What’s everyone’s Favorite playing cards ? (1 Viewer)

scoobycheesydoooo said:
Hello folks, curious what everyone’s favorite setup is. I have both the cartamundi And Fournier titanium cards, kinda like both. The Fournier’s are stiffer and little bit less flexible than the cartamundi but they’re amazing as well. Cartamundi well, speaks for itself. They are an amazing brand, can’t complain about them. Never handled KEM’s or modiano’s…
What’s everyone’s favorite cards both feel and look wise and why ?

Scooby
Click to expand...
Kem are awesome and auper pricey
Copag are nice and reasonable
Davinci - these are what guys have been using in games around town where i live davinci jumbo poker cards - not aure where they are at price wise right now but they have had a very good price and are comparable to copag in thickness (not just coming from me but from around 80 ish guys from other games in town). They did have some defective decks floating around about a year ago but i think they took care of that and it may have been covid related. The cards have been a solid performer for years in one of our games and its what i try to buy (or copag). Kems are too pricey and the bargain plastic decks are too flimsy (royal is one - they suck).
 
The price of Kem in Poland skyrocket recently.. I do know that you have to factor shipping and modest profit but 50 or even 60 USD for a set is absolutely rediculous...
The only incentive to buy them is to play same cards as Rounders have. KEM definitely should pay some sorts or royalties to Matt Damon and John Malkovich..
Thank God we have decent alternatives like homemade Trefl or imported Modiano.
 
So I had an interesting experience at poker on Friday. I've picked up some new setups, which included some Cartamundi decks (8 of them from here). We had two tables, so I ran one Cartamundi and one Copag. I happened to be at the Carta table, and I became increasingly irritated by the fact that the cards wouldn't slide over each other. I have a speed cloth surface over 1/4" closed cell foam, and when I went to put my cards together to view them, or if I performed a deck wash, I couldn't get the cards back together. They would run into each other on the edges. It didn't matter what edge I tried; it was like trying to stack two blocks on each other by sliding them together without lifting them. I've never had that problem with Copag. Are they really that much thicker? The decks were comparable in all other respects: very little play (0-1 game each), bridge sized. Anyone else experience anything like this?
 
THRA5H3R said:
So I had an interesting experience at poker on Friday. I've picked up some new setups, which included some Cartamundi decks (8 of them from here). We had two tables, so I ran one Cartamundi and one Copag. I happened to be at the Carta table, and I became increasingly irritated by the fact that the cards wouldn't slide over each other. I have a speed cloth surface over 1/4" closed cell foam, and when I went to put my cards together to view them, or if I performed a deck wash, I couldn't get the cards back together. They would run into each other on the edges. It didn't matter what edge I tried; it was like trying to stack two blocks on each other by sliding them together without lifting them. I've never had that problem with Copag. Are they really that much thicker? The decks were comparable in all other respects: very little play (0-1 game each), bridge sized. Anyone else experience anything like this?
Click to expand...
The exact same thing happens with the 2012 WSOP cards I recently got off eBay. They're Bicycle/Fournier and it's like they are too sharp-edged to meld when pulling them together in a pile.
 
Colquhoun said:
The exact same thing happens with the 2012 WSOP cards I recently got off eBay. They're Bicycle/Fournier and it's like they are too sharp-edged to meld when pulling them together in a pile.
Click to expand...
Shoot, I got those, too. Haven’t played with them yet.
 
K4fk4 said:
Can anyone recommend any EU (ideally DE) shops, especially for Desjgn (no luck on Google), Piatnik (their site isn't great) and Fournier?
Click to expand...
I got a Two-Deck-Set of "Desjgn Classic Victorian" from mastersofgames.com for 19.58 GBP + 7.29 GBP (Shipping) + 5.11 GBP (Tax) = 31.98 GBP and I love them.

surfik said:
The price of Kem in Poland skyrocket recently..
[…]
Thank God we have decent alternatives like homemade Trefl or imported Modiano.
Click to expand...
+1 for Trefl. I was surprised, how easy they are to handle and to shuffle.
I got mine from zgrany.pl.
 
