KEM Cards ID Please? (1 Viewer)

Mikiethebull

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I saw these from 2003 that I might pick up. I think they are called the "Casino Back" design, as opposed to the "Club Casinos", which I think some posters also called "circle backs". Does anyone know if these were KEM's premium cards at the time, ie, a notch above Arrows, or are they a lower grade card than Arrows?

Thanks

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I have a setup just like these in jumbo index. No better or worse than any Kem cards in my opinion. You’ll like them as long as they stay flat!
 
That is a BIG if. I wonder if certain batches or lots, like May 2010 for example, are more prone to warping than others, or if it is just luck of the draw regardless of lot or batch date.
 
Those are what I would call Brown box casino KEM circle backs. They were cards originally sold to casinos. I don't think they were made out of anything different than any other Kems from that time, or now as far as I know.
 
Those are what I would call Brown box casino KEM circle backs. They were cards originally sold to casinos. I don't think they were made out of anything different than any other Kems from that time, or now as far as I know.
Exactly that
Edit: no way to determine the production date without seeing the As
 
Exactly that
Edit: no way to determine the production date without seeing the As

This.

Although I seem to remember that these are post USPC from research I did many years back. Also, the set up I used to own were definitely post USPC
 
They are pre and Post USPC manufacture. I bought a few setups back around 2003 and they ended up being used casino cards heavily warped. I still have them in a box in the basement.

Many casinos use that design but have their name branded on them. Borgata has them. When Borgata opened I swore their Kems felt thicker than the Arrows I had. I even called Kem to ask but they insisted the casino cards were identical. They felt thicker to me but I was only handling them two at a time obviously.

Kardwell has some casino looking Kems in setups of brown and burgundy...two of the same color per setup,... for $19.95. But unless you buy a bunch of stuff from them their shipping is outrageous.

https://www.kem.com/cards/KEM-CAS-BRWN-2.html
 
Thanks, guys. These were manufactured in May 2003. And yes, I've seen this design with casino logos, like Binion's Horseshoe, so I was able to figure out that they weren't a lower grade product. But this guy wants $50 + Shipping. Not sure it's worth it merely to satisfy my curiosity about pre & post USPC KEMs.
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I do have 3 more sets of cards I want to try out, in no particular order:

(1) Gemaco Superflex Bride size, Super Index

(2) NTP Bridge Size Jumbo Index

(3) Desjgn Classical Culture OR Baroque (waiting for Red/Blue to be in stock again, as well as the release of the Baroque).
 
Thanks, guys. These were manufactured in May 2003. And yes, I've seen this design with casino logos, like Binion's Horseshoe, so I was able to figure out that they weren't a lower grade product. But this guy wants $50 + Shipping. Not sure it's worth it merely to satisfy my curiosity about pre & post USPC KEMs.
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Not really sure these have any collector value. Honestly the new production Kems are pretty damn nice and have stayed flat for me with my storage regimen.

I’d just get these for $23

https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Bridge...qid=1521676757&sr=8-8&keywords=Kem&th=1&psc=1

I also got a deck of these and single deck vintage Kem case of eBay for $1. Actually bought 5 cases as I needed them for other random decks

https://www.amazon.com/Pantheon-Sin...8&qid=1521676845&sr=8-2&keywords=kem+pantheon
 
I do have 3 more sets of cards I want to try out, in no particular order:

(1) Gemaco Superflex Bride size, Super Index

(2) NTP Bridge Size Jumbo Index

(3) Desjgn Classical Culture OR Baroque (waiting for Red/Blue to be in stock again, as well as the release of the Baroque).

Superflex are hard to find and expensive. Kardwell has the Superflex branded and another type for $15. Plus absurd shipping. The cheaper Gemacos they sell are the 5 Star type. Superflex is an ironic name as they are the stiffest card I own. Not a fan at all. Plus the artwork is butt ugly.
 
Not really sure these have any collector value. Honestly the new production Kems are pretty damn nice and have stayed flat for me with my storage regimen.

I’d just get these for $23

https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Bridge...qid=1521676757&sr=8-8&keywords=Kem&th=1&psc=1

I also got a deck of these and single deck vintage Kem case of eBay for $1. Actually bought 5 cases as I needed them for other random decks

https://www.amazon.com/Pantheon-Sin...8&qid=1521676845&sr=8-2&keywords=kem+pantheon


Good to know. Thanks. I'm buying them to use, not collect, and was curious about all pre-KEM hype, but from what I understand, there isn't really much of a difference. thnx.
 
