New Deal’s patented design is the o­nly playing card manufactured to fit the shape of o­ne’s hand.  The ergonomically designed decks have a “form following function” wave o­n the top and bottom of the cards that allows for an easier grip, simpler shuffling, and MORE FUN!  New Deal’s “Ergo Cards”, lauded in the New York Times as “Playing Cards with a difference”, were created and perfected by Lance Rake, a University of Kansas Associate Professor of Design.  New Deal’s “Ergo Cards” are currently being sold in more than 340 retail stores in 35 states nationwide.  The WPBA-branded cards are expected to retail in $5-6/deck price range and will be sold at selected mass- and specialty-retailers, billiards retailers, WPBA tour events and o­n the WPBA’s o­nline Pro Shop.    

“We see a great opportunity to work with the world’s premier women’s billiards tour,” says Kermit Krantz, founder of the New Deal Playing Card Company.  “The WPBA is building a solid licensing program focused o­n understanding the billiard consumer’s needs and working in partnership with its licensees.”  Referring to the 2004 deck featuring the WPBA Players, Krantz expressed that his company “couldn’t be more pleased” to showcase the world’s best professional women billiards players o­n a deck of cards.     The increasing popularity of billiards, particularly among families, has created a unique opportunity for the WPBA, of which the organization plans to take full advantage.  “Our association with New Deal Playing Card Company is just the beginning of a long list of WPBA licensed merchandise that we will be bringing o­n line over the next year,” says Kathy Kopacz, WPBA Director of Licensing, in announcing the agreement.   “New Deal Playing Card Company is known for producing quality work and we look forward to working with them o­n this exciting new venture.”     The WPBA is the oldest professional player’s organization for billiards.  The WPBA governs all aspects of female professional activity; represents the media and participation rights of professional and semi-pro players; governs rules, regulations, and conduct, ethics and equipment specifications for professional sanctioned tournaments; and, develops, produces and sanctions tournaments.  For more information o­n WPBA Licensing contact Kathy Kopacz, Director of Licensing at (386) 673-7655 or kkopacz@wpba.com.         New Deal Playing Card Company is an 8-year old privately held company based in Leawood, KS.  New Deal Playing Card Company’s products are known as “the card that fits your hand”.  For more information o­n New Deal Playing Card Company, please visit the company’s website at www.Ergocard.com.

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