Plastic vs. Regular? (1 Viewer)

[flippyflop89]

I've seen playing cards advertise 100% plastic and some just not advertise the material at all so i'm guessing those would be called regular?

I have only ever played with the Bicycle red and blues. They've worked well for me over the years and are cheap to replace. I'm upgrading some of my accessories and have been looking at "better" decks. Can someone explain why I would want plastic, or why I would not want plastic? General brand and style suggestions welcome because "cool" factor definitely matters

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

You 100% want plastic. Paper cards bend easier and quickly show wear, especially when shuffled quickly or by the edge like most dealers. Plastic cards should hold their shape and snap for longer, and are tougher to mark. After a 5 hour session of shuffling and peaking and playing with paper cards they'll usually be warped and some may be marked, intentionally or otherwise. A good plastic deck will last you 10x that at a minimum (though some are more fragile than others...gonna try to keep my bias out of this).

Big name plastic brands all feel and shuffle very differently: KEMs, Desjgn, Faded Spades, Copag, Modiano, Piatnik. Do some research on posts on here before buying 100x setups of any of the above. Some are stiffer, some are flexier, smoother or more textured feel, and all have pretty unique art. Enjoy. Players may complain at first because they're smoother or more slippery than cards they're used to, but they're better for shuffling, better for dealing on any felted surface, and longevity isn't even close.

EDIT: Buy these. Very cheap, very new plastic decks that many of us love. They're bridge size and jumbo pipped, and they feel great. Come back and tell us if you like this feel/look and we can go from there, but you'll definitely feel the difference between these versus normal paper bicycle decks.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...nt-decks-bridge-jumbo-2-each-in-stock.108387/

 

[Poker Zombie]

Plastic vs Paper

Paper has a wax coating to make them survive a minor spill and hand sweat. However, the wax wears off fairly quickly and the cards show their wear. As the wax coating wears off, the cards become even more difficult to shuffle.

Plastic cards are pure plastic (acetate or PVC). they remain spill resistant forever. They are far easier to shuffle, though new decks can be viewed as "slippery" to those that are unused to plastic cards.

Plastic is far more resilient to being bent (like when peeking at hole cards), and are harder to nick or mark (though still possible).

If you plan to unseal a new deck every night, stick with paper. Otherwise, plastic is more economical in the long term.

 

[flippyflop89]

You 100% want plastic. Paper cards bend easier and quickly show wear, especially when shuffled quickly or by the edge like most dealers. Plastic cards should hold their shape and snap for longer, and are tougher to mark. After a 5 hour session of shuffling and peaking and playing with paper cards they'll usually be warped and some may be marked, intentionally or otherwise. A good plastic deck will last you 10x that at a minimum (though some are more fragile than others...gonna try to keep my bias out of this).

Big name plastic brands all feel and shuffle very differently: KEMs, Desjgn, Faded Spades, Copag, Modiano, Piatnik. Do some research on posts on here before buying 100x setups of any of the above. Some are stiffer, some are flexier, and all have pretty unique art.

Appreciate the info. I've noticed I like my cards once they are more flimsy / broken in. Any of those brands lean that way? I would definitely just buy a deck or two at a time. I'd probably come across some new design I want before running out of the old bulk decks anyways

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Appreciate the info. I've noticed I like my cards once they are more flimsy / broken in. Any of those brands lean that way? I would definitely just buy a deck or two at a time. I'd probably come across some new design I want before running out of the old bulk decks anyways

Copags are a good entry point. They're cheap, flexible, and have lots of pretty colors. They do seem to fade and lose ink before others do, but overall a good choice.

KEMs are very flexy and I dont like them so someone else can tell you more about them lol.

 

[flippyflop89]

Copags are a good entry point. They're cheap, flexible, and have lots of pretty colors. They do seem to fade and lose ink before others do, but overall a good choice.

KEMs are very flexy and I dont like them so someone else can tell you more about them lol.

I see a lot of Copags come in like a 2 deck plastic case. Are those worth keeping for storage? Like is that a decent option for storing in my poker chip travel case or do people buy something nicer?

 

[upNdown]

One thing worth mentioning is that although casinos use paper cards for table games like blackjack, every casino I’ve ever been in has used 100% plastic cards for poker. Even cheaper cardrooms - every single one I’ve played in has used plastic cards for poker.

 

[flippyflop89]

One thing worth mentioning is that although casinos use paper cards for table games like blackjack, every casino I’ve ever been in has used 100% plays cards for poker. Even cheaper cardrooms - every single one I’ve played in has used plastic cards for poker.

I read that most also use bridge size cards? I have a bad hand/wrist. Thinking maybe the slightly narrower shape would be good for me?

