Do you use a new deck of cards each home game? (1 Viewer)

[SixSeven]

This may seem obvious or a dumb question, but I searched the forum and couldn't find a thread. What are others thoughts/attitudes about using a new deck every game? Or if you reuse a deck, how many games will you use it for? I like to resuse a deck for a few times to get good use out of it, and it can add up opening a new deck each game. On the other hand, I know some new players like to see a new deck being opened up when they arrive of think things are on the up and up. And there are other reasons to use a new deck each time like an old deck can have creases, or bends in it. Anyways, just curious what others thoughts are. Thx in advance.

EDIT: I use Copag & Broken Arrow (plastic) poker sized cards (for my shuffle tech)

 

[Colquhoun]

Ditch the paper cards. Almost all here use 100% plastic cards and they last many, many games. Some setups (2 decks) can last years. I have a setup of KEMs from 1963 and they’re amazing cards.

Plenty of threads here on peoples favorites.

 

[cpac54]

Plastic cards last a lot longer than one poker night. If a deck shows wear or a card gets damaged, the deck is retired. Otherwise, no reason in my situation to swap out a deck after only one game.

 

[detroitdad]

No

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

If we're playing paper, new every time, but thats why we dont play paper.

 

[Bluegrass Poker]

This may seem obvious or a dumb question, but I searched the forum and couldn't find a thread. What are others thoughts/attitudes about using a new deck every game? Or if you reuse a deck, how many games will you use it for? I like to resuse a deck for a few times to get good use out of it, and it can add up opening a new deck each game. On the other hand, I know some new players like to see a new deck being opened up when they arrive of think things are on the up and up. And there are other reasons to use a new deck each time like an old deck can have creases, or bends in it. Anyways, just curious what others thoughts are. Thx in advance.

EDIT: I use Copag & Broken Arrow (plastic) poker sized cards (for my shuffle tech)

So you have a shuffle tech and use plastic cards and still use a new setup every game?

 

[QuailValley]

I mean if you are running a home game and players are worried about things being on the up and up that sounds a bit off. Is there a dedicated dealer or does everyone take turns? Even if the cards are fishy if you aren't the one dealing the fishy cards aren't coming your way. There is a mechanic component to card mechanics.

Also you can do with casinos do and have all the cards fanned out on the felt face up before the game starts that way everyone can see that the 52 cards are whole.

Also if you notice players are making any kind of creases or dents in your plastic cards kick them to the curb because that sounds almost intentional. I've been using a setup of desjgn for 3 years straight with no issues of card bends or creases. And I know those broken arrows are just as good.

 

[SixSeven]

I like to reuse a deck as many times as possible, and I play with friends, so I don't have an issue with them not trusting the cards. But I have had the Copags get a bend in a card and had the card replaced by the company when a player called attention to it. The broken arrow cards have gotten creases in a card or a streak with lots of use. And I have had a player mention they like new cards to make sure they are on the up and up, sort of joking but sorta serious, so I put that in the comment in the OP. I started with Copags when I got the shuffler as that is what it is recommended and used the same deck as much as possible, but have switched to Broken Arrow as I like those cards better for general play. People talk on here about buying new cards, so there is an obvious certain amount of retiring decks and using new ones, so that is the gist of the post. if you do use a deck of cards as many times as possible, when do you decide to retire it?

 

[QuailValley]

I like to reuse a deck as many times as possible, and I play with friends, so I don't have an issue with them not trusting the cards. But I have had the Copags get a bend in a card and had the card replaced by the company when a player called attention to it. The broken arrow cards have gotten creases in a card or a streak with lots of use. And I have had a player mention they like new cards to make sure they are on the up and up, sort of joking but sorta serious, so I put that in the comment in the OP. I started with Copags when I got the shuffler as that is what it is recommended and used the same deck as much as possible, but have switched to Broken Arrow as I like those cards better for general play. People talk on here about buying new cards, so there is an obvious certain amount of retiring decks and using new ones, so that is the gist of the post. if you do use a deck of cards as many times as possible, when do you decide to retire it?

