52 Plus Joker 2014 convention in Charleston SC Oct 15-18

[Mike Ratledge]

We'd love to see you there!

I'd love to see me there too, but am not betting on it at this stage of the game!

Oh, I understand that, Robert. Just pointing out that if not, you will be missed!

[RSLancastr]

We'd love to see you there!

I'd love to see me there too, but am not betting on it at this stage of the game!

Oh, I understand that, Robert. Just pointing out that if not, you will be missed!

Thanks, Mike - I appreciate that.

[Tom Dawson]

Hi Bob
It would be terrific for Judy and I to see you there - but we understand the travel difficulty. Lots of your old friends will make it, but unfortunately others are no longer with us or have difficulty travelling as well.

Mike is drumming up interest here and amongst his fellow playing card enthusiasts and we pushing it at the Club level and at The Discourse. We are expecting a large turnout - lots of interest being shown and a nice hotel at an excellent price.

[RSLancastr]

Heya, Tom!

Well, there is still time left to work it all out, so there is still hope.

Who knows, I might not need this wheelchair by then, in which case, the travel difficulties would be no greater than those for anybody else.

Lets cross our fingers, and I'll keep doing my Physical Therapy exercises.

My best to the Queen of Hearts,

-RSL

[nECr0MaNCeD]

I know this is a bit late but I am excited about this. I am making plans and saving up. (Hah, saving. Yeah. Only if they close KS and stop selling playing cards worldwide!) I don't have a spouse (the last wife left the gate open and I got out ) but I may bring a friend or one of my sisters.

[Cbkimble]

I get off oct 15. Maybe I'll be able to make the last few days. Sounds interesting.

[Mike Ratledge]

I get off oct 15. Maybe I'll be able to make the last few days. Sounds interesting.

Guys and gals, this is going to be an epic year (and yes, I have used that word a bit lately) for 52+Joker (the trade name of the "American Playing Card Collectors Club"). All of my efforts (I hope) have paid off, and we're going to have a terrific showing of the 'new blood' we've been looking for, and hopefully it will set a new tone going forward. The wife and I plan to have too many things to do there for significant others, so if you've never been to Charleston, come prepared to not sleep: we're going to paint the town and enjoy the friendships pretty much all day and all night long - assuming we have hardy troops! This is something that's never been done before, but I intend to make it a tradition, simply because it's something that has to be done.

I've blown plenty of smoke and tails about what we can do, but what we do is dependent upon participation by the younger people, and I may turn 60 in December, but in my mind I'm 39 and holding and I will be hanging with the big dogs "All Night Long" every time from Wednesday through Saturday if it turns out to be a popular thing, and I think it will. Tours of the gardens & plantation: certainly - if people want that, visit the Rarebit for lunch, of course - as a group or own your own, it's not that far from the hotel/venue. Playing poker until we're stupid and silly: you betcha! It just depends on what YOU want, and I'm willing to bet (there's a theme here) that we're going to do all the above and then some!

[nECr0MaNCeD]

I get off oct 15. Maybe I'll be able to make the last few days. Sounds interesting.

Guys and gals, this is going to be an epic year (and yes, I have used that word a bit lately) for 52+Joker (the trade name of the "American Playing Card Collectors Club"). All of my efforts (I hope) have paid off, and we're going to have a terrific showing of the 'new blood' we've been looking for, and hopefully it will set a new tone going forward. The wife and I plan to have too many things to do there for significant others, so if you've never been to Charleston, come prepared to not sleep: we're going to paint the town and enjoy the friendships pretty much all day and all night long - assuming we have hardy troops! This is something that's never been done before, but I intend to make it a tradition, simply because it's something that has to be done.

I've blown plenty of smoke and tails about what we can do, but what we do is dependent upon participation by the younger people, and I may turn 60 in December, but in my mind I'm 39 and holding and I will be hanging with the big dogs "All Night Long" every time from Wednesday through Saturday if it turns out to be a popular thing, and I think it will. Tours of the gardens & plantation: certainly - if people want that, visit the Rarebit for lunch, of course - as a group or own your own, it's not that far from the hotel/venue. Playing poker until we're stupid and silly: you betcha! It just depends on what YOU want, and I'm willing to bet (there's a theme here) that we're going to do all the above and then some!

