Which card setups do you use? (1 Viewer)

RichMahogany

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And why?

I currently own:
Kem Paisley bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
Kem Scroll bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
3 Kem Club Back bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
Kem Flaming bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
Kem Panther bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
Kem Hummingbirds bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
Kem mixed Carnations/Gamecock bridge sized standard index pre-USPC
Kem Arrow bridge sized standard index post-USPC
Kem Circleback bridge sized standard index post-USPC
Copag 1546 bridge sized standard index
Copag Lonestar bridge sized large index
Copag Export bridge sized standard index
Gemaco Majestic Star Casino bridge sized standard index
Gemaco Superflex Grand Victoria Casino bridge sized standard index
Bicycle Prestige poker sized standard index
four52 Shmohawk bridge sized standard index
2 four52 Sutra bridge sized standard index
2 Desjgn Classic Culture bridge sized standard index

and probably one or two others that I'm forgetting.

The Desjgn cards are definitely my current favorites and I still have yet to try Modiano, Angel, Dal Negro, Cartamundi, Fournier(don't say Bicycle Prestige), and a few others.

I really like the Desjgn cards because they remind me of a slightly thicker and less slick pre-USPC Kem cards. The unique pip design and court cards are also pretty cool IMHO.

What do you prefer and why?
 
I have around 3 dozen set-ups. I am not nearly so heavily weighted to Kems, but have about half a dozen preUSPC sets. I have a WSOP set-up as well, just because. Recently unloaded a few of my Copags sets, but the Desjgns are a more than adequate replacement in my books . . . great quality, and fantastic price point. Gemaco Super-flex are the only line from them that I will buy. Nothing else is worth the $$$. The Four52 set-ups that I have are also quite good, but I have not used them enough to really give them anything more than a qualified thumb's up. I like My Prestige's from Fournier, as well as the other set-ups I own from them. I just wish I knew what the thing is on their Jokers . . . LOL. Dal Negros are a good quality card, as are the Piatniks I managed to score. But the best card I have ever tried are Modianos. I own several set-ups . . . regular, Cristallos and the Platinum Acetates. The PAs are far and away the best card I own. I have never tried Angels and, as much as they cost, I likely will never own a set-up, but who knows. Be happy to chat cards all day . . . I would be happy to provide a full run-down of my sets, if you want, but that will have to wait until tomorrow night at the earliest.
 
I have around 3 dozen set-ups. I am not nearly so heavily weighted to Kems, but have about half a dozen preUSPC sets. I have a WSOP set-up as well, just because. Recently unloaded a few of my Copags sets, but the Desjgns are a more than adequate replacement in my books . . . great quality, and fantastic price point. Gemaco Super-flex are the only line from them that I will buy. Nothing else is worth the $$$. The Four52 set-ups that I have are also quite good, but I have not used them enough to really give them anything more than a qualified thumb's up. I like My Prestige's from Fournier, as well as the other set-ups I own from them. I just wish I knew what the thing is on their Jokers . . . LOL. Dal Negros are a good quality card, as are the Piatniks I managed to score. But the best card I have ever tried are Modianos. I own several set-ups . . . regular, Cristallos and the Platinum Acetates. The PAs are far and away the best card I own. I have never tried Angels and, as much as they cost, I likely will never own a set-up, but who knows. Be happy to chat cards all day . . . I would be happy to provide a full run-down of my sets, if you want, but that will have to wait until tomorrow night at the earliest.

Yeah I've always wanted to try Modiano PAs but I'm bridge sized card kinda guy. Have yet to play with Piatniks, Dal Negro, Fournier, NTP, Cartamundi, or Angel cards. Still might pick up an Angel set just because but yeah, they are ridiculously expensive!

Ended up with so many pre-USPC Kems because I love alot of the old back designs and I kept finding deals for them on eBay and elsewhere.

On a related note there are now Bicycle Prestige's being offered in bridge size and Jason from Desjgn cards is planning on releasing a bridge sized version of the Classic Victorians with the same textured finish. Hopefully his next Kickstarter project can get the funding it needs/deserves.
 
