talkmagic.co.uk

Does anybody know where repacement cards can be bought for tricks like "Queens out of control" etc.
I don't really want to buy a new dvd each time the cards wear out.
Thanks
Spike.

Unfortunately, for an effect like that, there aren't many options. Especially considering the card backs aren't typical bike cards.

There ARE workarounds for this - Myself, I just print my own cards. Some people don't have the capabilities or desire to do that, but I find it to be highly effective.

I make my own back colors, faces - everything. So this helps me.

If you're looking for a quicker solution - you might try this site:

http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/acatalog/Bicycle_Fake_Decks_and_Cards.html
Notice the first few choices there - This site offers adhesive vinyl backs in assorted colors for Bike decks. For an effect like Queens out of Control, you'll need to collect a bunch of the Queen cards.

I don't know about the quality of these. The vinyl may make the cards more difficult to handle, but don't quote me on that.

Aside from making your own or buying those adhesive sheets, I don't see many other options for replenishing your supplies, outside of buying the effect again.

You could try going to magicmakersinc.com - they produce the effect. Perhaps you could contact them for purchasing replacement cards.

I know how big a problem this is. Being a fan of packet effects, I found myself constantly replenshing my "stock". That's why I have decided to make my own cards - cuts down on costs. Hope this helps.

If they printed Bikes in just one more colour to compliment the red, blue, green and black backs with normal faces then we could reproduce the effect using USPCC stock queens and jokers

Oh right! Thank you dat, I completely forgot about the green and black backed bikes!!!

It reminded me of what I DID do before I started making my own cards.

You don't need to use just different COLORS - I took a cue from Printing on Demand here, and have used different card backs.

So, you DO have affordable options -

Red back
blue back
green back
black back

red or blue LEAGUE backs

You can actually use Tally-Ho cards. The faces of the court cards are the same.

So long as the FACES of the cards match, you can, technically use any cards. The effect is still going to kill - perhaps more so when you reveal cards from an entirely different deck!

Hey that's nice.

I hadn't considered using different back designs as well and you're right in that it's the faces that need to match up and only a few of the cards have the same colour and design backs (carefull not to reveal more) in order to sell the illusion using the Elmsley count.

I recall the recent review on the pink and light blue backed bikes - do these have normal faces as this could be the answer?

In fact- pink would be THE colour to use to sell along with the queens (i.e. a girlie colour) as long as the faces are normal and not also coloured.

The only problem with the pink bikes are that they're reverse printed - so the faces are all pink with white pips (think black tiger in pink), so they don't work.

Of course, you could just use PART of that card....

Thanks to everyone for all your replies, I must admit I didn't think of the red/blue/green/black option, that will be ok when another colour comes out.
I also didn't consider printing my own. What card do you use for that please Demitri?

I am really inter4ested in printing my own, could you let us have some more details please?

I use whatever the situation calls for, really.

Basically, I buy three packs:

Blank faced Bicycle
Blank back Bicycle
Double Blank Bicycle

Most people scan the card faces in and rework them in order to make the gaffs. I tried this, but wasn't all that thrilled with the output quality. Doing a search on the internet for "playing card fonts" allowed me to find a few fonts that I use to make the pips, letters and numbers for the cards. Then, the more difficult task, was digitally recreating the court cards and backs.

For anyone who is familiar with Adobe Illustrator - I used that to recreate the cards as vector shapes (which can be resized up or down for mini or jumbo cards, if needed).

The advantage of this, is I can now create any colors I want. With a scan, you can alter the color as well, but too much tweaking results in pixelation of the white areas, as well as some nasty artifacting. This method allows me to switch in any color I desire, with crisp, clean results.

Doing the court cards has allowed me to easily create split facers of any type, which can be seamlessly blended. The advantage of this, is rather than putting a different pip on one side - the image of the Queen (for anyone who is REALLY paying attention) matches the card the pip represents.

So - if you're interested in doing that sort of thing, snag a copy of illustrator and start drawing away!

As for the process of PRINTING the cards, PM me if you're interested, and I'll give you some pointers. There is a marketed method called Versatile Monte and Beyond, which I'm told does it almost the same way I do. Out of respect for the creator, I won't divulge my own, similar method, publicly.

Thanks for the advice on the blue / pink bikes Demitri. I've since found a picture and had realised this, and that they are of no use because of it.

However,

Searching through the cards4magic web site I found some coloured adhesive backs in Bike design which can, or so it appears be easily applied to a card to give you a five different coloured Bike queens.

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

Can't go wrong for £5 me thinks

yup - that's the link I showed Spike, earlier.

One favor, dat. If you purchase these, please let me know how they look, feel and handle. I'm interested in seeing if these are a good substitute.

Will do!

They're at the Magic Circle centinary so I'll be placing an order when they're back in the office next week.

If anyone is interested they have some cool stock and their service is excellent.