Experience the legendary quality of KEM Arrow Red & Blue Poker Double Deck, the gold standard in plastic playing cards since 1935. KEM Playing Cards, Inc. was founded through a partnership between Austrian inventor Siegfried Klausner—who filed the revolutionary US Patent for washable playing cards in 1929—and Ely Culbertson, the self-promoting bridge champion and founder of The Bridge World magazine who drove the meteoric rise of contract bridge in the late 1920s and 1930s. After years of development with Western Playing Card Company on printing processes and with plastics companies like DuPont to refine materials and inks, KEM cards finally debuted in 1935.
This red and blue double deck set represents the pinnacle of KEM's innovation and craftsmanship. Each set contains one red deck and one blue deck of 52 cards plus two jokers (one red, one black), packaged in a premium black plastic carrying case. The poker size cards measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches (64 x 89 mm), which is the wider standard size preferred for Texas Hold'em, Omaha, blackjack, and most home poker games.
Crafted from 100% cellulose acetate plastic rather than plastic-coated paper, KEM cards offer exceptional durability that allows them to last up to 50 times longer than traditional paper-based cards. The unique manufacturing process creates cards that are bendable, washable, and retain their original shape long after standard cards need replacement. They're completely waterproof, odor resistant, and virtually impossible to mark, dent, or crimp, making them ideal for any playing environment.
The poker size provides more surface area than bridge size cards, offering better visibility for face-up community cards on the table. The standard index (also called regular index) features normal-sized corner pips, providing clear readability without requiring players to lift their cards excessively during play. This combination makes these cards perfect for standard poker variants where visibility and handling both matter.
The iconic KEM Arrow design featuring red and blue backs is widely considered the most recognizable card design worldwide. These casino-grade cards became favorites of American troops during World War II due to their durability and ability to withstand oppressive heat. KEM cards remain the preferred choice of professional card players, casinos, and poker rooms globally, serving as the official cards of the World Series of Poker.
Originally manufactured in Poughkeepsie, New York from 1946 to 2004, KEM was acquired by the United States Playing Card Company in 2004. Production was briefly halted but resumed two years later, continuing the legacy of excellence that began when KEM cards sold for $2.50 per deck—about five times the cost of Bicycle poker cards and equivalent to $42.50 in today's dollars.
Whether you're hosting poker nights, playing blackjack, or enjoy casino-style card games, KEM Arrow poker size cards deliver the superior flexibility, strength, and casino-quality performance that has made them the top-tier choice for nearly 90 years.
