Plastic cards that don't smell (1 Viewer)

[AccidentalyAllIn]

I tried the Copag Elites and the plastic smell was so strong it gave me a headache.
Not sure if it's only when you open the pack or it gets better over time, but I'm pretty pissed (at myself mostly, for not checking this beforehand).

Since I don't want to find out the hard way again before I buy different cards, any advice what other cards I should avoid?
Or better yet, what are the cards that don't smell at all?

I'm EU based, so I'm looking at Bicycles (Prestige), Fourniers, Modianos (Platinum), Piatniks or Bullets for example, but any info on others cards would be appreciated as well (Broken Arrows for example).

Please specify if only certain models smell/don't smell, as I imagine there can be a difference between models from the same brand too.

Thank you.

 

[SwissChip]

Dal Negro (Texas / Grand Slam) and Trefl got very few smell

 

[TheYeti]

I've never used Copag Elites but I can't remember a noticeable smell coming from any cards I've used (Copag, KEM, J Design, Bicycle Prestige, LotFancy, etc).

 

[upNdown]

Last copag setup I bought a couple of years ago had that overpowering plastic smell. Almost shockingly strong. No other setup I’ve bought has come even close to that and that’s probably 15+ brands. So I’d say try anything else; you’ll probably be fine.

 

[RocAFella1]

Piatnik is safe

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

I've had a range of COPAGs and some have smelled, others have not. Unsure of what causes it.

I've never had a smell off Fournier or Faded Spade but those are smaller sample sizes. I've had some residue initially on two setups of Desjgn cards but a light wash removed any grittiness or smell.

 

[surfik]

Trefl

 

[allforcharity]

Unfortunately, you seem to be hypersensitive to this smell, which most other people do not perceive, or at least do not perceive to that degree. Only way to find a tolerable card is to test out different brands. You can't just go by someone's word.

 

[upNdown]

Unfortunately, you seem to be hypersensitive to this smell, which most other people do not perceive, or at least do not perceive to that degree. Only way to find a tolerable card is to test out different brands. You can't just go by someone's word.

Have you opened a new setup of copags in the past few years?

 

[allforcharity]

Have you opened a new setup of copags in the past few years?

Yes, I think I have about 2 dozen open decks off Copags, Elites and others.

I don't perceive offensive odors from any of my plastic cards, nor any of the plastic chips I've owned and handled.

 

[Colquhoun]

Have you opened a new setup of copags in the past few years?

Agreed. I had some from Brazil about 15 years ago that were fine. I bought some Copags a coule years ago and they are awful. Burned plastic smell that is unbearable.
All other cards I've tried had no foul smell at all. In fact, the Broken Arrow actually smell very nice.

 

[upNdown]

Yes, I think I have about 2 dozen open decks off Copags, Elites and others.

I don't perceive offensive odors from any of my plastic cards, nor any of the plastic chips I've owned and handled.

Did Covid kill your nose?
I’m only half-joking. You can tell me I’m a super smeller if you want, because I’ve noticed the strong Copag smell, but some of my players have too. Next time, hopefully I’ll remember to open a fresh setup and ask everybody’s opinions.

 

[allforcharity]

Did Covid kill your nose?

Nope, my general sense of smell and taste are unaffected from the 2 infections that I had (that I know of).

 

[Phyffe]

Unfortunately, you seem to be hypersensitive to this smell, which most other people do not perceive, or at least do not perceive to that degree. Only way to find a tolerable card is to test out different brands. You can't just go by someone's word.

Agree. You may have a stronger sense of smell.

I've been using the Elites for the past few sessions and they don't seem to smell any worse than others.

Perhaps you may want to spread the cards out and air them overnight?

 

[Mongoose]

I tried the Copag Elites and the plastic smell was so strong it gave me a headache.
Not sure if it's only when you open the pack or it gets better over time, but I'm pretty pissed (at myself mostly, for not checking this beforehand).

