KEMs worth $35? (2 Viewers)

Ugh, smart move, how many did they have left? I only have the four decks I bought originally, always thinking I could just order more.
There were only 6 decks left....I have 15 or 16 total (and another 10+ of casino BE stock).
Not often I can pick up awsome decks at 6 each and no shipping.

When I contacted the seller many moons ago, he told me, when they are gone, they are gone.
Often goes like that with cards.

So if I like something, i'm stocking up...not worse then have a favourite card and down to your last deck.
 
Kems are by FAR the best feeling cards and if you store them with the cut card and dealer button they shouldn’t warp. That said I have a hard time paying $35+ for a set up. They used to randomly show up on Amazon for anywhere from $12-23 and that’s when I would buy them.

One thing that needs repeating is that there is no difference is warping risk from pre to post UPCC. Don’t waste your time or money looking for old decks. They all bow or don’t bow the same. I’ve owned and been playing with Kems for about 20 years now and have samples from both eras.
 
I used to LOVE KEM cards, but got so annoyed when I pulled all my sets out and they're all warped as can be. And the new ones just feel so soft.
 
Kems are by FAR the best feeling cards
IYHO...maybe yes.
Objectively, these are the worst value of all cards I know.

They are nice cards but the diva demands regarding storage and the outrageous pricing pushed me to much better options.
The people at KEM should have their head checked...it's not the nineties and the direct competition (or should I say mama Cartumundi) has not taken a back seat.
Can't imagine them being in business for much longer, paging Turnhout to clean ship :)
 
IYHO...maybe yes.
Objectively, these are the worst value of all cards I know.

They are nice cards but the diva demands regarding storage and the outrageous pricing pushed me to much better options.
The people at KEM should have their head checked...it's not the nineties and the direct competition (or should I say mama Cartumundi) has not taken a back seat.
Can't imagine them being in business for much longer, paging Turnhout to clean ship :)
The reality is they have been the number one most common card found in casinos all over the US for decades. I used play a lot in Atlantic City and only remember not seeing Kems used at small buyin tournaments (almost always Gemaco). They must be doing something right.
 
The reality is they have been the number one most common card found in casinos all over the US for decades. I used play a lot in Atlantic City and only remember not seeing Kems used at small buyin tournaments (almost always Gemaco). They must be doing something right.
Maybe that means they’re the best value for casinos but at $35/setup they sure ain’t the best value for my game.
 
The reality is they have been the number one most common card found in casinos all over the US for decades. I used play a lot in Atlantic City and only remember not seeing Kems used at small buyin tournaments (almost always Gemaco). They must be doing something right.
I think you forget that the majority of cards in the casino are paper.
Kem doesn't even offer that.

And 20 years ago is not now....

Cartamundi took over in 2019...give it some time and I'll bet we will see beter KEM cards in the future (they are doing the same with Copag).
 
I think you forget that the majority of cards in the casino are paper.
Kem doesn't even offer that.

And 20 years ago is not now....

Cartamundi took over in 2019...give it some time and I'll bet we will see beter KEM cards in the future (they are doing the same with Copag).
I’d wager a heavy sum that you couldn’t find a poker room in the US (or any legitimate poker room anywhere) that uses paper cards. Paper cards are only used for games like blackjack where the player doesn’t handle the cards. The Kem brand doesn’t need that business as there are tons of other brands for those.
 
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I’d wager a heavy sum that you couldn’t find a poker room in the US (or any legitimate poker room anywhere) that uses paper cards. Paper cards are only used for games like blackjack where the player doesn’t handle the cards. The Kem brand doesn’t need that business as there are tons of other brands for those.
Dude....now you are talking poker rooms, in the post I quoted we were talking casino's.
But whatever...buy as much KEM you please, I just wanted to point out there are better alternatives.

Sjeesh
 
Dude....now you are talking poker rooms, in the post I quoted we were talking casino's.
But whatever...buy as much KEM you please, I just wanted to point out there are better alternatives.

Sjeesh
:unsure: The topic of this entire thread is Kem cards. They are only used for poker. What do paper cards have to do with a Kem conversation? There is no analogy as poker must use plastic cards because every player handles them.

