KEM Cards...

[ORGrinder]

so i'm shopping around for some KEM cards... but i'm having a little problem finding what i want.

i'd prefer the REGULAR INDEX cards. apparently, though, KEM has discontinued all but the RED ARROW cards in the REGULAR INDEX and in the WIDE (poker) size.

now i have read on a couple sites that they DO use the bridge size in the casinos (the casinos that actually use the KEM cards at their poker tables)... but these were sites selling the cards. i don't know if i should believe this or not... since they obviously want to sell more cards.

i know we're only talking a quarter of an inch here... but i'd prefer to have the "official" poker sized card if its what's used in the casinos... does anyone know if any casinos that DO use the KEM cards are using the smaller bridge size cards (2.25") as opposed to the larger poker size cards (2.5") ???

it would make my shopping experiance a lot simpler if they do! hehehe.

[Silencer]

http://www.casinosupply.com/Merchant2/m ... Code=Arrow

That's where I got mine. I got individual decks of Arrow Poker Super Index cards in Burgundy, Blue and Green. They do have poker width regular index cards in Red, Burgundy and Green. I don't see any in blue. Here are some direct links.

Arrow Poker Red
http://www.casinosupply.com/Merchant2/m ... Code=Arrow

Arrow Poker Burgundy
http://www.casinosupply.com/Merchant2/m ... Code=Arrow

Arrow Poker Green
http://www.casinosupply.com/Merchant2/m ... Code=Arrow

I assume that regular index cards are nice too but unless you really want 'standard' cards I'd go with the Arrow Poker Super Index. I think they are really nice for games like holdem. The large numbers make it really easy to read the community cards. It makes it slightly harder to read the pocket cards since you have to bend the card up more to see the whole number but Kem cards are so flexible that this isn't really a problem. I mean you can bend an entire deck of 55 cards over until it is practically folded in half, so bending up the corner a little more is hardly an issue. You could probably roll the things around a pencil.

I think they raised prices by $2 because I could have sworn I paid only $9.95 a deck but now that are $11.95 a deck. They shipped fast though and I got my stuff in a few days. You can probably find them at a bunch of other sites though. Just make sure the site is selling the exact deck(s) you want. Some of the sites are very vague about whether it's wide size or bridge size and whether it's regular or super index and so on.

[myonker]

5star sells a couple different styles. I was just looking at them and deciding whether or not i wanted to buy a couple.

Whats do great about these cards anyways? I read the part about being able to bend them, but one deck for $11 bucks?

[saper88aa]

Don't most cainos sell there used decks.They usually only keep a single deck in play for no more than 6 hours(that's what iv'e heard). So go to the casino and buy a couple decks.I mean hey they can't be much more than a regular deck from wally world(aka Wal-mart)



Or can they

[Ninja]

Interesting fact- Casinos ship their used decks to prisons, where they are repackaged and sold commercially.

[saper88aa]

Yea I know that some casinos ship there cards to the prisons.I saw this on some travel channel special.

[Silencer]

Whats do great about these cards anyways? I read the part about being able to bend them, but one deck for $11 bucks

Don't most cainos sell there used decks.They usually only keep a single deck in play for no more than 6 hours(that's what iv'e heard). So go to the casino and buy a couple decks.I mean hey they can't be much more than a regular deck from wally world(aka Wal-mart)

Yes, most casinos change decks every 6-12 hours or so. They use normal paper decks though. I mean that is WHY they change them every 6-12 hours. Paper decks don't last. After a few hours of constant play the cards start to dog-ear and the edges loosen up and get 'sticky'. It also makes things more difficult for people marking cards and such. I believe casinos are slowly starting to switch over to Kem cards for these reasons. They might cost a lot more per deck but the decks last so much longer that it's actually cheaper.

That's one of the reasons why Kem cards are so great (god I must sound like a salesman). They are a lot more durable and last many times longer. I think you can use them for a few weeks in a casino before having to swap out for a new deck. Since they are 100% plastic they don't really dog-ear and the edges don't loosen or gum up. If some idiot spills a drink on them or something you can simply go to the kitchen sink and wash them off! Try doing that with paper cards

The flexibility really is a huge part of it though. It's one of those things though that you simply have to try for yourself. I didn't really understand either but then I went to a store and tried a deck. Now that I have my own and have played a little with them I will never go back to normal cards. You simply have to try some to understand. I suppose it's possible some people like the stiffness and snap that normal paper cards have but I think the majority of people would like the Kem cards more after playing with them for a little while.

[myonker]

thanks for the info Silencer. I'll have to give em a shot.

should I recommend you as the KEM salesman of the week?

[Silencer]

Sure, and if you can get me free stuff you can recommend me for just about anything

[thepheonix]

OKAY! CLARIFICATION:

Casinos sell used blackjack, three card poker, etc.... cards

Casinos use KEM cards for poker room hold'em and stud. THEY USE BRIDGE SIZE. It is easier for the dealer to shuffle. I know this for a fact. I have friends who deal and work in the card rooms.

[Replic]

Are the bridge sized KEM cards still plastic, washable, and completely bendable and will return to their previous state?

[ORGrinder]

they're the same thing... yes.

[UnluckyKyle]

i just got a set of the Bridge - SI KEM cards for my b-day. They're awesome. We've not yet used em for our thursday game (just got em today), but my bud and i tossed em around a bit as well as doing some routine shuffling to get a good feel for them. So far all i can say is this:

o They shuffle %100 easier than standard cards
o They bend very easily and are tough to crease (you have to try to crease them)
o The SI is good for community cards, but a pain for pockets

The only thing im a bit leery on is the bridge size. I'm so used to holding regular sized poker decks that they do have a noticeably different feel to them.

All in all they seem to be great decks and im looking forward to the years of use they're purported to last.

[SillyPuppy]

Oh, they'll last alright... My grandmother had about 4 sets, and she bought 'em in the 80's at the latest. And, unfortunately, they outlasted her.

Unless they take constant abuse, don't plan on replacing them.

[genejo]

I just bought 2 decks today of the arrow wide size...and THEY'RE GREAT. i had to play with them as soon as i got em. i dont think i could ever personally play with regular cards again...they're that nice and well worth the hefty price tag.

and true n honest endorsement