Customer Reviews

KEM Arrow Red and Blue Poker Size Standard Index Playing Cards

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

So, it was finally time to get a new set of cards. I ordered them (from somewhere else) and received them quickly, however, both sets were defective. Then, the replacements came and one would not slide on the paint (face down) and the other would not glide on the back side. So, I bought a set of Copags. What a difference. They are much better, and I highly recommend them over Kems. The quality is better, and they just have a better over all feel.....I don't think that either are a bad choice, but it seems Kems quality control is severely lacking. And for the price one pays for these cards, that is inexcusable. So far, we have been using the Copags for several months with no issues, and everyone likes them....lastly, you can find the Copags for about 20% less!

Ok, here is my experience. We have been using the same 2 decks in my club for over 18 months. We play once/week. We play a lot of hands, and we play for at least 5 hours each session. The cards are just starting to stick and not slide as well, however, we would have gone through at least 20 decks by now. The cards are washable (we have washed them). The cards ARE bendable, however, if you are going to fold them all the way like you are folding a letter, then you deserve a bent card. If you think these are some kind of superman card, well, then, you are mistaken. However, these cards are far superior to regular cards, and better than other plastics I have played with. As for the cover, yes it is true but if you keep the outside cover that the plastic box slides into, then you do not have to worry about the card box opening. At first, you kind of have to get used to the feel, and also how these cards glide. They really go, and will sail right off the table if you are not careful. I cannot imagine anyone using anything else after using these cards. If you are an occasional player, or if you want to prove that you CAN damage these cards, then these are probably not for you. The cost is high enough that if you only play once a month or less, regular cards bought in bulk would probably be cheaper. If you play a lot, or if you worry about markings on the cards, these cards are for you. They will be cheaper in the long run. Also, these cards are more difficult to mark. I should note that I have held a card the long way and made the ends touch (after 18 months of use, and abuse) and the card goes right back. I did not FOLD the card, but I did bend it and the ends touched, not both halves flat against eachother. I would also like to note that I have used the bridge cards for years and feel the same way about them....but do not use the bridge size for poker, you will hate it (the bridge size is smaller). I gave them 5 stars for everything because the educational value rating for this is useless so any rating is useless. Lastly, when I first recommended that my club use these cards, everyone was against it. I forced the issue and they agreed to try them. Now, everyone refuses to use anything else.

The ranks of poker enthusiasts seem to be fairly evenly divided among the KEM and Copag supporters. Either side has their die-hard loyalists who cling hard and fast to their preferred brand. Well, I like them both, although I do have a slight preference for the KEMs. In my review, I will only describe the absolute merits of the KEMs, rather than compare them head-to-head with any other brand of plastic cards, which I feel is splitting hairs.

The KEM cards come out of the box smelling a little funny (ah, that new card smell), and slide like teflon over each other. The smell dissipates with a couple of uses, but the smoothness lasts. The cards are simply a pleasure to shuffle and deal, and nearly impossible to damage in the course of normal use. The edges and corners remain pristine. A spilled drink or stray salsa no longer spells death for your cards; a quick wipe renders them as good as new. Ditto for sweaty hands.

The printing on the cards is crisp and visible. I personally prefer the classic look of this size to any jumbo index cards. The cards have roughly the same thickness as any other deck, and about the same flexibility as regular paper cards. They don't look or feel overtly different from quality paper cards in your hand, apart from their nonstick cookware-like slide. The KEM cards are more springy when you shuffle them.

The bottom line: these cards are luxurious but practical. They might seem like a splurge considering you're getting 108 pieces of printed plastic, but they might be cheaper than buying new paper cards every time a deck wears out. I'd love to tell you how long these last, but my poker buddies and I have yet to wear out a deck.

Best cards I have ever used. Worth every penny. Once you try these cards you will never go back. I think they are better than those used in casinos, more flexible.

This is my first set of plastic cards. I play a lot of poker and decided to quit wasting my money on paper cards. I ordered the cards and one of the decks had a cut in the side of the 6 of spades, making that deck unusable. I contacted the seller (The Game Preserve) and they promptly sent me a new set and a postage-paid return envelope. Great service!

The feel of the cards is good, not as slippery as some plastic decks can be. The box the cards come in leaves a little to be desired. The box does not snap shut, so if it falls over, you'll be playing 52 pickup. There is also not a clip or something in the middle to keep the top few cards in each deck from moving around (Copag cards have this.) For $25 you'd think a little nicer box would be in order.

I'm giving the product 4/5 stars, it loses a star because of the packaging. The Amazon 3rd Party Seller (The Game Preserve) gets 5 stars though. :)

I'm a college student who enjoys playing hold-em with my friends. These are the easiest cards to use. My friend has had a hard time shuffling but after a few tries he has been able to hold his own when its his turn to deal. Definitely not what i had expected at all, but these far exceed my expectations. The cards are a lot more flexible than i would have imagined. they weigh a lot more than i had expected but the cards seem thin and spring back when you leave it be. They are very smooth sliding across each-other but are easy to grip. Unfortunately for KEM i won't probably buy another deck from them, i will probably be using this setup for many games to come. This is probably the reason for the expensive price, they are a company and need to survive. Bicycle cards wear out easily and there will always be another poor sap who buys many decks often, bicycle cards will always have repeat buyers because their cards don't hold up, but KEM expects the decks to last for a while and therefore they don't have as much of a repeat buyer. Everybody has to make their money somehow and they provide a great product so i support them.

Yup. These are the real deal. I really love these cards. Great look, feel and shuffle. If you are a card player and have never had a deck of 100% plastic cards, you MUST get these. You will love them. I went to a friend's house to play cards and brought over these Kems and a deck of Copags. After a few deals of each, we thought the Kems were better. Better because the Kems were not slipping and sliding and winding up on the floor when people shuffled.

If you play cards, these are hands down the best. Had previous set for 8 years and had to replace only because some of the cards were misssing. You can wash them and they're good as new. Casino quality.

KEM's are the premeire playing cards if you can afford them. They are very thin cards that won't crease and lasts a long time. You must keep them in their black box when not in use or they may fold up from the humidity because of them being so thin.
For most people, $20 is too much, for them I say buy DaVinchi brand cards, very good quality for a cheaper budget or buy Bicycle's Dura-flex brand cards. But if you're wanting the absolute best.......KEM's are it, hands down!

I bought this set of KEM Poker Cards as a gift for my brother who plays in Las Vegas and Tunica and frequently has home games. He was amazed at the quality of the cards and had previously purchased a set from another manufacturer which were also of high quality but said these were much better. When he explained how much use and abuse a set of cards go through in a night or two with the guys I realized that these weren't just playing cards but rather a useful investment I had given to him. He loves them!!!

These cards are the best on the market. Period. I play poker regularly and played with all kinds of paper and plastic cards and brands. These are the best by far.

These are much better than casino cards. Casinos have to change cards very often and they would go broke using these. Casinos play with paper cards. These are much better and will last you forever.