I don’t need to buy anymore because I have too many right now. I also have setups from almost every card manufacture that makes plastics cards…so I’ve tried almost “all the options”
 
The current setups I’ve had a couple of years. I have older ones as well but I haven’t used them in quite a while since they are standard index and I changed my preference to jumbo
 
So I may get run out of this forum for saying this but the Fourniers feel very similar to Copags. I think the face of the cards on the Fourniers are much nicer but that’s about it… not sure what all the hype is about. Also, the KEMs beat both by a landslide.
I agree 100% I used Copag for years, finally ordered KEM's and big difference for sure!
 
After shuffling Angel, Modiano and KEM next to each other, I would have to put #1 Angel, #2 Modiano and #3 KEM. I used to think KEM was the best until I started exploring. The lead wasn't much between Angel and Modiano. You can go either way based on preference, but Angel was just a tad tad bit smoother! Overall as a deck including shuffling, design, durability and texture, I would say Desjgn (Modiano stock) takes the cake. There are a few I haven't tried out yet including Gemaco Monarch and Cartamundi Casino Belgium (not sure all of these come in bridge size). There are a few others, but don't come in bridge.

So to answer the question, No it's not worth $35.
 
After shuffling Angel, Modiano and KEM next to each other, I would have to put #1 Angel, #2 Modiano and #3 KEM. I used to think KEM was the best until I started exploring. The lead wasn't much between Angel and Modiano. I can go either way based on preference, but Angel was just a tad bit smoother! Overall as a deck including shuffling, design, durability and texture, I would say Desjgn (Modiano stock) takes the cake. There are a few I haven't tried out yet including Gemaco Monarch and Cartamundi Casino Belgium (not sure all of these come in bridge size). There are a few others, but don't come in bridge. And given the price of each setup, it's a no brainer.
You know what has become one of my biggest factors lately? Ease of use for guys who suck at shuffling. And KEMs ranks near the top of that scale too - probably why they’ve lasted so long. It’s sort of like the weakest link in the chain theory - it doesn’t matter how much I love a deck; if my worst shuffling player can’t shuffle and deal with it, it isn’t good for the game.
 
You know what has become one of my biggest factors lately? Ease of use for guys who suck at shuffling. And KEMs ranks near the top of that scale too - probably why they’ve lasted so long. It’s sort of like the weakest link in the chain theory - it doesn’t matter how much I love a deck; if my worst shuffling player can’t shuffle and deal with it, it isn’t good for the game.
True, but I like to enjoy my ease of shuffling experience. They will eventually get good at it. They will naturally get better with experience. Just tell them they're the only cards I got or mix them in and say one of the deck marked. It doesn't too long to shuffle well. Gotta build that dexterity. There will be some growing "pain".
 
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I have a deck of KEM and find them very thin and flimsy. I just ordered 3 more sets of Copag's myself. I do like both really, but instead of 2 sets of Kem, I purchased 3 Copags and 5 cut cards for the same price of 2 sets of Kem
 
I just checked and it looks like he doesn’t have any of the 2012 WSOP Fourniers listed currently. He goes in and out of stock frequently. But I have an extra setup I can send you. Nothing tilts my players more than standard index apparently.

Edit: I caught him when he had temporarily slashed the prices and I paid $24 for 14 setups. Bonkers cheap.
Was this on eBay? Do these still exist? I search 2012 WSOP Fournier and end up looking at Bicycle cards...
 
He doesn’t have that same quantity offering any more. But he does have 4 setups for &9.97. If you want a greater quantity you can just message him.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1526869123...RhzJBpBSwa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Perfect. I found in another thread or down the line that these are apparently Fournier Cards w/ Bicycle faces.
I wasn't positive about it, but I bought the last set of 12 for $24. At that price...its almost worth it if they are even regular Bicycle cards.

Thanks!
 
Perfect. I found in another thread or down the line that these are apparently Fournier Cards w/ Bicycle faces.
I wasn't positive about it, but I bought the last set of 12 for $24. At that price...its almost worth it if they are even regular Bicycle cards.

Thanks!

They are definitely Fournier. They are fantastic cards and I love them. I just don’t like standard index which are too small for us. So I have been giving these away to friends and family getting into poker. But these led me to search out Fournier Bridge Jumbo which are my favorite cards I have come across so far.
 
They are definitely Fournier. They are fantastic cards and I love them. I just don’t like standard index which are too small for us. So I have been giving these away to friends and family getting into poker. But these led me to search out Fournier Bridge Jumbo which are my favorite cards I have come across so far.
What is the general price and a good price for Fournier Bridge Jumbo?
Where do you usually get them?
 

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