Best brand of playing cards for live poker?

[bermejoga]

Hi! I would like to know which brand of playing cards is your favorite to play live ("IRL"), home games, etc.

Recently I was looking for a thread where someone would tell me a good one to buy, but I didn't find it.
Since I was going to play with friends in a few days I ordered from internet "Bycicle Jumbo" which I personally liked it very much.

So tell me, what are your favorite playing cards brand, and why?

 

[Gutshot Gus]

I like the Bee 92. I play a lot of Gin and for that I use the Copag 4 color deck. The four color deck helps a lot when you are holding 10 cards in yer hands.

 

[pansipos]

I have an old plain, simple card for him (it was my father's) when we play with my friends

 

[Mortis]

Bicycle Prestige are my favorite cards. They're very sturdy and water resistant, and come in a nice case.

 

[black and]

I don't have a favorite brand. I play with any cards, but the main thing is that they are new and of good quality.

 

[bermejoga]

I like the Bee 92

Bicycle Prestige are my favorite cards.

Oh God! All these brands are more expensive than I thought. I think it's better for me to start thinking in quality over cheap prices!

 

[rhoudini]

Dear friend bermejoga, as a fellow brazilian I understand your pain to find affordable decks haha. I will try to help.
I recommend you use 100% PVC plastic playing cards, because they are more resistant in the long run, specially when you shuffle them a lot.

It is possible to find Copag plastic cards here in brazil for R$ 16 to R$ 20: I bought some of them at Shopee. These cheaper cards are Copag's second line, which have not passed 100% in the quality tests. You know what was the only defect I've found in them? Some red cards (diamonds and hearts suit) do not have a strong red as the others. Beyond that, they are a lovely deck of cards.

The second option, which I also like a lot, is to order some decks from international stores (like Aliexpress). You can find great plastic cards for R$ 25, which is still a good price, considering the quality of the deck. It is possible to find kits with 2 decks for R$50 and free shipping to Brazil.

And, if you just want to have a good time with friends that are not too accostumed with playing cards (those who keep holding them in the hands, you know), it is possible to find cheap plastic cards (but not made from PVC) for a reallt low price. I don't recommend paper cards, because they are not good to shuffle.

 

[bermejoga]

Dear friend bermejoga, as a fellow brazilian I understand your pain to find affordable decks haha. I will try to help.
I recommend you use 100% PVC plastic playing cards, because they are more resistant in the long run, specially when you shuffle them a lot.

It is possible to find Copag plastic cards here in Brazil for R$ 16 to R$ 20: I bought some of them at Shopee. These cheaper cards are Copag's second line, which have not passed 100% in the quality tests. You know what was the only defect I've found in them? Some red cards (diamonds and hearts suit) do not have a strong red as the others. Beyond that, they are a lovely deck of cards.

The second option, which I also like a lot, is to order some decks from international stores (like Aliexpress). You can find great plastic cards for R$ 25, which is still a good price, considering the quality of the deck. It is possible to find kits with 2 decks for R$50 and free shipping to Brazil.

And, if you just want to have a good time with friends that are not too accostumed with playing cards (those who keep holding them in the hands, you know), it is possible to find cheap plastic cards (but not made from PVC) for a reallt low price. I don't recommend paper cards, because they are not good to shuffle.

Where can I find these "Copag's second line"? Can you provide me a link? I'm not finding them at google

 

[paddyswarrior]

Anything with AA on it suits me just fine 😝

 

[rhoudini]

Where can I find these "Copag's second line"? Can you provide me a link? I'm not finding them at google

Sure! I don't know the policy about external links of producs here on CardsChat, but I will include some of them in this post.
If I am not allowed to post, I ask some moderator to tell me, please.

Here are some links at Shopee: Baralho Poker Copag Plastico and Baralho Poker Truco De Plastico.
(Disclaimer: these links are not affiliate, I do not earn anything by recommending them)

See that the box is quite simple, but the cards are great.

 

[Tracid]

Any Bicycle deck for me thanks!

Sure! I don't know the policy about external links of producs here on CardsChat, but I will include some of them in this post.
If I am not allowed to post, I ask some moderator to tell me, please.

Here are some links at Shopee: Baralho Poker Copag Plastico and Baralho Poker Truco De Plastico.
(Disclaimer: these links are not affiliate, I do not earn anything by recommending them)

See that the box is quite simple, but the cards are great.

Recommendation is very different to advertising.

 

[bermejoga]

Sure! I don't know the policy about external links of producs here on CardsChat, but I will include some of them in this post.
If I am not allowed to post, I ask some moderator to tell me, please.

