A Plus Playing Cards?

lovely_nativewoman · Tweet this Post! #1 03-16-2011, 11:45 PM

Has anyone tried the A Plus Playing cards? They look pretty nice, with a good design. The description of the product is being advertised as the following:

"American Gaming Supply is the sole distributor of A-Plus Plastic Playing Cards in Southern California. These are the same cards used by several California card rooms such as Commerce Casino and Morongo Casino, and are also a favorite among dealers or dealer trainees. Made of 100% PVC Plastic."

I also noticed Kardwell International is selling the cards as well. They are pretty costly, about $24.00 for two decks.

Here's the link to purchase the cards. I don't have a deck, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these cards.

A-Plus Plastic Playing Cards

AlbinoDragon · Tweet this Post! #2 03-16-2011, 11:59 PM

A-plus were the first plastic cards I ever bought.

Part way through the second game they were used in, one card developed a crack. We were stuck playing with a single deck for the rest of the night.

I bought another setup and the very next game a single card fell off the table and landed on a corner taking a chip out of the card.

I packed them all up and only use them for bookmarks now. Way too prone to breaking in not an extreme playing situation, IMO.

Hope this helps.

bbb_forever · Tweet this Post! #3 03-17-2011, 09:42 AM

My local casino has been using the A-Plus cards on some (but not all) of their poker tables.

The A-Plus cards feel thick and rigid, like Gemaco 5-Star cards.

They are NOT thin like Kem or Copags.

I've seen many of the chips develop fingernail dents or creases because of the rigidity of the card.

Aarcat78 · Tweet this Post! #4 03-17-2011, 03:56 PM

Commerce used to use A plus cards now they use Angel playing cards. They made a wise decision to switch. I would not recommend the A plus cards they are stiff and seem cheaply made. Now if I can only find a place where I can buy some Angel cards. GRRRRRRRRR!!!

Arch99 · Tweet this Post! #5 03-17-2011, 09:21 PM

Tulalip Casino, here in NW Washington, went to A-Plus briefly from KEM cards. They were noticeably stiffer than either KEM or Gemaco, and because they're slightly thicker and heavier they really hurt if you catch one on your knuckle. They are slightly better for game security because of their composition - the ace of spades doesn't develop that upward warp that we're all familiar with from improperly stored plastic cards. They didn't last long, for what reason or combination of reasons I don't know, but I will say that I don't like them as a player - they just feel cheap to me.

As a former poker dealer, though, I can see why they're a dealer school favorite. The stiffness reduces "airballs" that flip on the way to the player, so it's easier to say a student has developed a non-flipping pitch. They're also harder to bend, so that card faces are less exposed to the players in 1 and 9 during a riffle. Because of the weight they're probably slightly less likely to ramp off of a finger or chipstack and leave the playing surface. I don't know how easily they spread to make a flop, but in my experience that depends more on the table surface than the cards.

All in all, I would recommend staying away from them for a home game, as there are setups both easier to live with and nicer to look at for about the same cost.

bbb_forever · Tweet this Post! #6 03-17-2011, 10:32 PM

From my experience playing with the A-Plus cards, I do not like them because they are TOO thick.

I would rate the Bicycle Prestige cards (from Walgreens) as a better card than the A-Plus cards.

lovely_nativewoman · Tweet this Post! #7 03-20-2011, 10:11 AM

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

After reading, I've determined that my money will stay in my purse. I find it interesting that they are more expensive than Kems and Copags, but tend to be very vulnerable. I love this site! I found people that love cards as much as I do, and poker chips. CTers are awesome. Thanks guys!

Poker316 · Tweet this Post! #8 04-12-2011, 06:25 PM

Hmm I don't think these are bad at all.
I love the stiffness of the cards and I think they shuffle awesome.
Maybe thats just me though, our local casino uses this in Oklahoma.

southbayguy57 · Tweet this Post! #9 08-25-2011, 08:53 AM

I just got a setup (2 deck pack) of A PLUS cards a few days ago. As a student dealer I am very happy with them. I also have Copaq cards, I like the APLUS a little better because they ARE a little thicker. Our school issues us a Copaq set up, for poker dealing, but after a couple of months as students get the hang of fanning, pitching, etc, they (like I did) usually get a new Copaq setup. it is much nicer to have new cards to practice with!

As far as using them in games, I can see the point of the users that said they didn't like them. I have not put mine to heavy use yet, so I will have to see how they do. I do know, judging on the Copaq decks I got from school that THEY do take a lot of use well.

KingZilla · Tweet this Post! #10 08-25-2011, 05:19 PM

Didn't you post a thread about how much you loved the Gemaco Superflex cards?
I have some and I love them. I'd say just stick with them or buy more even!
I hope I'm not confusing you with another member, but I thought it was you who loved the Gemaco's too. I'm wondering now if you are not satisfied with your superflex cards. I have zero complaints on mine.
Homepokertourney did a test on playing cards and A-plus faired the worst. I don't have experience wiht the A-plus, but I'd trust the other comments made here about them (stay away).