Cartamundi Playing Cards
Two Very Different Card Lines from the World's Largest Manufacturer
About Cartamundi
Cartamundi is the world's largest playing card manufacturer, headquartered in Turnhout, Belgium. The company has been producing playing cards since 1765 and now manufactures over 1 billion decks per year.
It's important to understand that Cartamundi sells two distinct product lines that feel and play very differently:
- Cartamundi Ace — Made in the USA from PVC plastic. Widely available in US retail stores. Thinner and smoother than the Belgium line.
- Cartamundi Belgium — Made in Belgium from cellulose acetate (the same material as KEM and Modiano). Casino-grade. Used at WSOP Final Tables. Must be ordered from European suppliers.
The reviews below cover both lines so you can see how different they really are.
Too Smooth
These cards feel very thin and there is virtually zero texture to them. I like the design and they are available at many stores in the US but overall there are better cards such as the Bicycle Prestige that are just as available in the same price range.
Cons
- Too smooth
- Dark reds
- Standard storage box
| Type | Plastic |
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| Size | Poker |
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| Index | Standard |
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| Pips | Two |
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| Jokers | Three |
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| Made in | USA |
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This review was contributed by forum member Nitty OMC from the Home Poker Forum.
These are not at all easy to get, as the only place I've seen selling them to the public is a European supplier. These are the same cards (though with a different back pattern) that were used at WSOP Final Tables in the mid 2010s, as well as on other poker shows. These are different card stock from other Cartamundi plastic cards — there is a different, thinner, more slippery Cartamundi stock made in the USA that is sold under the "Cartamundi Ace" line. This review is for the Cartamundi Belgium line.
Purchasing
At time of review: approximately 9 euro per deck, plus 10 euro shipping to the United States for two decks — roughly $34 USD shipped per two-deck setup. Cards arrived in two weeks from Europe.
Feel
Though I am personally more partial to cards with a textured finish, these cards feel amazing. Unlike other plastic cards which are mostly made of PVC, Cartamundi Belgium is made from cellulose acetate — which is usually softer and more flexible than PVC counterparts. These cards are soft to the touch, with a slight hint of texture on the card stock on both the front and back, and shuffle and riffle very smoothly. They feel very close to paper cards, but maintain their shape and are less prone to creasing. The stock is a bit thinner than other European manufactured cards, but this comes with the territory of cellulose acetate.
Durability
One deck has been shuffled, riffled, and pitched for over 30 minutes in testing, with no sign of marking, chipping, or creasing. The cards arrived wrapped in cellophane individually and did not arrive bowed or warped.
Case / Travel
You'll need to find your own tuck box or plastic case to house these — they are shipped wrapped in cellophane only.
These cards look and feel great to play with. If you don't mind the somewhat higher cost of purchasing from Europe, the retailer is reliable and turnaround time is reasonable given intercontinental shipping.
Pros
- Nice design on the card backs
- Cellulose acetate feel rivals KEM and Modiano
- Durable — no marking or creasing after extended testing
Cons
- Red is a little dark
- Cards flex a little soft
- No case included — cellophane only
| Type | Plastic (cellulose acetate) |
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| Size | Poker |
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| Index | Super Jumbo |
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| Made in | Belgium |
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