Superflex are hard to find and expensive. Kardwell has the Superflex branded and another type for $15. Plus absurd shipping. The cheaper Gemacos they sell are the 5 Star type. Superflex is an ironic name as they are the stiffest card I own. Not a fan at all. Plus the artwork is butt ugly.

If the Gemaco page at www.playingcardsandmore.com is accurate, Gemaco is leaving the retail card business, so the Superflex will become harder to find.

From
http://www.playingcardsandmore.com/gemacoplayingcards.aspx

Please Note: Sadly, Gemaco has announced they are focusing their efforts on their casino business, and are no longer manufacturing cards for the retail market. Therefore, it is unlikely we will be able to restock inventory of Gemaco cards.
 
The cheaper Gemacos they sell are the 5 Star type.

I do not believe there is a difference between Superflex and Five-Star. Back in 2013, Tom at PlayingCardsandMore (site CdnBeerLover references) helped me out by ordering full-bleed standard index setups that were not offered on his site (or anywhere for that matter) directly from Gemaco. I was thrilled, though the downside was I had to commit to a quantity of six setups, which I did, but I was able to get three setups Red/Blue and three setups Green/Brown. Once they arrived, the Red/Blue setups had the Superflex "S" logo on the back and the Green/Brown setups had the five-star logo on the back, but both the Red/Blue and Green/Brown setups contained the sames Jokers...emblazoned with "Superflex" artwork on the front side of the card. Also I think just by playing with them both it's clear they're the same card.
 
I do not believe there is a difference between Superflex and Five-Star.
I do not concur. My Superflex decks rank among the nicest cards I've played with. The Five-Star decks I have are horrid.
 
image.jpg
I do not believe there is a difference between Superflex and Five-Star. Back in 2013, Tom at PlayingCardsandMore (site CdnBeerLover references) helped me out by ordering full-bleed standard index setups that were not offered on his site (or anywhere for that matter) directly from Gemaco. I was thrilled, though the downside was I had to commit to a quantity of six setups, which I did, but I was able to get three setups Red/Blue and three setups Green/Brown. Once they arrived, the Red/Blue setups had the Superflex "S" logo on the back and the Green/Brown setups had the five-star logo on the back, but both the Red/Blue and Green/Brown setups contained the sames Jokers...emblazoned with "Superflex" artwork on the front side of the card. Also I think just by playing with them both it's clear they're the same card.

There is a massive difference. 5 Star are some of the cheapest feeling cards I own. Maybe the worst. The are thick but feel very light. The plastic seems to be less dense.

Here is a pic. The two on the top are Superflex. The only difference beside back design is that the Superflex branded cards use security ink. They are the same card stock and material though Kardwell sells the non branded style slightly cheaper.

The one on the bottom is Five Star. I got them for ~$8 off Kardwell. They are barely worth that.
 
There is a massive difference. 5 Star are some of the cheapest feeling cards I own. Maybe the worst. The are thick but feel very light. The plastic seems to be less dense.
That is certainly my experience, as well. The Superflex cards are quite good imo, and much more expensive.
 
If you want a setup that feels almost identical to Superflex try these Cartamundi’s for super cheap. They are usually $15 but I saw them for $8.50 and thought they were worth a shot.

https://www.amazon.com/Cartamundi-1...words=cartamundi+plastic+bridge+playing+cards

Having them out just now, I would be surprised if anyone could tell the difference in a blind test. Plus they are way better looking.

These are definitely not their Casino Acetates.

.....As I have mentioned before my Superflex branded cards pictured above took a slight bow. Also, Harrahs in AC uses them and every time I’ve played there I notice a few cards have ink that is chipped off a pip. Never saw a card wear like that. I haven’t used mine enough to show any wear.
 
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If you want a setup that feels almost identical to Superflex try these Cartamundi’s for super cheap. They are usually $15 but I saw them for $8.50 and thought they were worth a shot.

https://www.amazon.com/Cartamundi-1...words=cartamundi+plastic+bridge+playing+cards

Having them out just now, I would be surprised if anyone could tell the difference in a blind test. Plus they are way better looking.

These are definitely not their Casino Acetates.

.....As I have mentioned before my Superflex branded cards pictured above took a slight bow. Also, Harrahs in AC uses them and every time I’ve played there I notice a few cards have ink that is chipped off a pip. Never saw a card wear like that. I haven’t used mine enough to show any wear.
Thanks for the heads-up; new set-up on the way. (y) :thumbsup:

Amazon does have the Cartimundi bridge/standard acetate cards listed for $17 shipped (from Spinetti's), which is still a pretty good price for acetate cards.
 
