More Playing Card Goodness from Gamblers Warehouse

Playing Cards Dot Net is a division of Gambler's Warehouse, which has been a part of the playing card industry for over two decades.  Not only do they sell a massive amount of playing cards, but they are also involved in crowdfunding and producing custom playing cards.  Some of their previous projects include the Alloy decks (reviewed here); and the Regal deck, Royal Pulp deck, Double Black deck, Occults deck, Mystique deck, and Spirit II deck (all reviewed here).

In this review series of three articles I'll be covering some of the newest additions to the ranks of the Playing Cards Dot Net produced custom decks. We will meet the serpent inspired Ophidian deck, plus the newest incarnation of the Double Black deck, and we will also make a trip to a steam-punk inspired Wonderland with a grown up Alice!



Double Black Classic decks

The Double Black Classic deck is another recent project from Gambler's Warehouse, which was a collaboration with artist John Powell, also known in the playing card industry as Blackout Brother.



Previous edition

The first edition of the Double Black deck was produced around 2014, in both an unbranded version and a branded Bicycle version, and it was the first ever custom deck produced by Gamblers Warehouse.  One of its most striking features was its jet black tuck box, which was finished with a very classy looking silver foil.  The vision for this deck was to create something that James Bond would use and be proud of: "We envisioned a deck of playing cards that someone as deadly and debonair as James Bond would pull out of their suit at a card game-- Classy and sleek with just enough customization to be unique, yet still hold the classic style of traditional playing cards. With this concept in mind, Double Black was born."

The James Bond style design continued with the cards themselves, with the card backs featuring a "black on black" design, with a very light grey providing some texture and details, including the signature Double X that was the hall-mark of this deck.  The black suits featured the same black with grey artwork and a lighter grey for the indices, while the red suits had a splash of colour for the indices and a few small details in the artwork.  While offering a very sleek look, the minimalist design did suffer a little in terms of clarity.



Classic edition

The Double Black Classic deck is a redesigned version of the successful original, but has more elaborate and clearer illustrations.

Like the previous version, two different editions of the main deck are available: an unbranded Classic edition, and a Bicycle branded Limited edition, with different tuck box corresponding to each.  Both boxes are finished with a custom seal, and beautiful silver foil accents which really come to life on the dark black background, and look absolutely stunning and regal.   


 
Every secret agent needs a gun, and if you look closely you will see a pair of crossed revolvers as part of the exquisite artwork.

Both tuck boxes have a very classy interior printing that adds to the sense of elegance and sophistication.  No doubt Mr Bond would approve.



The artwork on the face cards has had a complete makeover. While there is still a focus on black backgrounds with custom designed faces that use white/grey along with some small instances of red accents to highlight some details, the use of a more distinct and vibrant white and red ensures that the artwork is more visual and clear against the backdrop of inky black.

The pips also have a whole new look, and the solid design that is embellished with single diagonal stripe offers a tuxedo like impression that fits better with the theme and artistic direction of this deck, and also makes them far more visible and recognizable. On the number cards the pips have a custom arrangement within a honeycomb design consisting of 13 faint circles, for a very creative and original look.



The branded and the unbranded versions of this deck have identical cards, but there is one exception: they have slightly different card backs.  The unbranded deck changes the single-circle design to two circles separated by a diamond shape that includes our two double-black revolvers in the center.



Besides the two Jokers pictured above, this deck also comes with two extra cards, a double backer, and a split King-Queen gaff card.

Unlike the first edition of this sleek deck, which had darker tones that made the suits and values very difficult to discern, the Classic deck does a much better job of offering a classy feel while still being usable.  It's a solid improvement of the original, that retains a jet black look that James Bond types will appreciate, and combines being suave and sophisticated, with style and discernment.



Once again, printing has been done by USPCC, with their air cushion style finish ensuring smooth handling and playing cards that are long lasting.

Waterproof edition

As a successful stretch goal, a special Double Black Waterproof deck was also produced to complement the Classic decks covered above.

With this unique version, transparent spot varnish has been used on the tuck box to create a textured and glossy look, with an embossed feel that is emphasized by the matt black of the box.



This deck features cards that are 100% plastic, and hence fully waterproof.  The artwork and designs have been applied to the cards by means of UV spot varnish, for a textured and glossy look that matches the tuck box.

The overall effect is highly unusual and curious - the cards look almost jet black at first glance, and it's only when you hold them up to the light at the right angle that the glossy parts of the surface comes to life as the light reflects off it.  They're not practical for use in an actual game for this reason, but they certainly make a great novelty item.



Unlike the main decks, due to the unique demands of all-plastic rather than paper cards, this waterproof version has been produced in Taiwan, rather than in the United States by USPCC.

Recommendation

Once again Gambler's Warehouse continues to produce the goods.  They have a lot of experience in the custom playing card industry, and offer services as a fulfilment company for many card designers, who rely on their expertise and experience to help produce custom decks.  But in addition to helping others make their crowd-funding projects a reality, they also collaborate to produce decks like the examples shown above.

Besides producing playing cards, Gambler's Warehouse also sells them at their online retail outlet.  All of the above decks can be purchased at their subsidiary Playingcards.net website, along with a wide range of hundreds of other quality playing cards for sale there, all of which include free US shipping in the price.


 
Want to learn more? 
Gamblers Warehouse: http://gamblerswarehouse.com
Playing Cards Dot Net: http://playingcards.net

Direct links for the decks featured in this review series: (prices listed include free US shipping from playingcards.net)
- Ophidian deck ($16.00)
- Double Black Classic deck ($18.95)
- Double Black Waterproof deck ($14.95)
- Alice of Wonderland Gold deck ($13.95)
- Alice of Wonderland Silver deck ($13.99)