Poker Forums

If I'm hosting games, should I buy new decks each time I host the game? Newbie here.

I don't feel obligated to provide a new deck each time, but I play with friends too. It keeps things a little straighter to open a new deck, but if a deck isn't worn at all, I don't bring out a new one. I'm cheap! LOL

Yes, I am the same Vicky - we use a pack until it starts showing wear and tear. It depends on the players at your game - if you are all friends and it's a more friendly atmosphere then it's ok I guess, but in a professional home game with people you don't know or involving lots of money you would probably want to open the pack in front of everyone...

Yup ...I keep decks of Bicycle cards around for those nights. I keep my good cards for friendlies! I think it pays to open that plastic wrapper in front of guests you don't know!

If i play with friends i dont buy new deck everytime , but when it serious games i buy a new deck .

I host monthly tournaments with up to 28 players.
FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY:
To keep things on the up and up, I use brand new sealed decks for tournaments. I've scoured e-bay to find "casino quality" decks (plastic coated) and found some deals. I bought multiple auctions from one seller who was selling 5 UNOPENED Binion's Horeshoe decks for $15. I also bought 12 decks of WPT decks (by Bee mfr. co.) for $19.95. I also bought 24 decks of BCG decks for $18.95 which are just as good as Bee, Aristocrat or Bicycle decks. It seems that the going rate of brand new good quality decks are selling for around $2 a deck on e-bay. I give away the decks as part of the prize and open new ones for the next tournament.
I try to avoid "non-plastic coated" decks. They just don't feel right in your hands and they bend too easily for my taste. They usually go for under $1 a deck. I would recommend staying away from these.
CASINO - CANCELED DECKS : BE AWARE OF THESE OFFERINGS !!! I bought a few of these. Decks from Binion's Horeshoe & Bellagio at $15 for 10 decks. Apparently, the seller I bought these were selling canceled decks that HE KNEW were NOT MARKED with permanent markers. The corners were trimmed but otherwise these are like new.
I bought a wholesale lot of 84 CASINO CANCELED decks from another seller for $18.95 plus $28 in shipping. I assumed that they would be in the same condition as my canceled Binions Horeshoe decks . . . BIG BIG BIG MISTAKE !!!!
The description of the item read that "MOST of the decks JUST HAVE clipped corners AND SOME MAY HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH MARKERS for security reasons. When I got the shipment I started opening the decks and EVERY DECK WAS MARKED WITH MARKERS ON THE SIDE OF THE DECK !!! Not just "some decks" as it was described in the e-bay auction. This makes them "marked cards", which is totally unusable for poker . . . or just about any game. 84 decks weighs a lot. Of course the shipping cost in NON-REFUNDABLE . . . and I am not going to spend $14 to ship the item back to get an $18 REFUND !!!
DON'T BUY CANCELED CASINO DECKS UNLESS THE SELLER CAN VERIFY THAT HIS OFFERINGS DO NOT INCLUDE ANY MARKED CARDS. I will never buy canceled decks from anywhere except Binions Horeshoe (before the new management). I have yet to see one that was marked with markers from the Horseshoe. There are few casino that don't believe in Marking the used decks.
FOR CASH GAMES :
For cash games I use KEM or COPAG 100% plastic cards. These will cost anywhere from $15 to $25 per set of 2 decks . . . but they are well worth the investment. I have a total of 14 sets of these, just for variety. There are other brands of plastic cards, such as Royal and others. I bought a few of these off-brands and found them to feel thin and flimsy compared to KEM and COPAG. If you stick with KEM and COPAG cards, you'll be happy for sure.
Just my 2 cents :)

wow you guys are serious...... we have pokernights about once month at my house .... 8 to 10 players ..... admittedly most are friends ....but been playing the same pack for over a year....... save the plannet .... stop thowing your cards away

andy bee

whenever play with friends i don't buy a new one but when things get tough...you have to buy a new deck