Orbit Playing Cards

Playing cards Orbit V3 Playing Cards The Orbit Deck first started in 2015 after Chris Brown's first successful Kickstarter campaign with the blue Orbits. In 2016 came the red second edition that was also Kick-started. Ok, lets take a look under the hood. The fourth edition Orbit deck is the first in the Orbit lineup for a lot of things. It’s the first one to feature Premium (Bee Stock) quality. This Premium stock is also crushed which means the cards are thinner than traditional Bee playing cards. Designed by Alex Romanowsky and created by Chris Brown, the Orbit Deck was crowdfunded on Kickstarter. The back design consists of bold lines and a strong center circle that create a strong visual impact and make this deck ideal for flourishes and sleight of hand. The V7 features a pink dominant center along with the mountain range from the V5 Orbits that are now inverted, so they are a window to what's behind the card rather than the original mountains. Orbit V7 Seventh Edtion Playing Cards Poker Size Deck USPCC Custom Limited Edition for Cardistry and Card Magic. 4.7 out of 5 stars 103. Memento Mori Playing Cards by Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. 4.7 out of 5 stars 915.

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Looking to buy playing cards? Ideally, the best playing cards should have great durability, easy handling, and just feel good in the hands. In truth, there are many playing cards on the market, but many are just not worth the price.

But there are only 2 types of playing cards. And depending on what you plan on using them for, you may want to get one over the other. For instance, paper cards may be better for magic tricks whereas plastic cards may be better for long-term use. Regardless, you’ll find more information on the differences between the 2 in this article.

With this in mind, here are the factors we used to assess each playing card brand:

• Reputation, durability and handling
• Top or unique features of the cards
• Reliability or long-term usage

Our Top Picks

To save you time, here are our top picks based on the best feature.

Types of Playing Cards

There are 2 basic types of playing cards:

1. Paper cards – Often have a custom finish
2. Plastic playing cards

Paper Cards

These are playing cards that have been printed on some type of paper. Some manufacturers use special types of paper to produce a more durable product. In addition, paper cards often have some type of finish applied to them. Usually a plastic coating, linen coating, or in the case of Bicycle cards, an air-cushion finish.

The coating typically improves handling, durability, and the overall feel of the cards. Moreover, it also protects the cards from damage and stains, to a certain degree.

For most uses, paper cards offer exceptional quality at a great value. But their handling is often superior to plastic cards. And for this reason they are a popular choice for magic tricks and fancy deck shuffles.

However, you should be wary of paper cards that do not have a coating applied to them. Without a coating, the cards are unlikely to last a long-time. Plus, they’re very likely to handle poorly thus making shuffling much more difficult than it needs to be.

Pros

• Easy to handle
• Have that classic paper snap
• Don’t slide around thanks to not being slippery

Cons

• Harder to shuffle than plastic cards
• Get beat up quite easily
• Can’t be washed

Plastic Cards

Plastic playing cards are more commonly used by the professionals and those who have been using playing cards for a long-time. As with paper playing cards, they can range from low-end to high-end.

The low-end plastic cards are great for playing with friends and family, but are a poor choice for a professional setting. This is because they are made with a cheap plastic material that makes the cards prone to fracture. In fact, they can easily chip or snap in half if dropped, slammed, or even if you mess up a shuffle.

On the other hand, the high-ends are made of high quality plastics like cellulose acetate plastic, which are much less prone to breaking or chipping.

Regardless, plastic is usually the best material for playing cards. In general, plastic playing cards are better than paper playing cards in almost every regard.

Plastic cards are also waterproof meaning they can easily be washed. Paper cards cannot be washed as they soak up water which degrades their quality.

Pros

• Resistant to scratching and bending
• Can be washed thanks to being waterproof
• Easier to shuffle and pitch

Cons

• Prone to breaking
• Don’t feel as snappy as paper cards
• Usually more expensive

Paper Cards vs Plastic Cards

When it comes to handling, paper cards are usually better than plastic cards. For this reason, they are often used for magic tricks or fancy deck shuffles.

On the other hand, plastic cards are much more durable. They can last much longer than paper cards. In addition, they are resistant to scratches and can be washed. Because of this, they are commonly found in professional poker settings. Some plastic cards, like the KEMs, can last almost indefinitely if well-taken care of.

