Gemaco Playing Cards: Collector’s Guide
Gemaco playing cards have a long history in casino gaming, where consistency, readability, and durability matter more than decoration. Established in Missouri in 1965, Gemaco became known for casino-grade playing cards and gaming supplies made for professional table use. Today, the brand is active again with plastic-coated paper cards and two 100% plastic lines: flagship SuperFlex and the thicker, firmer ProFlex.
This guide covers Gemaco’s casino heritage, the differences between its current playing-card materials, how to choose the right Gemaco deck, and what collectors should look for in older examples.
Quick Links
- Gemaco Brand Hub
- Shop All Gemaco Playing Cards
- Shop Gemaco Paper Playing Cards
- Shop Gemaco 100% Plastic Playing Cards
- Shop Gemaco Jumbo Index Playing Cards
What Are Gemaco Playing Cards Known For?
Gemaco is an American playing-card brand with deep roots in the casino industry. Its reputation was built around dependable cards for professional gaming environments, including casinos, poker rooms, and other operations where cards must shuffle consistently and remain easy to read throughout repeated play.
That practical focus still defines Gemaco. Clear faces, functional back designs, durable materials, and reliable handling take priority over elaborate packaging or decorative themes. The result is a line of casino-grade playing cards that also appeals to serious home-poker players who want equipment made for the table.
History of Gemaco Playing Cards
Gemaco dates its beginning to 1965. The brand’s early history is associated with The George C. Matteson Company of Independence, Missouri, which manufactured Gemaco playing cards and helped establish the company as a supplier to the gaming industry.
Over the following decades, Gemaco became known for casino playing cards and related table-game products. Many surviving decks were produced for specific casinos, sometimes with custom back designs, casino identification, security features, or cancellation marks applied after the cards were removed from play.
In 2014, Gaming Partners International acquired substantially all the assets of GemGroup and its Gemaco-branded gaming products. In 2019, Gaming Partners International was acquired by Angel. These documented events are important parts of the brand’s history and can also provide useful clues when identifying older Gemaco decks.
Today, Gemaco playing cards are available again in paper and 100% plastic formats, continuing the brand’s longstanding emphasis on casino-grade performance, practical design, and dependable table play.
| Year or Period | Milestone | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Gemaco’s beginnings | Gemaco traces its roots to Missouri and The George C. Matteson Company. |
| Following decades | Growth in the casino market | Gemaco built its reputation through casino playing cards and other professional table-game products. |
| 2014 | GPI acquires GemGroup assets | Gaming Partners International acquired substantially all the assets of GemGroup, including its Gemaco-branded gaming products. |
| 2019 | Angel acquires GPI | Gaming Partners International became a wholly owned subsidiary of Angel. |
| Today | Gemaco cards return | A new lineup brings Gemaco’s casino-grade identity back to paper and 100% plastic playing cards. |
The Traditional Gemaco Look
Gemaco’s design tradition is best described as casino-functional. The cards are designed around clear identification, dependable handling, and practical table use rather than ornamentation for its own sake.
Historic Gemaco decks include casino-specific backs, custom security features, and a variety of face and index styles. The current ClassicDecks lineup continues that performance-first approach with highly readable faces and borderless back designs.
The Current Gemaco Lineup
The current lineup gives players three distinct choices. SuperFlex is the flagship plastic line, ProFlex offers a thicker and firmer plastic feel at a slightly lower price, and GEM88 provides a more traditional paper-card experience.
Gemaco SuperFlex
SuperFlex is Gemaco’s flagship 100% plastic playing-card line. These thinner, more flexible cards feel supple in the hand while retaining the resilience and shape recovery expected from premium plastic cards. Their balance of flexibility, durability, and shuffle performance makes SuperFlex particularly well suited to frequent play and long poker sessions.
SuperFlex cards are bridge size with a jumbo index. Single decks are available in red, blue, black, and purple. Double-deck sets are available in red and blue or black and purple.
