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Product Description
Amazon.com
These playing cards from KEM are made of 100 percent cellulose acetate plastic--a unique blend of paper and plastic that provides superior flexibility and strength. The cards are scuff- and break-resistant and completely washable, and are designed to deliver the classic snap and feel of paper with the exceptional durability of plastic. Included in this set are two decks (one black, one gold) of poker-sized playing cards (3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches). The cards come with a durable storage case made of hard plastic. Each deck contains one joker.
About KEM Plastic Playing Cards
KEM Plastic Playing Cards is a 60-year-old company specializing in one product: playing cards that are 100 percent cellulose acetate plastic. KEM plastic playing cards contain no vinyl, which is the raw material used by other playing card manufacturers for their "plastic" playing cards. KEM cards can handle the wear and tear like no other brand of card in the industry. KEM's high-performance cards are designed to last longer, shuffle better, and deal in such a manner that you will never want to play with other cards again.
Product Description
KEM brand playing cards are the finest playing cards in the world. Preferred by industry professionals, KEM cards are made of a unique blend of paper and plastic that provides superior flexibility and strength for long-lasting use.
Product Details
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By RedBaron057
Amazon Verified Purchase
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!
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!
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By smd
Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been playing cards for a while now (poker, cribbage, pinochle, etc.) and feel as though I've tried just about every style and quality of playing card out there. The fact that these are 100% cellulose acetate makes them unquestionably one of the best decks you can purchase. I'm glad I own them and got a great deal here on Amazon. I do question however the claim that KEM's are in some way superior to Copag's. The KEM's may be a slightly higher grade of plastic, but in the end it really comes down to the look and feel of the card. If I polled the "regulars" I play with I'm quite certain I'd find a 50/50 split as to what brand of card they prefer. Both brands will give you long life with plenty of play. I seriously don't think you can wrong with either.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
If you play only once or twice a week KEM cards quickly become well worth the money. Instead of buying a new deck every time you play or always worrying about everyone knowing what you have based on how a couple cards in the deck are bent it's best to just buy these now and never have to worry about buying another pack. These come in handy quick if you have friends who dont know how to shuffle properly and would destroy a normal deck after only a few turns, they cards dont bend, are of great quality and with two decks to a pack your 20 bucks will go a very long ways.
Well Worth It
Well Worth It
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Great Cards
These are still great cards. I have been buying Kem for years and they have never disappointed. Nothing last forever but if you want a deck of cards that gets you as close to... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Vincent Yee
2.0 out of 5 stars
Damaged Deck
The KEM cards are great cards, there is no doubt about that. However, one of the decks I received in this package had frayed edges on a couple of the cards from what appears to be... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Dozer
4.0 out of 5 stars
best cards made
kem cards are the finest cards made,,,,i have been having a difficult time trying to find them and was very happy when i saw that amazon now carries this brand.... Read more
Published 2 months ago by bridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
KEM vs Da Vinci
These cards seem like they are softer than DaVinci's. Nice and easy to deal, when a person tries to slam them on the table they are soft and will not make a loud noise. Read more
Published 4 months ago by 0tt0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great cards but I prefer the Da Vinci
I bought these and the Da Vinci cards. The KEMs are thinner and don't feel as sturdy, even though they are. Read more
Published 5 months ago by JDM
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get Copag instead
I bought these and the Copag ones of similar price and prefer the Copag. These are too slippery. Get the Copags.
Published 8 months ago by E. D. Eon
2.0 out of 5 stars
Crackled
Received these cards in the mail very promptly. Product was as described. That being said, I play a lot of poker (3-4 tournaments a week) and have played with a lot of different... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great cards!
I've had these for several months, and they are very nice, and easy to shuffle. I like that they are bigger than some other plastic cards I've used (they are about the size of... Read more
Published 12 months ago by David Lundberg-kenrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the cards
I received the cards before the expected delivery date. They looked nice and were exactly what was described. Thanks for making my sons Christmas. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Diane
5.0 out of 5 stars
KEM is the Best
KEM cards are the best playing cards you can purchase. They are pricey but will last you forever. If you are serious about having a good deck of cards there is no other option.
Published 17 months ago by Adam Dominguez
