Key West Resort&Casino playing cards

[CBJ]

Another set of decks has popped up on K/S











Project Summary:

This project will create a limited run of Key West Resort & Casino playing cards with Liberty Playing Card Company of Arlington, Texas, on their proprietary "Imperial Linen" coated cardstock. The cards will have a unique new back design created for this project by J5 Design, and will be packaged in custom full tuck boxes.
What is The Key West Resort & Casino?

The Key West Resort & Casino doesn't really exist. It's a "fantasy casino" and a line of professional-quality casino chips created for home poker players in 2005 by a Las Vegas retailer and the 100-year-old American casino chip manufacturer Atlantic Standard Molding. The retailer wanted to create a vintage, 1950s-style real clay casino chip, perfect in every detail. They turned to ASM, makers of some of the first and most famous table chips for early Las Vegas casinos. The result was a line of professional-quality casino chips that look and feel like they belong on the casino tables of Old Las Vegas.
This project: The playing cards

In 2011, I bought the rights to the Key West line from the Las Vegas retailer, and have been making Key West chips with ASM ever since, for myself and other members of a website called Chiptalk.net. In January, 2012, I contacted J5 Design, and asked the artist who created the Key West logo to create a new playing card for the casino, as if it really existed. The result was a new, unique card back design the artist called the "casino diamond back," with two back colors, imperial blue and red, taken from colors of the Key West "NCV" and $5 chips. The Key West logo was placed, end-on-end, like those real casino cards we've all seen, and J5 created a custom "Ace of Spades" face with the casino name, and the logo blended artfully into the spade. The overall look of these decks is, by design, decidely "old school," to match the retro look of the casino chips.

We took the card and tuck box designs to Liberty Playing Card Company of Arlington, Texas, who famously made the Iraq Most Wanted cards for the U.S. government. Liberty used their high-end "Imperial Linen" coated cardstock and unique Liberty jumbo pips and face art. (The card and pip sizes were selected in a poll of the members of Chiptalk.net, and are designed for use on a large, 10-seat poker table.)
When my contact at Liberty called me to say the cards were in production, I was stressing the details. Her response was simple. "You've got to see these cards!" she said. The cards turned out even better than we expected, and sold quickly on Chiptalk, where member reviews were very positive.

Features:

Unique new full-bleed boarderless back design in custom colors featuring the Key West Resort & Casino logo, end-on-end.
Poker size cards with Liberty Jumbo pips
Imperial Linen coated cardstock with matte finish in a beautiful tuck box with a "casino use" note area.
Custom "Key West Resort & Casino" ace of spades


CBJ

[Evan]

That's a pretty interesting read...

This is a definite pass for me, though.

[Adam]

Hmmm....

[Russell]

They nailed the 'design' of a modern casino deck.... which is why I am going to pass.

It is a fun idea though, it was executed perfectly.

[dennis63]

I appreciate CBJ posting this thread to let you know about my Key West Resort & Casino playing cards Kickstarter project. I know there are many thousands of regular visitors here, and many, many decks out there right now. Not everyone will like every deck of cards.

I wanted to jump in and add some information about what sets this deck apart.

First (and foremost) is J5's back design. It's a new version of a classic style of card back, and there isn't another playing card out there that has this back design -- not even in a real casino. (The back design of this card is copyrighted.)

Second, the back colors. They're CMYK color matched to the casino chips, and you won't find these back colors on any other deck, anywhere.

Third, the material. It's Liberty Playing Card's "Imperial Linen." If you don't have a deck on this cardstock, here's your chance to feel it for yourself. The card quality is quite good, very much like USPC's Broadway Aristocrat linen decks. If you haven't handled a deck from Liberty, again, here it is.

Fourth, the face art. (See above.) It's Liberty's jumbo face art. Very uniquue, and perfectly suited for the purpose of these decks -- playing poker at a large table.

Fifth, the packaging. The box layout is inspired by the standard casino deck, but the look of these boxes is really unique, and you can actually write on the "casino use" box area, making the decks ideal for giveaways or souvenirs at a poker or card event or tournament.

J5 is doing a unique deck seal for these decks, and the "stretch goal" is going to be removed. The seals are going on these decks.

