Time for another edition of "Noob Questions" hosted by yours truly 

So as always, trying to do my homework, because while I go with what appeals to me ascetically, it is always a plus to learn about what your adding to your collection.

So, Bee brands, seems these are more of the "Classic" design professional playing cards, used by Casino's etc...OR is it a finish? I see this tossed around here and there, "Bee Casino Finish". I do like the more classic design on the Club Specials Stinger Backs for instance ( I hear the Black version is tough to come by), but what am I really looking at when looking at a Bee Deck? I'll be honest, I'm still kind of figuring out the "Pecking Order" as it were with playing cards, I know USPSS prints most decks, but then you have Bicycle, Bee, Hoyle, Aviator, Km and a few other smaller "Brand" I guess? I think my confusion lies in descriptions such as this " Bicycle XYZ Deck designed by T11, manufactured by USPCC" there seems to be 3 different things going on there.

Maybe an easier example would be the recent Black Book of Cards on Kickstarter. They offered "Bicycle" branded decks, so it's the same deck, but with Bicycle branding...why is this such a bit deal? Or is it?

As always I appreciate the feedback and apologize if this is a simplistic question that I'm making complicated. When I started it seemed it was more like, "OOOHHH, Pretty Cards!" now as I learn more it seems to bread more questions.

Thanks in advance 

So I'll prime the pump here for Don.  Don't confuse stocks and finishes.  USPCC offers two different stocks.  Bicycle and Bee.  Bee is the more expensive slightly beefier of the two. 

As far as the Black Book Decks go...  The cards inside the tuck are exactly the same.  It's just the difference between branded and unbranded.  Bicycle branded decks appeal to a specific audience.  Some folks only collect bicycle branded decks.  It's a subset of this community. 

The default for custom made decks is Bicycle stock with magic finish. 

It is possible to have a Bicycle branded deck with Bee stock.  USPCC plays it pretty loose with the terminology you can put on your tuck box so you may come across several bizarre stocks and finishes that don't really exist.  They all boil down to the basic few. 

Check the sticky thread, I think you'll find it at the top of the PCP Forum.  Sheds way more light on this. 

Hope this helped a little. 

EDIT: here's the link to all the knowledge you may desire.
http://aethercards.com/discourse/playing-card-plethora/playing-cards-fact-or-fiction-myths-debunked-here/

Samurai deck. 

Decks are in route to the creator from USPCC.  Surveys just went out.  Haven't really heard anything since the project closed.  Nice update here though.  He expects to complete delivery by Halloween.   Fitting!

This project is, and has been for several months, exciting me to a point that words cannot adequately portray.     

Traded some decks w/ Jackson Robinson.  Painless exchange.  Beautiful cards!

Nice Birthday Gift!!!

You guys are too damn good.  I'll consider it a personal challenge.  I'm pulling out all the stops next time!   

In for one early bird.  I really like the Joker for some reason.   Just looks sharp to me. 

See how many of these you can get right.  Theses are close up pictures of tuck cases.  If you guys enjoy this I may do another and make it a contest for some decks.  Feel free to give me some feedback.  Boyer, please move this if it's misplaced.  Thanks.

Masters set (Red and Blue) for $7.00

Here's pics of S&M V1-3 tuck boxes for a reference of the card back art differences.

 V1


V2


V3


Hope this helps.

I'm nervous.  Has someone hacked Alex's account?  That was way too normal a welcome!

I don't want to get us too far off topic but I have to chime in real quick.  I have been employed by Home Depot for over 16.  While the new health care program does limit the number of hours part time associates can work from a business standpoint.  I assure you that over half the hourly associates in the company are full time.  Some companies such as Walgreens have elected to dissolve all full time, hourly positions, Home Depot has not.  No big deal, I just wanted to correct that particular bit of misinformation.