Not Mine Piatnik bridge setups on Amazon cheap (for now!) (1 Viewer)

[RocAFella1]

How do they compare to Fournier? I used to like thicker, textured cards but I think I prefer slightly more flexible, smoother cards now.

 

[Old State]

How do they compare to Fournier? I used to like thicker, textured cards but I think I prefer slightly more flexible, smoother cards now.

Fournier are more flexible but the texture is similar. I prefer Fournier but they are hard to get too

 

[ovo]

Unfortunately, yes. The prices on Amazon fluctuate quite often. Best thing to do (or at least what I did with these) is add them to a "list" and just check in on them every once in a while. When I first added them to my list, 4 months ago, they were at $38.98!
I figured with so many people here interested in them, when I saw they were less than half price I thought I'd share the news… but alas, it seems that they've gone back up again.
My advice to all that didn't get them whilst cheap would be: either just wait them out, or better yet, take @David O up on what he's offered!!
If there's enough interest, it seems like option 2 is far the better choice, and likely quicker too!

yes, when they get 100 pcfer's checking out the link, then they think they have a fish on and the price goes up

 

[BGinGA]

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING feels as nice slick and as unique flimsy as Kems. They are still the gold standard in feel most over-hyped and overpriced cards on the market IMHO.

^^ FYP. Not to mention the deal-breaking bowing issues, with every.single.deck I've ever seen.

 

[RocAFella1]

^^ FYP. Not to mention the deal-breaking bowing issues, with every.single.deck I've ever seen.

Probably been discussed ad nauseam, but it probably has to be heat and humidity that cause the bowing?

 

[Old State]

Probably been discussed ad nauseam, but it probably has to be heat and humidity that cause the bowing?

Probably. The reason I started collecting different brand cards was to find a replacement for Kems because of the potential to bow. Nothing on the market is even close to the feel of Kem which is probably why almost every casino in the US still uses them.

That said, I have purchased three set ups from Kem since around 2011 after boycotting them for 7 years. They have a slightly rougher texture now but other wise feel the same. I have kept them in my finished basement the entire time and store them upside down with a cut card and dealer button on top. They are still DEAD FLAT.

To me, after a long expensive search for an alternative, I feel they are worth the effort and risk. They feel is just unparalleled. There are several manufacturers I like but most feel cheap in comparison. I usually switch of decks when I host games. Kems have been the universal favorite among my poker friends.

The Desjgn Culture and Casino cards are the only other cards I really like. Everything else in the market is “meh”. Faded Spade are terrible cards and the only ones I don’t recommend. WAY too stiff and tacky artwork (IMO).

 

[RocAFella1]

How about Cartamundi CCP or Platinum Acetate?

 

[upNdown]

Nothing on the market is even close to the feel of Kem which is probably why almost every casino in the US still uses them.

I've seen you make this statement a few times. I haven't been to enough different casinos to tell you you're wrong, so all I can say is I doubt it.

 

[Old State]

^^ FYP. Not to mention the deal-breaking bowing issues, with every.single.deck I've ever seen.

I find it puzzling that people always mention price. I have spent more money on setups of Gemaco Superflex (they bowed), Desjgns, Guild (truly over priced and over hyped), and I’m sure a few others.

Superflex were the biggest letdown based on hype. Harrahs in AC use them for their tournaments and they are terrible. Ink chipped off and they retain a bend for a long time.

How about Cartamundi CCP or Platinum Acetate?

CCPs are a good value and can sometimes be found cheap.

 

[RocAFella1]

CCPs are a good value and can sometimes be found cheap.

How do the Platinum Acetates compare and are they worth the premium?

 

[Old State]

I've seen you make this statement a few times. I haven't been to enough different casinos to tell you you're wrong, so all I can say is I doubt it.

If you frequented more casinos you would never even make that statement. I’ll buy you a setup of DaVincis for every card room in AC you can find that doesn’t use Kems. Call them and ask

How do the Platinum Acetates compare and are they worth the premium?

I never tried them because they only come in the large size

 

[FoldKing72]

Too bad those are the international index. I had tons of those. If anyone is interested I have some extra blue back bridge jumbos left.

Sent you a PM

 

[SWEATER]

Got these in the mail. Nice cards, but BOY does the four pip take some getting used to...

 

[courage]

If you frequented more casinos you would never even make that statement. I’ll buy you a setup of DaVincis for every card room in AC you can find that doesn’t use Kems. Call them and ask

Borgata uses Gemaco everywhere except the high roller section of the poker room.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2018/03/gemaco-playing-cards-borgata-ivey-edge-sorting-30350.htm

Also: this pic from Harrah's AC showing Gemaco ace of spades.

Do you need my shipping address?

 

[upNdown]

Borgata uses Gemaco everywhere except the high roller section of the poker room.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2018/03/gemaco-playing-cards-borgata-ivey-edge-sorting-30350.htm

Also: this pic from Harrah's AC showing Gemaco ace of spades.
View attachment 187524
Do you need my shipping address?

 

[Old State]

I just played cash at the Borgata and they were using Kem cards. Gemacos are used for tournaments at Harrahs and I’ve heard they have been seen at Borgata. I have never been at a Borgata table in the last 15 years where they were using anything but Kems and I only play $1/2. Borgata probably uses different cards for tourneys as well.....but these are Kems

Harrahs cash poker was using Kems as well as of last week

 

[courage]

Lawsuits based entirely on the brand of card and you're sticking with "nah bruh I saw it?"

I know someone headed to Borgata next week. Will update.

 

[Old State]

Lawsuits based entirely on the brand of card and you're sticking with "nah bruh I saw it?"

I know someone headed to Borgata next week. Will update.

Do you play at Borgata? To even claim that Kems are not by far the most common playing card used in Vegas and AC casinos is absurd.

BTW, if you read my posts above I mention Gemacos being used at Harrahs for tournaments as I just played in a tourney there last week and one every summer for the past 5 years. Pic of Harrahs Chester Pa. We could do this all day but it’s absurd.

 

[courage]

nooker plays Omaha now?!

 

[RocAFella1]

I never tried them because they only come in the large size

I just realized I messed up and was trying to ask how the Cartamundi CCP compare to the Cartamundi Acetate.

 

[Old State]

I just realized I messed up and was trying to ask how the Cartamundi CCP compare to the Cartamundi Acetate.

The CCPs are stiffer and more plastic feeling. The Acetate are a bit smoother to. The smoothest card I own which actually causes some resistance when you shuffle.

The CCPs feel almost indistinguishable from Gemaco Superflex if you have them to compare. The artwork is way nicer than Gemaco though. The other thing I noticed is the the CCP use the dark red “security“ ink and the Cartamundi Acetate used the lighter red. Other than that the faces are the same. Both have simple but nice card room type back designs in the style of Kem Circle Backs