Faded Spade FSX (43 Viewers)

Noticed 1 card from each deck has a pretty noticeable discoloration or for lack of a better term an actual faded spade. Anyone else notice any of these? Probably marks from the printing process.
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Noticed 1 card from each deck has a pretty noticeable discoloration or for lack of a better term an actual faded spade. Anyone else notice any of these? Probably marks from the printing process.
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Woah, don't know how much of that is glare but if that's not from the light that's a clear marking. Definitely reach out about that, good looks.
 
Woah, don't know how much of that is glare but if that's not from the light that's a clear marking. Definitely reach out about that, good looks.
Yeah most people probably wouldn’t notice but I know and can see them so they won’t be used in play. Reached out to Faded Spade. Hopefully they make it right.
 
Yeah most people probably wouldn’t notice but I know and can see them so they won’t be used in play. Reached out to Faded Spade. Hopefully they make it right.
Did you hear anything back? That's the worst kind of defect!
 
I was waiting for a bridge set to drop and some did today but with the old school art. Had a discount code so I got the bridge and regular size fsx decks. Still kinda miffed one card from my previous bridge deck separated, but maybe I can scavenge a card from another persons deck who had the same issue. Classifieds here I come :)
 
I ordered two setups of the classic just now. Hopefully the quality control and customer service is better.
 
Opened our game this Sunday with the Modern (poker size)... made it through two hands before we swapped them out.

One of our players is *really* sensitive to textures - like if she unknowingly grabs a knurled flashlight handle or a metal braided cable there will be screams. After the second hand she was going to put on a pair of latex gloves, and we didn't want to make it that kind of party so we changed them.

I like them, though a longer evening of shuffling would better inform me. Shuffled well, could pitch end-to-end with no problem, visibility from the far end of the table was great, and I actually liked the texture. (But yeah, there is a LOT of texture.)
 
One of our players is *really* sensitive to textures - like if she unknowingly grabs a knurled flashlight handle or a metal braided cable there will be screams. After the second hand she was going to put on a pair of latex gloves, and we didn't want to make it that kind of party so we changed them.

This sounds like a real underlying medical issue. I would encourage your player friend to get assessed for peripheral neuropathy or similar.
 
Gosh they make it tough to like them. That huge "LOOK AT THIS NEW CARD ITS THE BEST" is sold out, and the newest version with the same old boring art is on sale. No other cards (other than Midnight, which is the worst design I've ever seen) are available.


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I’ve always like Faded Spade‘s modern design, but if one of my players brought a set of those Midnight cards to my game, they’d be getting an auto-ban. :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
 
Gosh they make it tough to like them. That huge "LOOK AT THIS NEW CARD ITS THE BEST" is sold out, and the newest version with the same old boring art is on sale. No other cards (other than Midnight, which is the worst design I've ever seen) are available.


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Faded Spade's website has actually been like this for literally over 6 weeks now. I can say that with 100% confidence because I had made a comment in this same thread back on 09/17/2024 pointing out that they had only two types of cards in stock at that time as well. And the only other products they ever have available for sale are branded "swag" items like baseball hats and shirts that no one in their right mind gives a crap about. So it's now been at least a full month and a half where Faded Spade - whose entire raison d'etre is being a playing card manufacturer - has had virtually no cards to sell.

The sad part is that I really like how Faded Spade is willing to take risks on card designs that most other plastic playing card manufacturers seemingly won't. I mean whether you love them or you hate them, at least Faded Spade has offered options such as the modern faces, and 4 suit colors, plus special editions like those goofy "Midnight Cards" that we just don't ever see from the bigger boys like Angel, Cartamundi, Kem, Modiano, Fournier, etc. I think the only company that may come even remotely close in terms of occasionally offering somewhat more adventurous artwork is Copag with their 4-color setups, "Unique" setups, and "Neoteric" setups. But when it comes to Faded Spade's long term business prospects I've said it before and I'll say it again: A playing card manufacturer that offers basically zero selection of playing cards is probably not very long for this world.
 
Faded Spade's website has actually been like this for literally over 6 weeks now. I can say that with 100% confidence because I had made a comment in this same thread back on 09/17/2024 pointing out that they had only two types of cards in stock at that time as well. And the only other products they ever have available for sale are branded "swag" items like baseball hats and shirts that no one in their right mind gives a crap about. So it's now been at least a full month and a half where Faded Spade - whose entire raison d'etre is being a playing card manufacturer - has had virtually no cards to sell.

