[vrecksler]

I have seen so many posts about cards that I am beginning to wonder what the deal is? Copag, Kem, is there a reason why having cards that cost $20 a deck makes a game more enjoyable than a deck of Bee's?

I like fresh cards; not necessarily brand new but crisp and fairly rigid. Once they become too flexible and loose I replace them so I tend to stick to casino cards. They are free, they are in great shape so they last fairly well, and they are free!

So what I am missing?

[jojobinks]

when i play with a deck of bees, everyone complains because i bend them. plastic cards don't have that problem. i have several setups of kems and have never needed to replace a card.

in the two years before i bought plastic, we went through 2-4 decks per game, or about 6 per month...about 140 over two years. that's worth 6 kem setups that won't elicit bending complaints and won't need to be replaced over that time.

[boondocker96]

All I can offer is my own experience.
I have a weekly tourney that I supply the chips, cards, button and table at.
Over the course of the last year, I have upgraded every nuance, starting with the chips. (bought Paulson Jb's, then Pharaohs)
Then upgraded the cards (kem) and button (the hefty 303 steel engraved one) and lastly we went from folding table tops to a pitboss folding table. (not the most premium table but definitely a step up from a table top)
At first I was the only who cared enough about the game and the chips and such ( I was the sole poker product elitist ops: ), but now EVERY player has become accustomed to the 'finer things' and they all say that when ever they play anywhere else....its not the same. They have become spoiled with good cards and chips.
Its very satisfying for me to know that my tastes and niche knowledge have rubbed off on them, and theres no way they can ever go back.

More on topic:
If your playing the game strictly for fun and your on a starving students bankroll, then Bee cards might be just fine.
That being said, (and Im sure you know this but it bears repeating) a $20 investment will payout in the long run as Bee's are always wearing out.
A good set of Dal Negros or Kems or whatever will last and last.
If your anything like me and you have champagne tastes on a beer bottle budget...you wont care how much it costs...just as long as you have the best.
I do love this game....and Im actually torn between which I like more...having all the toys, or actually playing.

(p.s. now our group currently had 3 pit bosses, and 7 or 8 d. decks of premium cards....this bug is highly contagious.)

[ky70]

Some over do it on the cards (count me in this group as I now have 10 set-ups of plastic cards) just as many of us over do it on the poker chips, tables, etc.. But as JoJo points out there is an actual advantage to using plastic vs. paper. Once you plastic you never go back.

Since you like the stiffness of paper, if you decide to try plastic cards I suggest Dal Negro Freedom's and Modiano Bike Trophy's as recommendations 1 and 1A. While they are not quite as stiff as paper, they're the closest to it in a plastic card, IMO.

[boondocker96]

Originally Posted by ky70

Since you like the stiffness of paper, if you decide to try plastic cards I suggest Dal Negro Freedom's

ATTA BOY!
now thats what Im talkin' about!

[ky70]

Originally Posted by boondocker96

ATTA BOY!
now thats what Im talkin' about!

boondocker, I see the light!!!

[austin5string]

Originally Posted by vrecksler

So what I am missing?

Have you ever played with plastic cards? If not, then that's what you're missing! If you don't like paper cards when they get too loose and flexible, you'll hate plastic at first - they take some getting used to. Not much, though - couple hours should do.

I play with Copags and love 'em.

Once you've played with plastic, you'll despise paper. Or at least that's my guess.

~John

[TwinTowers]

In terms of importance of making the poker session better, I believe the chips are behind the table, and the cards.

Lets say that the basic home game today has 11.5 gram slugs, using Bicycle cards, on a dinner table with a table cloth. The biggest improvement to this game would be a nice table. One that seats 10 and has a padded rail.

The next improvement would be a nice deck of cards. Kems, Copags ect. dont bend or curl, they glide across the felt and shuffle like butter. They really improve the game.

Those 11.5 gram chips actually do the intended job sufficiently. They keep score. Nicer chips are...nicer, but they dont improve the poker game as much as a nicer table or nicer deck of cards.

I improved our home games by first building an 8 foot table that can handle 11 players; then got a setup of Kems which have lasted over a year (true bargin), and lastly improved the chips. Then improved the chips again; next Im going to improve the chips yet again, and again and...

[99%evil]

Are cards important? If you play with guys that bend and warp their cards then yes, and if anyone spills a drink then yes, if you play a lot then yes, anyone eats and plays then yes, people can't shuffle then yes, tired of cards curling and revealing your hand then yes. Otherwise paper's OK.

[ky70]

Originally Posted by austin5string

If you don't like paper cards when they get too loose and flexible, you'll hate plastic at first - they take some getting used to. Not much, though - couple hours should do.

Originally Posted by TwinTowers

In terms of importance of making the poker session better, I believe the chips are behind the table, and the cards.

I agree 100% with the above statements!!