From the poolside to the classroom to a family game night, sophomore Neeka Naghibi Harat has a deck of cards for every occasion. Harat holds Dragon Back Blue, Sea King and Las Vegas decks, showing off her favorite playing cards.
Neeka Naghibi Harat
Sophomore Neeka Naghibi Harat started collecting decks of cards about three years ago. Her collection began with four she received as gifts; she now has 26 decks from around the world in many different colors and sizes.
“Dragon Back by Bicycle Cards is one of the first cards I got. It’s blue and black instead of blue and red. Then I have this other [deck] from Las Vegas, which is all gold. They’re plastic, and they look cool. I also have this other one called Seeking. It’s an off-white color, and on the back, there [are] designs in the background. The colors are maroon and this nice, dark teal. I love those. [They] are my favorites,” Naghibi Harat said.
Her favorite games to play with her cards include Poker — Texas hold-’em style — Blackjack and an Iranian game called Dirty Sevens.
“Every time we have any sort of family gathering, there’s always a deck of cards. We always play, regardless of who’s there and who isn’t. The card game varies depending on who we’re with. When we’re with my dad’s side, we play poker or blackjack because they live in California. It’s a friendly competition,” Naghibi Harat said.