Am I the only one that is truly happy with Copag cards? (3 Viewers)

[Phyffe]

I agree that Desjgn are superior to Copag in every way. I simply didn't list them because they're not equivalent price. Copags go for around $20 shipped where Desjgn are closer to $26 with shipping.

Very good point. As a buyer from outside the US, I really benefit from Amazon free shipping whereas getting Desjgn off eBay is a hassle and pricier. Buying direct from Faded Spade is even more of a hassle.

 

[Rakrul]

I guess I'm the only one here who couldn't give a flying fuck about the cards. I bought a box of 6+6 copags and they served me for close to 15 years at which point I bought another 6+6 copag set. I've never noticed any smell but I guess they have different factories serving different regions? They fade fast though (face, not back). Also, over time they get less smooth. I wouldn't call them sticky but more friction I guess. I got a pack of Modiano which were fine but since my players are animals, I replace cards on a regular level so it wouldn't last long. When I got the new 6+6 set up, it took about an hour before someone had dented a card. Good times.

I also got a setup with Statesman or what they're called which also was nice but they're bridge sized which neither my shuffletech nor my players would use without complaining wildly.

I did finally get my hands on 6+6 copag 4 colour poker cards with regular index but have only used them for 1 game. I prefer regular index for Omaha/circus games but no players come when I invite them to circus games. Yay.

 

[sethwanab]

I use Copag but those are the first plastic cards I have purchased from a recommendation.
There are lots of “experts” pointing to other better brands but not many names of better brands. Can someone point to the thread/discussion that ranks the poker size cards and the bridge size for cost vs quality?

 

[davefr]

Can someone point to the thread/discussion that ranks the poker size cards and the bridge size for cost vs quality?

"Quality" is way too subjective to rank. Some players like stiffer stock, others prefer thinner. Some never seem to have problems like fading or warping, others do. Then there's factors like degree of texture front and back. And lastly font, artwork and color (ex: security red vs real red).

My own "very subjective" ranking:
Lot Fancy: The best value cards out there. They do everything well.
Angel Acetate Poker: Simply the best cards made.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I use Copag but those are the first plastic cards I have purchased from a recommendation.
There are lots of “experts” pointing to other better brands but not many names of better brands. Can someone point to the thread/discussion that ranks the poker size cards and the bridge size for cost vs quality?

@Phyffe did a decent review of 8 different decks. I use 10 different setups, and had thought about an in-depth review thread. While the "best chip" is generally accepted (Paulson or TRK), it becomes much harder to determine the best deck as some people like stiff cards, some like cards that flex more. Some consider the readability of the pips most important, others have no issue regardless of manufacturer. I wont even get into the whole bridge size vs poker size debate - they are personal preferences.

The truth is, you can only test them yourself. The "Buy Samples" mantra applies. My only recommendation is fire up a thread asking to buy used setups from other people. Dented cards needn't go to the trash if someone is willing to pay for shipping so you can test them.

 

[Phoe9x]

I’ve used copags for all my home games so far. My only gripe is that the top card always slides after putting it down. I know some people have said just press down on the deck and it will solve it, but we are all dealing and drinking, we’re gonna forget to do that. It gets annoying.

I just recently bought some desjgn’s and the texture is much more rough, kinda like brand new crosshatching, and it seems to limit this issue.

 

[allforcharity]

I’ve used copags for all my home games so far. My only gripe is that the top card always slides after putting it down. I know some people have said just press down on the deck and it will solve it, but we are all dealing and drinking, we’re gonna forget to do that. It gets annoying.

I just recently bought some desjgn’s and the texture is much more rough, kinda like brand new crosshatching, and it seems to limit this issue.

I understand the annoyance. When I am dealing and I have to put the stub down (because I'm looking at my hole cards or whatever), I put the dealer button on top of the stub. Avoids slippery cards sliding off the top and contacting the muck or my own cards or whatever. I do this regardless of deck brand until I get the stub back in my grip.

 

[as4k]

I was introduced to Copags way back when I started to play poker, so 20 years ago. Not knowing much, I thought they were fine, but again I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to cards. I've got too many decks but they are reasonably priced and I like the feel. I'm a fan.

 

[nano617]

I quite like Copag. I have a set of four color faded spade, which are wonderful but unusable due to some very distinct wear on the back of some cards, and a set of KEM cards which are also very nice, but I find myself bringing the Copags to the home game recently. Everyone seems to like them and are a simple and, in my opinion, great feeling card.

