Key West Resort&Casino playing cards

[elcyciB]

Ah looks like I came a little late to the party, I was going to offer to be one of the three but I see now they have already been chosen. That's alright though, I am still deciding whether or not I want to pledge for these. I am skeptical because most non-USPCC deck's I have gotten just don't have the same handling. Maybe after a few more people have some input on the deck I can make a decision .

Hope you can make a decision to back. I want this deck, haha. I am new to card collecting though and am mostly only familiar with USPCC. What are the other 'major' players out there, and who comes in second?

[dennis63]

Ah looks like I came a little late to the party, I was going to offer to be one of the three but I see now they have already been chosen. That's alright though, I am still deciding whether or not I want to pledge for these. I am skeptical because most non-USPCC deck's I have gotten just don't have the same handling. Maybe after a few more people have some input on the deck I can make a decision .

Hope you can make a decision to back. I want this deck, haha. I am new to card collecting though and am mostly only familiar with USPCC. What are the other 'major' players out there, and who comes in second?

Much depends on what you are looking for. Plastic? Paper decks that are plastic coated.

Among the cards I have, I think the nicest plastic decks are the KEM / Bicycle WSOP cards from 2008.

The paper decks -- well, the Key Wests, of course! After that, though, Gemaco makes a really nice coated paper card that's really easy to handle.

[dennis63]

Today (Monday, October 8) is a holiday in the United States. (No mail delivery.) So the decks will be delayed a day. All were shipped out Saturday morning via USPS Priority Mail flat rate box. All three reviewers should be receiving their two decks on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

[Sharpie]

Today (Monday, October 8) is a holiday in the United States. (No mail delivery.) So the decks will be delayed a day. All were shipped out Saturday morning via USPS Priority Mail flat rate box. All three reviewers should be receiving their two decks on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

That is unfortunate. I leave on a weeks vacation tomorrow.
Guess you'll have to wait a bit for my written review.

[max]

That is unfortunate. I leave on a weeks vacation tomorrow.

you lucky!!!!!!

[dennis63]

Today (Monday, October 8) is a holiday in the United States. (No mail delivery.) So the decks will be delayed a day. All were shipped out Saturday morning via USPS Priority Mail flat rate box. All three reviewers should be receiving their two decks on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

That is unfortunate. I leave on a weeks vacation tomorrow.
Guess you'll have to wait a bit for my written review.

Sharpie -- If you'd prefer, you can just refuse the package. I'll send two decks to the next U.S. volunteer on the list.

[Sharpie]

Today (Monday, October 8) is a holiday in the United States. (No mail delivery.) So the decks will be delayed a day. All were shipped out Saturday morning via USPS Priority Mail flat rate box. All three reviewers should be receiving their two decks on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

That is unfortunate. I leave on a weeks vacation tomorrow.
Guess you'll have to wait a bit for my written review.

Sharpie -- If you'd prefer, you can just refuse the package. I'll send two decks to the next U.S. volunteer on the list.

Or I could just send them on to the person of your choice, to save time. And I'll pay postage (to compensate for the inconvenience).
I apologise for not considering this before volunteering. I honestly didn't remember (chalk it up to having lots of work and a toddler).
And after realising it, I didn't think the delay would hurt your campaign.

Sorry guys,
S

[decksparadise]

Sorry to say but i will surely give this a pass.

[dennis63]

.

[dennis63]

Sharpie:

You can certainly still do a review later on if you'd like. You don't need to send the cards to anyone else. Please keep the cards. If you really don't want to do a review, simply send them back. I'd prefer you keep them, as you backed the kickstarter project and deserve something for that.

There is also no need to do an elaborate video review. I was simply hoping to put the cards into the hands of a few people here so they could see, feel and handle the cards for themselves. The good folks here have expressed some doubts about the quality of the decks, since they don't come from USPC.

I understand that. Remember, I got samples from about four or five other companies. Their samples were uniformly awful. Liberty's cards are professional quality and really felt like USPC cards. (Loldudex said in his video review that it was "the best non-USPC deck he's ever seen," and "There are things I like better about this deck than a USPC deck, but, shhhh, don't tell them that." (There's a link to his video review on the Kickstarter Key West page.)

On Chiptalk, I went out on a limb to tell other members that I thought these decks were going to turn out as good as USPC's Broadway Aristocrats. I was basing this on the quality of their sample decks. (I think they are actually a little better, but I didn't want to push it.)

We ordered 600 decks from Liberty for the folks on CT. Only 588 were delivered. They cost $4.11 each to make because I wanted Liberty's best cardstock. (The boxes alone cost $0.88 each.)

Around 300 decks sold immediately to 15 Chiptalk.net members. The smallest order was 2 decks. The largest was 48. (3 people). Seven or eight people ordered two decks. Of those, seven CT members ordered more decks immediately. The average re-order was eight decks.

I did a couple of test sales on e-bay, just to see how much e-bay and paypal would take from the sale. One of these decks landed in the hands of a a collector (who may actually be a member here). He e-mailed me to rave about the cards, saying he has hundreds of decks and wishes I would go bigger with this deck. He mentioned Kickstarter to me.

