Is it normal for Kem Cards to cup like this? (14 Viewers)

[Bacon Dad]

Out of all the different kinds of cards I play with, Kem Cards are the only brand of cards I see with this cupping. These decks are only a month old. Is this normal for Kem or am I shuffling to hard?

I normally do three riffles, box, one final riffle, and then a cut. I always thought that was a normal shuffle. I read a study by UNLV that said a rule-of-thumb is that it takes seven riffles to get a 52-card deck random. What do you guys do?

@VMR911 @surfik @Pippa @NotRealNameNoSir @KHarp1

 

[JMC9389]

That's called bowing. And yes, a very common issue with Kems. I like how they feel but I can't play with these cards because of their propensity to bow. I don't have the time or patience to keep these flat. Cards should be no frills and shouldn't require this much maintenance.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Out of all the different kinds of cards I play with, Kem Cards are the only brand of cards I see with this cupping. These decks are only a month old. Is this normal for Kem or am I shuffling to hard?

I normally do three riffles, box, one final riffle, and then a cut. I always thought that was a normal shuffle. I read a study by UNLV that said a rule-of-thumb is that it takes seven riffles to get a 52-card deck random. What do you guys do?

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@VMR911 @surfik @Pippa @NotRealNameNoSir @KHarp1

Welcome to the KEM haters club, sorry bud. Ive seen this with most of their decks Ive tried. If Im worried about shuffling wrong and ruining a $15 deck of cards, my priorities whack.

People act like its a toxic relationship and I should just deal with it instead of finding another brand lol.

"How are you storing them? What were you wearing? What were you shuffling on?"

 

[BGinGA]

KEM cards suffer from warping issues, more so than any other cards. Pre-USPC, post-USPC, casino-supplied or consumer cards, sealed in original packaging or used -- they all warp.

Proponents will tell you this rarely happens, and can be prevented by very specific storage conditions, and that they are the greatest cards on earth.

Others will tell you that the cards play great until they warp, at which point they suck and are overpriced.

 

[louBdub]

Fuck KEM.

 

[Colquhoun]

I’m in the KEM lovers club. To me, nothing feels like them, and I’ll deal with the extra care needed to keep them in good shape longer.
Store them away from humidity if possible. Some use a dealer button on the deck inside the box. Don’t leave them out on the table.

 

[surfik]

Out of all the different kinds of cards I play with, Kem Cards are the only brand of cards I see with this cupping. These decks are only a month old. Is this normal for Kem or am I shuffling to hard?

I normally do three riffles, box, one final riffle, and then a cut. I always thought that was a normal shuffle. I read a study by UNLV that said a rule-of-thumb is that it takes seven riffles to get a 52-card deck random. What do you guys do?

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@VMR911 @surfik @Pippa @NotRealNameNoSir @KHarp1

that is common with Kem but in no means makes them unplayable

 

[BGinGA]

that is common with Kem but in no means makes them unplayable

Agree to disagree. Warped cards cause more misdeals and exposed cards. Bowed-down can stall/snag while bowed-up can flip and take flight.

 

[KHarp1]

And even if they don't flip midair they still can rise enough that sometimes you can make out what the card is, at least the suit.

 

[surfik]

And even if they don't flip midair they still can rise enough that sometimes you can make out what the card is, at least the suit.

i played long time with Kem, with proper dealing technic that is not an issue....

 

[Eriks]

Fuck KEM.

+1.

At that price point, I expect a helluva lot more

 

[Pippa]

Out of all the different kinds of cards I play with, Kem Cards are the only brand of cards I see with this cupping. These decks are only a month old. Is this normal for Kem or am I shuffling to hard?

I normally do three riffles, box, one final riffle, and then a cut. I always thought that was a normal shuffle. I read a study by UNLV that said a rule-of-thumb is that it takes seven riffles to get a 52-card deck random. What do you guys do?

View attachment 1151713

@VMR911 @surfik @Pippa @NotRealNameNoSir @KHarp1

Normal for Kem

 

[ChipFinderSK]

I like KEM, but not at their normal price point.

