Key West Resort&Casino playing cards

[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.

[Sharpie]

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.

My thoughts exactly. I know must people here are looking for the custom court, or flashy backs with a slippery finish, but this guy made a great deck for people who play cards. And he was an honest, good communicator who did his research and came out with a deck that, while not eye popping or for magic, is great for casino card collectors... AND they're cheap! When was the last time a custom deck sold for $3!! The USPCC must be charging a fortune for these other decks.

And if you get access to the VIP section on his site (please don't ask me for it), this allows you to (among other things) buy uncuts for $7 each. That's right... $7!!

So glad he was able to print some. I've already made a purchase for more than my original pledge.

Only 5000 made (2500 of each color), so technically they're limited. Ha!

[law_kid]

My thoughts exactly. I know must people here are looking for the custom court, or flashy backs with a slippery finish, but this guy made a great deck for people who play cards. And he was an honest, good communicator who did his research and came out with a deck that, while not eye popping or for magic, is great for casino card collectors... AND they're cheap! When was the last time a custom deck sold for $3!! The USPCC must be charging a fortune for these other decks.

My thoughts exactly (too).

[dennis63]

My thoughts exactly. I know must people here are looking for the custom court, or flashy backs with a slippery finish, but this guy made a great deck for people who play cards. And he was an honest, good communicator who did his research and came out with a deck that, while not eye popping or for magic, is great for casino card collectors... AND they're cheap! When was the last time a custom deck sold for $3!! The USPCC must be charging a fortune for these other decks.

My thoughts exactly (too).

Thank you, gentlemen. The site has been updated and now includes a "casino store" with shopping cart function.

One way to (really) help at this point is to go to the website. The traffic will help as we set things up and try to get on search engines, etc. It's

http://www.keywestresortcasino.com

[dennis63]

The USPCC must be charging a fortune for these other decks.

Sharpie -- I think you're right, and this issue really opens a topic for collectors and people trying to make their own decks.

Think about it -- the USPC makes playing cards for their cost and sells them to retailers -- so they're selling them for a wholesale price to the retailers, but still making money. You can imagine their cost must be pretty low, and we know they do top-quality stuff.

They can't charge you their price -- no company could. They can't even charge you a reasonable profit above their cost. If the did, you'd essentially be using their factory, equipment and personnel to compete against them with your designs, cutting in to their market share. (Most of these decks are very limited, but you can see why they can't make an amazing deck too cheaply.)

The chip industry has the same issues. The big companies have the equipment and staff. They do big orders, and have enough down time in between to fit your project in, so the machines are being used and making money for the company, and the skilled employees are making the company a hefty profit, when they otherwise would be idle. They charge you big for a custom deck, just to make sure your deck doesn't get in their way.

I'd love to know what their cost (and their profit) is on a custom deck order.

[MJF]

The website appears to be down or having issues... I'm interested in picking a few of those up once it gets back up and running...

[dennis63]

The website appears to be down or having issues... I'm interested in picking a few of those up once it gets back up and running...

MJF --

You might try it now. It appears to be working OK, though I was working on it earlier.

The link is:

http://keywestresortcasino.com

You can always e-mail orders directly to:

orders@keywestresortcasino.com

The catch is, you can't put the ampersand sign ("&") in a website URL.

Dennis

[Strag]

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.

How we looking on these Dennis, shipping yet?

[Sharpie]

I received mine yesterday. Going to use them for my next poker night. The seals are nice.
Also got a Dealer Button and some chips.

[MJF]

I went ahead and picked some up as well... they look pretty decent and at $2.95/deck you can't go wrong...