So, all I want is for a few people to see and feel these decks and tell me honestly what you think.

[BMPokerworld]

Dennis63 said "We ordered 600 decks from Liberty for the folks on Kickstarter. Only 588 were delivered. They cost $4.11 each to make because I wanted Liberty's best cardstock. (The boxes alone cost $0.88 each.)"

How is it possible you paid $4.11 per deck, when you are selling 6 of them including shipping for $25? That means you are losing money on each deck you sell.

Thanks!

[dennis63]

Dennis63 said "We ordered 600 decks from Liberty for the folks on Kickstarter. Only 588 were delivered. They cost $4.11 each to make because I wanted Liberty's best cardstock. (The boxes alone cost $0.88 each.)"

How is it possible you paid $4.11 per deck, when you are selling 6 of them including shipping for $25? That means you would be losing money on each deck you sell.

Thanks!

I paid over $2,400 for 600 decks -- art fee, setup fees, boxes, color-match, color switching (on cards and boxes), and shipping to me. Those decks are all but gone, except for the 48 I bought for myself.

The kickstarter project is to fund printing 5,000 new decks -- 2,500 of each color.

If the project gets funded, rewards (like the 6 decks for $25) will be from the new batch of 5,000 decks, which will cost less per deck, since we're making so many more. (Kickstarter doesn't allow you to sell existing inventory, anyway.)

[BMPokerworld]

Dennis63 said "We ordered 600 decks from Liberty for the folks on Kickstarter. Only 588 were delivered. They cost $4.11 each to make because I wanted Liberty's best cardstock. (The boxes alone cost $0.88 each.)"

How is it possible you paid $4.11 per deck, when you are selling 6 of them including shipping for $25? That means you would be losing money on each deck you sell.

Thanks!

I paid over $2,400 for 600 decks -- art fee, setup fees, boxes, color-match, color switching (on cards and boxes), and shipping to me. Those decks are all but gone, except for the 48 I bought for myself.

The kickstarter project is to fund printing 5,000 new decks -- 2,500 of each color.

If the project gets funded, rewards (like the 6 decks for $25) will be from the new batch of 5,000 decks, which will cost less per deck, since we're making so many more.

Gotcha!!! I got confused because you said "You ordered 600 decks for the folKs on kickstarter".

[dennis63]

I know. Sorry. I just edited that (I hope.)

Actually, I did lose money making the cards for Chiptalk, but I also sold around 1,000 Key West chips that I had stocked up.

For the big new order with Kickstarter backing, the price per deck won't drop as much as I'd hoped. With two back colors, it's really like doing two orders of 2,500 decks each.

[elcyciB]

If the kickstarter project doesn't get funded, will there still be a way to get a hold of some of the decks that have been printed already?

[dennis63]

Since my name is on the kickstarter project, I should state openly that I am not related to anyone who ever worked for Penn State.

[Fluffykitten]

i just got my review copy about 40 minutes ago and made a super quick first impressions with my webcam, so its not very good.

but some of the main points are
1- these are not by any means cheap cards, the quality is sold.
2- i dont know how these would be for magic, but for playing they seem very good.
3- they do feel different than the USPCC cards, but thats not really bad.
4- these are cards i would be completely comfortable playing with, and even though i got a review copy i am still paying for the kick starter set.
5- these are PLAYING cards, for playing.

anyway, here is my crappy video. a better higher quality and formal review video is coming.

[Fluffykitten]

Since my name is on the kickstarter project, I should state openly that I am not related to anyone who ever worked for Penn State.

yeah, i hope kick starter lets you re submit if it doesnt get funded because these are good cards and do add something new to what is out there, but the timing could not be worse for you. and having that last name cant help today.

[dennis63]

If the kickstarter project doesn't get funded, will there still be a way to get a hold of some of the decks that have been printed already?

There are very few of the original decks left. Here's what we should do:

If people want the decks, they should back the Kickstarter project.

If it does not fully fund, I will e-mail all backers on the last day about doing a new run of the decks without kickstarter backing. If I get positive reviews here and elsewhere, I would consider arranging the funding privately.

I can work this through my dedicated e-mail for the cards: keywestcards@gmail.com

You have to back the project to get in on this. If it doesn't fund, it costs you nothing. If it does, you get the decks anyway.

[dennis63]

i just got my review copy about 40 minutes ago and made a super quick first impressions with my webcam, so its not very good.

but some of the main points are
1- these are not by any means cheap cards, the quality is sold.
2- i dont know how these would be for magic, but for playing they seem very good.
3- they do feel different than the USPCC cards, but thats not really bad.
4- these are cards i would be completely comfortable playing with, and even though i got a review copy i am still paying for the kick starter set.
5- these are PLAYING cards, for playing.

anyway, here is my crappy video. a better higher quality and formal review video is coming.

FK --

You are lightning fast!

I tried to look at the video, but it's coming up with the message "This video is private."

Thanks again for jumping on this!

Dennis

[Fluffykitten]

thats weird i will try to fix that. i am soooo new to this video things.


ok the video should work now.