The bottom line is that paper cards are better for personal use and plastic cards are better for professional use.

Top 10 Playing Card Brands

1) KEM Arrow Plastic Playing Cards

Arguably the best plastic playing cards ever created, the KEMs are well-known for their durability, ease of handling, and having the best of both worlds.

• They handle like paper cards, but feel like plastic cards

Plastic cards usually lack the classic snap and feel of paper cards, but the KEM’s have changed that. Also, plastic cards tend to be slippery but these cards don’t slide around much.

In fact, these cards are so good that 2 of the world’s most popular poker tournaments regularly use them. They are the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT). Furthermore, many casinos also use this brand of cards. And this is all because of their unparalleled durability.

Indeed, they last a long time. And they can last even longer if well taken care of. This is especially true considering they are 100% waterproof. In other words, you can wash them thoroughly without having to worry about water damage.

Still, they are not flawless. In particular:

• They can sometimes suffer from warping problems.

In other words, they may bend slightly. Nonetheless, this is a minor issue and can be easily fixed.

One last thing is that these cards come in jumbo index for better readability.

2) Copag 1546 Playing Cards

The Copags are one of the best plastic cards on the market today. In essence, they:

• Offer virtually the same features as the KEM plastic cards but at a much lower price

Specifically, they handle very easily, are resistant to chipping, and have a solid reputation backing them up.

One of the reasons why they are much cheaper than the KEM cards is that they are made from PVC plastic. In contrast, the KEMs are made from cellulose acetate plastic. In truth, the quality difference between these materials is not very significant.

Still, it does affect how the cards feel. In particular:

• Some people find them a bit stiff compared to the KEM

However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Some people prefer the stiffness of the Copags over the KEMs, which they find are too flimsy. In addition, the texture of the Copags may feel better for some people.

Nonetheless, the feel of the cards is purely subjective. As such, you really have to try them out to know if you like them or not.

For the most part, they are one of the better playing cards on the market today. Plus, they come with a hard plastic storage and carrying case as a bonus. And as with the KEMs, these are one of the best poker cards ever made.

3) Aristocrat Bank Note 727

The Aristocrat cards feature a stunning back design and some impressive handling. In particular, they have been described as smooth, light, and feathery. And this is evident in their ability to fan out.

In truth, their handling is among the best. Notably, they are:

• One of the snappiest paper cards on the market

Namely, many people find them crisp and springy. For this reason they are a great choice for magic tricks and fancy deck shuffles.

That said, their back design alone is enough for most people to buy. As you can tell from their names, they have the same thin lines found on banknotes.

However, a small percentage of people find:

• The back design is too busy or complex

Also, their box is nothing special and can feel a bit cheap for some people.

All in all, you can’t go wrong with these cards. They handle amazingly, feel great in the hands, and have a solid reputation.

4) Monarch Playing Cards

Quite possibly the most elegant playing cards ever made. The monarchs will leave you speechless with their back design. Plus, their case is also beautiful and feels great.

Not only that, but they handle very well. Namely, they’ve been described as being soft and smooth.

However, they lack the classic snappiness of most paper cards. This is likely due to their heavyweight paper material. Because of this, they’re not the best choice for magic tricks. But, they still perform very well with cardistry.

On the other hand, the heavyweight paper composition makes them much more durable than the average paper playing card.

Altogether, if you are looking for a luxurious set of playing cards then look no further as the monarchs define excellence.

5) Da Vinci Ruote

As with the Copags, these cards are also a great alternative to the KEMs. They too are made with plastic, but they don’t seem to disclose the exact type of plastic used. In contrast, both the KEMs and the Copgs specify this.

That said, their quality appears to be great. They rival the KEMs in most areas and some people even say they are superior. In particular, the KEMs can sometimes warp, but the Da Vincis appear to not suffer from this problem.

Also, some people find the KEMs to have a chemical smell and find the Da Vincis don’t have this problem.

That said, they handle and fan quite well, but not as well as paper cards. In fact, some people find they are too slippery while others find them just right.

Still, their main feature is their design. Namely, they have a refined vibe going for them and have vivid colors.

However, some people have found their colors to fade with time. Though, they come with lifetime warranty so you may be able to return them if this happens to you.

Really, these cards are great for most uses. You can’t go wrong with them especially given their lifetime warranty. And like the Copags these too come with a hard case.

