Your Top 10 and Worse 10 Decks

[NathanCanadas]

I'm sorry if this topic already exists. I searched and couldn't find anything similar.
This is for USPCC and other branded decks (i.e. Fournier, Archduke etc)
First post your 10 favorite decks (with pictures if possible) and explain why briefly (1 sentence is fine).
Then post your 10 worse decks (with pictures if possible) and explain why briefly.

[NathanCanadas]

Attached are my 11 favorite decks that I own followed by 2 pics of my 10 worst decks, in no specific order. Try to guess them

[Russell CircleCityCards]

I'm amazed at how many people dislike the Fulton's and Vintage Plaid from D&D.  Yes, they put out a crazy number of decks in a short period, but the decks weren't crap, the plaid series is a great deck for garage poker or to have on vacation, especially for use on a camping trip. Both Fulton's are beautiful, the boxes are exquisit.


I think too many people are judging them based solely on the frequency and not the design.

[NathanCanadas]

I'm amazed at how many people dislike the Fulton's and Vintage Plaid from D&D.  Yes, they put out a crazy number of decks in a short period, but the decks weren't crap, the plaid series is a great deck for garage poker or to have on vacation, especially for use on a camping trip. Both Fulton's are beautiful, the boxes are exquisit.


I think too many people are judging them based solely on the frequency and not the design.

To be honest, I disagree. I got my hands on the plaids before I even knew how despised the buck twins were by some people because of their marketing strategies. I HATE the design. I don't know why, but I do. The box is too plain and looks to "old" IMO, which is why I put it in my most disliked decks. As for the Fultons, the box looks awesome but they don't last long before starting to clump. They last less than normal bikes... although usually D&D decks handle great. Also, the back design and twirls all over the cards doesn't in any way fit the ganster feel of the deck and of their teaser. Finally, the back is too busy. Russell, I would be very interested in knowing what your favorite and worst decks are. Would you be able to tell us?

[Don Boyer]

I'm amazed at how many people dislike the Fulton's and Vintage Plaid from D&D.  Yes, they put out a crazy number of decks in a short period, but the decks weren't crap, the plaid series is a great deck for garage poker or to have on vacation, especially for use on a camping trip. Both Fulton's are beautiful, the boxes are exquisit.


I think too many people are judging them based solely on the frequency and not the design.

I liked the Fulton's Clip Joint deck - it was an original idea.  The durability is an issue, though.


I liked the Vintage Plaids, total throwback decks and a lot of fun.


The Fulton's Chinatown deck was a big disappointment to me.  The "red" on the box and the backs to me wasn't red at all, more of a sickly orange.  And the faces?  Take a Vintage Plaid deck (not counting the jokers or the AoS), strip away the background color, and you have the exact same faces as the Chinatown, right down to the colors used!


So, Nathan - a question: Your topic is about USPC and other branded decks.  What the hell is an unbranded deck? 

[John B.]

generic playing cards. they are plastic and crap and i find them every once and a while at old gas stations.

[Don Boyer]

generic playing cards. they are plastic and crap and i find them every once and a while at old gas stations.

Well, not only is it not exactly the kind of thing we write about here, but even if you wanted to, how could you?  It's unbranded - it lacks a brand, no identification markings...  I guess I'm just being fussy...

[NathanCanadas]

So, Nathan - a question: Your topic is about USPC and other branded decks.  What the hell is an unbranded deck? 

I changed the title. I meant to say USPCC or other famous brands' decks. But, anyways, show us yours!

[Don Boyer]

So, Nathan - a question: Your topic is about USPC and other branded decks.  What the hell is an unbranded deck? 

I changed the title. I meant to say USPCC or other famous brands' decks. But, anyways, show us yours!

Hey, Nathan - why are your deck photos coming out as mirror images?

[Gunshy1]

off topic: why does everyone seem to think the clip joints theme was ganstar? their theme was film noir which they displayed very well. even the single custom pip on the cards shows film noir because it represented the single source lighting that film noir is best known for. Same with the owl and the moth that are both on the back of the cards; these are both representative of film noir.