Since I don't want to find out the hard way again before I buy different cards, any advice what other cards I should avoid?
Or better yet, what are the cards that don't smell at all?

I'm EU based, so I'm looking at Bicycles (Prestige), Fourniers, Modianos (Platinum), Piatniks or Bullets for example, but any info on others cards would be appreciated as well (Broken Arrows for example).

Please specify if only certain models smell/don't smell, as I imagine there can be a difference between models from the same brand too.

Thank you.

Wow, never thought that I’d see a thread like this. A stink with cards so bad that it gave you a headache? Sorry for you. I’ve never experienced anything remotely similar to this.

 

[AccidentalyAllIn]

Wow, never thought that I’d see a thread like this. A stink with cards so bad that it gave you a headache? Sorry for you. I’ve never experienced anything remotely similar to this.

Tell me about it...
Not sure if it was just that specific deck or if it's Copag in general, but I saw a couple of threads here mentioning the Copag smell specifically.
It seems that other brands don't have this smell, or at least not one as strong, which is good.

 

[AccidentalyAllIn]

Just ordered 4 decks of Trefl cards, the ones sold in the past by @surfik, as they come highly recommended and I'm happy to support my Polish brothers.
Should arrive next week, will update you guys.

 

[stuamurr]

Just ordered 4 decks of Trefl cards, the ones sold in the past by @surfik, as they come highly recommended and I'm happy to support my Polish brothers.
Should arrive next week, will update you guys.

If you go for Fourniers get 2818 poker size or 2826 bridge size. Bicycle Prestige are made by Fournier and I believe the Caramundi 100% plastic are also Fourniers. Never tried Trefl so be interested how you get in with them

 

[MeridianFC]

Copag’s are actually the only ones I’ve encountered that smell. Holy hell its strong

 

[AccidentalyAllIn]

Alright, just opened a pack of the mentioned Trefl cards:
Texas Hold'em Poker 100% plastic (poker size with jumbo index, single deck tuck box) and man, I'm so happy.
The cards don't smell at all, even when I put them right under my nose, but also, based on first impressions, these are just awesome cards and I can't wait to put them into play.

The bright white really pops, they shuffle great (the top card has less issues staying on top of the deck too) and feel less 'plasticky' in comparison with Copags.
Full bleed back design (no borders) is interesting and all 4 aces have the usual design, so there's no special ace of spades design in the deck, only the ace of clubs has minimal branding under the usual ace of clubs design.

I don't think I can take better pictures than @surfik, so I encourage everyone to have a look at his threads if you want to see the cards and read about all the feedback they got from the forum members, but from me, it's two thumbs up for sure.

@surfik
Do you know if the combination of poker size & jumbo index is the only one Trefl makes in this quality?

 

[surfik]

Alright, just opened a pack of the mentioned Trefl cards:
Texas Hold'em Poker 100% plastic (poker size with jumbo index, single deck tuck box) and man, I'm so happy.
The cards don't smell at all, even when I put them right under my nose, but also, based on first impressions, these are just awesome cards and I can't wait to put them into play.

The bright white really pops, they shuffle great (the top card has less issues staying on top of the deck too) and feel less 'plasticky' in comparison with Copags.
Full bleed back design (no borders) is interesting and all 4 aces have the usual design, so there's no special ace of spades design in the deck, only the ace of clubs has minimal branding under the usual ace of clubs design.

I don't think I can take better pictures than @surfik, so I encourage everyone to have a look at his threads if you want to see the cards and read about all the feedback they got from the forum members, but from me, it's two thumbs up for sure.

@surfik
Do you know if the combination of poker size & jumbo index is the only one Trefl makes in this quality?

Unfortunately only poker size jumbo index...wish they make them bridge size too.

 

[MeridianFC]

I was cleaning up and straightening some of my poker junk, and I noticed the four set ups of Copags that I've had for three or four years, they don't get used regularly to be fair, but they still stink to high heaven.