Phil Pockets' Billiard Hall Playing Cards (KS)

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

Over a year ago I launched an unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign. That project was to print a similar deck of cards on plastic stock. The project ultimately failed to get funding, but provided me with a good amount of feedback about the design. I am happy to say that this time around I will be offering my new design on paper stock for all of the cardists, magicians, enthusiasts and my intended market on the first go - the poker players.

link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1977444587/phil-pockets-billiard-hall-playing-cards?ref=search

There was concern on my last design that the pips may not be easily distinguishable at a distance. I've created a new set of pips which I've tested at the extremity of my own and others' eyesight to ensure that each pip is recognizable and will not likely be confused for another. Even when printed in the same color or when knocking out of the same color, each of the pips was easily recognizable.

[Fred]

Its a fairly nice and different concept compared to the other custom decks out there. I like the pip designs and the layout is pretty cool too. However, i just cant get pass the 'faceless' court cards. The absence of facial features simply makes them lack the expression and elegance the characters require, especially in their respective poses and formal wear. (To a fellow artist, it also simply means that the facial features were too hard to draw and were thus left out). Also, the ace of spades has a simple lightning bolt inside? Not really sure how that fits into the theme.. It also bothers me slightly that court cards are simply landscape drawings flipped over with nothing to 'connect' the two sides. It just all seems too rushed.

Definitely good concepts especially with the pips, however i personally think that the creator needs to refine his artwork much much more for the project as a whole to seem complete.

No hate or negativity implied whatsoever, just trying to be constructive and give my personal opinion.

PS: the pricing of the pledge tiers again made me realise how much of a bitch international shipping is..  :s

[Don Boyer]

Its a fairly nice and different concept compared to the other custom decks out there. I like the pip designs and the layout is pretty cool too. However, i just cant get pass the 'faceless' court cards. The absence of facial features simply makes them lack the expression and elegance the characters require, especially in their respective poses and formal wear. (To a fellow artist, it also simply means that the facial features were too hard to draw and were thus left out). Also, the ace of spades has a simple lightning bolt inside? Not really sure how that fits into the theme.. It also bothers me slightly that court cards are simply landscape drawings flipped over with nothing to 'connect' the two sides. It just all seems too rushed.

Definitely good concepts especially with the pips, however i personally think that the creator needs to refine his artwork much much more for the project as a whole to seem complete.

No hate or negativity implied whatsoever, just trying to be constructive and give my personal opinion.

PS: the pricing of the pledge tiers again made me realise how much of a bitch international shipping is..  :s

Actually, he's thought a LOT about this concept.  Check this out:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1977444587/phils-poker-cards-just-the-beginning

His original KS project was essentially for this deck, except in "Prestige" plastic and two colors right off the bat.  Financially, it was too hard for the community to absorb - $20 a pack isn't cheap - and it led to the project's demise.

I find nothing wrong with his stylized court cards.  It's a design choice, like any other design choice, and I feel there's a certain elegance to it - though I will admit that I liked his first design better as it was more visually interesting.  I would bet that the design change is a concession to poker players - they're a very traditional lot and don't like too many changes.  The switch to paper and starting with a single color will only bode well for this project, I believe.

[kdklown]

I'm really digging the back design.  The billiard table, cues, racks and darts really hammer the theme.  I think the Jokers are killer.  Not in love with courts either but I will probably pledge this deck.  Seems just different enough than everything else to be intriguing. 

[Rob Wright]

He mentions several stretch goals, but does not give a pledge point to meet the goals. I messaged him. We'll see what he says.

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

I like the design, but his goal isn't high enough - always scares me

[Don Boyer]

I like the design, but his goal isn't high enough - always scares me

Are you sure that's low?  For a simple 2,500-deck run?  Remember, any bells or whistles he's mentioned thus far were all stretch goals (though he hasn't set the marks for those stretch goals yet).  He may be putting a dash of his own funds into it, as well - Paul Carpenter set the goal for the Deco decks at a mere $1,000.

You might be right.  The prices I have from USPC are old and based on a 5,000-deck run.  It's also possible, as some people do, that he's setting the goal low to help insure success and is counting on going over his goal - not always a good idea, unless you are willing to throw your own cash into it if you fall short.

[entrails]

There is a lot to like in the design of this deck. I agree that the backs look nice and the pips look fantastic. Im very interested in different pips for some reason in designer decks so the row of pips in the picture above looks very stylized and refreshing to me. Very unique concept with the overall look of the deck and fairly well executed from top to bottom.

Im still pondering the court cards however I like those jokers.

[Alex Willis]

Overall, I like the design.  It feels very 1940s upscale pool hall.  I think it's very well done.  I wish him luck, I won't be pledging but that's just because it doesn't fit any of my personal interests.  I'm also limiting myself to only pledging on 4 projects at a time.  it's hard when there are so many great things on KS these days.

[GBAllison]

OK, I think the card backs and the courts work well together.  That seems to be a problem with KS projects these days.  Nice font for the indicies, too. 

But my favorite feature in the whole deck is the suicide king :-)

[Don Boyer]

Overall, I like the design.  It feels very 1940s upscale pool hall.  I think it's very well done.  I wish him luck, I won't be pledging but that's just because it doesn't fit any of my personal interests.  I'm also limiting myself to only pledging on 4 projects at a time.  it's hard when there are so many great things on KS these days.

I want to pledge for this, but I've cut out buying new decks altogether.  As much as I love the hobby, there are other things I need to spend the cash on.  After accumulating an estimated 1,700-1,800 decks, you reach a point where you ask, "Is this deck really necessary?"  I should use up some of what I've got first, I think.

[Rob Wright]

He mentions several stretch goals, but does not give a pledge point to meet the goals. I messaged him. We'll see what he says.

Chuck messaged me back. He has updated the front page of the project. 20k for second color(gold), and at 23k is giving 5 collector chips free to backers(Thank You Chips)