Sounds great Mike. Make sure to confirm who brings the poker chips ahead of time. We wouldn't want everyone to assume someone else is bringing them and end up using pretzels....

[RSLancastr]

Make sure to confirm who brings the poker chips ahead of time. We wouldn't want everyone to assume someone else is bringing them and end up using pretzels....

Or, even worse, end up inadvertently using someone's collection of rare and valuable poker chips!

[Mike Ratledge]

Nah, we can use frijoles (beans). I'll grab a set of cheap ones just in case we get rowdy. The Marlboro wooden case has 400 as I recall.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

Good thinking on your feet Mike, but you really don't want me near beans.... Just sayin...

[Mike Ratledge]

Good thinking on your feet Mike, but you really don't want me near beans.... Just sayin...

Probably best that I not consume many, myself. ahem...

[nECr0MaNCeD]

Good thinking on your feet Mike, but you really don't want me near beans.... Just sayin...

Probably best that I not consume many, myself. ahem...

BTW... I found a Red Roof Inn around the corner for nearly half the cost. 1/4 mile away isn't bad and the cost saving will help make getting there a reality. (Not to mention the decks I can buy with the savings!)

[Mike Ratledge]

Good thinking on your feet Mike, but you really don't want me near beans.... Just sayin...

Probably best that I not consume many, myself. ahem...

BTW... I found a Red Roof Inn around the corner for nearly half the cost. 1/4 mile away isn't bad and the cost saving will help make getting there a reality. (Not to mention the decks I can buy with the savings!)

There are plenty of choices, and I predict that it will be sold out before too long anyway. Just remember that for the late night poler sessions having a room you can crawl too might be crucial.

[Mike Ratledge]

Updated information in the OP today. I'm working on fixing it up completely - on the phone even as you type-type-type. The new owners have renamed what used to be the Sheraton "The Plaza" and I'm going to hop off and talk to them and update anything that needs fixing here shortly. If you're ready to make a reservation hold off for a couple of hours (at most, I think I'll be back in 15 minutes) with details.

The hotel has new owners, and the new name is "The Charleston Plaza Hotel". Their number is 843-747-1900. The reservation code "52plus" works as before, and gives a room rate of $95/night (plus taxes) including breakfast for two - in any combination of standard/accessible and King/Double rooms. ALL ROOMS ARE NON-SMOKING! Tom Dawson and I both booked suites on the 2nd floor right above the conference and meeting rooms so we can be in the middle of the action! Unfortunately the suites are NOT part of the "52plus" group code discount, but if you call them directly instead of doing your reservation online you can likely get in around $169 or so (I qualify for government rates, so I'm probably 'cheating'). These are sweet rooms, no pun intended and have extra meeting space for entertaining guests! (and I'm almost certain that you don't get "Breakfast for two" either)

>>====> Charleston Plaza <===<< Click here for more details and to make a reservation!

[nECr0MaNCeD]

Working on the convention t-shirts, I ordered a pair for me as a test of the process and the quality of the shirts. They were designed online at "BlueCotton" and I added a couple of lines to the ones for us that are specific to UC: "UnitedCardists.com" with "All Things Playing Cards" underneath the graphics logo on the back.

I was thinking about making some UC t-shirts, but was unsure if people would be interested in having them. I will post the existing design with the UC co-branding on the back, and maybe think about making some with our "lucid lime" color scheme as well, but for now - any interest? I can get these by the dozen or even smaller quantities as long as I have a few people interested and their t-shirt sizes. These are the heavy-weight (6.3oz 99/1 cotton/polyester) "Gilden" brand model 2000 shirts. I can get Hanes "Beefy T's" for about another dollar, or even something like the "Next Level" brand for about $2 or $3 more each. I think the price for 36 is under $12 per shirt and I might be able to get them under $10 if I can find a co-sponsor amongst us that would like to have their logo on them as well.

