Plastic vs. Regular? (1 Viewer)

[Phyffe]

If money were no object - Linen finish paper playing cards replaced after every orbit.

If living in the real world then my choice would be (in order of preference)-

1. Good plastic playing cards (i.e. Kem, Modiano, Copag, Desjgn, Fournier)
2. Good paper playing cards (i.e. Bicycle, Bee)
3. Generic Plastic Playing cards

 

[BLK21JK]

Bees for me!

No, wait... Bees!

By way of explanation - I'm a lifetime blackjack player and haven't played poker in a casino in ~35 years, so air cushion/linen/cambric finish Bee/Paulson/Aristocrat/Cartamundi are simply what I'm used to and expect to feel. The texture/weight/flex are just instantly familiar.

I did pick up a couple of Copag decks when we started up a regular home game a few months ago and don't dislike them (although they are some slippery mofos) but as we're just a single-table monthly game I'll likely stick to with what I'm familiar with.

 

[KarateMaster72]

Bees for me!

View attachment 1212114

No, wait... Bees!

View attachment 1212115

By way of explanation - I'm a lifetime blackjack player and haven't played poker in a casino in ~35 years, so air cushion/linen/cambric finish Bee/Paulson/Aristocrat/Cartamundi are simply what I'm used to and expect to feel. The texture/weight/flex are just instantly familiar.

I did pick up a couple of Copag decks when we started up a regular home game a few months ago and don't dislike them (although they are some slippery mofos) but as we're just a single-table monthly game I'll likely stick to with what I'm familiar with.

Kem aren't slippery. But they're overpriced . Some people will laugh, but try Bullets

 

[KarateMaster72]

I like KEM, Copag, Modiano, Gutshot, Bullets, Guild, and Gemaco.

 

[allforcharity]

You haven't lived until you've tried Angel.

 

[AceCase13]

Once you buy a great deck of plastic cards, you won’t even want to play go fish with your kid with paper anymore

 

[ssj1970]

I recently bought the Lot Fancy cards on Amazon - setup costs $10 or $11. They felt great, so I ordered another four setups - no shame!
Then the first night I actually played them, I lost a big pot because I confused a spade for a club. So those cards are in the doghouse. Not because they’re cheap, but because my eyes are old.
But aside from my need for big clear pips, I say play what works. If they shuffle and they pitch and they gather, who cares about the brand name?

I just bought a bunch of LotFancy cards off of Temu and just noticed that they have strong unpleasant scent. I haven't played with them so I don't know if it goes away with use but buyer beware...

 

[upNdown]

I just bought a bunch of LotFancy cards off of Temu and just noticed that they have strong unpleasant scent. I haven't played with them so I don't know if it goes away with use but buyer beware...

Could be Temu buyer beware? I’ve bought them from Amazon multiple times and there’s never been any smell.

 

[ssj1970]

You might be right...will buy some off of Amazon to see if there's a difference...thanks.

 

[Snarespectre]

You might be right...will buy some off of Amazon to see if there's a difference...thanks.

I can second what @upNdown said. I bought a set of LotFancy from Amazon as well and they don't have a smell.

 

[daddy4count]

I bought 2 decks of Copag plastics 20 years ago.

I recently retired one deck to my backpacking gear, because the coated paper cards just couldn't hang.

The other is my go to deck when I play with family or just practice shuffling and dealing. They've been through the ringer.

I bought a new deck of Copag to replace the backpacking deck, and you can't really tell the difference between the 20 year old cards and the ones that are barely a year old.

The older deck is very slightly less white than the new ones, and the new ones are still a little bit more slippery than the old.

Some of the newer players I play with didn't like them at first because they feel different. But after a few hands they appreciate them more.

Considering how long they last and maintain their condition I find the modest investment to be well worth it.

 

[WWB]

Personally I prefer Bicycle Playing Cards.
Plastic cards are great for card throwing though.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I bought 2 decks of Copag plastics 20 years ago.

I recently retired one deck to my backpacking gear, because the coated paper cards just couldn't hang.

The other is my go to deck when I play with family or just practice shuffling and dealing. They've been through the ringer.

I bought a new deck of Copag to replace the backpacking deck, and you can't really tell the difference between the 20 year old cards and the ones that are barely a year old.

The older deck is very slightly less white than the new ones, and the new ones are still a little bit more slippery than the old.

Some of the newer players I play with didn't like them at first because they feel different. But after a few hands they appreciate them more.

Considering how long they last and maintain their condition I find the modest investment to be well worth it.

Copag are absolutely the worst for wear in the plastic card category. If you got 20 years out of Copags, you can buy a deck of Piatnik and be set for your lifetime, your child's life, and the life of your grandchild.