Best Poker Playing Cards (1 Viewer)

[Teggy]

Looking for some advice and help finding the best poker playing cards. There are a lot of choices but what do you guys recommend. I tend to love the bridge size jumbo index cards. What brands should I go with? I have several sets but I'm looking to acquire more for my collection. I have some copag, Dal negros, Da Vinci's in my collection already so I'm looking for some new decks. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[RichMahogany]

Tons of threads about this in this forum:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/forums/poker-playing-cards.17/

Including quite a few recent threads

 

[allforcharity]

There's a boycott movement against Modiano cards right now, if you care about such things.

 

[Teggy]

There's a boycott movement against Modiano cards right now, if you care about such things.

Why is there a boycott on Modiano, I have a set myself

 

[CdnBeerLover]

Why is there a boycott on Modiano, I have a set myself

They recently manufactured cards (bridge/jumbo) for Desjgn with slightly different coloured backs for cards within a deck, essentially marking cards within a deck. When advised of the problem, they basically told Desjgn that it was not their issue, and did nothing to correct it. Desjgn is replacing the decks with a reprint from another manufacturer out of pocket.

Edit: More info at https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/bridge-jumbo-index-issue.24936/

 

[Teggy]

They recently manufactured cards (bridge/jumbo) for Desjgn with slightly different coloured backs for cards within a deck, essentially marking cards within a deck. When advised of the problem, they basically told Desjgn that it was not their issue, and did nothing to correct it. Desjgn is replacing the decks with a reprint from another manufacturer out of pocket.

Yeah just read some of the thread that sucks for Desijn. He is doing the right thing and I have to say I don't think I will be buying Modiano cards again

 

[Nex]

I don't care about the boycott, but the couple of Modiano decks I have are simply inferior to other brands I have so I see no point in buying any more.
The only reason I would use Modianos is when I want a 4 color deck in play, because Modiano was the only available supplier that even had such a deck.

Pick up Fourniers if you value function most.
Pick up KEMs if you value look and feel a bit more.

 

[Teggy]

I don't care about the boycott, but the couple of Modiano decks I have are simply inferior to other brands I have so I see no point in buying any more.
The only reason I would use Modianos is when I want a 4 color deck in play, because Modiano was the only available supplier that even had such a deck.

Pick up Fourniers if you value function most.
Pick up KEMs if you value look and feel a bit more.

Think KEMs are superior cards over Fourniers

 

[justsomedude]

Think KEMs are superior cards over Fourniers

Is that a question or a statement?

#punctuation

 

[Nex]

They are fairly close together imo. Which brand is superior really depends on your preferences.
The Fourniers are definitely easier to shuffle (stiffer, more slippery) and don't warp like the KEMs, while the KEMs have the superior material feel and design (subjectively once again).

That being said, I tend to like my Fourniers more than my KEMs.

 

[Teggy]

They are fairly close together imo. Which brand is superior really depends on your preferences.
The Fourniers are definitely easier to shuffle (stiffer, more slippery) and don't warp like the KEMs, while the KEMs have the superior material feel and design (subjectively once again).

That being said, I tend to like my Fourniers more than my KEMs.

Where is the best place to get Fourniers?

 

[Teggy]

They are fairly close together imo. Which brand is superior really depends on your preferences.
The Fourniers are definitely easier to shuffle (stiffer, more slippery) and don't warp like the KEMs, while the KEMs have the superior material feel and design (subjectively once again).

That being said, I tend to like my Fourniers more than my KEMs.

Are Fournier cards all 100% plastic?

 

[Teggy]

Is that a question or a statement?

#punctuation

Was meant to be a question my bad

 

[Nex]

As I'm not in America, I can't really tell you where to best get them. From other Americans in the other thread, I heard you'll find them on Amazon and eBay.

Not all cards Fournier produces are plastic. But those that are are marked as such. The plastic Fourniers I have are the 2818 (poker size) and the 2826 (bridge size, "Flor de Lis" back design). You might be able to find more by searching for the 2800 series (2 jumbo index) and 2500 series (4 regular index), those are all plastic.

 

[BGinGA]

My experience with bridge, jumbo or standard:

Good: Fournier, Piatnik, Desjgn, Bicycle Prestige
Bad: Copag, Kem, Royal, Gemaco Five Star
Ugly: ModiaNO

Cartimundi, Gemaco Superflex, and a couple of others (typically harder to find) are okay, too.

As always, ymmv. Some brands have both fanboys and detractors, but there is almost universal agreement on the four above in the 'good' category.

 

[v1pe]

My experience with bridge, jumbo or standard:

Good: Fournier, Piatnik, Desjgn, Bicycle Prestige
Bad: Copag, Kem, Royal, Gemaco Five Star
Ugly: ModiaNO

Cartimundi, Gemaco Superflex, and a couple of others (typically harder to find) are okay, too.

As always, ymmv. Some brands have both fanboys and detractors, but there is almost universal agreement on the four above in the 'good' category.

Worth mentioning that of the "good" in this list, Desjgn and Bicycle Prestige are the only widely available (and affordable IMO) option to the US.