Well, I broke down and bought some Faded Spades. I have always liked the font, but I heard so many bad reports about them that it kept me from buying. I was pleasantly surprised when they came in, and even more surprised when the crew immediately started commenting on them as soon as our game started tonight. Multiple comments about how much they liked them.

Most surprising, I think, was the guys said they loved to shuffle them. I read so many comments that people thought they were difficult to shuffle, but we didn’t experience that. They are a little more stiff than some other brands, but we will definitely put them in play again. To each their own, I guess.
 
DMack said:
Well, I broke down and bought some Faded Spades. I have always liked the font, but I heard so many bad reports about them that it kept me from buying. I was pleasantly surprised when they came in, and even more surprised when the crew immediately started commenting on them as soon as our game started tonight. Multiple comments about how much they liked them.

Most surprising, I think, was the guys said they loved to shuffle them. I read so many comments that people thought they were difficult to shuffle, but we didn’t experience that. They are a little more stiff than some other brands, but we will definitely put them in play again. To each their own, I guess.
Click to expand...
The V2's are lightyears better than the V1's that had most of those complaints. They really did their best to fix the complaints from their pilot release with their most recent offerings.
 
DMack said:
Well, I broke down and bought some Faded Spades. I have always liked the font, but I heard so many bad reports about them that it kept me from buying. I was pleasantly surprised when they came in, and even more surprised when the crew immediately started commenting on them as soon as our game started tonight. Multiple comments about how much they liked them.

Most surprising, I think, was the guys said they loved to shuffle them. I read so many comments that people thought they were difficult to shuffle, but we didn’t experience that. They are a little more stiff than some other brands, but we will definitely put them in play again. To each their own, I guess.
Click to expand...
JMC9389 said:
The V2's are lightyears better than the V1's that had most of those complaints. They really did their best to fix the complaints from their pilot release with their most recent offerings.
Click to expand...
I bought a setup of the Faded Spades Four Color 2.0 from another member, gently used, at a discount. My first 4-color deck. Also rather pleasantly surprised. Always liked the aesthetics, but they're not as stiff as I thought they'd be. Maybe because they've been slightly broken in? Can definitely tell they're thicker than even that Dal Negros I've handled. Hoping to put them into play next week at a live game.
 
I recently purchased a Set up of Faded Spade v2 too, they are definably stiffer than most of the deck brand that I used but I am a guy who like to rotate and use different set up for different games.

Since most of us use and rotate different Chip Set, it should be done the same for Cards as well
 
Last edited:
DMack said:
Well, I broke down and bought some Faded Spades. I have always liked the font, but I heard so many bad reports about them that it kept me from buying. I was pleasantly surprised when they came in, and even more surprised when the crew immediately started commenting on them as soon as our game started tonight. Multiple comments about how much they liked them.

Most surprising, I think, was the guys said they loved to shuffle them. I read so many comments that people thought they were difficult to shuffle, but we didn’t experience that. They are a little more stiff than some other brands, but we will definitely put them in play again. To each their own, I guess.
Click to expand...
I recently sold off all my Piatniks because they were too stiff for my tastes. Safe to say the faded spades are stiffer than those?
 
upNdown said:
I recently sold off all my Piatniks because they were too stiff for my tastes. Safe to say the faded spades are stiffer than those?
Click to expand...
I know I’m the minority with Piatniks, but I never liked them. It’s been so long since I’ve used Piatniks that I couldn’t give you a fair answer. I don’t know what it was about the Spades, but I really liked them (and my players raced about them all night). They are definitely more stiff than others, but not near as bad as I expected, so that might be a lot bias to my judgement. They had excellent texture, were not too stiff for me, and I really like the font.

I’m sure that review doesn’t help you in the least, but I will definitely be rotating the Spades I. Games, and I have no plans to put the Piatniks in play again.
 
KEM, Faded Spade, Modiano, then Copag. I just wish the KEM cards didn't warp and crack so often. Faded Spade is very solid and clear looking. The pips on the Modianos are prone to fading pretty quickly, and I think I'm just tired of seeing Copags because all of the card rooms near me use them haha.
 