I think the Kickstarter program has too short a window to get the $$$ he is looking for. But I may win the lotto tonight, so who knows. I was always a "poker size" guy (big mitts), but I am starting to come around on bridge. Bought my first preUSPC Kems just to say I had a set, but they were sooooo nice I had to get more. Currently sitting on a Dozen sets of Mods, only two of which are PAs. If you want to try a Modiano in bridge, just buy the "Beehive" set-up. Here is a link . . . http://www.caragails.com/modiano2.htm They are a very good card, and a steal at $16.95 USD. The Carta Mundis are decent, as are the Da Vincis. The DVs are just the bargain line-up from Modiano.

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My most prized set-up is one that I did not even purchase. My wife's Uncle passed away a few years ago. Not long after, my Mother-in-law went to visit the Widow (her sister). While down there she was told to pick something from Uncle Dave's personal effects for each of the "kids" back home. Mother-in-law, knowing I play poker picked me a set of playing cards. She picked well, if oddly. I am the proud owner of a set-up of Playmate cards. 100% Plastic, and manufactured by Kem. They are not mint, but neither are they heavily used. Probably just cracked the seal to check out the pics (fairly mundane), and then maybe brought out for laughs through the years.
 
I'm the proud owner of a set-up of Playmate cards. 100% Plastic, and manufactured by Kem.

Pretty cool. I also have these Kems. Not sure of their scarcity but I've only ever seen one other set of these online.

87D142E4-CC0B-411E-A8E1-0CC1B6465D4F-28324-000033A348EE4448_zpscdd2d80d.jpg


Magnin size are slightly smaller in height and width than bridge size. The case is a little beat up but the cards are near perfect.
 
I was slightly off when I said that the magnin size was smaller in height and width than bridge size. It's smaller in width only. The date code is C1040 which means they were made in Oct. 1940 I think. The original Kem company used two different coding methods at different points in their history and then the USPC used another method to confuse the issue further. However, newer Kems are printed as being made by the US Playing Card Company on the Ace of Spades so that makes them easy to distinguish from the originals.

Here's a pic of the Streamline cards on top of a bridge sized Kem
9ABB7E5F-E8EA-4B18-866C-299C492B6DF4-28799-000033F4D0F0D4C1_zps999394d5.jpg


A side by side comparison
5957C76E-D576-499A-89DB-149E064293B2-28799-000033F4C74AD34D_zps0fa0dc96.jpg
 
The other alternative is that the C represents the year 2000, and they were manufactured in October. Given that they are non-standard width, however, I might be more inclined to lean in the direction of 1940, if indeed they even made the CA cards back then.
 
Yeah I thought that maybe these were made in the year 2000 but from my understanding, the original Kem company used the letter/number date code combo early in their history. Some time later they switched to using the 3 or 4 number system. When the USPC restarted production in 2005 they also used the letter/number combo and say "Mfg by USPC" on them. My cards have "Kem Plastic Playing Cards INC" on them so I'm inclined to think they're from October 1940 too.

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Almost forgot, I've also read that Kem manufactured cards in the WWII era for US troops that we're smaller than bridge size to easily fit it a soldier's front pocket. Another reason I'd lean towards 1940.
 
Okay here is my card catalog . . .

Modiano Platinum Acetates - Poker, regular index - 2 set-ups
Modiano Platinum Acetates - Poker, regular index - (4 pips)
Modiano Cristallos - Poker, jumbo index - (4 pips)
Modiano Cristallos - Poker, regular index
Modiano Bicycles - Poker, regular index
Modiano Snowflake - Poker, regular index - (4 pips)
Modiano "Peeks" - Poker, jumbo index
Modiano Trophy - Poker, regular index
Modiano Golden Trophy - Poker, regular index - (4 pips)
Modiano Blackjack - Poker, jumbo index
Modiano Beehives - Bridge, regular index
Modiano Trophy - Bridge, regular index

Fournier 2826 - Bridge, regular index
Fournier Arabesco - Bridge, jumbo index
Fournier Alfombras - Bridge, jumbo index
Fournier "Peeks" - Poker, jumbo index
Fournier 2508 - Poker, regular index - (4 pips)

Dal Negro Torcello - Poker, regular index - (4 pips) 2 set-ups

KEM Circlebacks - Bridge, regular index
KEM Casino (?) - Bridge, regular index
KEM Casino (?) - Bridge, jumbo index
Kem '09 WSOP - Bridge, regular index
KEM Foxwoods - Bridge, regular index

Cartamundi Casino - Bridge, jumbo index
Cartamundi Cellulose - Bridge, regular index - 2 set-ups

Da Vinci Sorrento - Bridge, regular index
Da Vinci Sienna - Bridge, regular index