The sad part is that I really like how Faded Spade is willing to take risks on card designs that most other plastic playing card manufacturers seemingly won't. I mean whether you love them or you hate them, at least Faded Spade has offered options such as the modern faces, and 4 suit colors, plus special editions like those goofy "Midnight Cards" that we just don't ever see from the bigger boys like Angel, Cartamundi, Kem, Modiano, Fournier, etc. I think the only company that may come even remotely close in terms of occasionally offering somewhat more adventurous artwork is Copag with their 4-color setups, "Unique" setups, and "Neoteric" setups. But when it comes to Faded Spade's long term business prospects I've said it before and I'll say it again: A playing card manufacturer that offers basically zero selection of playing cards is probably not very long for this world.
they will be "faded"
 
Faded Spade's website has actually been like this for literally over 6 weeks now. I can say that with 100% confidence because I had made a comment in this same thread back on 09/17/2024 pointing out that they had only two types of cards in stock at that time as well. And the only other products they ever have available for sale are branded "swag" items like baseball hats and shirts that no one in their right mind gives a crap about. So it's now been at least a full month and a half where Faded Spade - whose entire raison d'etre is being a playing card manufacturer - has had virtually no cards to sell.

The sad part is that I really like how Faded Spade is willing to take risks on card designs that most other plastic playing card manufacturers seemingly won't. I mean whether you love them or you hate them, at least Faded Spade has offered options such as the modern faces, and 4 suit colors, plus special editions like those goofy "Midnight Cards" that we just don't ever see from the bigger boys like Angel, Cartamundi, Kem, Modiano, Fournier, etc. I think the only company that may come even remotely close in terms of occasionally offering somewhat more adventurous artwork is Copag with their 4-color setups, "Unique" setups, and "Neoteric" setups. But when it comes to Faded Spade's long term business prospects I've said it before and I'll say it again: A playing card manufacturer that offers basically zero selection of playing cards is probably not very long for this world.
Unfortunately I think they are doing so well / fine they just don’t want to over grow. They probably have limited production and sell out everytime. Good problem to have. They probably focus on their commercial casino accounts more as well.
 
Unfortunately I think they are doing so well / fine they just don’t want to over grow. They probably have limited production and sell out everytime. Good problem to have. They probably focus on their commercial casino accounts more as well.
Plus they have a huge partnership w WPT. Just got an email from them about the big Wynn wpt freeroll as well.

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My guess is they are here for good and are very profitable lean company.

But still super frustrating.
 
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Customer service has been terrible. Finally got my replacement cards in today and one of them was the wrong suit. Unbelievable
 
Plus they have a huge partnership w WPT. Just got an email from them about the big Wynn wpt freeroll as well.

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My guess is they are here for good and are very profitable lean company.

But still super frustrating.
Yeah this is my thoughts, they're leaning hard on streams and WPT/casino partnerships. Sucks because we can't catch the cards but they seem to be doing fairly well for themselves.

I know half this site hates their marketing but most of it is just that, marketing. I'm not gonna pay for a hat but I enjoy their cards when I've felted them.
 
I’ll have some for sell if this quality issue doesn’t get better. The 3.0’s are fine but the FSX’s I have bought have all had noticeable marks on a few of the backs. I have four setup’s and have spent $150 plus on them and can’t get the right replacement cards.
 
Yeah this is my thoughts, they're leaning hard on streams and WPT/casino partnerships. Sucks because we can't catch the cards but they seem to be doing fairly well for themselves.

I know half this site hates their marketing but most of it is just that, marketing. I'm not gonna pay for a hat but I enjoy their cards when I've felted them.
Love the artwork and it’s the best bridge card for shuffletechs.
 
I’ll have some for sell if this quality issue doesn’t get better. The 3.0’s are fine but the FSX’s I have bought have all had noticeable marks on a few of the backs. I have four setup’s and have spent $150 plus on them and can’t get the right replacement cards.
That's really frustrating, no excuse man. Real bummer.
 
Consider me a skeptic when it comes to Faded Spade's overall profitability. Yes, I grant that y'all are probably correct in assuming that Faded Spade is leaning hard into their casino sales at the expense of direct to consumer sales. And I have absolutely no doubt that the margins on those RFID cards they can sell to casinos assuredly dwarf the margins they make on a setup of their goofy "Midnight Edition" cards. I'll readily concede that point LOL. But are we really so sure that they are even doing great business in the casino market?

A few of you guys mentioned their WPT sponsorship, and yeah I got that email today about their contest too. But that WPT sponsorship costs them money... it doesn't make them money. The only way that sponsorship (or any marketing for that matter) translates into revenue is if it directly causes additional product sales. And do you know what additional product sales require? They require having products in stock to actually sell. LOL

Please also remember that selling to casinos is exactly what the big boys of USPCC/Cartamundi and GPI/Angel Group specialize in. Heck, we have another active PCF thread right now where it's basically been determined that even Gemaco has entirely pulled out of the consumer market and is only focused on selling to casinos now. So Faded Spade is surely going to be a relative small fry in that arena when compared to conglomerates like Cartamundi & Angel Group.