[dennis63]

Here are some comments from the members of Chiptalk who received their cards from the CT group buy in May. (Post numbers in the CT Key West cards group buy thread are noted.)

"Got my cards today. Used them in a tournament tonight and really liked them. I love the colors of the decks and the feel of the cards. Thanks, Dennis, and thanks J5." (Jondavid66, post 62)

"Dennis, Received my cards. They came out very nice, I like them a lot. Thank you for running a smooth and professional group buy. Nice job all around!! (BrianB10, post 64).

"Received my package today as well. Very nice. Thanks, Dennis!. (Pltrgyst, post 65)

"Got my cards and chips last week (Fri., May 11). Awesome! Great group buy! (Oldman, post 70)

"Got my cards and couldn't be happier. A little firmer that your standard plastic deck but after a few shuffles they were already breaking in nicely. Looking forward to putting these into play during my next game. PS. I love the numbering, very different from my other setups. Great Job! So glad I jumped in and bought some decks." (Hender62, post 72)

"Arrived today at the doorstep! I am childishly enthusiastic about these. I join in what is already said in the presentation post. Top notch quality. Made in Texas is an extra bonus! Never had custom cards before, amazing how the chips and cards have same class of design (or better) as real casino and is a small scale custom made up concept. A very good example of what group buying power can make possible. Huge thanks to Dennis63 and J5 for making this happen." (TexasRambler, in Luxembourg, post 75)

"Cards arrived today (International Shipment.) They look awesome! They feel awesome! Can't wait to give them a run. HUGE thanks to Dennis who made it happen in such a professional and pleasant manner, and to John / J5 for a beautiful design." (Kozmo, in Israel, post 78)

[dennis63]

One point I'd make about FluffyKitten's quick first impression of the decks --

The cards are actually the (exact) same size as a USPC deck of poker cards. The boxes are a hair larger, as the decks are cellophane wrapped inside the boxes.

[dennis63]

Thanks to VJose32 for a great review of the cards, and some nice cardistry and magic. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_MSbvFCl_Y&feature=plcp

[Evan]

Here is my review of the Key West Resort & Casino decks!

[Sharpie]

Ok people. I've been home for a day or two, so here goes. First review ever.

Right off, the first thing I noticed about these cards are that they are heavy. A very dense and impressive feeling deck. Also, very thick. I don't have a lot of stock knowledge, but I compared them to a UV-500 Masters, and the Key West came in 5 cards thicker. You can actually feel the weight of each individual card. Much thicker and more substantial than the Masters. These would make excellent throwing cards. And as an avid card player, these cards will last me a while. Even with constant play.

Keep in mind, I am not a magician. From what I can tell, fanning is not immediately smooth, but does get better once you break them in. The finish appears to be Cambric, but with a much tighter pattern. This may explain the need for breaking them in. They will never be as smooth or "air cushioned" as a Theory 11 deck, but the durability more than makes up for it.

The other thing that strikes me about this deck is the simple, yet classic design. I'm mainly talking about the tuck case and card backs. The faces are standard jumbo index, apart from an elegant ace of spades design. Even though the deck is designed for a fictitious place, it perfectly matches the casino design. Backs are vivid and detailed.

I'm not a big casino deck collector, but I really like this deck. From the sturdy construction and weight, to the simple and yet vibrant box and back design. This strikes me as a deck of cards Lee Asher might enjoy.

Questions?

Some photos:

[dennis63]

Sharpie:

Thank you for the great review.

I wanted to let everyone here know that production of these cards has gone forward without Kickstarter funding. I placed the order for 5,000 new decks on Monday, and J5's custom seals are being printed this week. The cards will be ready to ship out in two to three weeks, so they're on or ahead of schedule.

Since the Kickstarter project will shut down in about 48 hours, I needed to launch a website to sell these cards. Its located at:

http://www.keywestresortcasino.com

Prices for Key West Resort & Casino cards, sold in pairs (red and blue):
2 decks: $3 per deck, plus $6 U.S. shipping. (Int'l shipping =$10)
4 to 6 decks: $3 per deck, plus $5.35 U.S. Priority flat rate shipping
8 decks: $2.95 per deck, plus $5.35 U.S. shipping (Int'l = $16.95 shipping)
12 decks: $2.89 per deck, plus $11.35 U.S. shipping
24 to 36 decks: $2.89 per deck, plus $10 (discounted) U.S. shipping.
48 decks: $2.89 per deck, with free U.S. shipping (Int'l add $1 per deck shipping)

Please feel free to visit the site, or pm me here with questions.

[MagikFingerz]

Too bad it didn't get funded. There goes my $10 early bird special

[dennis63]

Too bad it didn't get funded. There goes my $10 early bird special

Magikfingerz -- All the "early backer" specials will still be honored.

If you'd still like the cards, just order with an e-mail, and note that you are MagikFingerz. (I have a list of the Kickstarter backers.)

E-mail your order, with your name and shipping address, to:

orders@keywestresortcasino.com

I'll send you a paypal invoice for $10. Your cards will ship as soon as they are ready.

Dennis

[alexer]

Now this is a guy to support. Just saw this thread today, too bad the KS didn't take off or I would have pledged. Shall go to your site instead.