I will let you know that Liberty does not overwrap the decks with cellophane and tear tape, like USPC. They cello-wrap the decks before they're placed in the boxes -- something (I'm told) USPC did many years ago. We knew this was not the ideal for everyone, but when was the last time you saw a live deck from a casino on sale in a retail store? (The casino security guys really frown on having live decks out among the cheating public.)

So far, two collectors who bought decks were fooled by the deck into thinking there was a real casino on Key West. (There isn't, of course.) I wanted to tell them, "Thanks! That's exactly what we were going for." This is what I asked J5 to do.

One of those playing card collectors went out of his way to contact me, urging me to take this deck to the next level. He mentioned Kickstarter as a possible funding platform for a larger run. He said, "I have a lot of decks of playing cards. If I told you how many I had, you wouldn't believe me, but I don't have anything like this."

I think he summed it up well. I hope you like the cards.

[jriffel]

I bought a couple decks of these from Dennis after the original group buy. They are actually very good cards. Not everybody will like them, but they aren't designed for everybody. Those who purchase only USPCC, broaden your horizons just a little. These are not expensive decks, you will definitely be surprised with their handling. Those who collect decks for other than resale at a later date will appreciate and enjoy these. Give Dennis a chance.
Jim

[CBJ]

I pledged.

[dennis63]

Big changes to the Kickstarter page for this project.

First, we're putting up 175,000 banner ads on various sites to promote it.

Second, uncut sheets / packages (including a full deck and a matching chip) have been reduced to $28.

Third, a "backer party" has been (tentatively) scheduled for backers pledging $100. The "meet and greet" will be a happy hour at the Tropicana Hotel Casino.

Cards have shipped to deck reviewers. Video reviews should be up shortly.

[Fluffykitten]

i actually wanted this deck, more so than some of the other custom decks on ks like necronomicon (which i am plegded to only for resale) but i like the idea of this deck. its a fun idea and seems like something that would fit me. but there are soooo many decks out there. call of cthulu has near broke! lol. but i will reconsider this and see if i cant move stuff around.

[dennis63]

I appreciate the positive responses from you guys here.

I've been puzzled by several things, in all.

I originally took this deck to USPC and asked about simply putting a Key West logo on a Bee Club Special deck and tweaking the back colors to make a two-deck setup that "goes with" the chip colors. I called their "custom" folks.

When I spoke with them, they were glad to do cards, but had all kinds of restrictions.

Their "MOQ" was gigantic -- far more than I needed.
No, they prefer not to do "custom" colors. Pick from their chart only.
No custom tuck boxes. They explained some kind of "half custom" box.
They wanted something official from the former owner of the logo. (His letter to me wasn't really good enough. I guess they wanted him or me to hire an attorney to tell them it was ok to print the cards.)

So they seemed to be saying, "Yea. we do custom. As long as we pick the color and we put what we want on your boxes and you get a lawyer to tell us there really isn't a "Key West Casino."

Now I'm looking at all these USPC decks everywhere -- full custom boxes, artwork, wild back designs with dragons, monsters, fantasy art, Army symbols (very cool). Do you guys have a cousin at the factory or something?

(Skip over the weeks of searching for a producer and finding a really great sample deck.)

So I go to Liberty and they say, "Dennis, we'll do whatever you want. Color match? No problem. Custom art? Here's the e-mail. Approve the proof, give us a week and we'll ship them out." And they did!

The good part is, I'm sitting here in my office with a stack of some of the nicest playing cards I've ever used, and I'm an old guy now, so that's saying something.

So here I am, calling out to playing card people, saying, "Hey, you've really got to see these cards!" But lots of people won't consider them, because their not USPC.

I just don't get it.

[BMPokerworld]

I think the reason is, for the most part, non-USPCC produced decks usually have very poor quality. Maybe you could send out some samples to people and have them perform a review about the quality of the deck.

Thanks!

[RandyButterfield]

I'm guessing USPCC had a bunch of limitations for your deck because you wanted to add the Key West logo to their copyrighted Bee Back Design. If you would've told them you had a new, fully custom design of your own they wouldn't have made you jump through all the hoops. They want to control how their Bee brand is seen in the world, which is their right. Some of the crazy decks you're referring to may have the Bicycle logo on the Tuck Box but the Back Designs are completely custom and unique from normal Bicycle back designs.