 

[stuamurr]

Copag's are the card of choice provided I can pick them up cheap and cheerful and have plentiful supply as can throw in rubbish bin as soon as damaged/grubby/flecked do I like them? More 'meh about them but when I have them for <£2 a deck they make a lot of sense. Copag, Fournier, Modiano, Aristo Club, Grimaud, KEM, Angel pictured. Many will never be felted such as Fournier EPT/WPT, Fournier WSOP and Aristo Clubs that are getting rare. Fournier mostly get felted on more exclusive Saturday night games. KEM's are expensive, over rated garbage in my opinion, which is a shame because they have my favourite Ace of Spades. Modiano I am neither up nor down about they are nice cards but don't wow. Two decks of Angels which I feel are too thin. Always been a fan of Aristo Club since first discovering UK casinos used them but will fleck almost as badly as Copag. Fournier has always been the best in class for me in terms of quality, playability, shuffle, longevity & price. Ran pub poker league and still involved for 15+ years. Never tried Faded Spade as in UK so more restricted to European & Asian markets (especially since Brexit.)

 

[bigblind]

Copags are my goto cards, can't beat the case price.

 

[Coyote]

Copags are not durable and rather flimsy, but this can be OK, factoring in the price and the usage they get.
Copags are also extremely slippery, which is a true boon if your felt is not slippery and you 're not a professional dealer.
To prevent the top card on the deck from taking off, just put the Dealer button on the deck.

Fournier is top, as well as Modiano / Dal Negro, which are dirt-cheap, for some inexplicable reason, in Greece.

I haven't ever stumbled upon a defective Modiano example, but I 'm sure that if I did, I 'd be politely told to fuck off in unmistakeable Italian arrogance mode [the guys think they live around AD 1].
Just like the unlucky one in a thousand Ferrari customer (this is a top world brand; the fault is yours for not liking our product).

 

[GeeOhVee]

Copags are not durable and rather flimsy, but this can be OK, factoring in the price and the usage they get.
Copags are also extremely slippery, which is a true boon if your felt is not slippery and you 're not a professional dealer.
To prevent the top card on the deck from taking off, just put the Dealer button on the deck.

Fournier is top, as well as Modiano / Dal Negro, which are dirt-cheap, for some inexplicable reason, in Greece.

I haven't ever stumbled upon a defective Modiano example, but I 'm sure that if I did, I 'd be politely told to fuck off in unmistakeable Italian arrogance mode [the guys think they live around AD 1].
Just like the unlucky one in a thousand Ferrari customer (this is a top world brand; the fault is yours for not liking our product).

So, I am not a Copag homer or anything, but I feel like this (and other similar reviews) are a little too harsh. They're definitely not too slippery for the price point (think Royals and other shitty slick cards) and while they may have had some color issues in the past, blues in particular, they've made improvements. Again, I don't put them in play often in my home games, but I definitely don't feel bad when I do.

 

[Phoe9x]

I agree, copags are too slippery. My home self dealt game gets annoyed with it. Desjgn is a good replacement

 

[Nanook]

"Quality" is way too subjective to rank. Some players like stiffer stock, others prefer thinner. Some never seem to have problems like fading or warping, others do. Then there's factors like degree of texture front and back. And lastly font, artwork and color (ex: security red vs real red).

My own "very subjective" ranking:
Lot Fancy: The best value cards out there. They do everything well.
Angel Acetate Poker: Simply the best cards made.

Probably 25 yrs ago I bought a setup of just about every plastic/high end cards that I could get my hands on. Tried Copag, Kem, Modiano, Dal Nagro, Fournier, Desjgn etc. More recently Faded Spade. Settled on Fournier.

Copags shuffle nice, but are too slippery and that whole top card slide thing bugs me not to mention the wear issues.

I'll have to give those two a try

 

[Phyffe]

Probably 25 yrs ago I bought a setup of just about every plastic/high end cards that I could get my hands on. Tried Copag, Kem, Modiano, Dal Nagro, Fournier, Desjgn etc. More recently Faded Spade. Settled on Fournier.

Copags shuffle nice, but are too slippery and that whole top card slide thing bugs me not to mention the wear issues.

I'll have to give those two a try

Wish I could settle on Fournier. I used to play predominantly with Modiano Platinums when they were still affordable. The relatively high price was offset by the quality and relative durability of the cards.

Copags are good enough. Simply that, not much more. I am about to evaluate a pair of Copag Elites and see how it goes...

 

[PlaidDragon]

Probably not, but you’re likely in a minority

I have my doubts.