Phyffe
Pair
I host regular home games. Always with 2 deck setups. After having tried all the more readily available brands, I'm finally posting my pros and cons and what I feel to be the best value 2 deck setup. Aside from durability and price, I place a high premium on card feel as I do a lot of my own shuffling and dealing. Finally, the cards have to be available as well, and not restricted to a single supplier (unless of course the retailer in question is also the manufacturer.)
Modiano Platinum
Pros
1) Amazing Texture. Only KEM Acetates feel better.
2) Good Durability. I have used these decks a lot and their quality is very consistent. They are resistant to bowing and their main weakness is their tendency to begin fading. This starts with the thin black borders on the number cards then a general fading of the deck. All the while the cards remain playable.
Cons
1) People on PCF hate this brand. I don't want to add to the controversy but it is what it is.
2) A little pricy. If it were a little more affordable this would be the best overall choice. I would say this is #2.
3) Not available in Bridge Size. While they do have jumbo index, Platinums dont come in Bridge Size.
Faded Spade
Pros
1) Amazing Looks. I guess one could say that this a triumph of form over function. These are the most beautiful decks, IMHO.
2) Durable. I am not quite done wearing these out but from the feel alone you know these will last. Edit - Some early bowing with the Bridge setup. Disappointing but still playable. Colors faring quite well.
3) Available in both Poker and Bridge sizes. Bridge sizes tend to wear out faster but are handier to shuffle.
Cons
1) A little pricier. Considering these are made in China, you seem to be paying a bit more for marketing than you'd wish.
2) Stiffer than most. The Modiano and the Desjgns are definitely more pliant and paper-feeling. You can tell they're made in Italy.
Desjgn
Pros
1) Good Texture. Significantly better than Faded Spade, but not quite as good as Modiano Platinum. Neverthess superior to almost all cards out there.
2) Good Durability. A little bit of bowing was noticeable in the Poker setup. The Bridge setup started bowing a little earlier. Some mild fading after heavy usage.
3) Great value for money. Considering the pros above, Desjgns have great
Cons
1) No real cons. That's the thing, for what you pay, you get a real good deck of cards. Reasonable durability with good card feel.
For the reasons above, Desjgns are my choice for best deck for the money. If the Modianos were cheaper, would I change my mind? Yes. If the European Copags were more readily available, would I change my mind? Yes, if the price were right. But as it stands right now, my money goes to Desjgn.
Some honorable mentions and explanations why they didn't make the cut. -
HONORABLE MENTIONS-
Kem Arrow (USPCC Acetate) - Maybe the most buttery feel of any deck out there but many negatives make it impractical - The first is the outrageous price. It makes Modiano Platinums seem affordable! The second is quality. Some decks just begin to disintegrate and warp when exposed to even a little humidity.
COPAG Unique - Full disclosure, I've yet to try Copag Elites. But COPAG Uniques had a very desirable card feel. Unfortunately these are one of the very few decks that actually cracked/chipped on me while playing. Couple with the relatively high price for a COPAG, I had to pass on this. There are some very nice European Copags, arguably some of the best, but their price and lack of availability disqualify them from the running.
COPAG 1546 - Definitely good value but experience has shown me they are suceptible to premature bowing and they are a little too slippery for my taste.
Bicycle Duraflex - Price is a little high, no Jumbo index. People love the old school design though.
Guild/Da Vinci/ other Modianos - Good durability and nice indexes but the feel is inferior. Decent value for the money but you can do better with Desjgn.
Bullets/Slowplay/Ice - I lump these in together due to the fact that they are all made in China and have similar value propositions. In general they are Sturdy cards, with a stiff feel and decent value for the price. I love the old school Slowplay designs the most out of all of them and if I weren't the one shuffling, I would use them if only for better profitability.
To conclude, are there better decks out there? I have NTPs and Dal Negro Freedom Xs that I would happily put up againt Modianos and Desjgns any day of the week and twice on Sundays, but consdidering their cost and their rarity they just aren't viable alternatives.
Hope this helps some of you considering what decks to use.
Modiano Platinum
Pros
1) Amazing Texture. Only KEM Acetates feel better.
2) Good Durability. I have used these decks a lot and their quality is very consistent. They are resistant to bowing and their main weakness is their tendency to begin fading. This starts with the thin black borders on the number cards then a general fading of the deck. All the while the cards remain playable.
Cons
1) People on PCF hate this brand. I don't want to add to the controversy but it is what it is.
2) A little pricy. If it were a little more affordable this would be the best overall choice. I would say this is #2.
3) Not available in Bridge Size. While they do have jumbo index, Platinums dont come in Bridge Size.
Faded Spade
Pros
1) Amazing Looks. I guess one could say that this a triumph of form over function. These are the most beautiful decks, IMHO.
2) Durable. I am not quite done wearing these out but from the feel alone you know these will last. Edit - Some early bowing with the Bridge setup. Disappointing but still playable. Colors faring quite well.
3) Available in both Poker and Bridge sizes. Bridge sizes tend to wear out faster but are handier to shuffle.
Cons
1) A little pricier. Considering these are made in China, you seem to be paying a bit more for marketing than you'd wish.
2) Stiffer than most. The Modiano and the Desjgns are definitely more pliant and paper-feeling. You can tell they're made in Italy.
Desjgn
Pros
1) Good Texture. Significantly better than Faded Spade, but not quite as good as Modiano Platinum. Neverthess superior to almost all cards out there.
2) Good Durability. A little bit of bowing was noticeable in the Poker setup. The Bridge setup started bowing a little earlier. Some mild fading after heavy usage.
3) Great value for money. Considering the pros above, Desjgns have great
Cons
1) No real cons. That's the thing, for what you pay, you get a real good deck of cards. Reasonable durability with good card feel.
For the reasons above, Desjgns are my choice for best deck for the money. If the Modianos were cheaper, would I change my mind? Yes. If the European Copags were more readily available, would I change my mind? Yes, if the price were right. But as it stands right now, my money goes to Desjgn.
Some honorable mentions and explanations why they didn't make the cut. -
HONORABLE MENTIONS-
Kem Arrow (USPCC Acetate) - Maybe the most buttery feel of any deck out there but many negatives make it impractical - The first is the outrageous price. It makes Modiano Platinums seem affordable! The second is quality. Some decks just begin to disintegrate and warp when exposed to even a little humidity.
COPAG Unique - Full disclosure, I've yet to try Copag Elites. But COPAG Uniques had a very desirable card feel. Unfortunately these are one of the very few decks that actually cracked/chipped on me while playing. Couple with the relatively high price for a COPAG, I had to pass on this. There are some very nice European Copags, arguably some of the best, but their price and lack of availability disqualify them from the running.
COPAG 1546 - Definitely good value but experience has shown me they are suceptible to premature bowing and they are a little too slippery for my taste.
Bicycle Duraflex - Price is a little high, no Jumbo index. People love the old school design though.
Guild/Da Vinci/ other Modianos - Good durability and nice indexes but the feel is inferior. Decent value for the money but you can do better with Desjgn.
Bullets/Slowplay/Ice - I lump these in together due to the fact that they are all made in China and have similar value propositions. In general they are Sturdy cards, with a stiff feel and decent value for the price. I love the old school Slowplay designs the most out of all of them and if I weren't the one shuffling, I would use them if only for better profitability.
To conclude, are there better decks out there? I have NTPs and Dal Negro Freedom Xs that I would happily put up againt Modianos and Desjgns any day of the week and twice on Sundays, but consdidering their cost and their rarity they just aren't viable alternatives.
Hope this helps some of you considering what decks to use.
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