Modiano, Desjgn, and Dal Negro Review

[Magoddi]

I've been on card buying spree lately and I thought I would give my opinions of the three most recent set ups  I have bought which are Desjgn Classic Culture (Wicked Combo), Modiano Old Trophy Style (Red/Blue), and Dal Negro Freedom X( Gray/Green). All set ups are bridge size.

Modiano - I had great expectations for these cards because I am a  major fan of the Cristallos. Of the three these are the thickest and have the most textured feel which is a bonus in my book.  They did however show up with a slight bend in both decks. Not a big deal because it bends the opposite way of when you shuffle the cards so maybe in time they might flatten out. I love the snap and all around feel of these cards. They came in a real cool plastic case that lifts the decks up when you open it..nice touch. Two cut cards were included as well.  Modiano will continue to be my top brand of playing cards to use.

Desjgn - At first handling of these cards I thought they felt too thin for my liking but after some play they felt pretty good.  These too have a good snap to them especially for a thinner feeling card.  They shuffle well but are a little slick which may subside after more play. The artwork is very cool and the style of the pips is unique.  I especially like the look of the diamonds.  They came in a nice black cardboard case can definitely see my self purchasing these again.

Dal Negro - This is my first time purchasing from Dal Negro.  I chose the Freedom X because I liked the look of the peek inside of the suit and that it was only on two of the corners  (wrong corner for me but oh well).  These cards are the thinnest feeling and slickest of the three set ups and the most expensive.  I have not yet put these into play yet so I look forward to seeing how they stand up to some common abuse.  The artwork is pretty cool but doesn't pop as much as I thought it would from the pics I had seen.  Each deck came in it's own basic cardboard box.  For the price I would expect something a little nicer but I knew this before purchasing.  When bending the cards they did not have the recovery of the other two brands but still no comparison to plastic coated.  Overall I like the cards but don't see adding them to my cart in the near future.

Pretty basic review but that's the gist of it.

If I could combine the artwork and style of the Desjgns to feel and thickness of the Modianos I would be a very happy man.

[mnguyen281]

thanks for the reviews!  i've been on a card buying spree too lol i like modianos the best.  none of mine have any bends out of the box though so i would double check with where you got them.

[HarveyWallbanger]

i've owned modianos, dal negros, gemacos, copags and kems.  modiano poker club/large index are my favorite cards hands down.

[Milo]

      Modianos are, without a doubt, my favourite brand of plastic cards.  I have several set-ups, all of which are poker sized except for one (oops . . . my error).  They are still in fantastic shape after a few years worth of use.  You comments about thickness/stiffness are spot on, and it is what initially attracted me to them.  No incidences of bowing to date (touch wood).
      Desjgns are a card that I only bought recently.  I liken them to Copags in terms of value for $$$, and also for thickness/flexibility.  I love the unique quality of the pip patterns, too.  I am willing to give more Desjgns a try . . .
      Dal Negros were a little disapoointing, from a standpoint of expectations not being met.  I have a set-up of Torcellos, and they just do not compare to my Modianos.  I will probably end up using them as a tournament giveaway at some point, as I would sooner buy more Desjgns or Copags.
      I like Fourniers, as well, just not as much as Modianos

Nice review.

[Magoddi]

Nice review.

Thanks. 

I had a chance to give the freedom X a little work out tonight with the kids playing Rummy.  The best description I can give is "fragile".  They just felt very fragile.  I don't regret buying them because my curiosity would have driven me more crazy and I'm not saying they are bad cards...just not for me.

[CarlosModiano]

did your Modianos bended back?

I purchase some Old Trophy and they are a little bended upwards. Despite that are the best i ever tried. Nice texture and elegant typeface and design. The other drawback is that i think i purchase and old set were they have the cardboard wrapping, but you did not have many options of good plastic cards here in Mexico.

[DiamondAce]

Our Club loves the Modiano Cristallo's and got voted in 7/3. The other 3 voted Kem (pre USPCCo). For the price, the crisp feel and texture can't be beaten. It did take a bit to break-in, and they are about a mm thicker deck. The 4-pip makes table-viewing a pleasure.

DA