Card decks: paper or plastic?

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Card decks: paper or plastic?

Postby resplence » Nov 7th, '06, 08:26



Ok, this might be is a stupid question but I just had to ask.

Yesterday I started practicing some card tricks with an old paper card deck and it just felt too sloppy, so I went back to coins until I get a new one. Then someone lended me an equally old plastic deck and at first I thought it would be great because it looked better, appeared to offer a better snap, grip or something. I don't really know why. Maybe it was just because of how shiny it was.

But actually it went terrible. So I started looking for decks online, thinking it could be a matter of personal preference, but, oddly enough, didn't really find 'paper' or 'plastic' as an especification. This can only mean that it the type of card best suited for magic is obvious. But I fail to see the obvious here. I even tried discerning the material based on the pictures, but being a graphic designer ended up being a disservice because I'm aware that the materials are actually too advanced today, and either one can end up looking like the other. Just check how fancy book covers are these days.

Anyway, if I had to guess, I'd say the best is paper, but I'd like to be certain.


Thanks.

Last edited by resplence on Nov 7th, '06, 08:30, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby seige » Nov 7th, '06, 08:29

Plastic COATED, perhaps, but pure plastic cards are a nightmare.

Choose a brand such as Bicycle Poker, Tally Ho etc. and you'll be in good stead.

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Postby resplence » Nov 7th, '06, 08:31

Oh, interesting.

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Postby IAIN » Nov 7th, '06, 10:41

fournier are class if you fancied a change from bikes, look very nice too...plus lennart green uses them, so if they're good enough for him, good enough for anyone...

the stripper deck in fournier is quite tasty too...

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Postby greedoniz » Nov 7th, '06, 13:45

Bicycles are the choice for most magicians.

Probably for their quality and the fact that many gaffs decks are readily available with the bike design making them very handy to have

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Postby Tomo » Nov 7th, '06, 13:49

abraxus wrote:the stripper deck in fournier is quite tasty too...


Gah! Dang this CUPS!

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Postby reifidom » Nov 7th, '06, 16:55

I use bicycles exclusively because to most people I encounter they're above suspicion. Everybody I know has them, and on the rare occasion I do a trick with a gimmick there is no cause for alarm. Other decks may be quite nice to handle, but consistency in appearance no matter where I perform or with whose cards really adds up over time.

Also, some of their decks tend to have a certain consistency about the border that I'm using to good effect in a card mystery. Very simple, consistent, and baffling.

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Postby resplence » Nov 7th, '06, 18:34

I see. The thing is, I live in Brazil and none of those brands are available here. I'm very interested in getting one of those decks, but I don't wanna ruin them practicing (and I still have A LOT of practicing to do), and the shipping alone would cost 3 times more than one deck.

Since most of you seem to agree that it's very important that the cards are commonly used by laymen, I guess I'll stay with the most popular brand here, Copag.

So I wanted to know what makes a deck good for magic, to get an equivalent from them.

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Postby TylerD » Nov 10th, '06, 00:59

Its funny with Aviators alot of magicians hate them but there are some that love them for some reason. A popular magician on MVD Jonathon Kam (Kammagic) says he uses them once and a while for a chance. They are nice and slick but deffinitely for every day use Tally's or Bikes.

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Postby David R. » Nov 10th, '06, 01:57

As Seige said you will be better off with Bicycle and Tally-Ho. www.ellusionist.com sells some very nicely finished decks (Masters Deck is only $4 but will last you about 20+ hours of flourishing/shuffling/doing tricks (or at least they have for me). If you are looking for a site that sells literally almost every single type of deck of cards....

http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/

Once there, click on the picture of the cards right in the center and just browse around.

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Postby Woki » Nov 10th, '06, 06:48

resplence wrote:Since most of you seem to agree that it's very important that the cards are commonly used by laymen, I guess I'll stay with the most popular brand here, Copag.

So I wanted to know what makes a deck good for magic, to get an equivalent from them.


Hi, resplence, newbie from Brazil too..

I've being trying using COPAGs and I still don't know the problem is me or the cards. :D
For the moments I guess is 50-50... so I decide to buy some new cards in Ellusionist. I'm trying a pack of 12 red Masters Deck. Sincerely I think is a good deal.. mainly after see the price: US$ 4, is one dolar less you pay for a COPAG here!) Ok.. there is the shipping costs...! But if the things goes better it will mean that it was a good investment!

Abraços!

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Postby moodini » Nov 11th, '06, 04:43

TylerD wrote:Its funny with Aviators alot of magicians hate them but there are some that love them for some reason. A popular magician on MVD Jonathon Kam (Kammagic) says he uses them once and a while for a chance. They are nice and slick but deffinitely for every day use Tally's or Bikes.


I used to use Aviators quite a bit and rather enjoyed them....I wouldn't have a problem using them if I was forced, it is more a case of gaffs, etc, being available in Bike so I exclusivley use Bike

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Postby Woki » Nov 18th, '06, 01:53

resplence,

my bicycle masters arrived today... believe me... it's a great deal!! (CUPS)

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Postby Barnabas » Nov 18th, '06, 03:36

Hey resplence, you should change this thread into a voting thread. My vote will go out for Paper :D not plastic :x .

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Postby bishy » Nov 18th, '06, 22:44

Bicycle poker cards get the thumbs up from me :)

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