TeamNapoli
Straight
so the poker size cards are currently out of stock, correct? Can we put a reserve on a set?
@sheikh617I hope someone with some actual experience with 'em in a Shuffletech will chime in. I'm thinking about getting one, so I'd love to hear it.
If you're only getting one jam in about 8 hrs, I'd call that pretty d*mn decent. I've seen the hi-dollar Shuffle Master Deckmates have about the same in casino sessions.
All that being said, I can give you a description of what I feel are the major differences & you can try to make a judgement call on what you may think will work best if no one else chimes in... if that'll help any.
(Note - weights listed below are for poker size cards)
Copag are what I consider "better than typical" for a PVC card. Probably the most flexible of the PVC lot. But, still have that smooth-ish almost semi-gloss PVC finish that I don't generally care for. WEIGHT: 2.50 gr. / THICK: .0115"
When it comes to Desjgn.... umm.... well, we now (unfortunately IMO) have 2 versions. The reason is well documented here: Bridge/Jumbo Index Issue
The "older" version (printed on Modiano stock) are one of my two favorite decks of all time. If I had the cash, I'd buy-up whatever remaining stock of jumbo index poker size is out there for the taking. Yes,... seriously. They hand shuffle like warm butter, & dealing is a no-brainer process. I can count the number of times I've accidentally dealt 2 cards on a single pitch on the fingers of one hand. & I may not even need all 5 fingers to do it either. (& in case you didn't notice my post above, that goes all the way back to 2006)
Compared to Copags, they're cellulose acetate, not PVC. Which means they're lighter & more flexible even while being ever-so-slightly thicker. They also have a gorgeous matte linen finish putting the feel & looks right up there with Kem (which are my other favorite - I just wish they'd get their Joker to stop picking his nose). WEIGHT: 2.43 gr / THICK: .0120"
The "new" Desjgn (& I hope Jason doesn't hate me for this) have slid back to be the bronze medal spot on my podium. In all fairness, it's not Jason's fault. Modiano couldn't put on their big-boy pants long enough to own up to the fact that they screwed the QC pooch. This sent Jason to that other Italian mob Dal Negro for replacements. Being that I'm in the USofA, I've never actually had any prior experience with DN's acetate stock cards. If you've ever tried to find a deck of 'em in these parts you'd know why. Assuming that the new Desjgns are on that card stock, & if I'm being honest, I don't get the hype.
As stated, they are cellulose acetate, but compared to Copag, they are thicker & slightly stiffer. Also, the finish is much more "textured" than the Modiano stock. I've only dealt one final table with 'em, but I did have to catch myself a couple times before I accidentally pitched two cards, something that I rarely do with Kems or the older Modiano stock decks. So, while the older decks were slightly thicker, yet lighter & more flexible, the new Dal Negro stock is thicker, heavier, and somewhat stiffer than Copag. And, while neither are as smooth finished as Copag's PVC, the new stock is "rougher" or "more textured" than the linen finish of old. WEIGHT: 2.66 gr / THICK: .0130"
If you think you may want to try both old & new, Jason still has (I believe the count is now 28 not 29 - I bought a set) some of the old Classic Victorian (poker size - jumbo index) old stock left in the Wyvern/Phoenix (brown/orange) color combo.
Having said all that, let me add this.... if customer service means anything, nobody on the planet beats Jason. As anyone that ended up with a pooched deck of the last Modiano run will attest to.
Not out of stock as far as I know, I just ordered 3 sets a couple weeks ago.so the poker size cards are currently out of stock, correct? Can we put a reserve on a set?
I pretty much exclusively use poker sized card in my Shuffletech as I have had mixed results with bridge sized cards. Last night I had a session from 7pm up until about 3am. Not a single jam that required manual attention, the shuffler worked itself each time if there was a small snag. I'd say most sessions go by smooth and I usually only host games from 3-5 hours so the sample size is a bit smaller then if your game is running for hours on end. With Bridge cards I had a slightly higher percentage of jams since the cards don't fill the slot as well as poker sized cards do. For me the Shuffletech has been a home run purchase thus far. It'll be sad when it needs maintenance lol. I also make sure to keep the rollers clean with alcohol wipes and I use an air duster to keep the innards clean.I hope someone with some actual experience with 'em in a Shuffletech will chime in. I'm thinking about getting one, so I'd love to hear it.
If you're only getting one jam in about 8 hrs, I'd call that pretty d*mn decent. I've seen the hi-dollar Shuffle Master Deckmates have about the same in casino sessions.
All that being said, I can give you a description of what I feel are the major differences & you can try to make a judgement call on what you may think will work best if no one else chimes in... if that'll help any.
