RWS Decks and Card-stock Quality

[Ienne]

Greetings! I'm finally un-lurking.

Lost my 32 year old RWS and need to replace it - ordered a 'standard' deck but the coating is sooooo slippery it makes shuffling more like a luge event for the poor Empress. LOL. Can anyone tell me if the stock and coating on the Centennial are usable?

TYIA -
Ienne

[Charlie Brown]

I have the borderless, which is basically the same coloring as the centennial, and I haven't noticed any problems, but I have no way of comparing it to what you have. Do you have any way of knowing if your 'new' deck might be older stock? The cards from a few years ago were really plasticky and gross but the decks from the past two years or so feel much better.

You can also find older copies of the standard on ebay for about the same as a new deck. You might also want to consider a legal, non-USG deck like Pam's Vintage Tarot. I do, however, love my borderless.

[Joan Marie]

Lost my 32 year old RWS and need to replace it - ordered a 'standard' deck but the coating is sooooo slippery it makes shuffling more like a luge event for the poor Empress.

My old RWS deck didn't get slippery, rather it feels like it's made of cloth now. When I shuffle it makes almost no sound!

( glad you've joined us Ienne!)

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah, those older ones are great. I have an early 70s printing from before they put the copyright indications on the cards. I save it for special occasions but I think it gets cranky that I don't use it enough.

[Ienne]

I have the borderless, which is basically the same coloring as the centennial, and I haven't noticed any problems, but I have no way of comparing it to what you have. Do you have any way of knowing if your 'new' deck might be older stock? The cards from a few years ago were really plasticky and gross but the decks from the past two years or so feel much better.

You can also find older copies of the standard on ebay for about the same as a new deck. You might also want to consider a legal, non-USG deck like Pam's Vintage Tarot. I do, however, love my borderless.

Thanks, Charlie! I'm sure I have one of the older, plasticky decks since I bought it in a small store in a small town. I have the PVT but 'Pammie' doesn't read well for me (maybe she's annoyed I named her Pammie ). It's such a gorgeous deck, though! Off to eBay to scout around. Thank you again!

BB,
Ienne

[Ienne]

My old RWS deck didn't get slippery, rather it feels like it's made of cloth now. When I shuffle it makes almost no sound!

( glad you've joined us Ienne!)

Ugh, I know! The feel of the shuffle is what I miss most. Glad to be here - thanks!

BB,
Ienne

[Hedera]

The Centennial has a lovely, vintagey-feeling, 'waxy' coating!
The cards are a bit thicker & stiffer than those of the standard/plasticky RWS, so might need some breaking in if you're riffle-shuffling.

I am sooooo glad US Games is apparently moving away from the horrible, slippery, plastic coating again!
People seem to think it makes the cards more durable, but the opposite is true in my opinion; the plastic isn't a coating, it is the actual paint, so as soon as it starts to get worn, the image starts to disappear.

[Joan Marie]

I am sooooo glad US Games is apparently moving away from the horrible, slippery, plastic coating again!

I am personally against plastic cards on principle (besides not liking the feel of them) because they aren't necessary and I think we all need to cut down on the use of plastics wherever possible.

[katrinka]

Yeah. There's too much plastic out there, in everything. It's not made to last and it just ends up in landfills or out in the waterways, hanging around forever.

I have the mini Centennial in a tin. The stock is OK. Nothing to write home about, but perfectly acceptable.

And the Pam's Vintage - yes! Mine is the small version with a linen finish. (Love, love, love linen!) For awhile that one was OOP and you could only get standard Tarot size, but the bridge sized version appears to be available again https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/pa ... tage-tarot

But my favorite RWS is the University Books one. You can often find it on ebay, and it's good stock from the 60's and early 70's. The yellows are less loud and chrome-y, the blues are an intense turquoise shade. The pink ankh backs are pure kitsch, and it can stand up to tons of use.

[reall]

Thank You for recommending Pam's Vintage!^^ (bridge size drivethrucards edt my fav!^^
& for everyone preferring luxury2piece box & Original Art Only edition be sure to check official EU Shop page; https://sites.google.com/view/myluckycard/eu-shop-page


Thank You!^^

[Amoroso]

I have the Centennial, the Borderless, and the deck that comes with the Commemorative and they all handle beautifully. Smooth, matte cards with a solid thickness that's a pleasure to work with. Top-tier aesthetics too.