popular releases can be hard to find afterwards.

Choose a licensed mat when the design means something to you, since they rarely come back. If the mat is only there to protect the table, a neutral pattern is cheaper and just as good.

Care

1. Roll the mat with the fabric side out, not in. That way it flattens out faster next time.
2. Store it in a mat tube if it will be transported often.
3. Wipe with a damp cloth. Most mats cannot be machine washed, and heat ruins the rubber.
4. Let it dry flat, never hanging. The rubber can lose its shape from hanging.
5. Avoid direct sunlight, which fades the print.
6. Never fold it. A crease in the rubber does not go away.

Choosing a mat

First decide which game you play most, since some mats have zone markings for a specific game. Then choose a size. Standard is about 35 × 61 centimetres and holds the play area for one person, so if there are four of you, you need four mats or one in table size. Choose the surface based on how you shuffle: a smooth surface is faster, a textured one gives better grip. Check that the underside is rubberised so the mat stays put, and buy a mat tube if you will carry it to a game store or tournament.

The mat also comes with a few accessories that are easy to overlook: a mat tube with or without a strap, a smaller mat for dice and counters so they do not roll across the table, and a playmat bag that holds the mat, decks and accessories all at once.

The mistakes

Machine washing the mat hot loosens the rubber and is the only mistake that ruins a mat in one go. Folding it instead of rolling it creates creases that never come out. Playing without a mat on a table with a rough surface costs the cards more than the mat costs. And buying for the design without looking at the surface gives you a mat you do not enjoy shuffling on, however nice it is.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need a mat? Not to play, but the cards last longer with one.
• Can I wash it? Wipe with a damp cloth. Machine washing usually ruins the rubber.
• Why does my mat not lie flat? It has been rolled with the fabric side in. Roll it the opposite way and put something heavy on it.
• Can licensed mats be found again? Rarely. Limited prints from popular sets are usually not reprinted.
• Does a mat suit every card game? Yes, unless it has zone markings for a different game.

Read more about all accessories and the brands.

Shop: playmats at Bangerpack.

Written by those of us who run Bangerpack. Range and prices change continuously. What applies when you read this is shown in the category.