6) Theory11 Artisan Playing Cards

As with the monarchs, the Artisan playing cards are the definition of luxury. Thanks to their stunning back design, they are sure to impress your friends and family. And their tuck box is no exception which features a shiny metallic ink on it.

Handling-wise, they are fine for most applications. But they’re not very special in this regard. In fact, if you’re looking to do magic tricks then other paper cards may be better.

Really, the best reason to get these cards would be for games like solitaire or even poker.

That said, one unique feature these cards have is that they are made from FSC-certified paper or virgin tree fibers. Because of this, they are eco-friendly. However, this doesn’t really affect their durability. In fact, they are like most paper cards in this regard.

In short, because of their stunning back design and elegant ace of spades, these cards are an excellent choice for games.

7) Ellusionist Bicycle Shadow Masters

If you’re looking for cards that pop with style then these may be for you. Diverting from the standard color scheme, these cards are literally a contrast to most playing cards. This is because each card is printed with a white font on a black background.

And if their art isn’t good enough these cards also handle beautifully. Thanks to their air-cushion finish, they glide effortlessly. Of note is the ease in which they fan out.

Because of their amazing art and great handling, they are ideal for magic tricks.

However, overtime they begin to lose their black color on the edges. In particular, if you hold the deck tightly you may see white marks on the edge. Of course this is an indication of damage, which is expected from paper cards.

But, overall their durability is what you’d expect from paper cards.

All in all, these cards offer a unique experience and are great for magic tricks.

8) Elephant PRISM Playing Cards

Most playing cards come with the same standard artwork, but not the PRISMs. If you’re looking for a unique deck of cards then these may satisfy you. While some cards have custom artwork, they’re often partial in this regard. In other words, they may change the color scheme of the art and nothing else.

But not the PRISMS. In fact, these cards have completely custom artwork. From the labels to the background to even the art of the King, Queen, and Jack cards, they are all unique.

What’s more is they in 3 different color schemes: Day, Dusk, and Night. Though, the night version is probably the best.

However, the joker in these decks isn’t very refined. In all honesty, some people find it lacking in charm.

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Also, some have found the cards to be a bit too stiff for their liking. Of course, this means they’re likely not very good for magic tricks. On the plus side, this makes them a bit more durable than the average paper deck.

Still, they slide around easily and fan well.

Regardless, there aren’t many custom cards as good as these. Overall, they’re good for changing things up, but may not be ideal for magic tricks.

9) Bee Premium Playing Cards

The bee playing cards are one of the oldest paper cards on the market. In fact, they were first made in 1892, more than 100 years ago. Because of this, they’re considered a classic by many people.

But that’s not to say they’re generic in any way. Their unique back design makes for some amazing fans. And this is mainly due to the honeycomb pattern. What’s more is the back is borderless. As such, the Bee cards are great for magic tricks. In particular, they’re good for tricks requiring sleight of hand.

Furthermore, they also feel great in the hands because of their smooth texture. Plus, they slide around effortlessly thanks to an air-cushion finish. But, they’re not overly slippery. You can easily pick up a bunch of cards and hold them in place.

However, they don’t really have anything else going for them. In fact, most people buy these cards simply because they’re iconic.

10) Bicycle Standard Playing Cards

The Bicycle standard cards are undoubtedly the most popular and commonly used cards in the world. Thanks to their low price and overall good quality, they offer an unbeatable value.

Despite their low price, they’re actually not bad. In fact, these cards are perfect for those who are just starting cardistry and/or magic tricks. And this is because newbies often damage the cards when attempting to learn tricks.

As such, you want a deck that’s cheap enough to be disposable. But not so cheap that the handling is terrible. And these cards deliver beautifully in this regard.

Thanks to their air-cushion finish, they’re easy to fan and shuffle. Plus they feel smooth in the hands and glide around easily. In fact, they may be too slippery at first but as you break them in they start feeling better.

However, they don’t really offer anything special. So if you’re trying to perform magic tricks you should only consider these for practice and not for practical use.

Still, at their price point you really can’t go wrong. And most people will recognize these cards instantly because they really are a classic. In fact, Bicycle was founded in 1867, more than 150 years ago. So a lot of people are familiar with them.

FAQ about Playing Cards

What is the best playing card brand?