Here's the example that I ordered as a 'test run' for myself:

I like the idea. Not crazy about the graphic on the back. The UC logo instead?

[Mike Ratledge]

I just put something on there to get it done so I could see the quality and the actual turn-around time. The front will have the new 52+Joker logo on it, and I can put whatever we want on the back. I'm going to order some for the UC people, but I'll need to get orders first so I know how many and which sizes to order. I expect to put the order form up next week some time.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

I just put something on there to get it done so I could see the quality and the actual turn-around time. The front will have the new 52+Joker logo on it, and I can put whatever we want on the back. I'm going to order some for the UC people, but I'll need to get orders first so I know how many and which sizes to order. I expect to put the order form up next week some time.

Kinda figured that back was a placeholder. Let me know cost. I take a double fat a**. (2XL)

[Mike Ratledge]

I just put something on there to get it done so I could see the quality and the actual turn-around time. The front will have the new 52+Joker logo on it, and I can put whatever we want on the back. I'm going to order some for the UC people, but I'll need to get orders first so I know how many and which sizes to order. I expect to put the order form up next week some time.

Kinda figured that back was a placeholder. Let me know cost. I take a double fat a**. (2XL)

I replaced the front graphic (and text above it) with the new "52+Joker" logo Alex Chin just redid for the club, and I'm waiting for Tom Dawson to get me the graphics he wants to use for the back. Once I have that I will offer them for sale here on UC kind of like we did the Black Rock Collective v3 decks. It will be a simple "pick your size" and the T runs about $10 each, maybe $12 for the 2XL which is the largest size I can get without an order of at least 72 shirts. I can get "M/L/XL/2XL" with an order of only 24 shirts, and I figure that's about what we'll need, perhaps more.

[Cbkimble]

Ok, I've got it planned to attend. Havent made reservations or anything yet though. If i am able to get off the boat a day early, I'll be there on the 15th. I was wondering, would it be a d!(? Move to load up my collection for possible signatures? Lol.

[Mike Ratledge]

Ok, I've got it planned to attend. Havent made reservations or anything yet though. If i am able to get off the boat a day early, I'll be there on the 15th. I was wondering, would it be a d!(? Move to load up my collection for possible signatures? Lol.

I really don't see any reason why not to have some decks - within reason - once we know which artists are going to be there, frankly. I think it would be a good thing for them to be on-hand one day just to put their names on their work, really.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

I just put something on there to get it done so I could see the quality and the actual turn-around time. The front will have the new 52+Joker logo on it, and I can put whatever we want on the back. I'm going to order some for the UC people, but I'll need to get orders first so I know how many and which sizes to order. I expect to put the order form up next week some time.

Kinda figured that back was a placeholder. Let me know cost. I take a double fat a**. (2XL)

I replaced the front graphic (and text above it) with the new "52+Joker" logo Alex Chin just redid for the club, and I'm waiting for Tom Dawson to get me the graphics he wants to use for the back. Once I have that I will offer them for sale here on UC kind of like we did the Black Rock Collective v3 decks. It will be a simple "pick your size" and the T runs about $10 each, maybe $12 for the 2XL which is the largest size I can get without an order of at least 72 shirts. I can get "M/L/XL/2XL" with an order of only 24 shirts, and I figure that's about what we'll need, perhaps more.

Cool beans. I'm in. Anything Alex Chin has worked on goes to the top of my list. Actually I am headed for 3XL. I need to diet! 2XL will do if need be.

[Mike Ratledge]

I just put something on there to get it done so I could see the quality and the actual turn-around time. The front will have the new 52+Joker logo on it, and I can put whatever we want on the back. I'm going to order some for the UC people, but I'll need to get orders first so I know how many and which sizes to order. I expect to put the order form up next week some time.

