Copag 1546 - Didn't even last 1 year, Recommendations? Kem? (1 Viewer)

[davefr]

I bought a set of Copag 1546 3/22 and estimate they have about 25 hours playing time on them. I can't stand to look at them anymore and will likely toss them. I loved them at first and the plastic is still like new but the faded printing is horrible. Can anyone recommend a plastic playing card with ink that lasts. These Copags are even worse than standard playing cards. Do Kem's fade like this?

 

[BGinGA]

Copag cards certainly fade quicker than almost any other high-end plastic brand.

Fournier or Desjgn are my recommendations for playability, durability, and price. KEM has a pretty nasty reputation for warping.

 

[ArielVer18]

Were you playing on a harsher material than table felt, like wood or concrete? I have a beater deck of Copags I keep in the car for impromptu pick-up games and they look exactly like OP's photos.

 

[Marc Hedrick]

I had this exact setup and they did the same, very quickly. They really weren't playable even after a few hours. @mike32 pointed out to me that they had those white spots on the back of the cards almost immediately.

 

[surfik]

Bridge or poker size? Jumbo index a must?

 

[Machine]

+1 Fournier

 

[surfik]

+1 Fournier

These are great but I prefer Rosas backs....

 

[BGinGA]

Were you playing on a harsher material than table felt, like wood or concrete? I have a beater deck of Copags I keep in the car for impromptu pick-up games and they look exactly like OP's photos.

I had this exact setup and they did the same, very quickly. They really weren't playable even after a few hours. @mike32 pointed out to me that they had those white spots on the back of the cards almost immediately.

My experience (long ago) is that the abrasive nature of suited speedcloth was brutal on Copag cards. Bicycle Prestige cards also exhibit this type of rub/wear, although not quite as quickly.

 

[mike32]

I think the regular Copag and wsop Copag versions are fine cards. I have decks that last for several sessions. What usually kills mine is fingernail and or card guard dents. These cards must be a bad Copag version.

 

[davefr]

No, these cards have never been played on a harsh surface. Just a kitchen table with a table cloth on top. The backs hardly touch anything but themselves and are still as faded as the faces. Copag says they'll replace them but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle unless their printing process has been improved.

 

[surfik]

I bought a set of Copag 1546 3/22 and estimate they have about 25 hours playing time on them. I can't stand to look at them anymore and will likely toss them. I loved them at first and the plastic is still like new but the faded printing is horrible. Can anyone recommend a plastic playing card with ink that lasts. These Copags are even worse than standard playing cards. Do Kem's fade like this?View attachment 1041736View attachment 1041737View attachment 1041739

DalNegro, Fournier, Desjgn (printed by DalNegro), Kem Casino Circle (available at Spinettis, only bridge size in jumbo), Trefl (only poker size in jumbo index), Modiano Platinum, Statesman by @xdan

Depends how much you want to spend, some of these cards you would have to import from Europe so shipping cost is also a factor

If you do not mind standar index, bridge size look on eBay for 2012 WSOP cards by Fournier, great value per dollar spent

 

[Klobberer]

DesJgn and Modiano are my favorites. I love my Kems, but they have a feel that some hate. I have Kems from the 1950's that are still perfect.

 

[surfik]

DesJgn and Modiano are my favorites. I love my Kems, but they have a feel that some hate. I have Kems from the 1950's that are still perfect.

I used kem casino circle back for a long and now warping ever occurred...

 

[upNdown]

Might be worth mentioning that I have Fourniers that wore like that. But they were a travel deck, so I can’t say they were always used on a perfect surface.

 

[allforcharity]

That after 25 hours? Crikey, I've never seen that. My Copags still look pristine, though I keep them in blackjack shoes and they see only good gaming suede.

 

[xdan]

Might be worth mentioning that I have Fourniers that wore like that. But they were a travel deck, so I can’t say they were always used on a perfect surface.
View attachment 1041991

They’re piatnik

 

[surfik]

They’re piatnik

You have a good eye, that Queen looks suspicious...

