talkmagic.co.uk

When I decided to get back into magic a few months ago, I looked around the house for some cards. I knew there were several old packs lying around - but when you want something you can never find it. So I needed to buy some - but which type??

I remembered the Svengali deck my dad had when I was a kid.
I quickly realized that if you ever want to use a gaffed deck (or even a single gaffed card) it should really match the standard ones you use. Lookin on the net it became apparent that Bikes are the choice of 90% or more magicians. In the USA they are the standard deck in any household. But that is not true here in England (despite what so many magicians seem to think!). Here bridge size are normal, and most people don't even notice what brand they are.

I also had that 'small hands feeling' (amazing that 1/4 inch width makes such a difference!)

So I looked for a bridge size brand that sold blank cards, double-backs etc. Piatnik seemed a good choice. They have a Magic range which includes the following -
Red or blue backed cards with 2 indexes. (Their 'normal' bridge cards have 4 indexes). [All the following are also 2 index]
A stripper deck (only in red backs)
Svengali (only blue)
double back decks (all combinations)
blanks faces (red or blue backs)
blank backs
A set of assorted gaffed cards.
They advertise a marked deck - but it is discontinued.

They have a glossy platicised smooth finish, which is initially quite pleasant to handle.

Initially I was pleased with my discovery but I encountered a number of problems -

1. There seems to be poor quality control of the colour of the red backed cards. The normal decks were a distinctly lighter shade than the blanks, stripper & mixed gaffs. You wouldn't notice the difference if you did an entire deck switch. But I cannot mix (say) blanks into a normal deck - side by side, the difference is too obvious.
I have a blue Svengali deck which matches the normal blues ok. I don't know about the other blue deck because I haven't bought any.

2. They don't fan nicely. I found it impoosible to do a good pressure fan - until I tried it with Bikes, which were soooo easy.

3. The glossy finish feels nice for a while, but they quickly start to feel kind of greasy. By contrast, the slightly textured 'linen' finish of Bikes feel 'clean' for much longer.

4. I bought some roughing fluid & made my own ID, but found it hard to handle well. Just recently I came across a footnote in a book (Tamariz i think) that says glossy cards do not work well with R&S.
I also tried using Fricto Fluid. It works well - but is very noticable when the light hits the cards at a certain angle (dull patches on an otherwise reflective glossy surface).

SO - I have finally decided that Piatnik didn't live up to my expectations. I have started to really enjoy the sensation of handling Bike cards - they really do have a great texture, crispness etc.

I don't know of any bridge-size cards that have a linen finish and have gaffed decks available. Otherwise I might try them. So looks like I am another Bike convert.

If anyone comments on the large size I just say they are poker size & a bit easier to see.

You can get Bicycle cards in bridge size here.

Not as cheap as Poker decks from elsewhere, but if you don't mind paying £2 a deck, maybe just what you're looking for.

I used to work with cards back in my time 10 years ago.
I could never get on with Piatnics, even thou most UK magic stores used to push them.
I actually prefer Waddingtons No1 decks.
I've had a deck for over 10 years and it's still as smooth as the day I bought them, fan perfectly every time, very flexable linen finish.
Just a shame you can not get the gaffs in a wadingtons finish.

I found bikes too stiff for my liking.

Not sure if this is still the case thou, now I'm back into magic I don't do cards anymore (exept torn)

Will