Mostly Copag, but I do like playing with some Kings Wild decks from time to time. Namely the Federal 52s.
Kings Wild - 1.jpeg
 
I played with some poker modianos ~10 years ago and everyone loved them at my shitty 5c/10c home games.
Recently got back into it and picked up some nice KEMs , love the feel and shuffling them.
Also picked up some platinum Modianos, very good , slide along my table mat as if it was air hockey.
Going to pick up some fournier and gemaco to give them a go (and try out bridge size, all my others are poker), possibly some piatniks from my local game shop, and when i can justify the shipping cost ill try out faded spade.

If i had to grab a single deck i'd go with modiano texas poker.
 
Has anyone played with the Gemaco Gem Pro from Kardwell? Are they any different from the Monte Carlo?
 
Willpass said:
Mostly Copag, but I do like playing with some Kings Wild decks from time to time. Namely the Federal 52s.View attachment 871487
Click to expand...
I've been a big fan of Kings Wild. I supported their very first deck, the Federal 52 kickstarter back in 2013 as well as the original silver/gold certificate decks. I just recently picked up the holographic Legal Tender v2 deck and uncut sheet. Jackson, the artist, is quite the character.

The original Federal 52 has a very small index -- not playable for poker IMO. Interesting how the artwork has changed in subsequent editions.

federal 52.jpeg
 
kaida said:
I've been a big fan of Kings Wild. I supported their very first deck, the Federal 52 kickstarter back in 2013 as well as the original silver/gold certificate decks. I just recently picked up the holographic Legal Tender v2 deck and uncut sheet. Jackson, the artist, is quite the character.

The original Federal 52 has a very small index -- not playable for poker IMO. Interesting how the artwork has changed in subsequent editions.

View attachment 877417
Click to expand...
Are those the OG kickstarter ones?
 
Willpass said:
Are those the OG kickstarter ones?
Click to expand...
Yes. I believe the original Federal 52 kickstarter (and related OG sets) were the only iterations that had the option for Bicycle branded tuck boxes. Here's my collection from his first two Kickstarters.

O95A2671.JPG

O95A2673.JPG
 
My list of favourite cards
(prices listed are converted from euros to us dollars with exchange rates valid at the time of posting this)

1. FOURNIER
By far my favourite brand.
Best balance between quality, subjective feel, value related to price.
price examples(imported from Spain)
-2800 Titanium deck, 9.72 usd+shipping per deck
-2826, 14.58 usd+shipping per set

2. PTW
Fournier card stock with Copag graphics.
A value for money choice regarding Fournier card stock from "Play To Win" company.
price examples(imported from Italy)
-PTW One Way/PTW 1.0, 4.58 usd+shipping per deck

3. ANGEL
Good quality cards, great shuffling and feel, cards back feel is not my taste. Difficult to get and highly overpriced when purchasing from eBay.
price examples(imported from eBay UK)
-Aristo Club, 45.70 usd per 2 decks, shipping and import taxes included

4. CARTAMUNDI
Great acetate cards, although i prefer the feel of PVC in general. Only acetate cards i have experienced no bowing/warping with in contrast to KEM and Modiano Platinum ones.
price examples(imported from the Netherlands)
-Casino Poker, 9.71 usd+shipping per deck

5. DAL NEGRO
Good quality cards, great for those who like stiffer cards.
Value for money when it comes to basic card models such as the Texas Poker and the Torcello. Pricier when getting the NTP cards which use the Dal Negro stock.
price examples:
-NTP Black Jack(imported from Italy),7.45 usd+shipping per deck
-Torcello(purchased domestically), 3.78 usd+shipping per deck
-Texas Poker(purchased domestically), 4.32 usd+shipping per deck

6. KEM
Most overpriced cards in the world. Great feel and shuffling, bowing/warping the main disadvantage.
price examples(purchased domestically)
-Arrow Wide Narrow/Wide/Standard/Jumbo, 54 usd+shipping per set