View attachment 162118

There is a massive difference. 5 Star are some of the cheapest feeling cards I own. Maybe the worst. The are thick but feel very light. The plastic seems to be less dense.

Here is a pic. The two on the top are Superflex. The only difference beside back design is that the Superflex branded cards use security ink. They are the same card stock and material though Kardwell sells the non branded style slightly cheaper.

The one on the bottom is Five Star. I got them for ~$8 off Kardwell. They are barely worth that.

These are the setups I own; I've assumed the Green/Brown were Five Star (though if you count the middle there's a sixth star), but they're all Superflex cards. On price point they were >$20 a setup when I bought them, and both setups have red security ink.

DSCN0276.JPG
 
I've assumed the Green/Brown were Five Star ......................, but they're all Superflex cards.
And be very glad it is so. :) Price also indicates Superflex, although it's pretty odd they would print 'em with the Five Star back. Maybe an error/oversight or extras.
 
These are the setups I own; I've assumed the Green/Brown were Five Star (though if you count the middle there's a sixth star), but they're all Superflex cards. On price point they were >$20 a setup when I bought them, and both setups have red security ink.

View attachment 162133

I couldn’t find the jokers but yours confirm Superflex. The top two in my pic had the same jokers. If you look close at the Ace of spades on my bottom setup you will see “five star” written. Those are from the actual Five Star line of Gemaco cards. They suck

Thanks for the heads-up; new set-up on the way. (y) :thumbsup:

Amazon does have the Cartimundi bridge/standard acetate cards listed for $17 shipped (from Spinetti's), which is still a pretty good price for acetate cards.

It is and I have them two. I just didn’t want anyone reading to get confused.

I was a little worried about the $8.50 price but they came wrapped in a new box perfect! They have the same texture as Superflex so not as shiny as their acetate cards. Not as flexible either but they mesh with less resistance.
 
These are the setups I own; I've assumed the Green/Brown were Five Star (though if you count the middle there's a sixth star), but they're all Superflex cards. On price point they were >$20 a setup when I bought them, and both setups have red security ink.

View attachment 162133

My Gemaco Five Stars are just like these, and I love them. Maybe the only time I have disagreed with @Old State on a card issue. I thought they were the Superflex style with the Five Star name attached. One of my favorite setups.
 
My Gemaco Five Stars are just like these, and I love them. Maybe the only time I have disagreed with @Old State on a card issue. I thought they were the Superflex style with the Five Star name attached. One of my favorite setups.

Too each their own but are you saying they are like the Five Stars I posted or like wgicon posted? They are completely different cards and you would feel the difference instantly. Look at the joker to be sure.
 
If he really likes them, I'm betting that they are Superflex cards with Five Star printing on the back. I don't know anybody that likes the actual Five Card plastic stock.

I fell in love with the Superflex cards, and mistakenly thought "How bad could the other Gemaco cards be, if these are so good?" So I picked up a few decks, and sure enough, the actual Five Stars are awful.
 
I saw these from 2003 that I might pick up. I think they are called the "Casino Back" design, as opposed to the "Club Casinos", which I think some posters also called "circle backs".
Thanks

I just noticed this part of your comment. What you are showing in the pic are what most refer to as “circle backs”. They have been sold that way in the past by vendors as well. Kem may officially call the Casino Back. I don’t know

These are “Club Casinos”
https://www.kem.com/cards/KEM-CAS-BLU-BUR-2.html

And these are Kem “Alpha” also with a standard casino style back design.

https://www.kem.com/cards/PC-KEM-ALP-GB.html

I called Kardwell two years ago and asked the difference between their “consumer” vs “casino” Kems. They said nothing was different but looks. Seemed odd but I didn’t feel like spending $60 +$12 shipping to find out. I think it may be possible the “casino” cards simply come in the brown paper box instead of the black plastic.

Like I said before the Kems Borgata used when they opened felt more substantial than the ones I was using at home. Yet Kem claimed there is no difference (back in 2003) so I chalked it up to me being off.
 
Like I said before the Kems Borgata used when they opened felt more substantial than the ones I was using at home.
I agree with this though it wasn't at The Borgata I was playing at (Sands Bethlehem maybe...not sure). I thought my own KEMs had less of a snap and a softer feel to them.
 

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