Customer Reviews

Copag Poker Size Regular Index 1546 Playing Cards (Black Gold Setup)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been playing cards for many years and decided to switch from Bicycles and Bees to cellulose acetate plastic; ie: KEM and COPAG. I purchased one set each of KEM arrows and COPAGs; both are poker (regular) size. I received the cards a few weeks ago and have had some time to play with my poker group and gauge opinions. Interestingly, our group voted 50/50 KEM vs COPAG. What I can offer is specific differences between the cards which you may find helpful. I've also included the specs of a Bicycle deck for comparison.

KEM
.014" card thickness
.700" deck thickness, w/o jokers
2.5"W x 3.5"L deck dimensions
8.75" surface area

COPAG
.012" card thickness
.625" deck thickness, w/o jokers
2.483"W x 3.465"L deck dimensions
8.604" surface area

BICYCLE
.011" card thickness
.580" deck thickness, w/o jokers
2.48"W x 3.475"L deck dimensions
8.618" surface area

As you can see, the KEM deck is almost 12% thicker and 1.7% larger surface area than the COPAG deck, and 21% thicker and 1.6% larger surface area than a Bicycle deck. 21% thicker than a Bicycle deck is a big deal if you're a smaller-handed dealer!

Here are my personal thoughts;

The COPAG's feel slightly better when shuffling as the deck is slightly smaller, less weight and easier to handle for short fingers (like mine). The KEM's numbering is smaller and much less blocky, and appear more like a traditional deck. The COPAG's have larger (not Jumbo) lettering which is blocky. Both decks have visually pleasing and symmetrical backing designs. Both slide easily on felt and are very easy to riffle/shuffle. The COPAG's have an attractive blue border around each face card picture, unlike the KEM's black border. However, the red ink used on the KEM's hearts and diamonds appear darker and a little higher quality than the COPAG's. My cut cards more than fit the bottom of my COPAG deck. The opposite is true of the KEM deck, as the cut card is just a hair smaller than the deck. Also, the COPAG's will fit inside any paper deck box, like Bicycle or Bee. The KEM's will definitely NOT fit in a standard deck box.

If you're switching from a paper plastic-coat deck like Bicycles, Bees or Motors, you'll find the most physical similarities with the COPAG deck. Alternatively, you'll find the most visual similarities with the KEM deck. The KEM deck has a well-known image on the ace of spades and is probably the most recognizable deck around (ie; Rounders).

Cost wise, I spent a few dollars more on my KEMs than I did the COPAGs. If I were to choose only one based on price, feel and aesthetics, I'd probably go for the COPAG deck.

Oh, I asked my wife which she liked better (as an uninformed observer) and she couldn't really tell the difference between the KEM and COPAG decks. She did like the feel compared to a paper deck though. Then she beat my flopped straight by sucking out on the river with a low flush (I love you dear).

Bottom line, choose either one and you'll be super happy you upgraded from the popular paper brands. I hope this helps in your decision!

These cards are nearly casino quality plastic cards. They don't bend, crease or lose their shape in any way. Shuffle after shuffle (and I bridge my shuffles) the cards remain flat and smooth. Very slippery. Excellent for sliding across a poker table when dealing.

This deck is somewhat over hyped by the reviewers. Yes the print is nice and the black and gold looks very professional, but their is less quality in the cut. The decks are plastic but lightly pressed and the weight of the card is comparable to a standard Bicycle deck, which actually feels heavier. The cards are not heavy enough to snap and shuffling corner-to-corner (casino required shuffling for dealers) is more difficult than it should be for plastic cards. Also, if you're looking at these for poker playing - BEWARE. When dealing from the corner spot on a poker table the cards aren't heavy enough to slide on the felt across the table and at times flip up (because they are to light). The design of the card is the only reason to get these. Functionally there's nothing special about them.

Great set of cards. Very high quality and reasonably priced. Even after several games, they still look brand new.

These are simply the world's best playing cards. I have never used plastic playing cards before, and usually used standard "plastic coated" Bicycle cards or casino cards like Trump's. If you are a casual player and want to step up your game, splurge on these Brazilian beauties. All plastic is all amazing.

As a casino dealer I have found Copag to be the best cards on the market. Much easier to deal than Kem. I've been a poker dealer-casino dealer for 15yrs. so take it from me Copag is the best you can buy.

This is a plastic set of cards, so it will last long, it can be washed and with a touch of baby powder, it should be perfect for years to come. The only drawback, but not one that would warrant a lessor rating, is that the cards are almost too slippery. I have to get use to plastic cards again. It's also a bargain price for such a superb deck.

These cards are well made, they last a lot longer than your average bicycle/bee decks. they can survive the constant bending (for peeking at your hand) and shuffling that goes on during poker games. they are very resistant you can't go wrong with them.

i actually spent a couple hours new years eve teaching my younger cousins how to play poker. i actually opened a new deck of bicycle cards i had around because i hadn't received my copags in the mail yet. the bicycle cards play well and they actually don't feel too much different from the copags. with that said, while playing one of my cousin bent her cards back almost to a 90 degree angle while peeking and the cards never went back to perfectly flat. as much as we tried to fix it, it was too much for the bicycle cards. that's the real difference in 100% plastic decks. i've bent my new copag deck back much further just to test it, and it bounced right back time after time.

bicycle is still a good brand and perfectly good for frequent use playing other games. poker on the other hand, there is a lot of bending and constant shuffling. you will save money in the long run with a deck of copags.

This is the first time I used plastic playing cards, and the experience has been really positive! It felt good to deal and shuffle the cards. I personally felt that the cards were a little too thin, not that it is a big deal. But I was expecting them to be a little bit thicker, hence the 4 stars.

The print of the cards is good. I read a review which complained that some of the pictures looked of cheap quality, I don't feel that is the case.

Delivery from Amazon was painless as usual.

One deck is perfect the other has a curl in it. Some players like it saying it makes the cards easier to pick up so I have not bothered to send it back. I prefer two perfect decks.