(Note - weights listed below are for poker size cards)
Copag are what I consider "better than typical" for a PVC card. Probably the most flexible of the PVC lot. But, still have that smooth-ish almost semi-gloss PVC finish that I don't generally care for. WEIGHT: 2.50 gr. / THICK: .0115"
When it comes to Desjgn.... umm.... well, we now (unfortunately IMO) have 2 versions. The reason is well documented here: Bridge/Jumbo Index Issue
The "older" version (printed on Modiano stock) are one of my two favorite decks of all time. If I had the cash, I'd buy-up whatever remaining stock of jumbo index poker size is out there for the taking. Yes,... seriously. They hand shuffle like warm butter, & dealing is a no-brainer process. I can count the number of times I've accidentally dealt 2 cards on a single pitch on the fingers of one hand. & I may not even need all 5 fingers to do it either. (& in case you didn't notice my post above, that goes all the way back to 2006)
Compared to Copags, they're cellulose acetate, not PVC. Which means they're lighter & more flexible even while being ever-so-slightly thicker. They also have a gorgeous matte linen finish putting the feel & looks right up there with Kem (which are my other favorite - I just wish they'd get their Joker to stop picking his nose). WEIGHT: 2.43 gr / THICK: .0120"
The "new" Desjgn (& I hope Jason doesn't hate me for this) have slid back to be the bronze medal spot on my podium. In all fairness, it's not Jason's fault. Modiano couldn't put on their big-boy pants long enough to own up to the fact that they screwed the QC pooch. This sent Jason to that other Italian mob Dal Negro for replacements. Being that I'm in the USofA, I've never actually had any prior experience with DN's acetate stock cards. If you've ever tried to find a deck of 'em in these parts you'd know why. Assuming that the new Desjgns are on that card stock, & if I'm being honest, I don't get the hype.
As stated, they are cellulose acetate, but compared to Copag, they are thicker & slightly stiffer. Also, the finish is much more "textured" than the Modiano stock. I've only dealt one final table with 'em, but I did have to catch myself a couple times before I accidentally pitched two cards, something that I rarely do with Kems or the older Modiano stock decks. So, while the older decks were slightly thicker, yet lighter & more flexible, the new Dal Negro stock is thicker, heavier, and somewhat stiffer than Copag. And, while neither are as smooth finished as Copag's PVC, the new stock is "rougher" or "more textured" than the linen finish of old. WEIGHT: 2.66 gr / THICK: .0130"
If you think you may want to try both old & new, Jason still has (I believe the count is now 28 not 29 - I bought a set) some of the old Classic Victorian (poker size - jumbo index) old stock left in the Wyvern/Phoenix (brown/orange) color combo.
Having said all that, let me add this.... if customer service means anything, nobody on the planet beats Jason. As anyone that ended up with a pooched deck of the last Modiano run will attest to.
so the poker size cards are currently out of stock, correct? Can we put a reserve on a set?
For me the Shuffletech has been a home run purchase thus far. It'll be sad when it needs maintenance lol.
Maybe just a little "break-in" of a fresh deck is in order?To my pleasant surprise, the next 5 hours were flawless. No jams. No issues.
Dealer likes one, players like the other.... Probably not the 1st time in history for that.Personally, I liked the Modiano cards. I think I am in agreement with @Dix in that if I was hand shuffling these things would absolutely be preferred.
That said, the vote from my players ( we had a full table of 10!!) Was for the Dal Negro. They thought they felt sturdier and really liked the texture.
Precisely. It's THE reason why Modiano are persona non grata around these parts.@desjgn Apologies if this has been addressed, I haven’t read through the whole thread.
Is there a reason why the Gorgon/Sphinx and Dragon/Kraken setups for the Classic Victorian poker/jumbo cards are so much more textured than the Wyvern/Phoenix setup?
I already had the Wyvern/Phoenix poker/jumbo setup and it’s my favorite. I ordered the other two setups and was surprised to see such a texture difference, considering they’re all advertised as “Classic Victorians.”
Perhaps there was a switch to a new card stock at some point that I wasn’t aware of? Just curious.
Precisely. It's THE reason why Modiano are persona non grata around these parts.
I'm pretty sure, and Jason can chime in on this, that the older Victorians are Modiano stock, and the newer Victorians are Dal Negro stock.Right, I know the Modiano story, but I guess I’m not well versed in the actual specifics. Are the Wyvern/Phoenix setups Modiano stock and the others are something else?
Yup, exactly.... The Wyvern/Phoenix sets are leftover Modiano stock. Which is why I bought up a few sets.
I have a post a page back with specifics on the difference.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/ordering-links.16572/post-958536
Coincidentally, I've actually been working on a little project which expands on that post. Watch the Poker Playing Cards forum, I'm working on it as I type this.