Gemaco Super-flex - Bridge, regular index
Gemaco Gr. Vic - Bridge, regular index

Four52 Smohawk - Bridge, regular index
Four52 Alamo - Poker, jumbo index

Piatnik - Poker, regular index - (4pips)

Fournier Bike Prestige - Poker, regular index

Copag 1546 - Poker, regular index

Desjgn Classic Vic - Poker, regular index

Singles -
Dal Negro Torcello Blancos
Everest Poker deck - Copag
Gemaco Sextant
Party Poker (x2) - Cartamundi
Copag 1546
Four52 Sutra
Piatnik

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37 set-ups (not counting the Playboy cards) and 7 orphan decks. The single decks of the Sextants and the 1546s are left-overs from the first two set-ups I ever bought. Their partners were discarded due to wear (ink-bleed for the Copags, bowing for the Gemacos, common faults with BOTH brands).
 
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Well, I don't have nearly the stockpile that you guys have.

Poker size
Bicycle Prestige Standard Index (2 red, 2 blue)
Cartamundi ACE (2 red, 2 blue)
Desjgn Classic Victorians (2 red/blue setups)
Four52 Alamo Jumbo Index (1 red/green setup). Back colours are too close for me, as I have issues with red/green.
Four52 Alamo Standard Index (1 red/green setup). Back colours are better, but still somewhat close.
Fournier WSOP Jumbo Index (1 red, 1 blue).
Kem Arrow Standard index (1 black/gold setup)
Marion Pro Jumbo index (1 red, 1 blue)
Modiano Platinum Acetates Jumbo Index (1 red/blue setup)
Ovalyon Jumbo Index (1 black, 1 red)


Bridge Size
Fournier/Congress Jumbo Index (2826) (1 red/blue setup)
Four52 Sutra (1 Blue deck).

Current favorites with a jumbo index are the Fournier WSOP cards, with the Modianos being a close second, although that could change as they get more use...the pips on the Modiano Jumbos is slightly smaller than the ones on the Fourniers. I prefer the look of the Fourniers, though, and they are a bit more flexible than the Modianos. The Desjgn are also excellent cards with a mid-sized pip (larger than standard, smaller than the Fournier WSOP and Marion Pro cards), but almost too flexible for my tastes. Very easy to shuffle, though. Overall, cards with a yellow center appeal to me for some reason...they just look classy.

For standard index cards, my favourites are the Prestige cards, with the Four52's being a close second. I suspect I'd like the Modiano Platinum Acetates in standard index, but at $30+shipping, I'm not willing to get them just to have them.

Best bang for the buck are the Cartamundi's at $5/deck. Like the Desjgn CV's, the index on those is between standard and jumbo, so it works well in most games.

I've tried Copag and Gemacos at other games, and I don't see any reason to buy them. They just don't appeal to me.

The Four52 cards are great, except for the back colours. Red/green backs are just a bad combo if you ever have two decks in play. I've sent a note to Four52 recently to see if red/blue could be made available, but so far, nothing. I can always hope, as otherwise I really like their product. It's my only real complaint.

As for the Kems, the gold cards were marked on the back and face out of the box. USPCC replaced them promptly (have to give them credit), but it's weird...the black deck is about 3 cards thicker than the gold deck. Same date code on the Ace of Spades. I don't get it. I'm not big on the feel of them, either...they seem to hold a bend. Given the other cards on the market, I don't personally believe they are worth the premium being charged for them.

I'd like to think that I'm pretty much done buying cards, as the above will last me through this lifetime and the next at the rate we play (1 or two games a month). Having said that, there's a new version of the Prestiges available, and I've been thinking of getting the poker size jumbo index version of those as well. The back colours are green/burgundy, though, and having been burnt on the Four52 jumbos, I'm hesitant to get them. I really want to see pictures of them prior to purchasing. The Fournier EPT Gold cards at Caragails also look pretty nice. Given how much I like the Fournier cards I already have, they are on my radar.

Dave
 
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I am with you on the Fourniers . . . they are right next to the Mods in my estimation. I also prefer the common red/blue combo for set-ups. I think manufacturers avoid it sometimes as a means of differentiating themselves. Even my Desjgns use a lighter blue than most other makers.
 
I now have another setup of Fourniers en-route (EPT Gold). Cardshark has them on sale (red/blue 2-pack for 12.50 pounds...around $20), and they offer free international shipping. Best deal I've seen in a while.