Kinda figured that back was a placeholder. Let me know cost. I take a double fat a**. (2XL)

I replaced the front graphic (and text above it) with the new "52+Joker" logo Alex Chin just redid for the club, and I'm waiting for Tom Dawson to get me the graphics he wants to use for the back. Once I have that I will offer them for sale here on UC kind of like we did the Black Rock Collective v3 decks. It will be a simple "pick your size" and the T runs about $10 each, maybe $12 for the 2XL which is the largest size I can get without an order of at least 72 shirts. I can get "M/L/XL/2XL" with an order of only 24 shirts, and I figure that's about what we'll need, perhaps more.

Cool beans. I'm in. Anything Alex Chin has worked on goes to the top of my list. Actually I am headed for 3XL. I need to diet! 2XL will do if need be.

The 2XL adds a $1, 3XL $2, 4XL $3, etc. I think it maxes out at 5XL +$4.

[Cbkimble]

I keep seeing double occupancy but is there a single occupancy rate?

[Mike Ratledge]

A new post in Jackson's blog: "Kings Wild Project is excited to announce a truly historic collaboration between Kings Wild Project, Expert Playing Card Company and The 52 Plus Joker Playing Card Club. Designer Jackson Robinson is teaming up with The Expert Playing Card Company to create something that will be exclusively for the 52 Plus Joker Club and ONLY available at the 52 Plus Joker Convention in Charleston SC, in October. If you are not already a member of 52 Plus Joker and not registered for the convention do so now so that you will not miss this incredible creation.":

[montecarlojoe]

You'd better pick up a few dozen eh Mike

[Strag]

A new post in Jackson's blog: "Kings Wild Project is excited to announce a truly historic collaboration between Kings Wild Project, Expert Playing Card Company and The 52 Plus Joker Playing Card Club. Designer Jackson Robinson is teaming up with The Expert Playing Card Company to create something that will be exclusively for the 52 Plus Joker Club and ONLY available at the 52 Plus Joker Convention in Charleston SC, in October. If you are not already a member of 52 Plus Joker and not registered for the convention do so now so that you will not miss this incredible creation.":

Shame as I am a 52+J member but no way I can make it to the US just for this.

[Mike Ratledge]

You'd better pick up a few dozen eh Mike

I'll do what I can, Jackson is kind of "in debt" right at the moment, I pulled a good trick today to save face, and it wasn't mine. Long story I'll make short: I kept somebody from doing something incredibly stupid.

[Mike Ratledge]

I don't want to provide the exact schedule just yet, because it's still subject to change, but we will be having a combined UC & PCF user meeting on Saturday afternoon, the 18th of October during the 52+Joker annual 2014 convention from 4PM until 5:30 in my suite. Of course, I'll have to make the suite number once I arrive at the Charleston Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, because they are assigned at check-in time. We'll have a few surprises and always plenty to talk about! Be there, and we'll talk about the UC & PCF forums, both myself and Tom Dawson, along with a few other people as well. If you'd like to have "the floor" for a few minutes during this meeting, please advise.

Also, the event registration is $100 for attendees, and $50 for "significant others" if you want them to attend the banquet which is scheduled for the final (Saturday) evening.

Registration will include the convention t-shirt designed by Lorenzo Gaggiotti with the UC co-sponsorship branded on the back of the shirt. It's possible, although I still don't have confirmation from Bill Kalush, that Expert PCC will also co-sponsor the t-shirts, and we'll have "dueling logos" on the back of the 't'.

Extra t-shirt will be available for attendees in YS/YM/YL/S/M/L/XL/2XL/3XL/4XL sizes, but the youth and larger than 2XL sizes are available on request only (i.e. we will print them if requested, but otherwise we'll have YL/S/M/L/XL and a few 2XL shirts 'to spare' other than those that are used in the conference "goodie bag". If it doesn't make it onto the registration form in the September issue of "Clear The Decks", the club quarterly magazine, please indicate the t-shirt size you would like for the registration bag.

[MagikFingerz]

Mike: I don't suppose you'd be able to set up a camera and do a live stream from the biggest events of this weekend? That would be pretty cool if you could