Customer Reviews

KEM Arrow Black and Gold Poker Size Standard Index Playing Cards

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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!

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.

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

Very satisfied with these playing cards, and will be using for my regular poker decks. They arrived in good condition, including the plastic box.

Pros:
* Good feel for plastic cards, they shuffle well and are NOT overly slick as compared to some cheaper brands.
* Excellent printing on both back and display sides of cards. Pattern on back is especially excellent and uniform.
* Very durable!! I subjected the enclosed KEM card which is of equivalent thickness and construction to test abuse. Will NOT tear, did not crease with anything except actually folding in half. Cleans up well with no apparent loss of printing colour or intensity or smearing including testing with cola and 151 proof rum, even dried simple syrup & grenadine syrup washed off nicely with moderately hot water and dish soap.
* Very flat and uniform. No warping or torsional twisting after repeated shuffling.

CON
* The STUPID looking nose picking fat joker is a MAJOR drawback. It is so annoying in appearance that I down rated to 4 Stars just because of it! For those who play silly new-age yuppie poker such as Texas hold'em and Omaha this would not be a problem so you folks can consider this a FIVE STAR review, but for traditionalists like me who play only 5 & 7 card stud and 5 card draw and with the standard ONE joker for aces, straights and flushes, this thing is an unnecessary annoyance. Same problem for other single deck games such as 7 & 10 pt Pitch and Euchre which use one or more joker The joker's are easily differentiated however so you can have high and low joker. You listening KEM?

This is the first pack of "high end" cards I've purchased and I can honestly say, they shuffle like butter. So smooth, don't stick, no need to bend and shuffle them the old fashion way. They look great and they work in my electric card shuffle. My only complaint is they don't come in card boxes.. they come loose, both packs in a cheap plastic holder that doesn't lock, so if it flips over, they go all over the place and the two decks top most cards tend to mix together easily in storage. Other then that, they're great.

I bought these and a set of Copags. Both are great, but I like these better - worth the small price difference.
For our neighborhood game folks can now "bend and peek" without worrying about ruining the cards. Dealing is a breeze because the cards glide across the felt.
Two games in and they have held up nicely.

Great cards! Nearly indestructible. Will play well for a year or more used on Friday and Saturday nights.

These cards r great, seems that time doesn't affect them. I was simply amazed by their quality, I am thinking of buying the red/blue deck too :D

I received the cards before the expected delivery date. They looked nice and were exactly what was described. Thanks for making my sons Christmas. This was his most favorite gift.

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.