Years ago, Theory11 sold a deck of cards called Bee Stingers. I bought 10 decks just because I thought they looked nice, and I've always loved using regular casino grade Bee's for gamling routines. They are now sold out, and has been for years. Since then, I have carried many different decks, from regular Bicycles to Dan And Dave, and Theory11 premium decks. The cards I like the most, though, are the Bee Stingers. They handle very well, faro easily and looks simple and unsuspecting to a layman. I'm down to two decks that probably should have been tossed away months ago, but I like them so much, I just cannot do it. I have a single deck left, still concealed in the plastic wrapper, but that's part of my collection, so I'm not gonna use it. Of all the decks I have ever handled, the only ones that I thought came close to Bee Stingers are Theory11's Monarchs, which I own a couple of decks of, but they are too flashy for my style for anything other than playing with and being part of my collection.

So my question to you guys are, from your experience, where do I find a deck that handles as good as Bee Stingers, while being carried by the producers (for what I would wish was) indefinitely?

I would also like to hear any thoughts and experiences you've had with decks that you've come to love, but cannot get a hold on anymore.

-fredsir

The Monarchs are a stellar deck out of the box, but I agree with you that they are too flashy for ordinary use. I don't know how well they hold up to heavy use, however. Do you have thoughts on that?

@RiderBacks: I really don't know. I buy a lot of "premium", "special edition" or whatever the producers like to call their decks, and that's because I love playing cards. I have been collecting for about 10 years. But when it comes to gambling routines or magic, I'm really only using Bee Stingers (soon, that's not the case), regular Bees, Tally Hos and Bicycle. The rest of my decks have almost not been used, if they have been opened at all, so I cannot comment on the durability of the Monarchs.

One thing I can comment on, though, is my suspicion that both the Bee Stingers and Monarchs have been cut face-up first, making faros easier, and all in all, resulting in a stellar deck of cards. I don't think I own any other decks where I believe that to be the case. Anybody know if that is correct?

Try the reprinted Aristocrats that Theory11 produced they are still in plentiful supply and look and handle great

Im pretty sure I'll get tarred and feathered for this but here is a perfect oppertunity for me to point something out:
Long story short- I took a cheap deck of PlayRight playing cards from Walgreens, and compared it to a deck of high end, boutique playing cards from one of the popular card/magic sellers. Both decks are made by USPlaying card company.
I used a large magnifying glass to look at a card from each deck. I felt their slipperyness, flexability and stiffness. I blind folded my self and asked my son to hand me one of each.
Results: I'm not a scientist folks but these cards are the same stock, wieght, and stiffness.
The ai-rcushion finish is exactly the same.
Blindfolded, I could not tell which was which.
Conclusion: The artwork on boutique cards may be nice but that's all youre paying for.
Suggestion: go to walgreens, stock up on some PlayRights and learn to fall in love with the back design.

It is posible to find Bee stingers nowdays ?In The USA or Europe .

Bee Stingers have not been remade since the original run. If they show up for sale, it will be at a premium price unless the seller just does not know what they have.

How much does the direction of the cut matter? Is there a way to know the direction of the cut when buying cards?

Jude

The direction of cut only really matters if you do faro shuffles. Faro shuffles can be done with cards cut face-up or face-down, but the "traditional" cut, with the cards face-up is better for faros, especially tabled faros.

The reason is that there is an ever-so-slight bevel on the edge of playing cards. In a traditional cut, the bevel begins at the face and flares out towards the back of the card. This configuration helps the faro to be easier to start and more consistent.

Faro a random deck and you can quickly determine whether it was cut in the traditional manner or not. If the deck faros better bottom-to-top as compared to top-to-bottom, it is likely a traditional cut.

Most Bicycles in recent years have been cut face-down. Richard Turner introduced Bicycle Gold Seal playing cards made by USPCC, produced on Bee stock (so they are a bit thicker and more durable) and traditionally cut. They are extremely nice.