Dave
 
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Well, got the Fournier EPT's. I'll have to compare them against the WSOP breakouts, but first impressions are favourable. Unfortunately, they sent two red decks :(. I've contacted them and am waiting to hear back to see if there's a way to correct this. They've been very responsive with any questions I've had to date, so I'm optimistic.
 
Well, got the Fournier EPT's. I'll have to compare them against the WSOP breakouts, but first impressions are favourable. Unfortunately, they sent two red decks :(. I've contacted them and am waiting to hear back to see if there's a way to correct this. They've been very responsive with any questions I've had to date, so I'm optimistic.

Update:
- Cardshark stated that they would give me a partial refund.

- Since I was visiting the States this week (just got back), I ordered two blue decks from Trident via Amazon.com and had them shipped to Ogdensburg. For some reason, Amazon.com will not ship them to Canada. I spoke with Trident, and they have no idea why Amazon is choosing to restrict distribution...they apparently have no say in who Amazon ships to, and as far as they are concerned, I have to contact Amazon to know why their product can't be shipped. They apparently participate in Amazon's global shipping program. I hope it's free program for them...if I was paying Amazon to ship globally and they weren't, I'd want to know why.

Oh well, I now have two Fournier EPT setups. Nice cards. I have to go though my setups to see if I should reduce the number I have. A fire sale will probably be coming soon...

EPT_Gold_Large.jpg
Dave
 
Wow you guys have some impressive card collections. All I have are 5 sets of Riderback Bicycle playing cards lol :/. Guess I need to step up my card game a bit now that I have nice chips.
 
Just stepped things up a bit... not by much though.

I was at the store and bought 3 decks of Paulson Golden Nugget decks for use in my blackjack game. I also decided to buy my first plastic set of cards. Royals. They were only 6.50 so I know they probably aren't half as nice as some people's cards on here but to me they seem really nice. I'm amazed how smoothly they shuffle.

View attachment 509
 
Royals are very smooth...too smooth for my liking. I'm not a fan.

In my opinion, the best bang for the buck cards are either the Cartamundi ACE cards (mostly because we can get them locally at Walmart for $4.87/deck) with a mid-sized index, or the Bicycle Prestige (regular index) when on sale. In the US, Walgreen's carries them for $9, so when they have a buy-one-get-one-free sale, get some.

Dave
 
Just stepped things up a bit... not by much though. I was at the store and bought 3 decks of Paulson Golden Nugget decks for use in my blackjack game. I also decided to buy my first plastic set of cards. Royals. They were only 6.50 so I know they probably aren't half as nice as some people's cards on here but to me they seem really nice. I'm amazed how smoothly they shuffle. View attachment 509

Bicycle Prestige are decent plastic cards made in Europe by Fournier. They're available at Walgreens if there's one near you. They come in a nice, sturdy cardboard box with a single deck for $10. If you're patient you can usually get them during a buy one, get another half off sale which seems to happen fairly often. The decks available in store are poker size only I believe but some online retailers sell the newer bridge size cards if you prefer.

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Here's a quick pic for you

AECED122-B1C8-43CB-8584-2B913637CA6E-11176-00000EB57CBB1E60_zps3a27df50.jpg


forgot to mention that they only come in red and blue
 
The Prestige decks are light years beyond the Royals in terms of overall quality and price point. That said, congratulations on moving into the age of plastics. You will find that the next set-up you buy (and you will buy more, LOL) will be a much nicer tactile experience. The Prestiges will only "prime the pump" for you to start searching out what strikes your fancy in terms of "feel". That will lead to looking for that ideal combination of thick/thin, soft/stiff, smooth/textured that all of us card junkies are looking for . . .


now I want to go shopping. THANKS.
 
I feel so inadequate now . . .

Anthony's Card Collection.jpg

The two set-ups affected by the glare are from Piatnik in Austria and the lower one is from Fournier. Modianos are in the two columns on the left, Original Kems (+ USPC made WSOP set-up) are on the right. In between you will find Desjgns, Da Vincis, Cartamundis, Dal Negros, Fourniers, Copags, Gemacos, etc.
 
Naah . . . I am missing a few manufacturers. And a few of my single decks (Blancos, for one) are not shown.
 
So, no one is curious about the red box? Here is a hint . . . they are 100% plastic (and no, I am not referring to the girls).
 

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