It depends on how you handle the cards. There are plenty of games that use a poker deck (, , , ) though its usually as a randomizer. The simple wargame might also be of some inspiration to you.
My recommendation would be something akin to drawing from a standard deck, and then abilities are activated by certian cards or combinations. In turn, your class or permanent character sheet lets you combine cards or use them in unconventional manners.
For example, spades is move, clubs block, hearts ranged/magic, and diamonds melee. However a nimble rouge can use any black card to dodge, a wizard can use any red card as ranged, a monk can move and attack, using two at once.
Alternatively, you can set various difficulty targets for certain actions, modified by a character's abilities. To block an attack, pull any face card, any card 10+ with a shield, and any face plus spades if you're an elf. Disengaging from melee is any red card, any card but clubs for a rouge.
Looking at this in more general terms - you can grant bonuses or penalties by adding/subtracting cards from a character's deck. Kobolds are a lot less dangerous if they only get to draw from a deck with a maximum value of eight.