 

[upNdown]

They’re piatnik

Yes they are!
Wow, good eye.
Thanks

 

[tabletalker7]

Fournier never did this for me. Neither did King. Bullets are really good too and they can be found on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Bullets-Play...s=bullets+playing+cards&qid=1671241001&sr=8-4

 

[natumes]

Desjgn are some of my favorites for durability and feel. Faded Spade 3.0 have been great as well. Copag might be my least favorite plastic deck.

 

[davefr]

Do Fourniers require break in? The one time I tried them they were so slick and stiff my first shuffle had most of them on the floor. The images of the Amazon Bullet reviews look like my faded Copags. Are plastic cards generally a challenge with the printing process? Is acetate a better substrate to print on for color fastness? Do Kems really warp that bad over time? TIA

 

[DoubleEagle]

Modiano Platinums did the same thing for me. Stopped using them.

 

[surfik]

Do Fourniers require break in? The one time I tried them they were so slick and stiff my first shuffle had most of them on the floor. The images of the Amazon Bullet reviews look like my faded Copags. Are plastic cards generally a challenge with the printing process? Is acetate a better substrate to print on for color fastness? Do Kems really warp that bad over time? TIA

As far as my memory goes there was difference between 2800 and 2826 series feel. One is poker the other bridge size so that could be reason or maybe my perception plays tricks on me. Both of these decks are produced using same technology but I found bridge size more manageable, poker size cards initially reminded me of Copags, slippery as hell.
But all brands cards are less slippery when shuffled for some time cause they gather "hooker juice" substitute....

And yes KEMs warp sometimes, hard to tell why and when... But not always
Someone shoul provide study on the matter

 

[surfik]

Modiano Platinums did the same thing for me. Stopped using them.

I absolutely love Platinium Modiano cards. Never had any problems

 

[upNdown]

As far as my memory goes there was difference between 2800 and 2826 series feel. One is poker the other bridge size so that could be reason or maybe my perception plays tricks on me. Both of these decks are produced using same technology but I found bridge size more manageable, poker size cards initially reminded me of Copags, slippery as hell.

I agree with this completely. And I don’t think it’s perception, I think it’s actual science. I’m no engineer, but since poker cards are wider and made of more material, doesn’t that extra material offer more resistance and cause them to feel less flexy?
Anyway, I’ve noticed it with multiple brands so I think it’s a real thing - poker cards are a bit stiffer.

 

[surfik]

I agree with this completely. And I don’t think it’s perception, I think it’s actual science. I’m no engineer, but since poker cards are wider and made of more material, doesn’t that extra material offer more resistance and cause them to feel less flexy?
Anyway, I’ve noticed it with multiple brands so I think it’s a real thing - poker cards are a bit stiffer.

I belive it is the other way around.... Bridge cards felt stiffer, poker size flimsy and slippery like Copags

 

[upNdown]

I belive it is the other way around.... Bridge cards felt stiffer, poker size flimsy and slippery like Copags

Haha, okay, so much for that. Agree to disagree I guess. Though I’ve never handled poker size fourniers, so I can’t comment on those specifically.
But it’s something I’ve noticed (at least I think - perception) with at least bicycle prestige and Modiano - I’ve thought poker size felt stiffer.

 

[JFG]

KEMs are great, but if you have temperature / humidity issues they will warp. Also, don’t let the dealers hold the deck throughout the game. Keep them on the table as much as possible. A warm sweaty grip warps them too.

 

[surfik]

Haha, okay, so much for that. Agree to disagree I guess. Though I’ve never handled poker size fourniers, so I can’t comment on those specifically.
But it’s something I’ve noticed (at least I think - perception) with at least bicycle prestige and Modiano - I’ve thought poker size felt stiffer.

Don't start me on Modianos...
They have at least 3 different stocks of plastic, not to count periodic fuck ups of quality control.
You never know what you end up buying.

Platinum line is an exeption, but that comes with a price

 

[upNdown]

Don't start me on Modianos...
They have at least 3 different stocks of plastic, not to count periodic fuck ups of quality control.
You never know what you end up buying.

Platinum line is an exeption, but that comes with a price

Fair.
But as far as the bikes go, I’m talking about the green and burgundy backs that were very cheap several years back. No reason to doubt the poker and bridge versions had different stocks.