Hi ChipBoard friends,

Wanted to get your expert opinion on casino playing cards. Playing cards are found as (1) completely sealed from manufacturer (2) used/sealed with the label by casino (usually in suit/number order) or (3) used/unsealed (cards jumbled).

Do you have any thoughts as to the fair value of a deck of cards between (2) and (3)? Obviously (1) sealed is pristine and more sought after. Most of my decks are in (2) but I've hesitated opening them for proper scanning into the chipguide if it somehow taints the future resale value. I once ran this question by Jim Follis (Jim, hope you don't mind my referring to you) who said he has not observed a difference in value between (2) and (3) because they've already been handled at the casino (as well as the prison inmates who likely put the cards back into order). And therefore purchasers/collectors of playing cards don't care if one opens the used-in-play seal from the casino.

I appreciate your thoughts and experience with this question.