talkmagic.co.uk

I thought that some of you might like to see an overview of ESP decks currently on the market. I hope that you find the following useful.

I've stuck to those of playing card size, so there are no jumbo decks listed here.

Note, when comparing prices online, that some of these decks are actually kits containing more than one deck. Sometimes you get two m***ed decks, sometimes you get one m***ed and one unm***ed. Watch out for gaff cards too, which will open up a whole new range of effects. Gaffs may include double-backed and/or double-faced cards. See individual sites or dealers for more information.

I've not mentioned which decks have one-way backs, but some do and some do not.

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Beyond ESP 3
http://www.magicbox.uk.com/beyond-esp-2.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[56 cards; plain backs; 6x gaffs; black and red backed marked cards (25 of each)]

Bicycle ESP cards*
http://www.usplayingcard.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[25 cards; Playing card-style backs; marked cards]

El Duco Anglo ESP cards*
http://www.el-duco.se" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[54 cards; Playing card-style backs; 4x gaffs; marked and unmarked cards (25 of each)]

Magic Makers Bicycle ESP Test Deck*
http://www.magicmakersinc.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank
[56 cards; Playing card-style backs; two sets of five symbols in black, red, blue, green (40 cards); one set each in yellow and orange (10 cards); six additional symbol cards in black; unmarked cards]

MK-MOD: ESP Testing Cards
http://mind.hak.me/products/mk-mod" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[56 cards; Scientific-themed backs; 6x gaffs; marked and unmarked cards (25 of each)]

Phoenix Parlour ESP cards*
http://www.card-shark.de/index.cfm?page ... &ArtID=169" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[25 cards; Playing card-style backs; marked cards]

Piatnik ESP-Deck (sometimes labelled "by Magic Christian")*
http://www.piatnik.com/produkte/index.p ... eck%2C+Red" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[55 cards; Playing card-style backs; 15x gaffs;
unmarked deck of ESP symbols in the colours black, red, blue, green and yellow (25 cards);
two marked sets of ESP symbols in black and red (10 cards); one blank-backed set of ESP symbols (5 cards)]

PLF ESP Marked Cards
http://www.p@r@l@bs.org**" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[55 cards; Scientific-themed backs; 5x gaffs; white and blue backed cards (25 of each)]

Royal Magic ESP Deck
http://www.funinc.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[25 cards; magic-style backs; marked cards]

Vernet ESP Testing Deck
http://www.vernetmagic.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
[25 cards; Playing card-style backs; marked cards]

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* I've not seen these cards so the information has been taken from the manufacturer or reviewers and is not based on my personal observations.
** The URL has been obscured for reasons obvious to those who know the PL guys. Change the '@' signs for 'a' letters to find the site.

T.

A really useful post, Ted.

I think Piatnik ESP cards are still available, so they should perhaps be added. You get various sets in different colours, plus some gaffs. I got mine in the 90s from Davenports, but I see Cards4Magic stock them. They also have Aviator ESP cards, which aren't on the list.

Cool. If people want to add to the list here's what I did:

Product Name
URL of manufacturer (not just a supplier, because there are loads of those)
[number of cards; card back style; number of gaffs; different between included decks (number of cards in each)]

If I get a few posts added in that format I'll paste them into the original above.

Cheers,
T.

Excellent post - it's been Stickied.

I was going to mention the Piatnik ones. They are under the "Magic Christian" brand and come with instructions for a number of effects. There's a full set of 25 in five different colours; the rest of the pack is made up of various special cards.

Barry

I'm currently in love with Alchemy Moon's "Alchemical Artifactum" which is kind of cross between an ESP deck and a tarot one. You can do amazing things with it and it comes with an excellent book. Wonderful...

Guys, if you can send me the info listed above, or as much of it as possible, I'll add it to the list.
Cheers,
T.

Lord Freddie wrote:http://www.alchemy-moon.co.uk/new%20treasure.htm" target="_blank

Sadly that site does not list the contents of the box so I guess only those who own it will be able to pass on the level of info posted above.

Ted wrote:

Lord Freddie wrote:http://www.alchemy-moon.co.uk/new%20treasure.htm" target="_blank

Sadly that site does not list the contents of the box so I guess only those who own it will be able to pass on the level of info posted above.

The box contains a deck of cards. There are pictures of some of those cards.

I've added the Piatnik cards to the list.
Many thanks to Barry for his help on the details.
T.

Sorry I couldn't add more detail for the Piatnik ones, but my pack is stuck with a lot of my other mid-90s magic stuff and not currentl accessible.

I can, however, contribute this.

Magic Makers Bicycle ESP
http://www.magicmakersinc.com/
[54 cards; two complete sets of five symbols in black, red, blue, green; one set in each of yellow and orange; six additonal symbol cards in black to add to a set of the main five symbols; playing card-style backs; no gaffs; unmarked cards]

Ted, Alchemical Artifactum cards are not playing card sized, but closer to Tarot card size and proportions, so halfway to being jumbo cards! Do you actually want to add them, bearing in mind the original remit?

Many thanks! Your data has been duly entered

Part-Timer wrote:Ted, Alchemical Artifactum cards are not playing card sized, but closer to Tarot card size and proportions, so halfway to being jumbo cards! Do you actually want to add them, bearing in mind the original remit?

You are right. I'll leave them out, I think.

Cheers,
T.

Great thread, wish I'd seen this while back.

I've not used all the cards mentioned above, but here's my 2p's worth on the ones I have:

Beyond ESP 3
Markings - so subtle that someone can burn the cards all day long and not see a thing. Completely innocent looking blank backs.
Glimpse / peek - need to see the whole card back to get your glimpse, not instant, not suitable for distance / poor light conditions. Not as quick as MK-MOD or Royal.

P@r@l@bs ESP Cards
Markings - completely psychologically invisible. Very scientific looking backs. Even the box they come in makes them seem like a legit scientific piece of kit.
Glimpse / peek - need to see the whole card back to get your glimpse, not suitable for distance / poor light conditions. Not as quick as MK-MOD or Royal.

MK-MOD: ESP Testing Cards
Markings - not as subtle as the two above, won't stand up to lengthy scrutiny, but a scientific back design.
Glimpse / peek - just one corner tells you everything you need to know, almost instantly. Good for distance / poor lighting

Royal Magic ESP Deck
Markings - I know the back design is based on the original Rhine cards, but the white border makes them look too 'magic prop' to me.
Glimpse / peek - just one corner required, not as good for distance / poor lighting as MK-MOD.

Just my thoughts anyway. I don't think there's a single perfect solution. It's all about compromise.

I'd say if you want to sacrifice a bit of speed and clarity in favour of clean, invisible markings, then there's not much difference between "Beyond ESP" and "P@r@l@bs". I'd choose the latter, but that's just my preference.

If you want reliable and ultra-fast glimpses in any conditions, go for the "MK-MOD", but be aware that they don't look quite as clean or clinical as "Beyond" or "P@r@". It's nothing you can't get past with proper spectator management and routining and if you're very paranoid, there's an unmarked deck included.

I'd only really recommend Royal if you're on a very tight budget.

Thanks Ted,
Loved the post. It must have taken a lot of time and effort. Perhaps you came across someone who still sells Rhyne Cards in 5 different colours, as they were originally. I've been looking but just can't find a supplier.