[KT]

Pandora Vine Back Deck is definitely on the top of my list of worst decks. Followed by Jim Tyler's Doomsday Decks

[Don Boyer]

off topic: why does everyone seem to think the clip joints theme was ganstar? their theme was film noir which they displayed very well. even the single custom pip on the cards shows film noir because it represented the single source lighting that film noir is best known for. Same with the owl and the moth that are both on the back of the cards; these are both representative of film noir.

While not always synonymous, gangsters did often appear prominently in film noir.  And a lot of people here probably just assume they're interchangeable anyway...

Pandora Vine Back Deck is definitely on the top of my list of worst decks. Followed by Jim Tyler's Doomsday Decks

I've been hearing that the Pandora Vine Backs actually improve when they're broken in.  Are yours?  What's your full assessment?

[DeckReview]

I dislike theory11's steampunk deck mainly for the odd looking back design. I also dislike the gold dragon backs for their horrid handling. And finally the karnival ryujin's handling is also very bad and in general not that pretty of a deck

[KT]

I've been hearing that the Pandora Vine Backs actually improve when they're broken in.  Are yours?  What's your full assessment?

I haven't touched them for some time and when I tried to fan it, it practically stuck together.
I'm just going to leave it alone.

[eggman]

I do not really like theory 11 deck one. I even have an uncutt sheet of them. I got them as they were a good deal. But good deal is not always the best reason to purchase an item.

[Don Boyer]

I do not really like theory 11 deck one. I even have an uncutt sheet of them. I got them as they were a good deal. But good deal is not always the best reason to purchase an item.

What in particular did you not like?  I think the design is outstanding - the deck almost belongs on the set of "1984"!  I've never been unhappy with the performance, though I admit it's been a little while since I picked mine up - a consequence of an ever-growing collection...

[eggman]

They do handle great. The design just does not do anything for me. It is strange that I was sent two uncutt sheets by the company even though I only paid for one. Why does that not happen with decks I like? It is understandable many would like this deck. It just does not do it for me.

[NathanCanadas]

So, Nathan - a question: Your topic is about USPC and other branded decks.  What the hell is an unbranded deck? 

I changed the title. I meant to say USPCC or other famous brands' decks. But, anyways, show us yours!

Hey, Nathan - why are your deck photos coming out as mirror images?

I don't own a program that allows me to take non-mirror pictures with my webcam. I use Photo Booth and am too lazy to get another one...

[Don Boyer]

Hey, Nathan - why are your deck photos coming out as mirror images?

I don't own a program that allows me to take non-mirror pictures with my webcam. I use Photo Booth and am too lazy to get another one...

I'm reasonably sure Macs come with something for flipping a photo.  If they don't, Seashore is the Mac equivalent of MS Paint and it's a free download.  Otherwise, just use a regular cellphone cam - the resolution's probably better anyway!

[saurabh]

My Lists will be as follow.

Top Ten:
1.) Split Spades Lions
2.) Bicycle New Fan Backs out of the Vintage Series
3.) Richard Turner's Bikes
4.) White Lions
5.) Aristocrat 727 Reprints
6.) Aviators
7.) Green Crown
8.) Aristocrat Club Special
9.) Archduke Eagle Backs
10.) Studs

The top ten are in no particular order. The Split Spades Lions will always be no. 1 on my list, but the rest of them are fairly movable. Criteria for favoritism include Handling (either specific to one purpose or in general), Cost effectiveness and practicality.

Bottom Ten:

Not really a list. Basically handling wise the inferior portion of the decks. Tragic Royalty, all versions of Karnival except Midnight.
And the black decks from Ellusionist which handle very well, but are utterly useless in 'Real World' situations. Can't be used for any mentalism, chip off leaving crappy edges and what not.
And also the Magic Makers' decks.

[NathanCanadas]

And also the Magic Makers' decks.

Why? I actually really like the handling and design of the Magic Maker's decks.

[Don Boyer]

And also the Magic Makers' decks.

Why? I actually really like the handling and design of the Magic Maker's decks.

The color decks look great out of the box but like any full-bleed deck they look awful with some shuffling.  They're also a little boring by today's standards.