Someone had a storage solution that I agree with: keep a weight on them while not in use, such as a ceramic plaque or dealer button.

 

[upNdown]

yeah it’s common. A lot of us have found that if you store your KEMs face up in their box, under a cut card and a dealer button, they stay nice and flat. I would suggest everybody give it a try before they bash it.

But if you don’t want to pay $30-$35 for a setup, that’s understandable. If you’re not interested in using the best cards, that’s up to you.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

My Shuffletech doesn't like Kem which means I don't like KEM...at any price.

 

[Colquhoun]

I remember watching Rounders and seeing the KEM Arrows at KGB’s place. They appear to be well used, and signs of cupping.
I still love ‘em

Screenshots:

 

[TheBigTater]

Have to think of KEM's as the Trophy Wife of cards. Super expensive and extremely high maintenance.

Yes they will bow unless you treat them with kid gloves. If you don't want to put up with the grief there are many other good card options out there that don't require special treatment and cost less.

 

[surfik]

I belive KEM lost crown in favour of Fournier, I only wish they used different graphics

 

[mike32]

If they don’t warp, they are gonna bow.

 

[BGinGA]

i played long time with Kem, with proper dealing technic that is not an issue....

That's utter bullshit.

 

[surfik]

That's utter bullshit.

Glad to here from you....please elaborate

 

[glynn]

People act like its a toxic relationship and I should just deal with it instead of finding another brand lol.

This is really not an accurate summary of your Kem thread.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

This is really not an accurate summary of your Kem thread.

I've purchased others and am still unhappy; apologies that I haven't documented it all, as is my duty! Ill do better in the future lol. Not just my thread, many others, read any complaint thread.

Those same cards have bowed after 2 games and still have the break. Kept in case in a climated controlled house.

 

[dinosaur]

My set of Kems have also bowed.

But I believe they may be fakes. They were gifted to me and purchased off amazon. Although grateful, the joker cards seemed highly pixelated. And I’m definitely weary of Amazon.

I have copags from the 2000’s that are still more or less flat. So I dont think the bowing is due to poor storage. Maybe those that have “real” Kems are the ones that are not having the bowing issue. I dont know for sure. But thats my conspiracy theory.

 

[Colquhoun]

My set of Kems have also bowed.

But I believe they may be fakes. They were gifted to me and purchased off amazon. Although grateful, the joker cards seemed highly pixelated. And I’m definitely weary of Amazon.

I have copags from the 2000’s that are still more or less flat. So I dont think the bowing is due to poor storage. Maybe those that have “real” Kems are the ones that are not having the bowing issue. I dont know for sure. But thats my conspiracy theory.

I think it’s been found that pixelated jokers are indeed authentic, but maybe a printing error for a while?
I don’t think KEMs warp because someone isn’t storing them correctly. I think they warp from climate, manufacturing, general use, etc. I believe the storage recommendations are just to try to prevent what can be a frequent occurrence with these cards.

 

[dinosaur]

Oh. So it’s a feature, not a bug. That’s nice of them.

 

[Colquhoun]

Oh. So it’s a feature, not a bug. That’s nice of them.

I didn’t mean it like that…I just meant it’s an unfortunate issue that some choose to accept and some can’t stand.
I love the cards, so I accept the extra steps that may help prevent the issue.

 

[BGinGA]

It's not fakes, it's not usage or storage (some arrive warped from the factory). It's the materials used to manufacture them.

 

[glynn]

I've purchased others and am still unhappy; apologies that I haven't documented it all, as is my duty! Ill do better in the future lol. Not just my thread, many others, read any complaint thread.

Those same cards have bowed after 2 games and still have the break. Kept in case in a climated controlled house.

I mean literally zero people have doubted your experience. Zero! Almost everyone has confirmed what you say about Kems, in fact.

You stuffed your own rag doll and look for every opportunity to get mad at it, blame us for imposing it on you.

 

[tallsbutler]

KEMs are piss