In general, the KEM arrows are widely regarded as being the best playing card brand today. In fact, they excel in many uses, including poker and magic tricks. Plus, they are regularly used by casinos thanks to their outstanding durability.

Are plastic cards better than paper cards?

This entirely depends on what you want to use the cards for. But in general, plastic cards are better than paper cards when it comes to durability. In other words, they are usually resistant to scratches and wear-and-tear. Also, they can usually be washed. Because of this, plastic cards are the best for large groups of people. In contrast, paper cards may be better for magic tricks and fancy shuffles.

How long do playing cards last?

Plastic cards can last a very long time if they are well taken care of. This is especially true for the high-end plastic cards like the KEMs, which can last indefinitely under the right circumstances. In contrast, paper cards tend to get beat up quite easily. Furthermore, they cannot be washed. Because of this, paper cards tend to not last a long time.

Are plastic playing cards waterproof?

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This differs on a case-by-case basis. In general, most plastic cards are water-resistant, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are waterproof. In other words, it may be okay to get a little bit of water on them but they may become damaged if they become soaked with water.

For instance, the KEM plastic cards are completely waterproof and can be washed thoroughly. In contrast, the Copags are not fully waterproof and can only be cleaned with a wet cloth. In short, you have to check the manufacturers page for each plastic card to know if they are waterproof or not.

Welcome back Orbit crew, it’s been a while. The Fourth Edition Orbit deck is setting all new standards and going places the Orbit brand has never gone before. Many things have evolved and as always plenty of time and dedication was put into the project. The Orbit deck was originally crowd funded on Kickstarter back in 2015, the second edition came out in 2016, the third in mid 2017, and the Fourth here in late 2017. From here on in there will be 2 Orbit deck releases each year until 2020 when we reach our 10th and final edition. Each edition along the way will be it’s very own unique design and feel because each edition should bring something more than simply another color. There were 7500 third edition Orbits printed and we sold out in 23 days. This time around we printed 23,000 because we don’t care about breaking sales records or selling out in one hour, we care about everybody getting a chance to own these so they can complete their Orbit deck collection. Our customer base has grown exponentially and we think we are ready for the expansion of volume with our 23,000 decks weighing in at a little over 2 and half tons. Recently a lot of decks have been printed in short supply and higher price. We believe $12 is a very reasonable price for a deck of custom playing cards. Also the shipping cost is the exact cost it takes for us to ship and not a penny more. The people’s interest in the Orbit brand was so magnified that I decided it was time to add to the Orbit team. This year we have a new Marketing & Sales Director, Jeanine Mencia who will be handling all wholesale orders and customer emails at support@theOrbitbrown.com. If you’d like your local magic shop to carry Orbits, give them Jeanine’s email address and we’ll work something out. So, now that all that’s out of the way, lets get into the good stuff.

Design

Design has always been an important aspect for the Orbit brand. If you notice, the first three Orbit decks had very little other designs competing with the bold central O symbol. This time around we decided to change that and bring a new design that would share the spotlight at a glance from afar. After speaking with Daniel Schneider (The 3rd edition Orbit deck, Orbit Joker, Ace of Spades graphic artist) about a dream I had with the solid white lines coming from the white border onto the back design itself along with the star field he said, “Let me give it a shot.” He then made this design, we went through only a couple renditions before he nailed it. I knew it was ready. I knew I wanted to see an Orbital path when the cards were fanned or spread. The borders were made a bit thinner than before to ensure the white shuttle line was noticeable in the spread. The black and white combo makes this deck a visual treat that will be hard to top. Daniel Schneider himself even said “It’s going to be hard to top this.” This deck just like the other Orbits feature the same duplicate jokers, double backer, and a duplicate 8 of spades. Don’t think I forgot about the one way design. It’s there, even harder to find than before in my opinion. Enjoy the hunt and email me at chris@theOrbitbrown.com if you can’t find it. I’d be happy to reveal it for you.