7. DESJGN
Very fine feel and easy shuffling. Interesting, unusual graphics.
Quick delivery from the U.S.
Only disadvantage the high overall purchasing cost due to import taxes.
price examples:
-Gorgon-Kraken regular index, 87.94 usd, shipping and import taxes included, price per 2 sets

8. COPAG
Good alternative to any pricier cards brand. They do not excel in anything but they also do not have big disadvantages. The definition of above average cards that can do the job. If one can get them cheap, a value for money brand. Highly overrated on the internet. Definitely not number 2 or 3 best brand as advertised.
price examples(imported from Italy):
-WSOP, 6.48 usd+shipping per deck
-Texas Hold Em, 6.37 usd+shipping per deck

9. ZERO
Good quality. Too stiff for my taste.
price examples(imported from Italy):
-Zero Tabriz 12.96 usd+shipping per deck

10. MODIANO
Another problematic brand along with KEM and Copag. These three are the most overrated cards brands imho. They get promoted aggressively at many sites on the internet worldwide. Paid for reviews often label these 3 unjustly as the best thing out there.
Main advantage: value for money when it comes to their cheaper models(Old Trophy/Golden Trophy/Texas Poker/Cristallo Poker)
Good price when it comes to their Platinum Acetate line.
Disadvantages: I don't like the feel at all. Although i like stiffer cards such as Dal Negro, these don't do it for me.
Warping problems with their Platinum line
price examples(purchased domestically)
Golden Trophy 3.78 usd+shipping per deck
Cristallo Poker 4.86 usd+shipping per deck
Texas Poker 4.86 usd+shipping per deck
Platinum 25.92 usd+shipping per set

11. PIATNIK
Above average quality but nothing special.
Their jumbo 1361 cards are too stiff for my taste.
Their regular index 1362 cards are much more comfortable to play with.
price examples(imported from the Netherlands)
1362, 16.20 usd+shipping per set
1361, 10.75 per deck

12. BICYCLE Prestige
Lowest value for money Fournier card stock version for my taste. Slippery with ugly bicycle graphics. Overpriced for what they offer compared to, for example, the PTW Fournier card stock alternative.
price examples(purchased domestically)
10.8 usd+shipping per deck

13. GRIMAUD Poker
Above average cards that look similar to the Piatnik 1362 ones. Too stiff for my taste.
price examples(imported from Spain)
6.48 usd+shipping per deck

14. ACE Group Poker
Average cards, glossy, look like cheap Chinese plastic cards
price examples(purchased domestically)
5.40 usd+shipping per deck

15. LAMPA
Average cards, glossy, look like cheap Chinese plastic cards
price examples(purchased domestically)
4 usd+shipping per deck

no rating for FADED SPADE
Have ordered months ago from their site. Contrary to Desjgn which arrived fast, these are still somewhere in transit at a different European country. Same problem with Desjgn. The overall purchase cost is high due to import taxes from the U.S.
price examples(imported from U.S.)
-Poker Wide 2.0 set + 4 Colours set,
82.1 usd, shipping and taxes included
 
Last edited:
omega44 said:
My list of favourite cards
(prices listed are converted from euros to us dollars with exchange rates valid at the time of posting this)

1. FOURNIER
By far my favourite brand.
Best balance between quality, subjective feel, value related to price.
price examples(imported from Spain)
-2800 Titanium deck, 9.72 usd+shipping per deck
-2826, 14.58 usd+shipping per set

2. PTW
Fournier card stock with Copag graphics.
A value for money choice regarding Fournier card stock from "Play To Win" company.
price examples(imported from Italy)
-PTW One Way/PTW 1.0, 4.58 usd+shipping per deck

3. ANGEL
Good quality cards, great shuffling and feel, cards back feel is not my taste. Difficult to get and highly overpriced when purchasing from eBay.
price examples(imported from eBay UK)
-Aristo Club, 45.70 usd per 2 decks, shipping and import taxes included

