@J93 - All the cards discussed below are full plastic playing cards. If you enjoy collecting and sampling out new cards I would, recommend putting around on ebay and amazon or even ThePokerStore.com. There are often some good finds on all these sites but you will have to do some searching depending on what you're after.
1. I started out with a set of
Modiano's (
Da Vinci) Route and was impressed only because they were my first plastic cards. The more I played with them the more I felt like there had to be better options out there. Modiano's have shaper edges and feel cheap.
2. I then moved to
Copag's 1546 and have loved them. I enjoy the PVC feel that Copag has to offer and think it is sweet that they are originally based out of Brazil however, recently bought up by Cartimundi. Copag has a great variety of colors, sizes and is easy to find.
3. Following this, I purchased a set of
Kem's and like them quite a bit. Simply put, Kem's are iconic and a fan favorite for a lot of people. Their cellulose acetate feel is in my opinion worth the 30 bucks it will cost you to get a set. My only complaint with Kem's is that they are almost too buttery smooth and have a tendency to warp up some with time and heavy use. I personally like a card with a little more snap to it. Kem's won't provide you this in a playing card but will make for a legendary shuffle, every time.
4. I have since purchased a deck of 4 color (2.0)
Faded Spades. They are a pretty sweet deck designed here in the USA and used on WPT. A little stiffer then some may enjoy but if you're in the market to collect and enjoy the process, you'll most likely be glad you picked up a set. They have a somewhat similar to feel to that of the Modiano's but their quality is solid and for sure to offer that snap when you get them on the felt.
5. You may have already heard of
Desjgn Cards. These are truly phenomenal plastic playing cards also made here in the USA. The cards have some of the most incredible designs and pip work I have seen. They play and feel somewhere between a Copag and Kem in my opinion. They make a very cool 4 color deck in addition to their classic poker sized decks and are surely to be a favorite. The cards have a uniquely smooth and soft texture that is is a dream to handle. They have mastered the feel of a plastic card being soft while also incredibly durable. And again, their design work is next level so hard to not fall in love with them.
6. My lovely partner then got me the
Bullet's Deck set on amazon. The bullets are solid and somewhat like the Copag with no slip on the top few cards. Bullet's are know for their sweet back design and feel good in the hand. Again, if you're collecting, you're enjoy these for the sake of having variety and people will like the designs.
7. Next, I moved to bridge sized
Fournier 2826 set up. These took me forever to find and couldn't be happier with them. They might be my favorite deck of cards and are truly unlike any of the other cards I have ever handled. Originally a Spanish based family company they were recently purchased up by the United States Playing Card Company (same company that makes Kem's) however, their product is top notch. They have the snap of a Copag or faded spade, the smoothness of a Kem or design and the durability of Bullet's.
8. Lastly, I purchased a set of
Bicycle Prestige's (USPCC) as well as the
Ace's manufactured by Cartimundi and am awaiting their arrival. I am excited to test out both these sets of decks. I have heard only good things about the Bicycle Prestige's from folks here on the forum. I haven't hear much on the Ace's.
Hope this helps and my apologizes for the long thread.