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

As a player, I'd feel more comfortable with a new deck every game for game security. Not the host, so not my position to say. Used old cards, had an extra card in the deck. Somehow, number of sets didn't increase.
 
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Decks are accounted for prior to each session; suited and washed, with other players at the table. Backs inspected after each session for creases and other marks.

As far as wear and tear is concerned, with a dozen Copag setups, 4 NTP, a handful of Kem, and a setup of Faded Spade, it hard to even get them to break in let alone wear out.

All setups brought into the game by regulars. Support of our games is critical.
 
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It also matters at what level you play. If the host gets nothing but the winnings, he pays for the cards himself. Here in Finland, a pack of cards costs €13, Copag or Fournier €9. When we play €15 tournaments, if I always put in new ones, I will lose. Of course, maybe if everyone participates in buying the cards. But I understand, there is no right or wrong answer to this.
 
I use my decks until I notice a problem that can’t be fixed. When I take a deck out of service I make it very public to the group exactly why ( that is, I show them the problem child(ren)) and the new deck doesn’t get opened until all players have arrived. I do this to let players know we are keeping a very close eye on this. Marking and bending cards are two ways cheaters cheat!

I check the decks after every game for damage. I do a glare test to expose dents and gunk. I also look at the decks to ensure that no card is bent.

I’ve attached a pic of a dented card and of the deck showing a bent card. Notice the bend is on the short end of the deck where it will show when the deck is being dealt. Bends on the long side aren’t usually how cheaters bend cards because the deck gets compressed while being dealt.
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Brick of Bicycle cards on Amazon going for £25. 12 decks for 25 is a not bad thing, cards getting bend or creased- grab a new deck, cards are mucky or grubby- grab a new deck, new tournament- grab a deck. I know, most people prefer plastic cards but for what they are and how much they going for you can’t beat pasteboard cards.
 
I only play a home game once a month. Unlikely for the copags we use to wear out before someone bends them or spills a drink! Only use a new deck when the inevitable happens.
 
I use mostly Copags but have a couple of Da Vinci's also. They stay in use until they die.

I DO check each card individually after any session. My game from earlier this month suffered a casualty given a fairly prominent dog ear appeared on a card from one table. That deck is now in the landfill.
 
Decks are accounted for prior to each session; suited and washed, with other players at the table. Backs inspected after each session for creases and other marks.

As far as wear and tear is concerned, with a dozen Copag setups, 4 NTP, a handful of Kem, and a setup of Faded Spade, it hard to even get them to break in let alone wear out.

All setups brought into the game by regulars. Support of our games is critical.
How do you wash the cards? Damp cloth? I honestly have never thought of washing the cards.
 
How do you wash the cards? Damp cloth? I honestly have never thought of washing the cards.
KEM used to put washing instructions inside their setups.
IMG_6445.png

However, I’ve heard a casino that would just use plain water and a cloth, wipe each side a bit and leave separated to dry. This is how I do it.
 
KEM used to put washing instructions inside their setups.
View attachment 1454873
However, I’ve heard a casino that would just use plain water and a cloth, wipe each side a bit and leave separated to dry. This is how I do it.
I usually fill a sink with cool water and add about two drops of non-oxy dish soap. Swish that around to mix, then add the deck of cards one at a time so they get water/soap on both sides.

I swish the whole lot around in the sink, then pull cards one at a time rubbing my fingers over the faces a few times to "wipe off" anything that might be on the surface. Once wiped, I toss them in the other sink that just has plain water for rinsing.

I'll swish the rinse pile around once full, drain it while the faucet it running and make sure to run each card under the water to get any last soapy bits off.

From the sink, I lay the cards out on a big beach towel, put a second towel on top and press gently on the towel to dab up any leftover drops of water. I'll pull the top towel and let them air dry for 30 minutes or so, flip them over and let air dry for another 30 minutes then do a final inspection and re-spade the deck.
 
How do you wash the cards? Damp cloth? I honestly have never thought of washing the cards.
No, no... We don't actually wash the cards. I have washed them in the past or when they soiled maybe a card or two... Washed as in "smeared" around on the table after they've been suited and inspected.
 
As a player, I'd feel more comfortable with a new deck every game for game security. Not the host, so not my position to say. Used old cards, had an extra card in the deck. Somehow, number of sets didn't increase.

Any host should be checking both new and old decks before putting them in play. Both can have flaws.

Before every game, I do the following with the setup I’m going to use:

1. Deal out the cards face up by rank. Make sure there are four of each rank, with four suits of each.

2. Deal the cards face down in piles of five, looking for any flaws on the backs. At the end there should be two left over.

So mow I’ve double-counted the cards, made sure that each suit is complete, and checked the backs.

The newness of the decks is irrelevant to me. The cards’ condition and completeness have to be checked.

Good dealers will also occasionally just count the cards in-game, especially if a deck seems light or heavy. This doesn’t really take long.
 
Any host should be checking both new and old decks before putting them in play. Both can have flaws.

Before every game, I do the following with the setup I’m going to use:

1. Deal out the cards face up by rank. Make sure there are four of each rank, with four suits of each.

2. Deal the cards face down in piles of five, looking for any flaws on the backs. At the end there should be two left over.

So mow I’ve double-counted the cards, made sure that each suit is complete, and checked the backs.

The newness of the decks is irrelevant to me. The cards’ condition and completeness have to be checked.

Good dealers will also occasionally just count the cards in-game, especially if a deck seems light or heavy. This doesn’t really take long.
On occasion I will even have a (trusted) player in my game double check that *I* haven't f*#$'ed up when I introduce a previously used setup into the game.
 
Completely off topic, sorry, maintenance will move if necessary. The Finnish casino has had a situation since spring where they have a batch of cards with a printing error on the back. There has been a discussion about it in the local poker community, but I understand that cards are still in use there.

1000035057.png
 
If I see that image correctly, the larger "poker size" cards are clearly mis-printed. The white border is offset on one side of the card, effectively making this a marked deck.


(If a dealer or player rotates a card 180 degrees to the rest of deck, one can tell from the backs what that one card is, assuming the rest of the deck stays the same. It's "edge-sorting".)
 
I use my decks until I notice a problem that can’t be fixed. When I take a deck out of service I make it very public to the group exactly why ( that is, I show them the problem child(ren)) and the new deck doesn’t get opened until all players have arrived. I do this to let players know we are keeping a very close eye on this. Marking and bending cards are two ways cheaters cheat!

I check the decks after every game for damage. I do a glare test to expose dents and gunk. I also look at the decks to ensure that no card is bent.

I’ve attached a pic of a dented card and of the deck showing a bent card. Notice the bend is on the short end of the deck where it will show when the deck is being dealt. Bends on the long side aren’t usually how cheaters bend cards because the deck gets compressed while being dealt.View attachment 1454604
Nails are Fourniers kryptonite, but KEMs are immune
 
Apparently, the casino's answer has been that all cards would be the same, so according to the casino there is no problem. However, players have noticed that there have been decks in the game where some have this error and some don't. It is clear that these are marked cards.
 
Completely off topic, sorry, maintenance will move if necessary. The Finnish casino has had a situation since spring where they have a batch of cards with a printing error on the back. There has been a discussion about it in the local poker community, but I understand that cards are still in use there.

View attachment 1455544
I had the same problem with few of Cartamundi Tobagos
 

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