Jerry's Nugget playing cards

Jerry's Nugget Playing Cards.

Founded in 1964 by Jerry Lodge and Jerry Stamis, Jerry's Nugget Casino stands today as a significant piece of Las Vegas history.^[1] In 1970, the casino printed a special deck of cards, and sold them in their gift shop for fifty cents. Almost forty years later, these decks fetch upwards of $1500 per brick (dozen).^[2]

About the classic Jerry's Nugget playing cards

These playing cards were supposedly printed in the 70s for the gaming tables, but never saw any 'real action'. They were immediately sold in the gift store thereafter. The classic Jerry's Nugget playing cards were made from top of the line US Playing Card Company card stock, that is not available today, which makes the cards much thicker. The U.S.P.C. also used a chemical finish then, which is also not available today - due to environmental reasons.

Jerry's Nugget playing cards were printed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then were driven to the North Las Vegas casino via trucks where they sat in storage for many years. The highly prized playing card eventually sold out in the summer of 1999. Jerry's Nugget Casino does not have any plans to reprint them either.

According to Jerry's fans, there is something different about the cards that makes them perfect for different types of moves and flourishes.^[3]

Dai Vernon, Larry Jennings, Ed Marlo, Lee Asher, Frank Simon, Chris Kenner, Earl Nelson, Dan Buck, Dave Buck, Wayne Houchin, and many other notable magicians have been seen playing with Jerry's Nugget playing cards. The playing cards are stiff, hold their form, and are easily manipulated. Flourishers have taken a liking to these pasteboards as well.

Jerry's Nugget playing cards design

The backs display fields of red or blue with an image of the oil derrick sign that graces the parking lot of the casino.^[4] The Jerry's Nugget oil derrick appears on the deck's joker as well.

Counterfeit Jerry's Nugget playing cards

In 2008, sophisticated counterfeiters super-saturated the market with fake Jerry's Nugget playing cards. Random videos starting appearing on youtube from upset purchasers. While the illegal versions look remarkably genuine, most playing card experts can tell the difference easily, as the fake decks were made from cardboard.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Playing cards
• Card magic
• Card manipulation
• Shuffling
• Cardistry
• Flourish
• Sleight of hand

References

1. ^ Official Jerry's Nugget Website. [1]
2. ^ Ebay auction. May-16-08 18:42:47 PDT.
3. ^ England, Jason (2010). "Tools of the Trade". MAGIC (Stan Allen) 19 (12): pp. 39-48. 
4. ^ Wiki Answers. Rarest Deck in the world.

External links

• Jerry's Nugget Casino, North Las Vegas
• Jerry's Nugget playing card information website
• Jerry's Nugget Playing Card Care & Handling Guide
• US Playing Card Company
• Photo of the Jerry's Nugget Oil Derrick
• Youtube Expose on counterfeit Jerry's Nugget playing cards
• Another Youtube Expose on counterfeit Jerry's Nugget playing cards
• TheCuso's Jerry's Nugget Playing Card Tags
• A Google Knol on Jerry's Nugget Playing Cards
• WhiteKnuckle's Jerry's Nugget Playing Cards Page