For the majority of you, when you read this e-mail, please be kind and try to respond to my question after you are done laughing, and with a minimum of flaming …

I am trying to understand this whole issue of "sleeves" for cards.  I have owned many, many games over the years (I am 51 … probably older than the majority of you), but have never done anything beyond just caring for them as much as possible, while playing with them extensively.

If I understand this discussion correctly, many of you buy what would appear to be plastic cases to hold each individual card that comes with the game.  When playing the game, do you actually take the time to remove the cards from the sleeves before playing, or is the point of having the sleeves to leave the cards in them, and play with them that way (thus protecting them from greasy fingers, spills, tears, etc.)?

Are the sleeves sealed and form fitting to the cards?  I assume they are transparent.  But for us older players, who actually have to wear glasses to read these cards because the size of the print is microscopic (a whole other topic), it would seem that having plastic around the cards would make them far harder to read.

I am just curious how the majority of you use these things.  Further, if someone who does use them would be so kind as to post a picture of what a sleeve in action actually looks like, I would appreciate it.

Let the laughing and flaming begin …

No flaming or shaming (but I did chuckle a little).

Many people (myself included) sleeve cards that are handled frequently in order to protect them from wear, tear, and - most importantly - from the greasy and/or sticky hands of the younger set.  The sleeves come in many sizes and are form fitting.  They are generally transparent but sleeves for many collectible card games feature colors or artwork on the back side.  The sleeves remain on the cards while being played (again, they are for protection).  Yes, this makes them more difficult to shuffle and stack.  The sleeves could also make the text harder to read but that would be a result of glare.

In the end, you have to decide whether the benefit (protection) is outweighed by the negatives (cost, shuffling/stacking issues, glare, etc.). 

Now, if you want a full-throated defense or condemnation of card sleeving - as well as flaming, shaming and general ridicule - head over to BoardGameGeek.com and post a thread with either of the following subject lines:

(a) "Card sleeves are a waste of money; or

(b) People who don't sleeve cards don't love their game

Then, just sit back and enjoy.

Marximus said:

roflmao Now that is funny. I thought I was the only one who liked to push buttons and watch the little kiddies whine. :)

First, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.  The end of your message made me laugh.  I am a professional poker player, and participate in several forums that has the same foibles.

All you need is a provacative title, and then sit back and watch the flaming wars begin …

I assume that these sleeves must be just millimeters thick … but even then, as you say, it adds up.  Stacking the cards, shuffling them, etc. must be such a royal pain in the ass.  It must also take far more room to store the things.

As you said … there are trade offs.  I think for now, I will avoid the sleeves.  Appreciate the reponse.

Also, I like to add that for us South Americans the game costs us a little fortune. It can't be bought nowhere, so we have to ship it from USA, which doubles the cost. After spending that much money, I want to protect the cards so they can be played with even when I'm dead :P

Acording to the case they come in, they are "100 micron polypropylee" plastic. I guess that is the measure of how thick they are. I only had a difficulty shuffling the item decks of WOW Boardgame (hundreds of cards), else you won't notice any difference. And the cards can be read as well as those without sleeves.

To Unclechawie: here not even the games are sold in stores (the most complicated boardgame you'll find in Argentina is Monopoly). So we buy everything online from CoolStuffInc (http://www.coolstuffinc.com) or The War Store (http://www.thewarstore.com). Maybe you can try that too.

any2cards said:

Left to right: sleeve, card without sleeve, card in sleeve

Igneus said:

Entiendo Senor.  I lived in Bolivia for 6 years and getting most things down there was ridiculous.  As a matter of fact my parents still live there on a full time basis.  I'd offer their assistance to make the shipping less expensive, but they are currently in Cochabamba with no plans on coming up here.  Plus they normally have all their suitcases chock full of stuff to take back with them.   As for me, I currently live in Texas so don't have any issues with supplies.  Coolstuffinc is a great place and I'm currently waiting for them to send me my e-mail as to when my order is shipping (stupid conversion kit).  One of the guys that works there (does all the TCGs) is an online acquaintance of mine from having played VS System for several years.

Thank you so much for posting a picture of the sleve, card in sleve, etc. Gives me a better appreciation for the thickness, etc.

Llenyd said:

You win!

any2cards said:

I sleeve my cards for a few reasons.  One, cards seem to have a thing for picking up little bits of dirt (especially CCGs - little black flecks that bug the sh*t out of me).  Two, if playing on a flat surface with no covering (like a table), cards can be tricky to pick up.  I have one friend who constantly uses his nails to resolve this, which completely f**ks the edges of cards.

These two reasons alone would be enough, but it also protects cards against shuffling, and the dreaded drink spill…

It costs me a little to sleeve all the cards, but it's a small price to pay for peace of mind…  :)

I guess I just take a more draconian approach to protecting my games … you f**k something up, first I beat the sh*t out of you, and then I take your money to replace what you f**ked up.  LOL.

any2cards said:

Even the nicest of my friends might feel a bit jipped if I demand 50 quid from them to replace a game when they f*cked up one card…  :)   I think it's safe to say, sleeves are just easier  :)

How is everyone getting their copy of the conversion kit already?  I pre-ordered it back in April and still don't have it. Honestly, why did I even bother to pre-order the thing when people can go off the street and pick it up at the local store.  Just my luck.

I would have no problem telling my friends that they would have to replace the game, but I don't think they would.  Bunch of cheapskates.  I already get on them for rubbing the dice too much in their hands taking off the paint.  It really sucks playing Runebound, and you can't tell what the symbols are on the terrain dice.  I just had to order some more from this website. 

IronRavenstorm said:

I'm guessing that you, like I did, received a bit of a discount for pre-ordering it?

If you have friends that don't share your care for game equipment, get sleeves.  Or don't allow them to play your games.  My kids are only allowed to play my games when I supervise them, and if I worry about damage, they don't get to play them at all.  I'd apply that to any adult that exhibits a similar lack of care.

Just got notified by CSI that my order shipped yesterday.

Also, I pre-ordered for the discount and for the free shipping by ordering over $100 as a whole.  Had to wait a few extra days, but it beat having to pay for shipping for the first order and shipping again for the second.