Great post that describes exactly what I was asking about. Thanks. Unfortunately, the Dal Negro cards feel more like sandpaper when comparing them side by side to the original Classic Victorians or Classic Flourish, which are my absolute two favorite decks.
The only reason I even brought it up is because I would have loved to see the original Classic Victorian in more/different colors, but obviously that ship has sailed at this point.
I just ordered another couple of setups of the Wyvern/Phoenix to ensure that I have enough to last me for the foreseeable future.
Great post that describes exactly what I was asking about. Thanks. Unfortunately, the Dal Negro cards feel more like sandpaper when comparing them side by side to the original Classic Victorians or Classic Flourish, which are my absolute two favorite decks.
The only reason I even brought it up is because I would have loved to see the original Classic Victorian in more/different colors, but obviously that ship has sailed at this point.
I just ordered another couple of setups of the Wyvern/Phoenix to ensure that I have enough to last me for the foreseeable future.
So I got my set of Gorgon/Sphynx/Dragon/Kraken for last week's game. Everyone absolutely loved them - biggest comment by far was that they had the durability of plastic, but the slightly extra texture on the cards prevented the zero-friction-fly-off-the-table problem. They slid around nicely, but it wasn't air hockey.
Are you saying that the Wyvern/Phoenix are actually slicker? Also - if those are old stock Modiano, aren't you taking a chance on buying up the old stock that they'll have the same QC issues?
I vote yes on the current Dal Negro textured stock. Even out of the shrink wrap, they weren't at all slick and are a dream to shuffle in a rotating dealer game. I can see how a dedicated dealer may get tired with a long session, as the stock is a bit on the thicker and stiffer side, which is what I like personally. I can also see how someone who may prefer a thinner, smoother stock may not like these, as well.Thank you @CantSpellPoker and my apologies for a tardy reply. Thank you the responses @Dix and @JMC9389. I do have extra Wyvern and Chimaera that could make sets, but it isn’t the best of contrast. I am curious to hear opinions on Dal Negro stock and if I should continue with it. I like the texture on both production runs.
Thank you @CantSpellPoker and my apologies for a tardy reply. Thank you the responses @Dix and @JMC9389. I do have extra Wyvern and Chimaera that could make sets, but it isn’t the best of contrast. I am curious to hear opinions on Dal Negro stock and if I should continue with it. I like the texture on both production runs.
I’m a fan of the Dal Negro, the textured tactile feel is preferable to me and the crew! Desjgn cards only all my games!Thank you @CantSpellPoker and my apologies for a tardy reply. Thank you the responses @Dix and @JMC9389. I do have extra Wyvern (18) and Chimaera (16) that could make sets, but it isn’t the best of contrast. I am curious to hear opinions on Dal Negro stock and if I should continue with it. I like the texture on both production runs.
You are so right. Besides having a smoother stock, the cards are similar to the current Victorian's and shuffle just as well. The OG Grand Victorian's feel very similar to the ModiaNO Acetates that go for $30 a set up.Make no mistake that I believe it is still a good product on its own. If that was the first product line I tried, I'd still like it. I just happen to prefer the original Modiano stock. I can't find any fault with them, other than my previously stated desire for more colors.
If you're constantly shuffling, the original Classic Victorians are just so easy, especially if you're riffling and pushing them together. They glide together like a dream, whereas lots of other stocks require some effort to get the cards to come together. If you're doing an in-hand shuffle with a "bridge" finish, I don't care nearly as much.
I've found that the stock is just about the same thickness and the weight is about the same, but as you say, the only difference is that the stock is smooth rather than textured. It's just a matter of preference. The Texas Poker stock is still very good. I like a thicker stock compared to KEM's and Copag's that are floppy and soft. Again, just a matter of preference.(damn, I type too slow )
@BearMetal : Yea, The QC issue was with the Red (& a few Blue) decks only. Orange & Brown are fine. (as was Green & Purple)
Are the Modiano stock cards slicker?... Yea, somewhat. Same as any other linen finish card. I can see if you play on a hard tabletop where the more textured decks might be preferable.
My preference has to do with being a dealer. The softer Modiano stock shuffles much easier, and being slightly slicker they deal out perfectly without even paying attention. But they're not so slick they can be occasionally unmanageable.
IMO there's a reason the "Linen" finish has become something of a classic pseudo-standard amongst the majority of higher-end cards.
With Dal Negro's texture sometimes two cards try to come off the deck at once if you have a light touch.
So I guess I'll have to be a "no" on Dal Negro to balance out @JMC9389 above. At least on the textured stock. Whatever stock they use for the "Texas Poker" line is better feeling IMO. (and probably cheaper) Although, that is also rather stiff.
I've found that the stock is just about the same thickness and the weight is about the same,