talkmagic.co.uk

I'm not sure if this counts as exposure, so if the mods delete this I will understand entirely, and I apologize.

Why is there an...*ahem*...strange number of cards in a Sven deck. If you have one then you know what I'm talking about, but why is there not an even 52 cards? Does that affect the trick in some way? Just curious, because it makes the deck look a bit on the small side.

JAlexBrown

From other discussisons I think the conclusion was that they're always short on quantity - but no idea why !

I've never seen any reason for it either.

There IS a reason, I do believe. And it's all to do with the manufacture.

Bear in mind that USPCC don't make them, these are 3rd party hacks.

It has always been traditional for there to be 48 cards. I have no idea why. One actual very good reason of course is that it gives the manufacturer 6 extra decks in every 48 made. More profit that way. When I made svengalis myself I always had 6 extra decks which I simply put an elastic band around. For some reason the banded ones always sold better than the regular ones with the fancy boxes.

If a member of the public asks me why there are only 48 cards I use the Joe Stuthard excuse that it makes them easier to handle. Baloney of course but you have to say something.