 

[upNdown]

I read that most also use bridge size cards? I have a bad hand/wrist. Thinking maybe the slightly narrower shape would be good for me?

They do. I think that's just a matter of tradition because they're slightly easier to shuffle, which probably makes a difference to a dealer who's riffling over 100 times per hour. If you're passing the deal, who cares? Other than that, it's tough to make an argument of poker size vs bridge size, at least for holdem. For stud games and omaha games involving more cards, the slighlty smaller size of bridge makes sense.

 

[dpeks13]

@NotRealNameNoSir has some kind of batsignal for when PCF talks about cards...

 

[Poker Zombie]

I read that most also use bridge size cards? I have a bad hand/wrist. Thinking maybe the slightly narrower shape would be good for me?

That is correct - Every poker room I have seen use Bridge size. Meanwhile table games like blackjack use Poker size.

I've had corrective surgery on my wrist. I can shuffle/deal Poker size, but greatly prefer the Bridge size if I am dealing for the table (knocked out from a tournament). Poker size causes a fair amount of fatigue because of the wider, less relaxed grip holding the deck.

 

[flippyflop89]

That is correct - Every poker room I have seen use Bridge size. Meanwhile table games like blackjack use Poker size.

I've had corrective surgery on my wrist. I can shuffle/deal Poker size, but greatly prefer the Bridge size if I am dealing for the table (knocked out from a tournament). Poker size causes a fair amount of fatigue because of the wider, less relaxed grip holding the deck.

This is really helpful info. I've had a few wrist surgeries myself and while I have the hand size, the grip strength fatigues fast. Will 100% buy bridge size now. Thanks!

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

I see a lot of Copags come in like a 2 deck plastic case. Are those worth keeping for storage? Like is that a decent option for storing in my poker chip travel case or do people buy something nicer?

Yes, perfect for travel. I sold wooden card boxes for awhile but didnt want to transport in them, Copag cases work fine.

I think youll be pleasantly surprised. At $18ish bucks for a plastic setup, try one out then go from their. Bridge size and flexy, should be okay on your wrists.

 

[philhut]

Were I a billionaire I would only play with paper cards and change them out every few hands. in reality plastic cards last much longer and tolerate more abuse. I have settled on Modiano cards as to me their being firm and closer to paper than other cards allowed for an easier adjustment. really though I like the paper texture of a nice casino card best if I had to be honest.

 

[flippyflop89]

Were I a billionaire I would only play with paper cards and change them out every few hands. in reality plastic cards last much longer and tolerate more abuse. I have settled on Modiano cards as to me their being firm and closer to paper than other cards allowed for an easier adjustment. really though I like the paper texture of a nice casino card best if I had to be honest.

I see Modiano sell 2 deck packs as well. Does it come with a plastic holder or just the two decks in a box? I'm setting up my travel case and want something (even plastic) to hold two decks in a foam cutout spot.

 

[DMack]

I've seen playing cards advertise 100% plastic and some just not advertise the material at all so i'm guessing those would be called regular?

I have only ever played with the Bicycle red and blues. They've worked well for me over the years and are cheap to replace. I'm upgrading some of my accessories and have been looking at "better" decks. Can someone explain why I would want plastic, or why I would not want plastic? General brand and style suggestions welcome because "cool" factor definitely matters

I’ve been a card snob as long as I’ve been collecting chips, which is about 25 years. They have some detractors, but nothing matches KEM, especially if you prefer softer, more flimsy cards. If you do some research on KEMs, you’ll see the common complaint of them being prone to bowing, which is true, but there are SIMPLE remedies against that. I have a few setups of KEMs that have hundreds and hundreds of hours of play, and you can’t hardly tell there’s been use. Most have their preference of certain cards, but I’d challenge KEMs longevity against any of them.

 

[Colquhoun]

I agree, I love KEMs, because they are thin and very flexible…plus the edges feel like a paper card. Many plastic cards have very smooth edges that just don’t feel right.
I must admit, the new Broken Arrow cards that Justin is offering are easily the smoothest shuffling cards I’ve ever handled. A bit stiffer than KEMs, though.

 

[philhut]

I see Modiano sell 2 deck packs as well. Does it come with a plastic holder or just the two decks in a box? I'm setting up my travel case and want something (even plastic) to hold two decks in a foam cutout spot.

I am not 100% sure for each pack, I received a half red/half yellow? Cut card in the old black cardboard with plastic case 2 deck packs sold years back. I honestly haven't opened my new packs of that style. I am still working on the pikes of Modiano single deck packs which do not come with cut cards. I found the best deal was ordering my own custom cut cards here on PCF in a group buy. compared to Amazon charging $2-3+ per single color plain card I ordered my own customs for I'd say on the low end of that to Canada.