Honestly it could be your shuffletech as well I can imagine that it may put a little more wear and tear on decks than just hand shuffling. But IDK I havent ever used a shuffler myself.

And I think most of the buying new cards is aligned with buying new chips. Not necessarily a 'need', but a want. There are some guys on here that collect cards more than they collect chips.

 

[Nymor]

I play 5/10/25p cash and £20 tournies and there's no way I'm breaking out a new pack of Desjgns every game.

My players treat the cards well and my current setup is a year+ old and still in great shape, no creases or dents and only a few flecks of very minor wear on a few faces. Super-soft Chanman cloth helps with that also. I give them a careful examination often and a wipe down every few months.

If my stakes were large I'd likely use new decks but then they'd be some sort of member fee that would cover that.

 

[upNdown]

If we're playing paper, new every time, but thats why we dont play paper.

There’s another reason. I recently opened a deck of casino Paulsons (plastic coated paper.). Holy crap are those things stiff and difficult to shuffle. I couldnt believe it - we used to play with these?

And I have had a player mention they like new cards to make sure they are on the up and up, sort of joking but sorta serious

It’s probably worth mentioning that there’s a site that sells marked cards. They mark common brands - bicycle, copag, Fournier, etc, then reseal them. So opening a factory sealed deck or setup doesn’t insure security.

 

[CdnBeerLover]

I rotate decks, and remove them if I find any marks on the backs of them or if I feel they should be replaced (warped, etc). We generally have 2 tables active for tournaments with 2 decks per table. Given the cost of plastic cards, anyone who insist that new decks be opened for every game should also be prepared to fund their purchase.

 

[TheBigTater]

Cards should be changed as needed. If you group is hard on them then yes a new deck every session (even mid-session if problems are spotted) might be needed but security is more important than the cost for a new setup. Unintentional as well as intentional marking will happen. If opening a new deck makes some players feel more secure then it better to eliminate one of the major possibilities of shady business. Cards are more of an important tool of the game than even good chips (yep ), cheating is a real thing even at so called friendly games for small stakes, don't think that it can't happen.

Of course you should also feel confident in where the cards come from and who is providing them.

 

[grandmeme]

Depends. 25c/50c we reuse the same decks until they are damaged. $2/$5 I bring in new decks each session.

 

[Bluegrass Poker]

I like to reuse a deck as many times as possible, and I play with friends, so I don't have an issue with them not trusting the cards. But I have had the Copags get a bend in a card and had the card replaced by the company when a player called attention to it. The broken arrow cards have gotten creases in a card or a streak with lots of use. And I have had a player mention they like new cards to make sure they are on the up and up, sort of joking but sorta serious, so I put that in the comment in the OP. I started with Copags when I got the shuffler as that is what it is recommended and used the same deck as much as possible, but have switched to Broken Arrow as I like those cards better for general play. People talk on here about buying new cards, so there is an obvious certain amount of retiring decks and using new ones, so that is the gist of the post. if you do use a deck of cards as many times as possible, when do you decide to retire it?

I like to have lots of different setups. And when I was hosting regularly it was 15-20 times per year. Each setup would only see action about once a year.

Obviously the more you host the more they wear.

 

[kk405]

Might slightly depend on the stakes … but new cards/decks/set up for every game is the best policy… not cheap.

 

[FestiveKnight]

@Goldfish I think I’ve seen you mention you use a new setup every game?

 

[tabletalker7]

I have been using a set of Fournier WSOP cards for multiple years. My players love them. Nobody has noticed any marks. If it ain't broke I'm not fixing it.

 

[Goldfish]

@Goldfish I think I’ve seen you mention you use a new setup every game?

Yes. Always have use a new set up each game. Opened at the start of the game in front of the players. We are all friends but cards get creased and damaged. Best policy to open a new set up every time. For years I used modiano platinums but have now gone to copaq, which are not as good but hold up okay for one night.

 

[ValueTown]

You guys bulk buy copag? New deck every game?? What's the frequency of these games...haha. I do a weekly game. Use the same decks.

