Iv played a lot of savage worlds, Using cards for initiative in that setting is fun because of the abilities that effect the cards. Like being able to draw 2 and use the best one. and if you draw a joker you get bonuses for the combat. If you took away most the other rules that effect the cards in that game cards are not really all that different than rolling a d10.

I could see using cards for larp, Using the ace-10s only.