 

[davefr]

The problem with paper cards is that they are stiff as hell when new. It takes quite a while to break them in and then they perform very well. After that they turn limp. That means they have a short life during their "sweet spot". With quality plastic cards they perform nearly the same from when you first open the deck until end of life which is a very long time. (unless they're Copags where the ink only lasts a few months) .

I'd recommend you go to eBay and search for 2012 WSOP cards. There's a seller that sells barely used Fournier decks super cheap. Fournier came out #1 in this forum's favorite plastic playing card survey. It would be a cheap way to experience high end plastic cards.

Here's another cheap option. These cards are misprints but they handle really nicely. The misprint isn't a big deal:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...bo-2-each-in-stock.108387/page-4#post-2245612

P.S. Here are the eBay links. The 2011 and 2012 WSOP cards are a great way to try both KEM and Fournier. He also has just Fournier:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1308547031...LcD23GFYS2zfBmaO0xRAnkyA==|tkp:Bk9SR5jX_7bCYg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1317463437...Bh29aZR6AHUO09XhWWSSULPw==|tkp:Bk9SR5jX_7bCYg

 

[Colquhoun]

The problem with paper cards is that they are stiff as hell when new. It takes quite a while to break them in and then they perform very well. After that they turn limp. That means they have a short life during their "sweet spot". With quality plastic cards they perform nearly the same from when you first open the deck until end of life which is a very long time. (unless they're Copags where the ink only lasts a few months) .

I'd recommend you go to eBay and search for 2012 WSOP cards. There's a seller that sells barely used Fournier decks super cheap. Fournier came out #1 in this forum's favorite plastic playing card survey. It would be a cheap way to experience high end plastic cards.

Here's another cheap option. These cards are misprints but they handle really nicely. The misprint isn't a big deal:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...bo-2-each-in-stock.108387/page-4#post-2245612

P.S. Here are the eBay links. The 2011 and 2012 WSOP cards are a great way to try both KEM and Fournier. He also has just Fournier:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/130854703192?hash=item1e778c5058:g:Gd4AAOxylhxRF-VP&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA8PvEr22eSNTNsQ8VceosbQ9kmiOhI1Bf9BegFjugM4gXKUVLRt4LYKMC3J8nz9pB0uNMwGjoIH/N3SuSUHA+GtTp65WzP9/x2fyFR/hITna7YzSi0hbk17VTEYxEWTUzVNeetHsQoFNUjH5sruMpafAmUfktC9gwOik3cRBvMl2AuU3okng+sN/gGajPSMWd0QQ/iK5tger29goykdNsO7PFiVBkXufHZ4OuKcKkhGu3e9570wpxTrhcstRU5G/X2x/KcyHHABDm5meD4H4M0tMzVg9/Hh0zMV9JerabLGLcD23GFYS2zfBmaO0xRAnkyA==|tkp:Bk9SR5jX_7bCYg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/131746343720?hash=item1eacb1ab28:g:0yoAAMXQjq5Q~biu&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA8H9SWdvtUPT+EydboKuG6sNvMDFnvCRXQTPRoI5oIJ2CQfPM2a5vXp50yeIENZcdDT7E3qGI9/pifX5bxVN6ZIJ/A+MAQNGdvppmGdqqsQ5bbT6lSdjz2mzHZ5aOkC8CqemWQX+uwjeNR9p5cMoIjZZQTgDmslWB3HGc6FRIrTqmraeXcwcq/08D6Wqm/zdR4rS+oJfBGItqR30Mjxw/FDIeCxalI1ChcR+Q0lYAjBYbPNV/ilohN7VvOIeB3uwkQd2fUFYZKov3+IK/QZPY7zlCR6Eih3ppEDU00YYpGMBh29aZR6AHUO09XhWWSSULPw==|tkp:Bk9SR5jX_7bCYg

The only thing I would caution, those Fournier WSOP 2012 decks are very stiff. They’re fantastic for the price, but if you like bendy cards, this ain’t them.

 

[flippyflop89]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions!

The "issue" with KEM cards people mention. Is it worse that the bowing you see on paper cards? I'm coming from paper cards so wondering if I'd even notice it as a problem lol.

 

[davefr]

The only thing I would caution, those Fournier WSOP 2012 decks are very stiff. They’re fantastic for the price, but if you like bendy cards, this ain’t them.

I agree. They tend to be on the stiffer side but it sure results in a nice crisp shuffle.

The 2011/2012 WSOP bundle will give the OP the chance to experience both ends of the stiffness spectrum with soft KEMs and firm Fourniers.