 

[SixSeven]

Cards should be changed as needed. If you group is hard on them then yes a new deck every session (even mid-session if problems are spotted) might be needed but security is more important than the cost for a new setup. Unintentional as well as intentional marking will happen. If opening a new deck makes some players feel more secure then it better to eliminate one of the major possibilities of shady business. Cards are more of an important tool of the game than even good chips (yep ), cheating is a real thing even at so called friendly games for small stakes, don't think that it can't happen.

Of course you should also feel confident in where the cards come from and who is providing them.

Thanks for this post. Good to know this. I'm more inclined to use a new deck every session, or al least really inspect a deck after a session. Didn't occur to me cheating can happen at friendly games.

 

[SixSeven]

I like to have lots of different setups. And when I was hosting regularly it was 15-20 times per year. Each setup would only see action about once a year.

Obviously the more you host the more they wear.

I really like this idea. I host around once a month. I might try getting 12 decks and rotating every month.

 

[SixSeven]

Might slightly depend on the stakes … but new cards/decks/set up for every game is the best policy… not cheap.

Thanks for this post. I'm glad I asked the question. With the first responses, I thought it was an obvious question that I didn't need to ask, but with your answer I have more to ponder. Maybe not such a bad idea to use a new setup. Broken Arrow are $8 a setup, so not too bad.

 

[SixSeven]

Yes. Always have use a new set up each game. Opened at the start of the game in front of the players. We are all friends but cards get creased and damaged. Best policy to open a new set up every time. For years I used modiano platinums but have now gone to copaq, which are not as good but hold up okay for one night.

Thanks @Goldfish. Good to know!

 

[ontheriver51]

This may seem obvious or a dumb question, but I searched the forum and couldn't find a thread. What are others thoughts/attitudes about using a new deck every game? Or if you reuse a deck, how many games will you use it for? I like to resuse a deck for a few times to get good use out of it, and it can add up opening a new deck each game. On the other hand, I know some new players like to see a new deck being opened up when they arrive of think things are on the up and up. And there are other reasons to use a new deck each time like an old deck can have creases, or bends in it. Anyways, just curious what others thoughts are. Thx in advance.

EDIT: I use Copag & Broken Arrow (plastic) poker sized cards (for my shuffle tech)

My home game cycles 2 decks and they are reused indefinitely. When a noticeable defect is visible from the back of the card we will either use sharpie on a joker or retire the deck.

 

[UniLover]

$0.50/$1 cash game, pretty relaxed, we all know each other, rarely new players, I display them spread out first and before start, ask random players to count/verify.

Just like chips, I rotate decks but haven't opened new setups in awhile.

 

[DrStrange]

I rotate setups between games. Still not cheating proof though. I do replace damaged cards from an old set-up set aside for replacement cards.

I can see why underground games might choose to change set-ups frequently. More strangers, more prone to cheating systems, the fees/rake should pay for extra costs. Spending $20 a session for new cards is a pretty stiff price for hosts.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

If you're worried about cheating than I also suggest you switch up the type of cards every time. Don't follow any patterns

 

[Taghkanic]

For the past few months I’ve been alternating two setups of Faded Spads v3 four-color poker size decks. (I know, FS, booo, but I actually really like this particular variant and wish I could find more.)

After six games (three per setup) there is zero sign of wear. Too soon to tell how long they’ll hold up. If cards start to get dinged, one setup will become the active deck and the other will provide replacement cards as needed. With hope the same card and color doesn’t show a fingernail mark or scuff twice for a long time, because then I’d be out of replacements.

When I used to use cheap plastic Hoyles, I’d generally have to replace 1-2 cards every session, and the backs would get noticeably faded after a few uses. Had to be careful replacing cards from a fresh deck because the difference in wear would be noticeable.

 

[springbox]

For plastic cards no, they should be good for a dozen+ usages assuming no one's digging their nails into them.

For paper I probably wouldn't use the same deck more than a handful of times if that.

Depends a bit on your stakes too. If you're playing $10 buy ins, a new $20 to $30 setup everytime is just silly. If you're playing $1000 buy ins, yeah I'd be busting out new cards every other game if not every time.