Here are some links at Shopee: Baralho Poker Copag Plastico and Baralho Poker Truco De Plastico.
(Disclaimer: these links are not affiliate, I do not earn anything by recommending them)

See that the box is quite simple, but the cards are great.

I really appreciate your recommendations!!
These plastic cards don't eventually break its edges? I've had few of them to play Truco and they would always break in the edge at some point

Any Bicycle deck for me thanks!

I paid around R$ 26,00 in the Bicycle Jumbo I talked about in the first post of this thread. Which is about US$ 5. I guess it was worth it.

 

[rhoudini]

I believe they will last a long time without breaking, because they are 100% PVC, they are not made of those cheap thin plastic which we can find in convenience stores. The material is almost the same of expensive Copag decks.

 

[Tracid]

I paid around R$ 26,00 in the Bicycle Jumbo I talked about in the first post of this thread. Which is about US$ 5. I guess it was worth it.

That seems like a fairly standard price, the cheapest I’ve ever seen Bicycle decks selling for is probably about ~$3…

They’re not only solid cards for poker but are also of such a quality you will likely see the vast majority of card magicians using various Bicycle decks too, as they just feel so smooth and crisp when you’re doing shuffles, flourishes, manipulations and the suchlike…

 

[mtl mile end]

You should really try any good quality plastic deck. You will probably be amazed at how good they are compared to plastic coated paper decks (like Bicycle, Bee or many others).

Card companies that manufacture good plastic decks also make plastic coated paper decks for specific uses (I think a lot are for casinos that change their decks regularly for some (non poker) games).

In no particular order, here are some reputable plastic deck manufacturers:
Bicycle - Prestige is their good plastic model
Copag
Gemaco
Modiano
KEM
Fournier
Dal Negro
Desjgn - pronounced "J Design" - they make customs

Cards are a pretty personal thing. Every player at a table with an opinion about their favourite cards may well choose a different brand than anyone else sitting at the table. What most people will agree on, however, is that 100% plastic cards are much better than plastic coated paper for a number of reasons. Plastic lasts longer as they are more resistant to damge and can be cleaned. I used to play in a home game on a kitchen table with no felt. The paper decks would only last a game or two before being too scratched up and dirty to use. And really cheap plastic decks (I bought some at a Dollar Store once) are resistant to some damage, but can be bad in other areas. Super smooth, almost slick plastic cards just fly off the table sometimes, and if their protective coating on the printing isn't good, they are susceptible to scratches.

I recommend you try a good textured plastic deck. They are the most common and universally used/accepted. Copags are mostly a smooth matte finish that is great, but different from slight texturing.

 

[bermejoga]

Copag is very strong here in Brazil, I believe it's the biggest when talking about selling playing cards. So I believe it's easier if just choose Copag in my next shop. Can you guys tell me a specific really good Copag model?

 

[Mortis]

Oh God! All these brands are more expensive than I thought. I think it's better for me to start thinking in quality over cheap prices!

Bicycle Prestige are about twice as much as a regular deck you can get at the store, but they really are well worth it!

 

[bermejoga]

Bicycle Prestige are about twice as much as a regular deck you can get at the store, but they really are well worth it!

Yesterdey I called some friends over and we played a mini tournament. We used the bycicle "Jumbo" playing cards. It was very nice! First time i've used this brand and i'm very satisfied. Whenever these cards get old, I'm going to buy the Bicycle Prestige!

 

[takinitSLEAZEE]

I've got a deck of Kem arrows. They're 100% plastic and are guaranteed for life. If you bend or damage any card you can send it back w/the ace of spades and they send you another deck free of charge. Pretty cool. I'm on my third deck, lol.
Club Casino is another one I like. They have a nice texture and feel in your hand, and they come of smooth and easy. They're less expensive than Kem or Copag and just as good. You can find them on Amazon.

 

[Stringy]

cant go wrong with a bicycle, i do like theory 11 cards as well, and randomly i also like the snap feel from plastic cards when checking your hand

 

[LUKADONCICMVP]

i think all cards are the same to be honest LOL

 

[takinitSLEAZEE]

i think all cards are the same to be honest LOL

They're really not. Some are quite easy to crease and fray over time while others are waterproof and durable for life.

 

[takinitSLEAZEE]

Oh God! All these brands are more expensive than I thought. I think it's better for me to start thinking in quality over cheap prices!

Club Casino are the best cards for the best price, imo. Enjoy!