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News // November 20, 2008


Budget-Friendly Family Entertainment - It's 'In The Cards' This Holiday Season. BICYCLE® Playing Cards Offer Inexpensive Gift Ideas, Rich Memories For Lasting Family Fun

CINCINNATI, Nov. 20 -- According to a study released by the National Retail Federation(1), Americans are betting on a budget-friendly holiday this year, with a mere 1.9 percent increase in spending versus last year -- the smallest increase in consumer spending since 2002. BICYCLE® Playing Cards, the world's most popular playing card brand, today revealed a series of gift and holiday entertainment ideas that won't break the bank.

With more than 550 card games and rules -- from poker to pinochle, hearts to rummy, magic tricks to card house building -- individuals can find card playing inspirations at http://www.bicyclecards.com. The possibilities are nearly endless for bringing together family and friends; and even starting a little friendly competition.

Just in time for the holidays, BICYCLE® introduces sure bets for stocking stuffers this holiday season:

Personalized Holiday Cards -- A New One-of-a-Kind Tradition
For the person who has seemingly everything, create a truly personal gift: a personalized deck of BICYCLE® cards. Individuals can go to http://www.bicyclecards.com, upload any original photo and have it placed on a standard to jumbo index BICYCLE® Poker-size deck. Choose from 23 characters of text in different fonts and colors and custom border.

Environmentally Friendly Play
Turn a family fun game into an eco-friendly get together. Made from sustainable forest papers, starch-based laminate and vegetable-based ink, the Eco Edition playing cards help the environment one hand at a time. Sold in mass market and food and drug retailers, BICYCLE® Eco Edition Playing Cards are available at a suggested retail price of $4.99 per deck.

No Joke, Custom Jokers
Express your personality with their new Limited Edition Series playing cards. The series will include 10 variations, all featuring one-of-a-kind packaging and designs. Each series is individually numbered and includes a unique custom joker design. Sold in mass market and food and drug retailers, BICYCLE®'s Limited Edition Series playing cards are available at a suggested retail price of $4.99 per deck.

New Slight of Hand
Impress families and friends with the new BICYCLE® Guardians Playing Cards. The Guardians deck, designed by Theory11, is crafted from ancient art with a touch of modern design. From the detailed Ace of Spades to high quality, sturdy paper, these cards feature dark, elaborate, and modern takes on the classic imagery found on BICYCLE®'s playing cards. These premium playing cards have chilling aura with muted tones on the face cards and darker, deeper reds on the red index cards. Whether an amateur magician or a social gamer, players won't want to put these down. Sold in mass market and food and drug retailers, BICYCLE® Guardian playing cards are available at a suggested retail price of $4.99 per deck.

"With tough economic times, Americans are looking for new, inexpensive ways to enjoy family fun this holiday," said Doug Kruep, vice president and general manager of Games and Arts & Crafts for Jarden, makers of BICYCLE® Playing Cards. "For roughly $4, playing cards can rekindle family memories and build traditions for years to come."

"The bicyclecards.com official rules guide is also a great resource to make sure grandma isn't cheating," jokes Kruep.

What's The Deal: Survey Says ... .
According to a recent BICYCLE® survey(2), individuals named Poker as their favorite card game, followed by Solitaire, Rummy, Spades and Hearts, respectively.

Game
% playing
Poker -- (Hold'em and other)60
Solitaire
55
Rummy
27
Hearts
25
Spades
23


Find these games and a full house of card playing ideas.

1. National Retail Federation Consumer Survey, October 2008
2. Meridian Consulting Group LLC, 2007