talkmagic.co.uk

I hate to make presumptions here - but I find some of the problems with "visible markings" to be something of an oddity.

I'm beginning to wonder how these decks, and presentations with them, are handled. The use of a marked deck makes it easy to spot what the card is - the real skill comes in from presenting in a way where the spectator doesn't think of marked cards.

For instance - if you dribble the cards face down, have a spec call stop, then ask them to place the King of clubs (for example) back in the deck - you've already misused the deck.

The mark takes SOME of the work off - but you still need to make the effect play well. I may be off here, but I can't shake this notion whenever I see complaints about how visible the marks are. It reminds me of the debate over thumbtips that don't match the performers' skin tone.

really interesting and informative review that really helped me make a buying decision. THANKS!

and best of all, i could get all the info i needed from yr originall post without having to weed thru post after post of people arguing amongst themselves about magic ethics and forgeting the question that got the post started.

thanks for going to so much trouble! and in case yr wondering, i went for the BW deck.

I got the BW too, and I'm disappointed. The markings are too obvious and play like animation.
Moreso than single spot markings. We have 4 animations running at the same time.

Not suitable for pro gambling or magic tricks, where the heat is on. That leaves friendly poker games. Which is stupid if you want to cheat your friends.

Option-

You mention the marks are too obvious - is that to you - or have you been caught multiple times by spectators?

I agree - the Boris Wild deck is not suitable for pro gambling, but then again - if you use ANY marked deck in a real game - you deserve to get caught.

No, I haven't used it yet, but it took me 2s to locate the marks.
Esp the court cards, the marks go outside the border where there should be NO patterns at all.

Maybe it's just me, I have a lot of heat on my magic tricks. I've had my cards searched for markings by my kids before I ever got the BWMD. Such is performing for familiar ppl.

I'm a bit confused. How can the marks go outside of the border?

In some regards, the Wild deck marks ARE easy to spot. However - please bear in mind. You bought a marked deck. You know it's a marked deck. You're actively looking for the mark. Yes, you will find it. A casual spectator will not.

My final question is - what kind of effects are you performing? I don't really want to knock performance style, but if spectators are constantly grabbing for your cards to look for marks, perhaps your presentation needs some work? Give me an idea of some routines you do with a marked deck.

Theres a white then red unbroken border on all cards - then the outer white rim. A frame if you will. The 1 is in there.

I dont use marked decks for my tricks. I only just got it. I"m going to use it in blizzard to tell the card vs the blanks.

I get grabbed for everything. Theyre kids! ACRs, trick where I classic forced a card, etc. everything can and will eventually be grabbed

i really like the BWMD except for one thing... i the number "1's" location on the court cards is silly. could hv been much better done. appart from that aspect i think they are good.

right, right - I see what you're talking about now. My apologies for the misunderstanding on the marks going beyond the border. I agree, this is a slight drawback (one of the main reasons I don't use the deck much, myself).

As for the kids grabbing your cards - yes, with children it's more likely that they'll go for your stuff - but you should still control this as much as possible.

I'd possibly reserve the BW deck for adults - the older the better. Their eyesight isn't always as sharp!

If only all reviews were as good as this one you gave us!! I bought the Spanish deck and as a fact no-one has ever discovered the markings. I also bought a Belgian make that was available in bridge size and a stripper at the same time. The markings are the clock type and very well disguised, but on the fly you easily make a mistake as to the value, not the suite. In Europe you do not need to use Bicycle, but you do need to stick to one design in order not to show that you use different decks for different tricks. I have in principle switched to Vintage 1800 bicycle because people tend to believe you could not possibly have found a dozen old packs in the attic. The problem with these is hat you have to cut svengalis and strippers and x-decks yourself, they are not available, no ready marked available and for inst. juice marks do not show well so you are left with Ted Lesley.

Kaarlo von Freymann Helsinki Finland

Due to eyesight that forces me to read a mark that is relatively close I prefer either the Lesley deck or the Ultimate deck. Tried but could not use the BW deck. Some seem concerned about the spectator noticing the marks. This is not a concern of mine for two reasons, (1) I will only do one effect with the deck and, (2) the effect that I will do will not give the spec any cause to even suspect markings.

Interesting topic

Just adding that when I first came across the Lesley deck I knew they were marked but it took me around 3 - 4 minutes of solid looking to to see the darn things.

I've never been burnt with these & my specs don't get 3 - 4 seconds to look at these let alone 3 - 4 minutes.

Also when I bought my "stuff" for the Lesley deck I was apparently meant to get enough to make up one deck but I got enough for 3 decks easily? Thought I'd mention that.

Lastly & not mentioned is the marked deck that is used via the Ramna (or is is Rama?) deck. I've come across this marking previously & prior to the Lesley was using it but soz no idea what it is called.

A friendly fellow magician in International Magic in Chancery Lane said that once you become use to the Borris Deck it's the best thing you'll ever buy.

He claims, and by no means am i confirming this or agreeing, that if he spread the cards face up, he could find the 7 of clubs (or any other card) fairly quickly (of course), whereas with the Borris Deck, he could find that same card FASTER with the cards face down.

Yet to purchase it, too busy with my chopcup and a decent routine with ring through string!

WC

Why do they not produce a normal deck of DeKram design cards so the pack can be swapped after the tricks have been done .... That would have been a great idea....Its a shame to be using rider backs all night long & then swapping to a different design , this could cause suspicion.... But , great reviews !!!!!

paul

The DeKram deck IS available in an unmarked pattern. The reason you may not find it, is the brand is not actually DeKram.

The brand is called Fournier. I don't know of a place in the US to purchase, but you can find Fournier decks at the following site:

http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/acatalog/Fournier.html

The style is 505. Hope that helps.