4. CARTAMUNDI
Great acetate cards, although i prefer the feel of PVC in general. Only acetate cards i have experienced no bowing/warping with in contrast to KEM and Modiano Platinum ones.
price examples(imported from the Netherlands)
-Casino Poker, 9.71 usd+shipping per deck

5. DAL NEGRO
Good quality cards, great for those who like stiffer cards.
Value for money when it comes to basic card models such as the Texas Poker and the Torcello. Pricier when getting the NTP cards which use the Dal Negro stock.
price examples:
-NTP Black Jack(imported from Italy),7.45 usd+shipping per deck
-Torcello(purchased domestically), 3.78 usd+shipping per deck
-Texas Poker(purchased domestically), 4.32 usd+shipping per deck

6. KEM
Most overpriced cards in the world. Great feel and shuffling, bowing/warping the main disadvantage.
price examples(purchased domestically)
-Arrow Wide Narrow/Wide/Standard/Jumbo, 54 usd+shipping per set

7. DESJGN
Very fine feel and easy shuffling. Interesting, unusual graphics.
Quick delivery from the U.S.
Only disadvantage the high overall purchasing cost due to import taxes.
price examples:
-Gorgon-Kraken regular index, 87.94 usd, shipping and import taxes included, price per 2 sets

8. COPAG
Good alternative to any pricier cards brand. They do not excel in anything but they also do not have big disadvantages. The definition of above average cards that can do the job. If one can get them cheap, a value for money brand. Highly overrated on the internet. Definitely not number 2 or 3 best brand as advertised.
price examples(imported from Italy):
-WSOP, 6.48 usd+shipping per deck
-Texas Hold Em, 6.37 usd+shipping per deck

9. ZERO
Good quality. Too stiff for my taste.
price examples(imported from Italy):
-Zero Tabriz 12.96 usd+shipping per deck

10. MODIANO
Another problematic brand along with KEM and Copag. These three are the most overrated cards brands imho. They get promoted aggressively at many sites on the internet worldwide. Paid for reviews often label these 3 unjustly as the best thing out there.
Main advantage: value for money when it comes to their cheaper models(Old Trophy/Golden Trophy/Texas Poker/Cristallo Poker)
Good price when it comes to their Platinum Acetate line.
Disadvantages: I don't like the feel at all. Although i like stiffer cards such as Dal Negro, these don't do it for me.
Warping problems with their Platinum line
price examples(purchased domestically)
Golden Trophy 3.78 usd+shipping per deck
Cristallo Poker 4.86 usd+shipping per deck
Texas Poker 4.86 usd+shipping per deck
Platinum 25.92 usd+shipping per set

11. PIATNIK
Above average quality but nothing special.
Their jumbo 1361 cards are too stiff for my taste.
Their regular index 1362 cards are much more comfortable to play with.
price examples(imported from the Netherlands)
1362, 16.20 usd+shipping per set
1361, 10.75 per deck

12. BICYCLE Prestige
Lowest value for money Fournier card stock version for my taste. Slippery with ugly bicycle graphics. Overpriced for what they offer compared to, for example, the PTW Fournier card stock alternative.
price examples(purchased domestically)
10.8 usd+shipping per deck

13. GRIMAUD Poker
Above average cards that look similar to the Piatnik 1362 ones. Too stiff for my taste.
price examples(imported from Spain)
6.48 usd+shipping per deck

14. ACE Group Poker
Average cards, glossy, look like cheap Chinese plastic cards
price examples(purchased domestically)
5.40 usd+shipping per deck

15. LAMPA
Average cards, glossy, look like cheap Chinese plastic cards
price examples(purchased domestically)
4 usd+shipping per deck

no rating for FADED SPADE
Have ordered months ago from their site. Contrary to Desjgn which arrived fast, these are still somewhere in transit at a different European country. Same problem with Desjgn. The overall purchase cost is high due to import taxes from the U.S.
price examples(imported from U.S.)
-Poker Wide 2.0 set + 4 Colours set,
82.1 usd, shipping and taxes included
Click to expand...
Do you have any extra Grimaud setups? I’d be interested in snagging a jumbo index from you
 

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