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Specs & Feel

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Ok, lets take a look under the hood. The fourth edition Orbit deck is the first in the Orbit lineup for a lot of things. It’s the first one to feature Premium (Bee Stock) quality. This Premium stock is also crushed which means the cards are thinner than traditional Bee playing cards. The only problem with crushed classic stock (Bicycle Stock) is that they don’t last as long unless you take great care of your cards. Crushed Premium lasts for a very very long time regardless of how rough you are. These cards were meant to go the distance and maintain their integrity longer than the third edition Orbits. The fourths were created on the Web Press instead of the sheet fed press. The sheet fed press is for smaller runs of prints while the Web Press is usually for larger jobs. And YES, there is a difference in the final feel. Since we printed 23 thousand decks this time, we went with the Web Press. After handling these cards every day for the past three weeks I can tell you that they still feel amazing and fan perfectly. I made sure to take these cards with me to Disneyland and mess with the cards regardless of if my hands were just washed or not. I have even dropped a few cards as well. I haven’t used a card clip and have been sitting on them in my back left pocket wherever I go. I want to see how they hold up and they are impressing me more and more each day. They are flexible like crushed bikes but feel sturdier. Bee playing cards have always feel soft to the touch as if the cards had a cloth feel around the edges. I even looked at both edges with a macro lens of premium stock vs classic stock. It was obviously which one was which. The Premium looked more like fabric than cardboard. I’m pretty sure there aren’t very many crushed Premium stock cards created on the Web Press out there. I was blown away when I first held them. It’s always a nervous moment the first time I feel a new Orbit deck. Imagine my joy when I exclaimed “These are the best feeling cards I have ever felt in my life!” Aside from that, these cards are traditionally cut like the Third Editions to give that old school vibe to the cards and to ensure easy faros.

The King of Hearts story

Back in the summer of 2016 we learned of my Dad’s slowly developing dementia and then one year later we discovered cancer and other problems that required immediate surgery. The procedure was going to be around 8 hours and we were told that this procedure was very risky. We all knew that there was a chance that he might not make it through. My dad knew the risks but if they didn’t do the surgery he would have died within a month more than likely. I remember getting to the hospital at around 6 am. I was there with my brother, my sister, and my mom. I went in to go talk to him before the surgery. I walked in and he looked nervous but happy to see me. I knew this could potentially be the last time I get to talk to my dad and he knew it as well. So instead of talking about how this might be our last talk I decided it was best to keep his eye on a prize. Hope is the greatest thing you can give somebody who is about to dance with death. I told him the following…

“Hey so, dad. I wanted to run an idea by you. I’d like you to be in my next 7 Orbit decks. That way no matter what, you’ll live forever in my cards. My friend Daniel Schneider can put your face onto one of the kings. Which king do you want to be?”

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I wanted him to be the king of hearts but at the last second I decided it was best to let him make the choice. I told him all the options and he said, “Hearts!” I was so happy that we were both on the same page. There was a small moment when he forgot about his fears and he was so excited to be one of the Orbit kings. Right before I left I told him that the surgery will be like time travel for him. For me it would be 8 hours, for him it would be instantaneous. He’d leap 8 hours into the future. His look was filled with uncertainty, fear, and helplessness. He was always strong for me as a kid so I thought it was a good time to return the favor by showing him that same strength. I didn’t shed a single tear. It was all smiles and hope. He then told me how proud of me he was. I gave him a hug, told him I loved him, and that I’d see him in 8 hours. With each hour that passed it meant things were going according to plan. Our anxiety was reducing but strangely increasing as each hour passed. The doctor came in looking like a tired zombie and said the surgery was a complete success! I don’t remember anything he said after that due to my excitement. He got out of the hospital about a month later. Every Tuesday since then I come over to my parents house to hang out with my dad for a few hours. We are currently watching 2 episodes of Dexter on Netflix each week and we are about to finish season 2. He said that’s his favorite part of the week. It’s now our ritual and I have no intention of stopping. I love my time with my dad and he loves it as well. I told him the other week “I’m glad you’re not dead dad, so now you can see how the King of Hearts turned out!” He laughed at that. I got the Black Orbits on November 1st. I gave him his Black Orbit deck on November 14th. He then put it with his collection of other Orbits and told me how proud of me he was. The reason why the King of Hearts is missing a heart corner pip is to remind me that he faced death and was given a second chance at life. I feel like we all get one of those second chances. The heart remaining is his second life. When I was driving him home a month after his surgery I told him that he’s on extra time that he wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for his successful surgery.

These aren’t just cards to me, they are a part of me. PS. My wife Holly is the Queen of Diamonds which was a surprise I told her about on her birthday on September 5th. Thank you all for being a part of the Orbit brand. Much more to come. Until next time.