I'm sure others can elaborate more on it, but I think that's the gist of it.

thanks, Randy

[Adam]

Pretty much nailed it Randy, I think that there must have been some sort of miscommunication with the USPCC. They will in fact do complete custom work just like what you are offering. I think that maybe they thought that 1. you wanted to use the Bee brand. and 2. That there may be a real KWR&C (yes I just abbreviated Key West Resort & Casino, and thus actually making it longer by taking the time to explain my self). USPCC legal department is pretty... umm... anal. And I think that it would be very beneficial for you to send out some review decks to a few people on the forums, they would be more than happy to post videos and give you HONEST reviews.

Also the timing of your launch just happened to coincide with 15 other custom decks of cards on Kickstarter and that can't possibly be helping.

-Adam

[dennis63]

I think the reason is, for the most part, non-USPCC produced decks usually have very poor quality. Maybe you could send out some samples to people and have them perform a review about the quality of the deck.

Thanks!

Already done, actually awhile ago. I got three kind volunteers here, but two live in: a) Canada; and b) Australia, so they'll probably receive their decks to review just before the kickstarter project ends.

One volunteer reviewer in New Jersey has his decks and has been working on a video review for a few days now. It should be up tonight. (I won't spoil it for him.)

I really thought I'd get 300 backers who'd put $10 on the table just to see what Liberty could pull off.

So I just realized this site is called "United Cardlists." Any connection to the United States Playing Card Company?

Come on, fess up...

[dennis63]

I'm guessing USPCC had a bunch of limitations for your deck because you wanted to add the Key West logo to their copyrighted Bee Back Design. If you would've told them you had a new, fully custom design of your own they wouldn't have made you jump through all the hoops. They want to control how their Bee brand is seen in the world, which is their right. Some of the crazy decks you're referring to may have the Bicycle logo on the Tuck Box but the Back Designs are completely custom and unique from normal Bicycle back designs.

I'm sure others can elaborate more on it, but I think that's the gist of it.

thanks, Randy

I see your point.

After the design was completed, I did a follow-up e-mail to Tiffany Mayhan from USPC. I actually e-mailed the deisgns to her (card backs, boxes), so she knew exactly what I was talking about. Very little changed, but I think they increased the MOQ at that point. I came away with the impression that they were telling me to get lost -- maybe because of some fear of a real Key West Casino lawyer lurking around the corner.

[BMPokerworld]

I'm guessing USPCC had a bunch of limitations for your deck because you wanted to add the Key West logo to their copyrighted Bee Back Design. If you would've told them you had a new, fully custom design of your own they wouldn't have made you jump through all the hoops. They want to control how their Bee brand is seen in the world, which is their right. Some of the crazy decks you're referring to may have the Bicycle logo on the Tuck Box but the Back Designs are completely custom and unique from normal Bicycle back designs.

I'm sure others can elaborate more on it, but I think that's the gist of it.

thanks, Randy

I see your point.

After the design was completed, I did a follow-up e-mail to Tiffany Mayhan from USPC. I actually e-mailed the deisgns to her (card backs, boxes), so she knew exactly what I was talking about. Very little changed, but I think they increased the MOQ at that point. I came away with the impression that they were telling me to get lost.

Usually the minimum quantity is 2,500 decks. If you had 2 colors, they would probably want you to do 5,000 decks. But you still haven't addressed the second part, which was why you are not getting enough of pledges. As both Adam and I stated, you will need to prove to people the quality of the deck. Probably the only way to do that would be by sending a reviewer a sample deck so they could judge the handling performance of the deck.

Thanks!

[dennis63]

How about a quick challenge to people honestly interested (and unbias)...

I've got a few decks left.

If you live in the United States (so you'll get them very soon), I will ship out three sets -- two decks each -- tomorrow morning via USPS Priority Mail small flat rate box. No charge.

No fancy video review that will take two weeks. Just post here what you think.

Post if you want them. PM me your name and mailing address immediately after.

[BMPokerworld]

How about a quick challenge to people honestly interested (and unbias)...

I've got a few decks left.

If you live in the United States (so you'll get them very soon), I will ship out three sets -- two decks each -- tomorrow morning via USPS Priority Mail small flat rate box. No charge.

No fancy video review that will take two weeks. Just post here what you think.

Post if you want them. PM me your name and mailing address immediately after.

Sinjin would be excellent. Has he joined yet?

Thanks!