Gemaco ProFlex
ProFlex is also made from 100% plastic, but the cards feel thicker, firmer, and more substantial than SuperFlex. This makes ProFlex a strong choice for players who prefer more resistance and body in the hand instead of the thinner, more flexible feel of the flagship line.
ProFlex cards are bridge size with a jumbo index. Red and blue are available as individual decks and as a coordinated red-and-blue double-deck set.
Gemaco GEM88
GEM88 is Gemaco’s plastic-coated paper offering. Its black-core paper stock improves opacity, while the embossed linen-style finish gives the cards a textured, familiar paper feel.
The cards feel substantial but softer and more cushiony than many traditional casino paper decks. GEM88 is poker size with a standard index and is available in red or blue as individual decks.
All Gemaco back designs in the current ClassicDecks lineup are borderless.
Comparing Current Gemaco Playing Cards
| Feature | SuperFlex | ProFlex | GEM88 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Flagship premium plastic line | Firmer, slightly lower-priced plastic line | Accessible paper option |
| Material | 100% plastic | 100% plastic | Plastic-coated black-core paper |
| Feel | Thinner, flexible, and supple | Thicker, firmer, and more substantial | Soft, cushiony paper feel |
| Size and Index | Bridge size, jumbo index | Bridge size, jumbo index | Poker size, standard index |
| Back Colors | Red, blue, black, and purple | Red and blue | Red and blue |
| Available Formats | Single decks and two double-deck color combinations | Single decks and a red-and-blue double-deck set | Single decks |
| Best For | Players seeking Gemaco’s premium plastic experience | Players who prefer a firmer, thicker-feeling plastic card | Traditional paper-card handling and value |
Gemaco Paper vs. 100% Plastic Playing Cards
The right material depends primarily on how often the cards will be used and what kind of handling you prefer.
Plastic-Coated Paper
GEM88 provides the familiar grip, texture, and softer handling of a paper deck. Plastic coating helps protect the printed surface, but paper cards will still show wear sooner than fully plastic cards and should be kept dry.
Choose GEM88 if you prefer poker-size cards, a standard index, traditional paper handling, or a more economical deck for casual and regular play.
100% Plastic
SuperFlex and ProFlex are made for players who want greater longevity and easier care. Plastic cards resist ordinary moisture and wear better than paper cards and can be cleaned when necessary.
Choose SuperFlex if you prefer a thinner, more flexible premium card. Choose ProFlex if you prefer a thicker, firmer card with more resistance in the hand.
Gemaco and the Home-Poker Community
Gemaco’s casino history has also made the brand a natural fit for serious home poker. Players who run weekly games or longer tournament sessions often prefer cards made for repeated shuffling, easy identification across the table, and dependable handling.
SuperFlex has developed a particularly strong following among players who enjoy flexible plastic cards with a responsive feel. ProFlex serves players who want the durability of plastic with a firmer and more substantial card. GEM88 offers a traditional paper alternative for groups that prefer the texture and grip of paper playing cards.
All three lines bring Gemaco’s casino-grade identity to home games without turning the cards into decorative collectibles first and playing cards second.
How Gemaco Is Organized at ClassicDecks
ClassicDecks organizes the current Gemaco lineup by material and index so shoppers can quickly narrow the selection:
- All Gemaco Playing Cards – the complete current lineup, including paper and 100% plastic decks.
- Gemaco Paper Playing Cards – GEM88 plastic-coated paper decks with a traditional feel.
- Gemaco 100% Plastic Playing Cards – flagship SuperFlex and thicker, firmer ProFlex decks.
- Gemaco Jumbo Index Playing Cards – easy-to-read SuperFlex and ProFlex plastic cards.
Collecting Gemaco Playing Cards
Gemaco is collected largely for its casino heritage and history as a working playing-card brand. Collectors may focus on:
- Decks manufactured by The George C. Matteson Company
- Missouri-era packaging and manufacturer markings
- Casino-issued decks and casino-specific back designs
- Cancelled, drilled, clipped, or edge-marked casino decks
- Sealed decks and complete casino sets
- Different Gemaco paper and plastic formulas
- Current decks representing the return of the Gemaco brand
Condition, completeness, packaging, casino provenance, and manufacturer information can all affect collector interest. Cancellation marks are not necessarily flaws when they document a deck’s actual casino use, although collectors should distinguish casino-applied cancellations from later damage.