 

[SWEATER]

Desjgn cards are great. The classics you can get bridge size.

I use bridge size jumbo index copaqs, but only because I bought 6 setups before I knew about the HUGE lack of durability. The ink will fade fast and mark cards. Not recommended.

 

[v1pe]

Desjgn cards are great. The classics you can get bridge size.

I use bridge size jumbo index copaqs, but only because I bought 6 setups before I knew about the HUGE lack of durability. The ink will fade fast and mark cards. Not recommended.

Seconded about Copag durability.

Desjgn Casino are bridge jumbo and they are great.

 

[BGinGA]

My experience with bridge, jumbo or standard:

Good: Fournier, Piatnik, Desjgn, Bicycle Prestige
Bad: Copag, Kem, Royal, Gemaco Five Star
Ugly: ModiaNO

Cartimundi, Gemaco Superflex, and a couple of others (typically harder to find) are okay, too.

As always, ymmv. Some brands have both fanboys and detractors, but there is almost universal agreement on the four above in the 'good' category.

Have spent the last two days using several different setups of Fournier, Piatnik, and Prestige bridge/jumbo cards at the SSSS meetup. Here's how I rank 'em in terms of play, shuffling, dealing, resistance to damage, and durability:

1. Bicycle Prestige
2. Fournier
3. Piatnik

Surprised me, too.

 

[TexRex]

BG, where do you find Bicycle Prestige in bridge jumbo?

 

[Old State]

I think you be better thinking terms of “what are some good cards” rather than what’s the best since there is a lot of subjectivity.

There are numerous plastic card manufacturers that make quality cards.

I personally agree Copags have some durability issues but I feel they are way over exaggerated. If you liked Poker sized cards the a simple and cheap recommendation are Bicycle Prestige or the Cartamundi Ace cards that can be found at Target, Walmart, etc.

I strongly prefer bridge sized cards which necessitates internet purchases. As stated many times Kems have a tendency to warp more than other cards. That said, in my experience, storing them upside down with a cut card and dealer button (who uses those anyway..unless you have a dealer) on top is sufficient to keep them flat. I would wager significant money that Kem would beat out most cards in a blind feel test.

Desjgn cards are the best mix of looks and feel. They are so unique and gorgeous.

You can find some great deals on bridge Prestige without cases and a great deal on Cartamundi CCPs on Amazon. The Prestige are more flexible than the Cartamundi CCP (not their acetate cards) under $10.

 

[whoop84]

BG, where do you find Bicycle Prestige in bridge jumbo?

I'm not BG but you can find them on Amazon. I got some from playingcards.net, a sponsor on this site. I believe that only the green-burgundy ones come in that configuration.

 

[TexRex]

Thank you Whoop! I've only found the green-burgundy combo and wondering if there are others.

 

[Tcollie51]

Can never go wrong with Kems. The OG, only problem is they are much more common in bridge size so watch yoyrself. I picked up about 10 decks of plastic coated playing cards for $4.99 at a local second hand shop and I am a dealer so I amwags say when you walk out of your local cardroom, ask for a few decision!

 

[Jambine]

Can never go wrong with Kems. The OG, only problem is they are much more common in bridge size so watch yoyrself. I picked up about 10 decks of plastic coated playing cards for $4.99 at a local second hand shop and I am a dealer so I amwags say when you walk out of your local cardroom, ask for a few decision!

Do you mean ask for used paper cards? Why?

 

[Lemonzest]

poker sized KEM #1

 

[DoubleEagle]

Have spent the last two days using several different setups of Fournier, Piatnik, and Prestige bridge/jumbo cards at the SSSS meetup. Here's how I rank 'em in terms of play, shuffling, dealing, resistance to damage, and durability:

1. Bicycle Prestige
2. Fournier
3. Piatnik

Surprised me, too.

Fournier have a very nice feel to them but they quickly fade just like Modiano. We were replacing decks every three months with them.

 

[Old State]

I’ve seen Piatnik on Amazon but they are crazy expensive. One of the only popular brands I haven’t tried

 

[ThatVeritas]

Have spent the last two days using several different setups of Fournier, Piatnik, and Prestige bridge/jumbo cards at the SSSS meetup. Here's how I rank 'em in terms of play, shuffling, dealing, resistance to damage, and durability:

1. Bicycle Prestige
2. Fournier
3. Piatnik

Surprised me, too.

Wow this is interesting. The Bicycle Prestige quality must have come a long way. I remember picking up a set years ago when they first launched, and the color wore off of all the backs of the cards. But like I said this was years ago so that’s really nice to hear, considering how readily available they are in my area. Cheers for the info!

 

[ThatVeritas]

They recently manufactured cards (bridge/jumbo) for Desjgn with slightly different coloured backs for cards within a deck, essentially marking cards within a deck. When advised of the problem, they basically told Desjgn that it was not their issue, and did nothing to correct it. Desjgn is replacing the decks with a reprint from another manufacturer out of pocket.

Edit: More info at https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/bridge-jumbo-index-issue.24936/

I did not know this, I guess I won’t be purchasing any cards from them. I hate when companies pull stunts like that and let their customer service slide. Thanks for the info!