Alternatives to Faded Spade (2 Viewers)

[nick471167]

Looking for recommendations on alternative playing cards. I really liked Faded Spades until a queen literally fell apart mid-hand. I get that manufacturer defects happen, and I was willing to give them another shot but when I reached out to their customer support, I was basically told I was out of luck. Their solution was to suggest I buy their new FSX cards and offered a 15% coupon code.


After that response, I can’t justify giving them my business again.


So I’m looking for other options! I know about COPAG and Da Vinci, but I’d love to hear what else people recommend. Thanks in advance!

 

[BuckMason]

At our home game, we used Faded Spades and never had any issues. Before that we used Copags. Only time I ever had issues with Copags was when players with long fingernails or card protectors would dig right into the middle of the cards and put a nice little crease in them when peeling back their hands.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Are your faded spade bridges? I’d pay shipping for your extras so I could use them as replacement cards.

 

[MrBoosh]

I'm a big fan of @justincarothers Broken Arrow setups! Great cards at a great price. You should give them a try.

 

[jamesjkim]

My bridge 2.0 did the same thing. And I think these are the ones with issues. My other faded spade are fine.

 

[nick471167]

Will look into that!

 

[nick471167]

Are your faded spade bridges? I’d pay shipping for your extras so I could use them as replacement cards.

They are not bridges

 

[Kam]

I like Faded (only have 3.0 and FSX versions though) and have them in my rotation, I also like Fournier. Still taking my time trying out the rest of the usual crowd though as I’ve tried to buy a couple of each to try out. Here’s my stable:

*my wife walked in as I was taking the picture and asked, “what’s the difference between hoarding and collecting?”

 

[Machine]

If you like Faded Spade give these a try:

Otherwise you can find some budget cards on amazon or copaq are a great alternative to Faded Spade.

If you're not a fan of my troll post, then look for Dal Negro or Fournier, I do also like Broken Arrow which you can find with a local vendor here on the site.

 

[Snarespectre]

If you like thick, stiff feel of the Faded Spades, I’d recommend the Classic Ten from Thepokerstore.com. The back design is very similar to FS, they’re thick and snappy, and the card stock is a pretty bright white with bright red pips.

I haven’t heard many people talk about them here, but of the 20+ brands I’ve tried, they’re legitimately some of my favorite.

 

[MeridianFC]

Broken Arrow
Fournier

 

[BPTDirector]

If you are hoarding you don’t know what you have, a collection is an arranged masterpiece. I see a collection.

 

[surfik]

If you like stiff cards like FS try Trefl, only bit softer and very durable

 

[Snarespectre]

If you like stiff cards like FS try Trefl, only bit softer and very durable

Is there actually a non-expensive way to get these in the US? I’d love to try them but they’re either really hard to get or super pricey.

I think maybe I read on here that you get some from time to time? Or maybe I’m thinking of a different user.

 

[LotsOfChips]

Desjgn FTW!

 

[surfik]

Is there actually a non-expensive way to get these in the US? I’d love to try them but they’re either really hard to get or super pricey.

I think maybe I read on here that you get some from time to time? Or maybe I’m thinking of a different user.

fastest possible way is to post "wanted" add. I have sold few bricks to US based members so I am sure someone would be willing to part with a set so you can judge for yourself if they are what you are loking for...
currently due to "tariff wars" I am unable to ship to USA

good luck

PS. You may also look for a DalNegro on Kardwell, great cards

 

[nick471167]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Tight_Lay_DOWN]

I like Faded (only have 3.0 and FSX versions though) and have them in my rotation, I also like Fournier. Still taking my time trying out the rest of the usual crowd though as I’ve tried to buy a couple of each to try out. Here’s my stable:



*my wife walked in as I was taking the picture and asked, “what’s the difference between hoarding and collecting?”

Great question - I am very curious - what is the answer? (asking for a friend)

 

[Kam]

Great question - I am very curious - what is the answer? (asking for a friend)

Well, here’s what ChatGPT said and I read this to my wife. As the hero, I felt vindicated. As the villain, she felt I had influenced it since it mentioned poker chips (it remembers your search history).

Here’s the clean, practical distinction between collecting and hoarding, explained in a way that’s easy to apply in real life:

Collecting

A collection is:

• Intentional — items are chosen with a purpose (theme, category, value, aesthetics, nostalgia).
• Organized — items are stored, displayed, catalogued, or maintained in a coherent way.
• Curated — the collector selects what to add or remove; the collection evolves.

A collector typically:

• Knows what they own and why.
• Can part with items if needed (e.g., to upgrade, trade, or refine).
• Experiences joy, satisfaction, or meaning from the collection.
• Maintains living spaces without significant impairment.

Examples:

• Building a poker chip set with specific denominations, colors, edge-spot patterns.
• Collecting vintage casino memorabilia.
• Displaying signed sports cards in cases.

Hoarding

Hoarding (both in everyday language and clinical psychology) is:

• Excessive accumulation of items with no coherent theme or limit.
• Disorganized — items pile up without systems of storage or care.
• Difficult to discard — even things with little or no value.
• Impairing — clutter interferes with normal living (movement, cleaning, socializing).

A person struggling with hoarding may:

• Save large quantities of things “just in case.”
• Feel distress at the idea of letting go of anything.
• Not use or meaningfully interact with the items.
• Lose living space to clutter.

Examples:

• Keeping broken items that “might be useful someday.”
• Storing piles of old mail, clothes, packaging, or duplicates with no system.

 

[surfik]

Well, here’s what ChatGPT said and I read this to my wife. As the hero, I felt vindicated. As the villain, she felt I had influenced it since it mentioned poker chips (it remembers your search history).

Here’s the clean, practical distinction between collecting and hoarding, explained in a way that’s easy to apply in real life:

Collecting

A collection is:

• Intentional — items are chosen with a purpose (theme, category, value, aesthetics, nostalgia).
• Organized — items are stored, displayed, catalogued, or maintained in a coherent way.
• Curated — the collector selects what to add or remove; the collection evolves.

A collector typically:

• Knows what they own and why.
• Can part with items if needed (e.g., to upgrade, trade, or refine).
• Experiences joy, satisfaction, or meaning from the collection.
• Maintains living spaces without significant impairment.

Examples:

• Building a poker chip set with specific denominations, colors, edge-spot patterns.
• Collecting vintage casino memorabilia.
• Displaying signed sports cards in cases.

Hoarding

Hoarding (both in everyday language and clinical psychology) is:

• Excessive accumulation of items with no coherent theme or limit.
• Disorganized — items pile up without systems of storage or care.
• Difficult to discard — even things with little or no value.
• Impairing — clutter interferes with normal living (movement, cleaning, socializing).

A person struggling with hoarding may:

• Save large quantities of things “just in case.”
• Feel distress at the idea of letting go of anything.
• Not use or meaningfully interact with the items.
• Lose living space to clutter.

Examples:

• Keeping broken items that “might be useful someday.”
• Storing piles of old mail, clothes, packaging, or duplicates with no system.

Its all in the eyes of beholder..

 

[Jerome100]

I really like my Faded Spade. They're a bit stiffer than I prefer, but I love the style and artwork on them.

I wish I could get KEM feel with the Desjgn or Faded Spade design.

I'd probably suggest Desjgn for a nice combo of looks and feel. I think I'm gonna try a set of the Broken Arrow Professional next though. Also really cool style.