A playing card holder is described in which two plates with diverging inner surfaces form a tapered slot which extends upward from a base section. The inner surface of each plate is lined with a layer of tufted flock material, which may be partially set into recesses in the opposed plate surfaces. The holder retains either a single card or a number of overlapping cards securely in place with a relatively high degree of static friction, and yet permits cards to be easily removed with a substantially lower dynamic friction without dislodging adjacent cards. The remote ends of the holder are provided with a compound curvature which protects the cards from casual visual observation by other players, while enhancing the ability of the player to easily and securely manipulate the cards.