Jerry Nugget's

Sep 1, 2007
1,529
1
32
San Francisco, CA
Jerrys Nuggets have a finish that is no longer made anymore. They are said to be a flourisher's dream, as they stay together very well and they are very stiff.

The only place I've ever seen them for sale is eBay, but you could use Google.

David
 
Dec 10, 2007
627
0
Texas
I messaged THE GREAT Jordan Lapping on youtube about (the history of) these cards.... This is what he wrote...


It's a complex story regarding Jerry's, and I know for a fact that the modern-day pack will never be as popular as the decks you see going for 100's on eBay. Here's why:

For one thing, Jerry's Nuggets from the Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. They're no longer available, which is the reason why they're so popular, people think "oh ****! You can't get them anymore! They must be damn good." etc. The cards were printed in 3 different times, in the 1950's, 1970's and 1990's, and so here is a small story regarding these decks that might be of interest;

Back in the early 90's, the Casino ordered a batch of these cards to be used, but after a while using that particular batch, it was quickly realized that they don't do the nice job they should. In fact, it was apparent that the cheaters who joined the Casino, could use their finger nails of their thumb and "chip" the backs of the cards, leaving it marked for other deals... (This was due to the incredibley stiff stock on the paintwork.)

So, the end result was: the Jerry's Nugget Hotel and Casino found that these very decks were useless for what they were intended for... So, the Casino decided to sell the remaining stock they had left of these cards (estimates go to 20,000 - 40,000 decks sold). They went for roughly $0.50 a deck, or $6.00 a brick - cheap, eh. (Look at what they go now. For what ONE deck goes for now, you could have bought 400 at that time.)

With this cheap price, a Frenchman by the name of Dominique Duvivier bought out this remaining stock (1000's, literally).

And that is it. This is why they are so "rare" nowadays. The only place you can buy them is eBay, or from people who have them already- they were never sold in stores- online or physical. And even then, they go for $100+ a DECK.

Sorry for the small essay, lol, but you now get the idea.

Another thing why they are so well sought-after now, is due to who has used them. Magicians such as D&D, Lee Asher, Dai Vernon, Edward Marlo, (and obviously Dominique Duvivier) have given them th popularity that the decks now have. Beside that, Jerry's Nuggets FEEL a lot nicer than Bicycle Fan Backs, or any other deck for that matter. They last an incredibly long time, I've been using a pack about 3 years -- that should give you an idea. I could probably keep a fan back at 2 months, rofl. lol.

I hope that makes sense,

Later-tater,
Jordan
 
Sep 1, 2007
182
0
Melbourne
Jerry's Nuggets are over-hyped...
The only reason people like Vernon and Marlo used them is because the Casino was pretty much giving these cards away.
There were too many around....

besides....Jerry's Nuggets are not that special in the way they feel anyway.
In fact, they're pretty bad cards.. for magic anyway.
About 40 years ago, all cards kinda felt like that (including bikes).
So if you are able to get your hands on a bicycle deck from that period, you'll see what I mean.
 
Sep 1, 2007
1,356
2
Los Angeles, California
A quote by Chris Hestnes in the D&D forums :
Uggh... stupid Jerry's mystique...

The first thing you need to understand, is that these cards are very overhyped... Bobby seems to believe they live up to it though... I'd be curious as to whether he likes the Tahoes better, anyway...

The reason people liked Jerry's Nugget cards so much back when they were cheap as hell, like $1 a deck, is for a number of reasons. First of all, they were printed on very stiff stock, almost carta mundi stiff. Stiffness not only means that it's, well, stiff, but that it's also very durable, which means it lasts a long time. You know that period of time when you get a deck well worn in, and it's just really really nice? That period of time with a deck of stiffer cards is much longer.
Second, they were/are a very thin deck of cards. Contrary to what Ellusionist believes, thick is not better. A thinner deck is alot easier to play with, whether it be flourishes or magic. It seems like almost an oxymoron to have a thin, and very stiff deck of cards, but it was evidently possible.

Third, they had a very unique finish on them. It's nothing like the air cushion on bicycle cards, because you can't really see the dimples, they're more like aladdins in that they're smooth. The cards don't fan well at times, and have a tendency to clump up after a long use, which is bad, but the finish has it's positive points too. The cards stay very square, it's not like a bicycle deck where cards get really bent up, and if you relax your grip and look at the side of the deck, it's not really square. Jerry's stay nice and crisp.

Fourth, and most polarizing is the back design. They're a really striking blue or red almost all over. No complicated scrollwork on these, just a very plain, bold colored back. Some love it, some hate it. They show up really well on film, which is why the Buck twins decided to use them on the System... that and those are their favorite cards.

Anyway, they also have their downsides. 1) they're a ***** to break in 2) after a long session, they clump up alot and are really sticky 3) they don't fan very well until they're really good and softened up. 4) Sometimes they're almost too stiff 5) Chances are nowadays that if you pick up a deck, it'll be pretty old, so the cards will be REALLY warped, which can help you sometimes (natural breaks and the like) But **** you over at other times.


Long story short, they're really good cards, that were given a really good reputation, and were supremely hyped.

The reason they can't replicate the stock is also kind of a long issue.
1)The machinery they use to produce all their cards is different. From the way they make the paper, to the dyes they cut with, the finish has a different composition now, things like that.
If you take a look at a deck of Tally-ho's for example, and you riffle the corner, you'll notice that the back seems to move around the edge, because they're not printed on the center of the card. They used to print on a press, now they roll them by on lines.

2) The USPCC doesn't want to. As a market, magicians are a small group to begin with, there are MAYBE 45,000-50,000 magicians in the US. The US playing card company sold 120 mllion decks of cards in whatever year Steve Forte made the gaming protection series, and your average joe who goes and buys a deck of cards doens't really care about the stock. The number of magicians is small already, the number of magicians who know and care about Jerry's Nugget's is a fraction of that.

I'm sure if you really tried, like got the patent numbers of the finish and machinery the USPCC used that year, you could get Jerry's reprinted for some ridiculous price, but sell them for $20 a deck and still make a profit.

There was discussion a long time ago about the Buck twins getting their own deck printed, but it's simply too expensive, although I don't doubt for a second they'd make it all back.

Food for thought.
 

AllanLuu

Banned
Aug 31, 2007
545
1
32
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Jerry's Nuggets are over-hyped...
The only reason people like Vernon and Marlo used them is because the Casino was pretty much giving these cards away.
There were too many around....

besides....Jerry's Nuggets are not that special in the way they feel anyway.
In fact, they're pretty bad cards.. for magic anyway.
About 40 years ago, all cards kinda felt like that (including bikes).
So if you are able to get your hands on a bicycle deck from that period, you'll see what I mean.


I don't wuite agree with the rest of your post but I do agree with that bolded statement, they are over hyped, I mean, they are just cards.
 
Sep 2, 2007
362
1
I told a few youtube people that they sell them at McDonald's and one of them actually went there to check and got mad at me.


hahahahahahahahahahaahah.
 
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