How to Date Gemaco Casino Decks
Gemaco does not have a widely published dating system comparable to the factory-code systems used by some other playing-card manufacturers. Collectors generally date Gemaco decks by combining several clues:
- Manufacturer wording: References to The George C. Matteson Company or Missouri addresses can help identify earlier production.
- Casino information: Casino names, property logos, gaming-license details, and known operating dates can narrow the period.
- Corporate markings: References to GemGroup, Gaming Partners International, GPI, GPIC, or Angel can help place a deck within a later historical period.
- Packaging and design: Tuck-box construction, seals, logos, face styles, and back designs can be compared with documented examples.
- Country-of-origin and address lines: These markings can help distinguish one production period from another.
- Internal codes: Alphanumeric markings may provide supporting evidence, but they should not be treated as a reliable date without corroboration.
For casino-issued decks, the strongest results usually come from combining the physical evidence on the deck with the operating history of the casino that used it.
How to Store and Care for Gemaco Playing Cards
- GEM88 paper decks: Keep the cards dry and store them inside their tuck box in a cool place away from direct sunlight and high humidity.
- SuperFlex and ProFlex decks: Store plastic cards in their case and keep them away from high heat, which can cause warping.
- Cleaning plastic cards: Wipe cards individually with a clean, lightly damp cloth. If necessary, use a small amount of mild soap. Dry every card completely before returning the deck to its case.
- Avoid soaking: Do not soak plastic cards or place them in a washing machine or dishwasher.
- Collectible decks: Protect older tuck boxes and casino packaging with an appropriately sized sleeve or protective case.
- Playing copies: Keep active playing decks separate from sealed or collectible examples to prevent unnecessary handling wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gemaco playing cards still made?
Yes. Gemaco playing cards are available again in plastic-coated paper and 100% plastic formats.
Are Gemaco playing cards casino grade?
Yes. Casino-grade playing cards are central to Gemaco’s history and identity. The brand has long served professional gaming environments, and current Gemaco cards continue to emphasize consistency, durability, readability, and table performance.
What is the difference between Gemaco paper and plastic cards?
GEM88 cards are made from plastic-coated paper and provide a softer, more traditional paper feel. SuperFlex and ProFlex are made from 100% plastic for greater longevity, moisture resistance, and easier cleaning.
What is the difference between SuperFlex and ProFlex?
SuperFlex is Gemaco’s flagship premium plastic line and has a thinner, more flexible feel. ProFlex is thicker and firmer, giving the cards more body and resistance in the hand while costing slightly less.
What sizes and indices are available?
GEM88 cards are poker size with a standard index. SuperFlex and ProFlex cards are bridge size with a jumbo index.
What colors and sets are available?
GEM88 is available in red or blue single decks. ProFlex is available in red or blue single decks and a red-and-blue double-deck set. SuperFlex is available in red, blue, black, or purple single decks, plus red-and-blue and black-and-purple double-deck sets.
Do the current Gemaco decks have borderless backs?
Yes. All Gemaco back designs in the current ClassicDecks lineup are borderless.
Are Gemaco playing cards collectible?
Yes. Collectors often seek Gemaco decks for their casino history, Missouri-era production, casino-specific designs, manufacturer markings, and different paper and plastic formulas.
How should 100% plastic Gemaco cards be cleaned?
Wipe each card individually with a clean, lightly damp cloth and dry it completely before reassembling the deck. Do not soak the cards or place them in a dishwasher or washing machine.
Explore Gemaco Playing Cards
Whether you are looking for casino-grade cards for regular play, comparing plastic-card handling, or collecting a brand with deep roots in the gaming industry, the current Gemaco lineup offers three distinct ways to bring the brand back to the table.
Shop all Gemaco playing cards, browse Gemaco paper playing cards, explore Gemaco 100% plastic playing cards, or return to the Gemaco Brand Hub.