How many of you see Faded Spade cards being used in the casinos that you frequent? Again please don't count WPT related events or televised / streamed tournaments which are likely sponsored. I mean you can literally just walk into the poker room at your own favorite casino on a regular day and they are using Faded Spade cards. I am legit asking this question BTW... not just being rhetorical. Because I fully admit that I really don't go to casinos, so I am totally and completely ignorant as to how common Faded Spade use is in casinos. Do a lot of you guys see them being used in your local casinos?

Then we also have to consider the reports of quality issues on these new FSX cards by people like @RKC1978. Faded Spade may be able to dick around with some of those people by not sending replacement cards, issuing refunds, etc. since we are just lowly individual consumers. But if these same quality issues are happening with their large contracted orders from casinos then you can bet that they are being forced to provide replacements and/or issue credits. Of course I have no idea if these quality control issues are happening with their custom casino cards or not. But if it is happening with their consumer cards then it's certainly a possibility that it is happening with their casino cards as well.

So all in all you guys could be right... maybe Faded Spade is doing great business and things are really looking up for them. I really hope that is the case because I truly do love their artwork and the design risks that they are willing to take. But if they were a publicly traded company I'm just not so sure that I'd be rushing to buy stock in them. And reading the "About Me" page of their founder and CEO Tom Wheaton sure doesn't do a whole lot to inspire my confidence. It sounds to me like he's probably a much better poker player than he is a writer and business man. :cool
 
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Consider me a skeptic when it comes to Faded Spade's overall profitability. Yes, I grant that y'all are probably correct in assuming that Faded Spade is leaning hard into their casino sales at the expense of direct to consumer sales. And I have absolutely no doubt that the margins on those RFID cards they can sell to casinos assuredly dwarf the margins they make on a setup of their goofy "Midnight Edition" cards. I'll readily concede that point LOL. But are we really so sure that they are even doing great business in the casino market?

A few of you guys mentioned their WPT sponsorship, and yeah I got that email today about their contest too. But that WPT sponsorship costs them money... it doesn't make them money. The only way that sponsorship (or any marketing for that matter) translates into revenue is if it directly causes additional product sales. And do you know what additional product sales require? They require having products in stock to actually sell. LOL

Please also remember that selling to casinos is exactly what the big boys of USPCC/Cartamundi and GPI/Angel Group specialize in. Heck, we have another active PCF thread right now where it's basically been determined that even Gemaco has entirely pulled out of the consumer market and is now only focused on selling to casinos. So Faded Spade is surely going to be a relative small fry in that arena when compared to conglomerates like Cartamundi & Angel Group.

I mean how many of you see Faded Spade cards being used in the casinos that you frequent? Again please don't count WPT related events or televised / streamed tournaments which are likely sponsored. I'm saying that you just walk into the poker room at your own favorite casino on a regular day and they are using Faded Spade cards. I am legit asking this question BTW... not just being rhetorical. Because I fully admit that I really don't go to casinos, so I am totally and completely ignorant as to how common Faded Spade use is in casinos. Do a lot of you guys see them being used in your local casinos?

Then we also have to consider the reports of quality issues on these new FSX cards by people like @RKC1978. Faded Spade may be able to dick around with some of those people by not sending replacement cards, issuing refunds, etc. since we are just lowly individual consumers. But if these same quality issues are happening with their large contracted orders from casinos then you can bet that they are being forced to provide replacements and/or issue credits. Of course I have no idea if these quality control issues are happening with their custom casino cards or not. But if it is happening with their consumer cards then it's certainly a possibility that it is happening with their casino cards as well.

So all in all you guys could be right... maybe Faded Spade is doing great business and things are really looking up for them. I really hope that is the case because I truly do love their artwork and the design risks that they are willing to take. But if they were a publicly traded company I'm just not so sure that I'd be rushing to buy stock in them. And reading the "About Me" page of their founder and CEO Tom Wheaton sure doesn't do a whole lot to inspire my confidence. It sounds to me like he's probably a much better poker player than he is a writer and business man. :LOL: :laugh: :cool
I really want to like them too. Hell I’ve spent a lot of money on them but if they can’t make it right I’ll be done. Maybe they’ll get it right. I agree with ya I bet there have also been quality issues with the Casinos too.
 
Brand new poker sized faded spade setup opened and they have that odd residue on the cards, almost tacky or grippy. Yes I can clean them and hopefully they'll be fine, but I don't want to clean them! Brand new expensive cards, shouldn't have to worry about pre-use maintenance.
 
Ordered these, just came in today. Really really like the design. I’m a fan of different and unique without straying too far from practical.

That being said, these are sand paper poster board stock with card designs on them lmao. They are pretty thick and very textured.

I did a few quick shuffles, deals, etc. nothing to crazy, but I’m going to try them at our next game and see what the overall feel for them is with everyone.

I will say, i love how the cards don’t slide off when deck is set down. Very big pro for me. My copags always fall off and it’s so annoying.
 

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