I have yet to experience KEM warping. It's YMMV.

 

[Machine]

Will 100% buy bridge size now. Thanks!

Hold on there partner, if I were you, I'd buy poker sized.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions!

The "issue" with KEM cards people mention. Is it worse that the bowing you see on paper cards? I'm coming from paper cards so wondering if I'd even notice it as a problem lol.

KEM quality just doesn't seem to be what it use to be, personally I found Angel Aristo cards don't bow (maybe even less because poker sized) and are soft and flexible similar to KEM, but they don't require as much maintenance to prevent bowing.

This all comes together, especially if you have bad wrists, I've been in IT for 28 years, and typing for longer. You should look at getting an automated shuffler, cost is about 850 with a mount. There is nothing that will save your wrists and pain like not shuffling. The shuffler 'boxes' bridge cards, so you want to use poker size for a shuffler. ('boxed' cards is the term where one card is face up in the deck unintentionally, in which you treat it as a scrap piece of paper, i.e. it doesn't play)

If you plan to do more typing or need to, I would highly recommend taking the time to learn a different character key set, specifically the 'Workman' layout. I use to sleep with braces, but after committing to it, I don't have pain, type slightly faster and don't sleep with wrist braces. It was not easy or without frustration, but worth it.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions!

The "issue" with KEM cards people mention. Is it worse that the bowing you see on paper cards? I'm coming from paper cards so wondering if I'd even notice it as a problem lol.

Im very spoiled and most plastic decks deal very well, sliding nicely. Bowing starts to hurt that: curled down and it doesn't slide as well, curled up and it has a better chance of flipping over. I like cards flatter and sliding well. I grew up with paper cards too so I love the feel of flat plastic decks, they feel brand new.

Paper cards bow from shuffling and pressure/bending while most of the bowing in plastic cards comes from heat and humidity. Im sure you can find better and worse paper cards.

 

[flippyflop89]

Hold on there partner, if I were you, I'd buy poker sized.


KEM quality just doesn't seem to be what it use to be, personally I found Angel Aristo cards don't bow (maybe even less because poker sized) and are soft and flexible similar to KEM, but they don't require as much maintenance to prevent bowing.

This all comes together, especially if you have bad wrists, I've been in IT for 28 years, and typing for longer. You should look at getting an automated shuffler, cost is about 850 with a mount. There is nothing that will save your wrists and pain like not shuffling. The shuffler 'boxes' bridge cards, so you want to use poker size for a shuffler. ('boxed' cards is the term where one card is face up in the deck unintentionally, in which you treat it as a scrap piece of paper, i.e. it doesn't play)

If you plan to do more typing or need to, I would highly recommend taking the time to learn a different character key set, specifically the 'Workman' layout. I use to sleep with braces, but after committing to it, I don't have pain, type slightly faster and don't sleep with wrist braces. It was not easy or without frustration, but worth it.

Yeah im in a technical role and work 10-14 hours a day during the week. I'm considering trying all kind of weird things to save my hand/wrist pain.

Any experience with Modiano or Cardamundi?

 

[raynmanas]

plastic for poker, paper for everything else.

playing pitch or gin with plastic cards feels wrong for reasons i cannot articulate.

 

[allforcharity]

Around these parts, plastic *is* 'regular'. Playing with paper cards is almost enough to get you banned around here (sorta).

 

[Taghkanic]

That is correct - Every poker room I have seen use Bridge size. Meanwhile table games like blackjack use Poker size.

The way I’ve heard it, poker rooms and casinos choose the bridge size mainly because of economics, less than for any usability reasons.

They are buying cards in bulk, and the bridge cards are cheaper since they use less material.

For home games any difference in price is probably marginal even at 5c/10c stakes. The savings per deck is more for businesses who are buying hundreds or thousands of them annually.

I could see opting for bridge size if one has some physical reason to do so such as your wrist.

But absent such issues, even for Omaha or stud games with 4+ cards, I’ve never found it difficult to hold or view the cards at regular poker size. I vastly prefer the readsbility of thr bigger size with jumbo indexes, and four colors, especially as we all get older and squintier. If that is a word…

 

[Poker Zombie]

The way I’ve heard it, poker rooms and casinos choose the bridge size mainly because of economics, less than for any usability reasons.

They are buying cards in bulk, and the bridge cards are cheaper since they use less material.

If that were the case, I would think that they would use bridge size for every game, not just poker. Casinos that have table games and no poker room would also pinch pennies and use bridge size, especially since those games burn through decks.

 

[upNdown]

They are buying cards in bulk, and the bridge cards are cheaper since they use less material.

I’ve never known that to be true. But to be fair, I’ve never bought setups by the case.