[dennis63]

I'm guessing USPCC had a bunch of limitations for your deck because you wanted to add the Key West logo to their copyrighted Bee Back Design. If you would've told them you had a new, fully custom design of your own they wouldn't have made you jump through all the hoops. They want to control how their Bee brand is seen in the world, which is their right. Some of the crazy decks you're referring to may have the Bicycle logo on the Tuck Box but the Back Designs are completely custom and unique from normal Bicycle back designs.

I'm sure others can elaborate more on it, but I think that's the gist of it.

thanks, Randy

I see your point.

After the design was completed, I did a follow-up e-mail to Tiffany Mayhan from USPC. I actually e-mailed the deisgns to her (card backs, boxes), so she knew exactly what I was talking about. Very little changed, but I think they increased the MOQ at that point. I came away with the impression that they were telling me to get lost.

Usually the minimum quantity is 2,500 decks. If you had 2 colors, they would probably want you to do 5,000 decks. But you still haven't addressed the second part, which was why you are not getting enough of pledges. As both Adam and I stated, you will need to prove to people the quality of the deck. Probably the only way to do that would be by sending a reviewer a sample deck so they could judge the handling performance of the deck.

Thanks!

As I said, decks have been mailed out to reviewers who PM'd me on 10-01. At last one has decks, so let me offer to send more.

[dennis63]

Again -- I will ship out two decks to the first three members here who ask. They will ship out Saturday morning.

Still waiting ...

[dennis63]

[quote="dennis63"]Again -- I will ship out two decks to the first three members here who ask. They will ship out Saturday morning.

Any takers?

Remember, no USPC employees or their designees.

[Adam]

Some one will take you up on it, Though the only people commenting on this thread currently are myself, Randy and Mike and I don't know any of us can claim to be unbiased.

[Fluffykitten]

Again -- I will ship out two decks to the first three members here who ask. They will ship out Saturday morning.

Any takers?

Remember, no USPC employees or their designees.

I will take you up. i will be 1 of three if thats cool.

[dennis63]

Some one will take you up on it, Though the only people commenting on this thread currently are myself, Randy and Mike and I don't know any of us can claim to be unbiased.

Adam -- thank you for your integrity on the subject. I'm not afraid to send you two decks. I'd even be interested in your opinion as a diehard USPC guy. (I was too.)

It seems what I'm hearing is, people aren't jumping on this deck because they think anything that isn't USPC basically stinks.

I'm not trying to start the argument: Which is better? Liberty or USPC.

All I'm saying is, if I could hand you two of these decks, I think you'd be surprised how good they are. If you are a lifelong USPC guy, and you say, "Hey, these are some nice cards, too," people will at least believe you.

[BMPokerworld]

I couldn't do it. I could only tell if they were really bad. I can not judge the subtle differences that people would need to make their final decision about the deck. I am out.

Thanks!

[dennis63]

Again -- I will ship out two decks to the first three members here who ask. They will ship out Saturday morning.

Any takers?

Remember, no USPC employees or their designees.

I will take you up. i will be 1 of three if thats cool.

OK -- We have 1 of 3.

I need two more people who want decks.

The standing offer: I will ship out two decks of Key West cards to the next two U.S. members here who post that they would like to receive them. (Post here and PM me your name and address)

No charge / no strings. Just post here what you think of them after you get them.

[Evan]

Again -- I will ship out two decks to the first three members here who ask. They will ship out Saturday morning.

Any takers?

Remember, no USPC employees or their designees.

I will take you up. i will be 1 of three if thats cool.

OK -- We have 1 of 3.

I need two more people who want decks.

The standing offer: I will ship out two decks of Key West cards to the next two U.S. members here who post that they would like to receive them. (Post here and PM me your name and address)

No charge / no strings. Just post here what you think of them after you get them.

I would love to have them! I will be sure to review them as well.

[Adam]

I'm going to pass on your offer Dennis, I agree with mike in that I don't know if I could tell you anything unless they suck. Evan is a great choice he will post a good honest YouTube video as well. I'm not a USPCC Fanboy, just a designer that caters to his clientele I really can't wait to get some peoples reaction on these decks though!

[PlayingCardz]

I'm not in the US, but I would love to pay the shipping difference to be able to try your deck of cards

[dennis63]

OK -- Evan is number 2 of 3. (Don't foget to PM your address so I can send them.)

We still need one more member who wants to get two decks -- no charge. Just let us know what you think here.